Compare Car Insurance Australia

What is car insurance?

Car insurance helps pay for the cost if your car is every damaged or stolen. It can also help cover the cost it would take to repair someone else's car if you are involved in an accident. There are 4 levels of car insurance. Compulsory third party (CTP), third party fire & theft, third party property damage and comprehensive car insurance. You can compare a range of car insurance providers in Australia using the table below.

Your car insurance coverage will vary based on the level of cover you've purchased and who the provider is. Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of cover and may cover you for things such as damage to your own vehicle, storm damage and theft. Third party policies may cover you for damage to someone else's vehicle but not your own. You can use the table below to understand the different levels of cover and what may be included in each.

How do the different types of car insurance compare?

Why compare car insurance?

In a cost of living crisis, it pays to compare car insurance to make sure you're not paying more than you need to. Prices can differ a lot – in fact, here's a real-life example of 2 comprehensive car insurance policies that share similar features, yet are priced $245 apart.

Tried and tested: Tips to get a better deal

Our expert says

"Look around for insurers who offer sign-up discounts – this can be a great way to save! Often, the sign-up discounts will only be available if you're a new customer but that's typically no problem if you're looking at switching providers. Some offer up to 15% off which can help you save around $100 in some cases."

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

Our expert says

"If you like the look of a specific policy but it's too expensive for you, check who the underwriter is. Brands with shared underwriters have identical policies but some brands are cheaper than others. This means you can enjoy the same policy at a more affordable price point. You can find a policy's underwriter with a simple Google search or look at the product disclosure statement."

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Our expert says

"Good to know – if your windscreen is broken and that's the only thing that's been damaged, it's not always worth making an insurance claim. This is because your excess is usually more than the cost of the repairs. To avoid this, lots of insurers let you upgrade your cover to include no-excess windscreen cover. It'll usually cost you a couple more bucks a month which is substantially cheaper than paying for the repairs yourself."

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Compare our award winners

To help you find the best car insurance, Finder’s insurance team gathered several quotes from over 30 Australian insurers. Quotes were collected for male and female drivers, for ages 20, 30 and 60 years, using a 2020 Toyota Corolla Ascent 4 Door Sedan and an excess between $700 and $900.

Winner: Best value car insurance

Budget Direct received a 2026 Finder Award for Best Value Car Insurance. Its Comprehensive Car Insurance policy is jam-packed with coverage, features flexible excess options and an online sign-up discount.

Full list of 2026 winners

Winner: Best features car insurance

Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance was awarded the 2026 Finder Award for Best Features Car Insurance. The policy automatically includes roadside assistance and offers competitive cover limits.

Full list of 2026 winners

Winner: Best low cost car insurance

Budget Direct remains one of the best-value car insurers on the market, with its Comprehensive policy offering top-tier cover at an affordable price point.

Full list of 2026 winners

Winner: Customer satisfaction

We asked over thousands of Australians across major states to rate their current car insurance provider. NRMA car insurance came in first place nationally thanks to its consistently high ratings across several categories, including Most Loved.

Full list of 2026 winners

Compare car insurance by state

The providers listed in the table below were the top 5 cheapest of the providers we researched and reflect the estimated annual cost based on the profile used. Keep in mind, your own cost will vary depending on your personal circumstances and it's always best to compare a range of providers.

• NSW
• QLD
• VIC
• TAS
• WA
• SA

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$1,081	Get quote
	$1,671	Get quote
	$1,823	More info
	$1,849	More info
	$1,911	More info

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$1,057	Get quote
	$1,164	Get quote
	$1,364	More info
	$1,376	More info
	$1,468	Get quote

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$1,199	Get quote
	$1,657	Get quote
	$1,772	Get quote
	$1,973	More info
	$1,990	More info

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$809	Get quote
	$1,093	Get quote
	$1,215	More info
	$1,220	More info
	$1,231	More info

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$798	Get quote
	$1,039	Get quote
	$1,258	More info
	$1,269	More info
	$1,440	More info

Comprehensive car insurance

Provider	Average price	Apply
	$710	Get quote
	$1,143	Get quote
	$1,294	More info
	$1,306	More info
	$1,317	Get quote

_{We didn't include quotes for NT and ACT because the sample size was too small.}

• How we got these quotes

  To see the profiles we used to collect these quotes, please read Finder's car insurance methodology. Your cost will differ depending on your circumstances. Some things that can affect the cost of your quote include your gender, the type of car you drive, the colour of the car, how long you have been driving and the amount of cover you need. Be sure to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) to find cover that suits you.

