Car Insurance Australia: Comprehensive Coverage Explained

what is comprehensive car insurance australia

Comprehensive car insurance is not compulsory in Australia, but it is the highest level of car insurance available. It covers repairs to your car for damage caused by collision, fire, theft, and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else's car or property caused by the use of your car. Comprehensive car insurance can also include optional extras such as no excess for glass damage, your choice of repairer, and roadside assistance. The cost of comprehensive car insurance can be affected by factors such as the age of the driver, the number of kilometres driven, and the excess.

Characteristics Values
Compulsory in Australia No
Covers Damage to your car caused by collision, fire, theft, weather, explosion, malicious damage, and more.
Damage to someone else's vehicle or property caused by the use of your car.
Towing costs, emergency accommodation, replacement keys, baby capsules, and child seats.
Rental car while your car is being repaired.
Windscreen or window glass repair without paying an excess.
Any driver coverage.
Does not cover Some personal items like cash, mobile phones, or accessories fitted to your vehicle.
Personal items with Comprehensive Basics.
Tools unless used to earn income and locked in the car or toolbox.
Excess Basic excess is the amount you pay whenever you claim.
Additional excesses for specific situations, e.g., inexperienced driver excess, unlisted driver excess, kilometres exceeded excess.
Higher excess could mean a lower premium.
Optional extras No excess for glass damage.
Choice of repairer.
Three-year new car replacement.
Safe Driver Rewards.

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What does comprehensive car insurance cover?

Comprehensive car insurance is not compulsory in Australia, but it provides the highest level of cover for your car. It covers repairs to your car for damage caused by collision, fire, theft, and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else's car or property caused by the use of your car. Comprehensive car insurance can also include cover for personal items, tools, baby capsules, and child seats.

Comprehensive car insurance can provide peace of mind, as it covers damage to your car and other people's property, even if you are at fault. Some insurers may even extend cover to unlisted drivers of your car. Comprehensive car insurance can also include optional extras such as no excess for glass damage and your choice of repairer.

If your car cannot be driven, is being repaired, or has been stolen, comprehensive car insurance can provide a hire car. This is usually a similar make or model to your car, or an alternative equivalent, and is provided for a limited period, typically up to 21 days. Comprehensive car insurance can also include roadside assistance and cover for towing costs.

The cost of comprehensive car insurance can be affected by factors such as the age of the driver, the number of kilometres driven, and the excess amount. The excess is the amount you pay when making a claim, and a higher excess can lead to a lower premium. Comprehensive car insurance can also be purchased for an agreed value or market value of the car.

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What isn't covered by comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance in Australia provides the highest level of cover for your vehicle, protecting it in the event of accidents, theft, and damage caused by fire, weather, and collisions. It also covers damage to other people's vehicles and property caused by the use of your car.

However, there are certain exclusions and limitations to what is covered by comprehensive car insurance. Here are some things that are typically not covered:

Injury to Another Person

Comprehensive car insurance does not cover your liability to pay compensation if you cause injury to another person. In Australia, Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, also known as a Green Slip in NSW, is mandatory and sold separately or as part of vehicle registration, depending on the state. CTP insurance covers medical costs and compensation for injuries caused to another person in an accident.

Personal Items

Comprehensive car insurance typically does not cover personal items such as cash, mobile phones, or accessories fitted to your vehicle. However, some insurers may offer limited coverage for personal items, usually up to a certain amount.

Tools and Work Equipment

While comprehensive insurance can cover tools and work equipment, there are conditions that must be met. For example, some insurers require you to show that you were using the tools to earn income in your current business and that they were locked in your car or a fitted toolbox at the time of theft.

Vehicle Replacement

While comprehensive insurance can provide a replacement vehicle if your car is written off or stolen, there are conditions and limitations. For example, there may be weight and age restrictions on the vehicle, and the replacement may be subject to availability in Australia. Additionally, there may be different levels of coverage depending on the specific plan chosen, with higher-tier plans offering more comprehensive replacement options.

Breakdown Assistance

Comprehensive insurance typically does not cover assistance for breakdowns, dead batteries, or flat tires. This type of coverage is usually offered as an optional extra or add-on to the basic comprehensive insurance plan.

