Choosing the right car insurance in Australia.

Understanding your car insurance needs.

Your car insurance needs can depend on your car, how you use it, and your financial circumstances, amongst other factors. Thinking about your specific circumstances is the first step to finding the right coverage. To help you clarify what's important, ask yourself these key questions:

1. What level of cover do you need?

Are you looking to protect your own car from accidental loss or damage with a Comprehensive policy? Or are you primarily concerned with covering damage you might cause to other people's property, which a Third Party Property Damage policy could handle? 

2. What is your car worth?

A higher car value could lead to a higher premium because it may cost more to repair or replace. You typically choose between agreed value (a fixed payout you and the insurer agree on, often higher premium) or market value (payout based on the car's worth at claim time, usually lower premium but fluctuates with depreciation). There are also other factors to consider such as your car's make, model, age, kilometres, and condition when determining its value, which in turn affects your coverage cost and potential payout.

3. How many kilometres do you expect to drive annually?

Some policies may offer a lower premium if you drive less under a set number of kilometres annually. For example, Everyday Car Insurance can offer Everyday Drive Less Pay Less cover if you drive less than 15,000km each year.*

4. Are there specific situations or items you need covered?

Think about optional benefits like hire car after theft or an accident, cover for personal property in the car, or windscreen damage. Depending on your chosen level of cover, certain benefits may be included, while others are available as optional extras for an additional cost. Modifications and accessories need to be considered and notified to the insurer.

Types of car insurance in Australia.

Navigating the world of car insurance involves understanding the fundamental types of cover generally available in Australia. While specific offerings and limits can vary between insurers, here are some common types of car insurance you can typically encounter:

Third Party Property Damage (TPPD) Insurance.

What it might cover: this is the most basic optional car insurance. It usually covers the cost of damage your car causes to other people's property (e.g., their car, fence, house) if you're at fault in an accident.

What it might not cover: it generally does not cover any damage to your own car, regardless of who is at fault. It also doesn't generally cover personal injuries (that's what CTP is for). It's can be the cheapest optional cover.

Third Party Property, Fire & Theft (TPFT) Insurance.

What it might cover: this type of policy usually includes everything covered by Third Party Property Damage, plus it can provide cover for loss or damage to your own car if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

What it might not cover:  it generally doesn't cover accidental damage to your own car from collisions (unless it's fire or theft related) if you're at fault.

Comprehensive Car Insurance.

What it might cover: this is usually the highest level of car insurance and offers the broadest protection. It could cover:

Damage to other people's property (like TPPD).

Loss or damage to your own car due to a wide range of events, including accidents (regardless of fault), theft, fire, malicious damage, storms, hail, floods, and vandalism.

It can include optional extras suchas excess free windscreen cover or hire car cover.

Key features:  You often have the choice between agreed value and market value for your car's payout in the event of a total loss. This could be the most expensive type of car insurance but usually offers the most comprehensive coverage.

Above is a summary only. Always read the product disclosure statement for full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that may apply.

Key car insurance terms explained.

Once you have an idea of the level of cover you need, it's essential to understand some core terms that make up your policy. Getting familiar with these will help you compare options and manage your insurance effectively.

Understanding your premium.

Your premium is the amount of money you agree to pay for your policy for a specific period, usually annually or monthly. When you apply for cover or renew it, the insurer will tell you the premium amount, which is confirmed in your Certificate of Insurance. The premium is calculated based on a number of criteria. Some of these factors can include:

Your personal details: age, driving history and where you live and park your car.

Your car's details: make, model, age, value (agreed or market), safety features, performance, and the cost/availability of parts for repairs.

Your chosen policy: the type of cover (e.g., Third Party Property Damage vs. Comprehensive), the excess amount you choose (a higher excess usually means a lower premium), and any optional extras you add (like roadside assistance or hire car cover).

How you use your car: whether it's for private use, business, or rideshare, and how many kilometres you drive per year.

External factors: broader trends in claims costs, inflation, and government charges (like GST and stamp duty) can also influence premiums.

Understanding your excess.

A car insurance excess is the out-of-pocket amount you agree to pay towards the cost of a claim. When you make a claim, the excess is deducted from the total payout, and the insurer covers the rest. It's essentially your contribution to the repair or replacement of your vehicle (or other property if you're at fault). All applicable excess amounts are shown in your Certificate of Insurance.

There are several types of excesses that can apply, sometimes in combination.

Note that below is a general list only, always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your policy for full list of excesses, as well as terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.

When do you might need pay an excess?

You may need to pay your excess when you lodge a claim and the claim is accepted. If your car is repairable, you might pay the excess directly to the repairer or the insurer before repairs begin. If your car is a total loss (written off), the excess can be usually deducted from the final settlement amount the insurer pays you.

When could an excess waived?

If you're involved in an accident that is not your fault, and you can provide the full details (name, address, vehicle registration, etc) of the at-fault driver to your insurer, you may not have to pay any excess. The insurer might then seek to recover their costs (including your excess) from the at-fault driver's insurer. However, if the at-fault party cannot be identified (e.g., a hit-and-run), you might still need to pay your excess.

Car insurance exclusions.

Car insurance policies have exclusions that specify situations or types of damage that are not covered. It's crucial to read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) from your insurer to understand the exact terms of your policy, as exclusions can vary between providers.

Here are some common car insurance exclusions you might find:

Driver & vehicle issues: driving without a valid license, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with an unregistered or unroadworthy car, or if an excluded/unlisted driver is at fault. Also, unapproved vehicle modifications or overloading could void cover.

Usage & intentional acts: deliberately causing damage, using your car for commercial purposes (like ridesharing) without specific cover, racing, or if an accident occurs while breaking the law (e.g., speeding). Leaving the scene of an accident or driving against medical advice could also be excluded, as might be using the wrong fuel type.

Other exclusions: normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, pre-existing damage, unauthorised repairs, acts of war/terrorism, pest damage, or indirect losses (consequential loss). Your policy could also be void if you fail to pay your premiums.

Keeping your car insurance policy up-to-date.

It's vital to keep your car insurance policy up-to-date, not just to ensure you're fully covered, but also to avoid potential claim denials and optimise your premiums.

Life changes, like moving house, buying a new car, modifying your vehicle, adding or removing drivers, or even changing how you use your car (e.g., for ridesharing), could all impact your policy.

Always review your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) at renewal time and immediately inform your insurer of any significant changes. Staying proactive ensures your policy reflects your current situation and might help prevent unexpected issues when you need to make a claim.