Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of vehicle insurance coverage available in Australia. It protects your car against damage from accidents (whether you're at fault or not), theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters like hail, storms, and floods. It also includes third-party coverage for damage to other people's vehicles and property, providing complete peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about comprehensive car insurance in Australia
General Questions
The cost of comprehensive car insurance varies based on several factors including your vehicle's make, model, age, and value; your driving history and age; where you live; how you use your vehicle; and your chosen excess amount. Typical annual premiums range from $500 to $2,000. Get an instant personalised quote online in just 60 seconds to see your exact price.
Third-party insurance only covers damage you cause to other people's property and vehicles, not damage to your own car. Comprehensive insurance covers both damage to your vehicle AND damage to others' property. If you have an at-fault accident with third-party insurance, you'll need to pay to repair your own vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle regardless of who's at fault.
No, comprehensive car insurance is not legally required in Australia. However, Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which covers injury to people in accidents, is mandatory in all states and territories. While comprehensive insurance isn't required by law, it's highly recommended to protect your vehicle investment, especially for newer or financed vehicles.
Coverage Questions
Comprehensive car insurance covers: accident damage (at-fault and not-at-fault), theft and attempted theft, fire, vandalism and malicious damage, storm and hail damage, flood damage, collision with animals, windscreen and glass damage, and third-party property damage. Optional add-ons include rental car cover, roadside assistance, and enhanced personal items coverage.
Comprehensive insurance typically doesn't cover: normal wear and tear, mechanical failures, intentional damage, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unlicensed driving, racing or competitive events, and damage from using your vehicle for commercial purposes (unless specified in your policy). Always read your Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
This depends on your specific policy. Some comprehensive policies include limited coverage when driving another person's vehicle (usually third-party only), but this isn't universal. Check your policy documents or contact us to confirm whether you're covered when driving other vehicles and what level of coverage applies.
Yes, comprehensive insurance typically covers your vehicle regardless of who's driving it, provided they have your permission and hold a valid driver's license. However, you may need to pay a higher excess if the driver is under 25 or not listed on your policy. Some policies also have restrictions on unlisted drivers.
Claims Questions
You can lodge a claim three ways: call our 24/7 claims hotline on 1300 CAR INS, complete our online claim form, or use our mobile app. You'll need your policy number, incident details, and any photos or documentation. Our claims team will guide you through the process and typically respond within 2 hours.
An excess is the amount you pay towards a claim. Standard excesses range from $500 to $1,500 (you choose when getting your quote). A higher excess means a lower premium. Additional excesses may apply for young or inexperienced drivers, or for unlisted drivers. You don't pay an excess for not-at-fault claims where we can recover costs from the other party.
Most claims are assessed within 48 hours of lodgement. Simple claims like windscreen repairs can be approved immediately. More complex claims requiring detailed assessment may take 3-5 business days. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and arrange a rental car if needed while your vehicle is being assessed or repaired.
Making an at-fault claim may affect your no-claim bonus discount and could increase your premium at renewal. Not-at-fault claims where we recover costs from the other party typically don't affect your premium. Small windscreen repairs under $1,000 usually don't impact your no-claim bonus. You can protect your no-claim bonus with our optional bonus protection add-on.
Policy Questions
Your coverage starts immediately upon payment confirmation. You'll receive instant confirmation via email with your policy documents. You can start driving with full comprehensive coverage right away. Your policy certificate is available to download from your online account or the mobile app.
Yes, you can cancel your policy at any time. If you cancel within the cooling-off period (usually 21 days from purchase) and haven't made a claim, you'll receive a full refund. After the cooling-off period, you'll receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your policy, minus any cancellation fees.
Yes, you can adjust your coverage options or excess amount at any time by contacting us or logging into your online account. Changes typically take effect immediately, and your premium will be adjusted accordingly. Any difference in premium will be refunded or charged on a pro-rata basis.
We'll send you a reminder notice if a payment is missed. You'll typically have 14 days to make the payment before your policy is cancelled. If your policy is cancelled due to non-payment, you won't be covered for any incidents that occur after the cancellation date. Contact us immediately if you're having payment difficulties so we can help.
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