High-risk car insurance

If you’ve had a suspended license or have a history of traffic infringements, you might be lumped into an extra-high-risk category, raising your premiums even higher on top of the normal risk factors. In addition, your risk factor might be further compounded by the type of car you’re driving. Altogether, these and other risk factors make a substantial difference to your premiums.

Compare car insurance for high-risk drivers

• Comprehensive
• Third Party Fire and Theft
• Third Party Property Damage

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Name	Product	Roadside Assistance	Accidental Damage	Storm	Choice of Repairer	Agreed or Market Value
Virgin Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Finalists for the 2021 Finder Awards for Best Car Insurance - Value in VIC, QLD, SA, WA and TAS, Virgin Comprehensive provides a good level of cover for a decent price. ⭐ Current offer: Get 15% off on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new eligible comprehensive car insurance online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who'd like to manage their policy online 24/7.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: You'll be able to choose how comprehensive you want your cover to be with optional extras like choice of repairer and the option of agreed or market value. ⭐ Current offer: Earn Qantas Points for joining and paying your premium. Sign up today and earn up to 20,000 Qantas Points (points awarded will be based on your premium). T&Cs and eligibility apply. Who it might be good for: People who'd like to earn Qantas Points.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bingle Comprehensive						Market	Finder's summary:Bingle consistently comes up as one of the cheaper insurers out there. It only covers the basics. You don't get to choose your own repairer, you're not covered for personal items in the car and unless you add it as an option, you won't get a hire car if your car is stolen. But this keeps its premiums low. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a low-cost option that covers them for the basics.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
QBE Comprehensive Green Company					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: QBE is a sustainable insurance company and also Finder's Green Insurer of the Year 2021 award winner. This policy offers the highest level of protection available from QBE including three-year new car replacement. ⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those that are looking for a more environmentally friendly insurance choice.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ahm Comprehensive		Optional				Both	Finder’s summary: ahm comprehensive car insurance lets you choose higher excess to reduce your premiums. Its Fixed Kilometre Plan can save you up to 30% compared to its standard comprehensive cover. ⭐ Current offer: Get up to 15% off when you purchase a new car insurance policy. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who drive less than 15,000 km per year.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Australia Post Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Australia Post car insurance offers comprehensive cover for things like theft, fire, new for old replacement and emergency accommodation and transport. Cover also extends to anyone who uses your car, not just you. ⭐ Current offer: Get $75 off your first year’s premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: If multiple people use the one car and you don’t want to worry about listing all drivers.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Black Comprehensive						Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Huddle's black comprehensive is its cover with highest limits and exclusive benefits. It includes roadside assistance. You can also get up to $2,000 for emergency travel and accommodation and up to $30 million legal liability cover. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a 24/7 claims processing.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance is one of the few providers to include roadside assistance in its policy. You'll also get access to YouiRewards which gives you discounts on furniture, parking and more. Youi also has a live chat feature on its site to talk through any questions. Who it might be good for: People over 25 who want comprehensive cover with a focus on customer service.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Name	Product	Fire and Theft	Roadside Assistance	Personal Effects	Accidental Damage	Choice of Repairer
Virgin Third Party Fire and Theft			Optional	$0			Purchase a new eligible Virgin Car Insurance policy and you'll also save 15% on your first year's premium. T&Cs Apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Third Party Property, Fire and Theft			Optional	$0			Earn Qantas Points when you sign up. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Third Party Fire and Theft				$750		Optional	Up to $20 million legal liability cover and 24/7 claims team.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Name	Product	Damage to your Car	Damage to Other People's Car	Pay Monthly At No Extra Cost	Legal Liability
Virgin Third Party Property Damage		Only $5,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$20,000,000	Purchase a new eligible Virgin Car Insurance policy and you'll also save 15% on your first year's premium. T&Cs Apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Third Party Property Only		Only $5,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$20,000,000	Earn Qantas Points when you sign up. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bingle Third Party Property Damage					$20,000,000	Get accidental damage to someone's car or property cover when you use your car for ridesharing. No cancellation fees.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
QBE Third Party Property Damage Green Company		Only $5,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$30,000,000	Up to $5,000 for damage caused by an identified, uninsured driver.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ahm Third Party Property Damage		Only $3,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$20,000,000	Get up to 15% off when you purchase a new car insurance policy. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Third Party Property Damage		Only $3,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$20,000,000	Up to $20 million legal liability cover plus up to $3,000 for damage caused by uninsured drivers.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Third Party Property Damage		Only $5,000 cover for uninsured motorist damage			$20,000,000	Covered up to $5,000 for accidental damage to your car caused by an uninsured third party.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Can I get car insurance if I'm a high risk driver?

You can still get insurance even if you're a high risk driver but your premiums are likely to be higher than most and you may have to look a little harder for a good deal.

Your premiums are likely to be higher because you are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident. However, it's often the case that once you've been with an insurer for some time, they will lower premiums if you haven't had to make a claim.