The lowdown on Finder Score

Just like cars come in different colours, models and sizes, car insurance products are all super different. And while it's great Australians are spoilt for choice with insurers, it can make finding the right policy trickier. Finder Score makes it a bit easier to compare Car Insurance by giving you a simple score out of 10 to start your search.

Remember that Finder Score is just one factor to consider. Look at other aspects like fees, features, benefits and risks to make sure a product is suitable for you. Double-check details that matter to you before applying or buying.

To get to our final score, we look at over 30 products and give each of them a score out of 10 based on 20 features, including price.

To get the price, we collect annual quotes from 6 personas across 6 states (NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, WA, SA). To be eligible for a Finder Score, providers have to be able to give us these quotes online. The personas we collect quotes for are:

• Personas

  Personas to calculate average price

  Age	Gender
  20	Male
  20	Female
  30	Male
  30	Female
  60	Male
  60	Female

• Car insurance Finder Score weightings

  Car Insurance - Finder Score weightings

  Feature	Comprehensive	Third Party Fire and Theft	Third Party Property Damage
  Price	50%	50%	50%
  Storm damage	2.25
  Flood cover	2.25%
  Legal liability	2.25%	8%	10%
  Windscreen damage	2.25%
  Choice of repairer	2.25	1%
  Lifetime guarantee on repairs	2.25%	2%
  Essential emergency repairs	2.25%	4%
  Towing	6%	4%
  Roadside assistance	2.25%	6%	15%
  Personal effects	2.25%	2%
  Key replacement	2.25%	2%
  Child seat	2.25%	2%
  Hire car after theft	2.25%	3%
  New car replacement	2.25%	3%
  Hire car after accident	2.25%
  Agreed or Market Value	3.25%	2%
  Emergency transport and accomodation	2.25%	4%
  Restricted drivers option	4%
  Monthly payment option	3%	3%	5%
  Uninsured motorist damage			15%
  Adjustable excess		4%	5%

The Finder Score methodology is designed by our insights team and reviewed by our editorial team. We review the products objectively. Commercial partnerships do not affect the score.

Remember that Finder Score is just one factor to consider. Look at other aspects like fees, features, benefits and risks to make sure a product is suitable for you. Double-check details that matter to you before applying or buying.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best car insurance?

  This is a tricky question to answer, as there is no "best" car insurance policy. What's best for you will be determined by your own needs and your quotes will reflect your personal circumstances. But if you'd like a head start in your search, you can check out our 2026 Finder Awards, where Budget Direct was the best car insurance for value and Youi Insurance was the best for features.

• Where can I find the cheapest car insurance?

  You can compare and get a quote for cheap car insurance by heading over to our cheap car insurance page. We help you compare insurance based on a number of factors, including customer service and options for younger drivers.

• How much is car insurance?

  According to 2025 Finder research, on average, a comprehensive car insurance policy costs around $2,081.

• What extras can car insurance cover?

  When purchasing comprehensive car insurance, the PDS will outline which features are included in your policy and which are available as optional extras. Some of the most common features that are typically included under a comprehensive policy include:

  • Hire car after theft. Most insurers will cover costs for a hire car (for example, around $75 per day) if your vehicle is stolen.
  • New car replacement if written off within a certain timeframe or mileage limit. For example, if your car is written off within the first 2 years of its manufacture or has less than 15,000km on the odometer, then your car insurer will provide you with a new replacement.
  • Weather events. Your car is insured for damage as a result of fires, storms or floods.
  • Towing. Our research of over 30 providers indicates all comprehensive policies include towing in their coverage.
  • Legal liability. All comprehensive policies include this but the amount can vary. For example, Youi will cover up to $20 million in legal liability and Kogan will cover up to $30 million.

