Compare comprehensive car insurance

With insurance bills really expensive right now, it's little wonder people are making tough calls on whether they can justify comprehensive cover. But it's the only type of car insurance that offers protection for damages to your car regardless of who's at-fault. Important to note: our research indicates there's more than $1,400 in difference between the cheapest and most expensive comprehensive policy – so it really does pay to compare your options.

James Martin
Editor of insurance at Finder

When you think car insurance, it's possible you think 'accident'. But 'act of nature' is a big one too. 17% of the flood claims in early 2022 were for cars. That, and the ability to add rental car cover in case your vehicle needs to get fixed, is why I would always go for comprehensive cover.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Freelance finance journalist

Most comprehensive car insurance policies don't automatically cover you for roadside assistance which can be really important, especially if you travel long distances or live in a rural or remote area. The exception to the rule is Youi. It automatically covers up to 2 callouts per year with its comprehensive cover.

Gary Hunter
Finder senior insurance writer

I once made the mistake of insuring a brand new car for market value instead of agreed value (in an attempt to save on my premium). Unfortunately, the car was stolen and written off. When I went to claim on insurance, I found that the market value wasn't high enough to cover what I still owed on the car and I ended up being out of pocket by around $7,000. While insuring for agreed value can increase your premium, at least it could prevent you from being stuck in the position I was!

— Alex Dalrymple, car owner

Compare comprehensive car insurance by state

Use the map below to compare car insurance based on your location.

• WA
• NT
• SA
• TAS
• QLD
• NSW
• VIC
• ACT

Frequently asked questions

• What is comprehensive car insurance?

  Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of car insurance you can get in Australia. It's the only type of car insurance that will cover damage to your own car as well as damage to other people, vehicles and property.

  It covers costs caused by fire, storm and hail damage and replacement costs if your car is stolen. Depending on which comprehensive car insurance policy you buy, you can also get cover for roadside recovery, a hire car if yours is ever out of action and emergency accommodation costs if you're stranded far from home.

• What is the cheapest comprehensive car insurance policy in Australia?

  According to Finder research, Bingle is the cheapest comprehensive car insurance policy at an average of $673 per year. Remember, everyone's circumstances are different and each insurer will assess your individual criteria so prices may vary.

• How does comprehensive car insurance compare to other types of cover?

  Comprehensive car insurance covers far more situations than either third party insurance or third party fire and theft. However, it's also the most expensive. Our research shows the average price of comprehensive car insurance is roughly twice that of third party insurance.

  	Comprehensive	Third party fire and theft	Third party
  Accidental damage to your car
  Malicious damage to your car
  Damage due to flood or storm
  Damage due to fire
  Theft
  Damage to other people's property
  Emergency transport and accommodation
  Hire car following accident
  Personal property replacement
  New car replacement
  Replacement of car keys

  There may be some difference between insurers.

• Does comprehensive car insurance cover business use?

  Comprehensive car insurance policies can cover you for business use but not by default. You'll need to let your insurer know you plan to use the vehicle for both personal and business use. Your premiums may increase when you add comprehensive car insurance for business use to your existing policy, but it's essential if you want to be covered while using the vehicle for work.

• What affects the cost of my policy?

  There are lots of different factors that affect the cost of your car insurance policy. We've listed the most significant ones below.

  Factor	What happens?
  Age	Young drivers usually pay more for their insurance
  Experience	Experienced drivers often enjoy cheaper premiums
  Gender	Men sometimes pay more than women, although it's usually equal in older drivers
  History	Drivers who have made recent claims will pay more for their premiums
  Car value	Cheaper cars are less expensive to insure
  Car features	If your car has safety or security features, it may be cheaper to insure
  Usage	People who drive fewer kilometres per year may have cheaper premiums
  Location	Cars kept in safe neighbourhoods or secure locations can see cheaper premiums
  Cover	A higher level of protection that offers extra perks will be more expensive
  Excess	If you choose a higher excess, your premiums will be lower
  Restrictions	If you restrict the age of other drivers, you may be able to lower your premium

• How can I save money on comprehensive car insurance?

  Here are a few ways to make your comprehensive car insurance premiums more affordable.

  • Shop around. Our research shows you can save thousands of dollars just by comparing
  • Increase your excess. Choosing a higher excess will lower your premiums
  • Look for no-claim discounts. Some insurers offer big discounts to safe drivers
  • Restrict usage. Premiums may be cheaper if only select people will drive the car
  • Restrict age. If you restrict the minimum age of any driver, your premium might drop
  • Keep it safe. Installing a car alarm or keeping your vehicle in a garage can earn you a discount
  • Look for deals. Some insurers will offer discounts for buying online

• Can anyone drive my car if I have comprehensive insurance?

  Some comprehensive policies will cover anyone with a driving licence. However, others will restrict the age of drivers or the experience of drivers. Some policies will only cover named drivers. These are usually settings that you can customise yourself but if you're unsure always ask your insurer directly.

• Is comprehensive car insurance compulsory in Australia?

  Comprehensive car insurance isn't compulsory in Australia. However, compulsory third party (CTP) is a legal requirement.

• Do you need CTP insurance if you have comprehensive cover?

  Yes. Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance covers you for legal expenses if you injure or kill someone in a motor vehicle accident. Comprehensive car insurance doesn't cover you for this.