Insurers treat high-risk drivers in different ways. Some companies will have much harsher restrictions and higher premiums than others, so comparing car insurance quotes before buying is an absolute must. When considering what options you have, you may look at smaller coverage, such as a Third Party policy. However, always make sure to take into consideration what these policies do and don't cover – never base your decision on price alone.

What makes someone a high-risk driver?

Generally, different insurers will have their own driver categories. Some might have three different tiers (low, medium and high risk) while others might take a more nuanced approach with additional categories and the consideration of more factors.

Your category will affect your premiums, and your category is generally determined by a combination of risk factors, which can both raise and lower your premiums by different amounts. It can be a good idea to get a solid understanding of the factors affecting car insurance premiums, so you can easily pick out ways to reduce your costs. Some of the following factors can bump your risk level up:

• Being a learner driver or on P plates
• Having a history of speeding, DUIs or other violations
• Spending a lot more time on the road than other customers
• Having a high-powered car
• Having made a lot of car insurance claims in the past

If you’ve been lumped into a high-risk car insurance category, there’s no magic bullet for more cover at lower cost. It’s worth comparing cover from a range of providers and if necessary, speaking with a specialist car insurance provider.

• Do I have to let my insurer know if my license has been suspended?

  Yes. The terms of most policies stipulate that you need to tell your insurer about anything that raises your risk level unless you can reasonably expect the provider to know about it already.

  • If your insurer does know about it, then informing them probably won’t affect your premiums.
  • If your insurer doesn’t know about it, then not telling them may be used to deny a claim later on.

  It’s generally a good idea to let your insurer know about it.

How to reduce the risk and cut your costs

The following are some of the major steps you can take to reduce premiums:

• Keep an eye out for discounts. Some brands offer discounts as high as 25% just for taking out cover online.
• A different policy. You can choose a third party property damage only policy or a third party policy with fire and theft cover. This means giving up the benefits of comprehensive car insurance, but it can greatly reduce the cost of a policy.
• Drive less. You might start taking public transport and get rides whenever you can, so you don’t drive unless you really need to. There are pay as you go car insurance policies which let you nominate a kilometre limit per policy period, which can give you reduced premiums for staying within it. If you need to go over your kilometre limit, you can top up your policy on a case by case basis.
• Choose a higher excess. This has a major effect on your premiums. You might choose an unpleasantly high excess and then save your car insurance for the really important claims, like liability costs or a total loss.
• Park off the street. A lot of car insurance claims come from someone damaging your car overnight. Some insurers may offer lower prices to people who park cars off the street, preferably under cover or inside a lockable garage.
• Remove any modifications. These add to the overall value of a car and to your premiums.

You can also find multiple ways to stack smaller discounts on top of each other.

• Nominate a driver. Depending on the policy, you might be able to reduce costs by specifically nominating yourself as the only driver.
• Pay premiums annually. If possible, it often costs less overall to pay premiums in annual instalments rather than doing it monthly or fortnightly.
• Use security devices. A lot of insurers will extend discounts to you if your car has certain security devices.
• Use market value. It’s usually cheaper to insure a car at market value instead of agreed value.
• Look for a multi-policy discount. If you have other forms of cover with one provider, you are often able to get a multi-policy discount, to the tune of 5-10%, by taking out car insurance with the same insurer.
• Complete a defensive driving course. Even if you don’t need it, having a driving certificate can mean lower premiums with some insurers. Generally, courses need to be approved by the insurer.
• Buy online. Significant discounts may be available for signing up online.

Insurance after suspended license

So long as your policy doesn't have an exclusionary clause for driver license suspensions, you will probably still be covered. However, it's essential that you get in touch with your insurer and let them know. Most insurers won't cover you unless you let them know within 60 days that you or a household member has had their license suspended. There may also be exclusions in the fine-print you were unaware of so make sure to call.

It is often the case that insurers will deem you a high-risk driver after a suspension. Some may refuse to renew your policy. If this is the case, they must let you know within 30 days of your policy's expiry date.

If you are looking for car insurance with a suspended license, you have a couple of options.

• Short-term suspended license. You'll need to have proof that your license suspension is only for a short period of time though, to show that you're doing it in preparation for getting back on the road. After you get your license back, you'll need to provide proof to your insurer.
• Long-term suspended licence. Ordinarily, you will need to buy a policy with another person as named as the primary driver, for instance, if you are buying a policy for your child but have a suspended license. You can't personally be listed on the policy until your license is reinstated.

How to get your license back after a disqualification

Getting your license back after disqualification varies from state to state. However, generally your licence is not reissued to you automatically even after a disqualification period ends. There are a few things you need to do. Depending on your conviction, you might need to provide written evidence outlining why you need a driver license and in some cases you may even need to do a driving test. If your licence is approved after the disqualification period ends, you need to pay a licence-processing fee. Other requirements often include:

• An approval letter from your state's Registration Branch driving assessment
• A copy of your driving record and proof of identity
• Get and fill out an application to remove your driver licence disqualification
• In some cases, you may need to go to court in order to apply to get your license back.

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