Budget Direct Comprehensive Review | Car insurance comparison | CHOICE (2024)

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What is the CHOICE Expert Rating?

Recommended View more details.

We recommend higher scoring policies with a mix of state based and nationwide insurers.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating is the overall score that determines which products we recommend. It's made up of product features (60%) and price (40%).

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Features score View more details.

The score is made up of

Incident cover (eg emergency accommodation and transport andhire car)- 25%

New car replacement - 15%

Choice of repairer - 12.5%

Additional features (eg windscreen cover, roadside assistance) - 12.5%

Personal property cover - 10%

Default cover (fire, theft etc) andlegal liability- 10%

Agreed value 7.5%

Excesses - 7.5%

Insurer

Budget Direct

Policy

Comprehensive

Insurance provider

Auto & General

Insure for agreed value View more details.

Whether the car can be insured for an agreed value, or whether it is insured for market value only.

Yes

ACT price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate in the premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

NSW price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

NT price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

Queensland price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

SA price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

Tasmania price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

Victoria price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

WA price comparison View more details.

The fewer dollar signs, the cheaper the policy compared to other products available in the state. "N/A" means the insurer doesn't operate here, or doesn't participate inthe premium sharing program we use to collect pricing data.

N/A

Additional excesses View more details.

On top of your standard excess, some drivers might have to pay an additional excess when they make a claim. Drivers under 25 typically have to pay an age excess, and these can vary from state to state, and decrease with age.

• Young drivers
• Inexperienced drivers
• Unlisted drivers

Cover for personal property View more details.

Cover for your belongings inside the vehicle if it is stolen or damaged. Usually excludes cash or cards.

• $250

Cover for child seats View more details.

Cover for child seats, baby capsules, etc.

• Comes under $250 personal property limit

Cover for keys View more details.

Cover for replacing and recoding keys. Most insurers only cover this after theft, but some also cover lost keys.

• $1000
• Covered for theft only

Cover for trailers and caravans View more details.

Cover for damaged or stolen trailers. Some insurers include caravans in this benefit. Trailers usually have to be under a size limit, and they're often only covered up to their market value.

$500 trailer cover only

Accommodation and transport when far from home View more details.

If you're on the road and need to make a claim, your insurer might cover the costs of accommodation and transport to get you home or to your destination. The emergency transport benefit listed here is often also available when close to home, usually in the form of a taxi ride.

• $600 cost covered after theft or accident
• $150 per night
• Any distance from home
• Total includes emergency transport cover

Towing after an incident View more details.

Cover for towing from the scene of an incident.

Yes

Getting your car repaired View more details.

Do you have your choice of repairer, or do you have to use the one nominated by the insurer? Most insurers offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs they've authorised – this might be for the lifetime of the vehicle, while some only guarantee their repairs for as long as you own the car. The guarantee might only apply if you use the insurer's nominated repairer.

• Optional extra choice of repairer
• Repairs guaranteed while you own the vehicle

New car replacement View more details.

If your car is written off in the first few years, some insurers will replace it with a similar new model.

• Included
• 12 months after purchase
• Must have fewer than 20000km
• Must be first registered owner

Windscreen replacement View more details.

Because replacing damaged glass often costs less than your excess, insurers may waive or reduce the excess for windscreen and window claims.

• Reduced windscreen excess option available

Roadside assistance View more details.

Roadside assistance can help you in the event of a breakdown, which your car insurance doesn't cover you for. Some insurers offer it as an optional extra, while others have it included by default with their policies. Some sell roadside assistance plans to the general public.

Yes

Rental car View more details.

If you can't drive your car after you make a claim, your insurer might cover the cost of a rental car. This is usually covered by default after theft, but you might have to pay extra to get cover for other incidents.

• Covered for theft for 14 days $1000 total limit
• Covered for not at fault accident until claim settled
• Optional extra for at fault accident, until claim settled

Insurance for rental cars View more details.

Some insurers extend your comprehensive cover to rental cars. Others will cover some or all of the excess the rental company will charge if you damage the car.

None

Cover for theft, collision, hail, storm, flood, fire, malicious damage and vandalism View more details.

The basic insured events most policies cover.

Yes

Cover for contaminated fuel View more details.

Cover for if you use the correct fuel type for your car but the fuel is contaminated and damages your engine. Using an incorrect fuel type is usually not covered.

Yes

Legal liability View more details.

Cover for damage you cause to others' property with your car. Some insurers also cover liability for injury and death to other people in cases where your compulsory third party injury insurance does not.

$20 million