  Typically offered as a paid extra:

  • Choice of repairer. If you’d like to choose where your car is repaired after an insured event then you can pay to pick the repairer rather than have your insurer allocate you one. This is handy if you have a modified or classic car and only work with mechanics you know or trust.
  • Roadside assistance. Our research showed Youi is the only provider to include roadside assistance as part of its comprehensive policy. For all other providers, roadside assistance is a separate product you will need to purchase in addition to comprehensive cover.
  • Windscreen damage. Windscreen repairs often cost around the same as paying your excess which can make claiming pointless, so some insurers will offer a no excess windscreen option. This is where you pay a slightly higher premium upfront but don’t need to pay an excess when you make a windscreen damage claim.
  • Hire car after accident. This is an optional extra but almost all policies have parameters around it. For example, the hire car must not exceed a cost of $75 per day. This limit varies by insurer.

• What's the difference between market value and agreed value?

  Market value is a figure based on what your insurer estimates your car is worth, while agreed value is a specific amount you and your insurer agree on. There's less risk you will be underinsured and out of pocket with agreed value (if you agree to a higher amount) but your premiums may cost more.

• Are p-platers and learner drivers covered under my insurance?

  Generally, learner drivers will be included under your insurance. However, they may have to pay a larger excess if they have an accident. Remember, a fully licensed driver must be in the passenger seat as an instructor whenever a learner driver is in control of a vehicle.

  P-platers can be added as an additional driver to your insurance as long as they drive less than you. Otherwise, they'll need to buy their own car insurance policy.

• Will my insurance cover me to drive other cars?

  No. Your car insurance won't cover you if you drive another person's vehicle. It only applies to the car listed on the insurance policy.

• Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

  No. Car hire companies will typically offer insurance that covers their vehicles, but your standard car insurance policy will not cover you if you damage a hire car while driving it.

• Will my insurance premium go up if I make a claim?

  Yes, it's highly likely your premium will go up if you make a claim on your car insurance policy.

• What happens if my car is a write-off?

  If your car has been written off in an insured event, then you will receive the market value amount or the agreed value amount that’s outlined in your policy. Some comprehensive policies will replace your car with a new vehicle if your car was declared a write-off within the first 2 years of its first registration or within a certain amount of kilometres.

• Is there a grace period for renewing my car insurance?

  Not typically. If you haven't renewed your car insurance then you aren't covered for the time that it lapsed.

• Why is Bingle so cheap?

  Bingle keeps premiums low by operating online-only rather than having expensive bricks and mortar premises to interact with customers. They also offer limited extras, focusing on essential coverage to cut down costs.

• What is the cheapest insurance for young drivers?

  Third-party insurance is often the cheapest option for young drivers. This insurance provides cover for another vehicle if you're in an accident, but no cover for your own vehicle. The next step up is third-party plus theft and fire, and full coverage of both your car and theirs is comprehensive insurance.

• Do I have to wait for my renewal period to switch?

  Nope! You can switch car insurance policies whenever you like. The only thing to keep in mind if you plan to switch close to renewal time is to ensure the day your new policy starts is just after your current policy ends to avoid gaps in cover.

  You are also welcome to cancel your current cover for another policy before it renews, as many car insurers offer a pro-rata refund if you've already paid your premium for the year. If you pay monthly, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

• How do I get the best deal on my car insurance?

  Great question! But it’s one not that easy to answer. When you think about it, car insurance policies are quite a personal thing. Your premium is based on several personal factors, including your age, the type of car you drive, where you live, where you keep your car and many more factors.

  That’s why the “best deal” will look different for everyone. And it’s why comparing car insurance quotes is the best way to find your best deal. It’s recommended to get at least 3-5 quotes. If cost is a big factor when shopping around, selecting a higher excess can also reduce your premium. It’s also cheaper to pay annual than monthly, so consider whether you can afford to pay the lump sum to reduce your overall premium.