It is important to carefully review the specific terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations of your comprehensive car insurance policy, as these can vary between different insurers and plans.

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How much does comprehensive car insurance cost?

The cost of comprehensive car insurance in Australia varies depending on a range of factors. These include the age, gender, driving experience, and claims history of the driver, as well as the type of car, the level of cover, and the state or territory of residence.

According to Canstar's Research Team, the average cost of comprehensive car insurance in Australia differs based on age and gender. For females under 25, the average cost is $2,550, while for males of the same age, it is $2,858. The average cost decreases with age, with the cost being $2,056 for 25-29-year-olds, $1,529 for 30-49-year-olds, and $1,183 for those over 50.

Finder's research, which sourced quotes from 40 different car insurers across 30 different driver profiles, found that the average annual cost of comprehensive car insurance in Australia ranges from $1,750 to over $2,700.

It is worth noting that the cost of comprehensive car insurance can also be affected by factors such as the colour of the car, how long the driver has been on the road, and whether the vehicle is used for business purposes. Additionally, the level of cover chosen, such as Comprehensive Plus or Comprehensive Basics, will impact the premium.

When choosing a comprehensive car insurance policy, it is important to consider your personal circumstances and compare a range of providers to find the most suitable cover.

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What are the benefits of comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance is not compulsory in Australia, but it provides the highest level of cover if things go wrong. It covers repairs to your car for damage caused by collision, fire, theft, and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else's vehicle or property caused by the use of your car.

Comprehensive car insurance can also cover the cost of necessary towing, emergency accommodation, and replacing keys or recoding locks if someone steals your car keys. The cost to replace a damaged or stolen baby capsule or child seat is also covered in the case of theft if stolen with your car. You can also upgrade your comprehensive car insurance to include extras like no excess for glass damage and your choice of repairer.

Comprehensive car insurance policies can also cover replacement costs if your vehicle is stolen. For instance, if your vehicle is insured with QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance, has driven less than 60,000km, and is written off within the first three years of registration, you will get a three-year new car replacement.

Comprehensive car insurance also provides peace of mind. If you or the driver of your car is at fault in an accident, you will not be responsible for the cost of any damage to your own car or for the damages caused to any third-party property. Some financial institutions might also require you to have comprehensive car insurance if you took out a loan to purchase your car.

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How does comprehensive car insurance compare to third-party insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance is not compulsory in Australia, but it provides the highest level of cover in case something goes wrong. It covers repairs to your car for damage caused by collision, fire, theft, and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else's car or property caused by the use of your car. Comprehensive insurance also covers the cost of towing, emergency accommodation, and replacing keys or locks. Some policies may even cover the cost of a hire car after an accident.

The cost of comprehensive insurance is typically higher than that of third-party insurance. Third-party insurance only covers damage caused to other people's cars and property. It does not cover damage to your own car unless you have additional coverage. In Australia, Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) insurance, also known as a Green Slip in NSW, is mandatory. It covers the cost of compensation and medical costs if you or someone driving your car causes an accident injuring someone else. CTP does not cover damage to your car or property.

When deciding between comprehensive and third-party insurance, it is important to assess your needs and financial situation. Comprehensive insurance offers more extensive coverage but at a higher cost. Third-party insurance can be more affordable but may not provide sufficient protection in the event of an accident. It is worth noting that some financial institutions may require you to have comprehensive insurance if you took out a loan to purchase your car.

Additionally, it is essential to carefully review the specific terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of each insurance policy before making a decision. The level of coverage and included benefits can vary between different insurance providers. Understanding your priorities and potential risks will help you choose the most suitable type of insurance for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Comprehensive car insurance covers repairs to your car for damage caused by collision, fire, theft, and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else’s car or property caused by the use of your car. Comprehensive car insurance is not mandatory in Australia, but it provides the highest level of cover.

Market value is how much your car is worth at the time of your claim. Agreed value is a defined price between you and your insurer. Market value is usually cheaper, but agreed value gives you greater peace of mind.

Comprehensive car insurance covers accidental damage to your car, as well as damage to other people's vehicles and property. It also covers the cost of towing, emergency accommodation, and replacing keys or locks. Some policies also include hire car coverage if your car is damaged or stolen.

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