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Written by
Kervin Mathew
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettWe compare many well-known car insurers
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all policies offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers and some may only be available over the phone or on the website. Learn more.
Car insurance in the NT
Driving in the NT likely means negotiating Red Centre Way’s rugged roads and religiously dropping off your vehicle at the service centre. But where are you at with car insurance? While compulsory third party (CTP) insurance is built into your rego, it’s worth taking the time to explore other types of cover. After all, exploring comes easy in the Top End.
What’s driving like in the NT?
Going solely by statistics, the NT is home to some of Australia’s most dangerous roads, and they aren’t getting any safer. In the year up to 31 August 2024, NT motorists were involved in crashes that resulted in 67 fatalities. That’s 26.37 fatalities per 100,000 population, the highest rate in Australia by far and 201.9% higher than the previous year.1Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report, page 4
What types of car insurance policies are available in the NT?
Compulsory third party (CTP)
CTP insurance, or the Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme to everyday Territorians, is compulsory in the NT and is included in your car registration. It can help provide personal injury cover and financial compensation should you be involved in an accident that results in the death or injury of a third party.
This can include passengers in your car, other drivers or motorcyclists and their passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Third-party property
Third-party property insurance can help cover you for damages to other people’s car and property, but not your own.
Let’s say you accidentally rear-end someone driving through Alice Springs and you put a nice dent in both your car and that of the unsuspecting stranger. In this case, your third-party property insurance could help cover the other person’s damages, but not the dents in your own car.
Third-party fire and theft
Third-party fire and theft, much like third-party property, can help cover the cost of damage that you cause to another person’s car, property, or both in an accident. The benefit of having this type of insurance is that it can also provide you with cover for damage caused to your car by a fire or if your vehicle is stolen.
If luck isn’t on your side and your car is damaged by something other than fire, say a falling tree, you’ll be left to cover the cost of repairing or replacing it yourself.
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance combines the benefits of third-party property and third-party fire and theft, along with cover for your own vehicle, in one comprehensive package. It can include damage caused by fire and theft, accidental damage, malicious damage, weather damage, and third-party damage, regardless of who’s at fault. When your car is involved in an accident, comprehensive cover can help cover damage to your car and other affected cars and property.
What’s included in each type of policy?
| Car insurance type | Damage to your car | Damage to another person’s car or property | Damage or loss caused by theft | Injuries or death to others in an accident |
| CTP | No | No | No | Yes |
| Third-party property | No | Yes | No | No (but covered by CTP) |
| Third-party fire and theft | No | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by CTP) |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by CTP) |
How much does car insurance cost in the NT?
The cost of car insurance depends on a few factors: your age, your gender, the car you drive, how long you’ve been driving for, and overall, the likelihood of you making a claim.
So, how does the NT stack up with the rest of the country when it comes to car insurance? Use our interactive chart to see the average annual cost of comprehensive car insurance for iSelect customers across Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need car insurance in the NT if CTP is included in my registration?
If you cause an accident, CTP insurance can help cover the cost of claims relating to injury or death, but it won’t cover you for damage to your car or the other person’s car or property.
That’s why you may want to consider other types of car insurance on top of CTP, which can help you avoid being left paying a freakishly large repair bill in the event of an accident.
When choosing a car insurance policy, think about the level of cover you’re after. Comprehensive car insurance, for example, is generally the most extensive form of car insurance.
If you get in an accident, comprehensive car insurance, unlike CTP, could also help cover the cost of repairs or replacing your own car.
Is it worth protecting my car against theft in the NT?
All signs point to yes. Unfortunately, the NT has some of the highest rates of car theft in Australia. Between December 2022 and November 2023, there were 2,178 motor vehicle thefts in the NT. That’s an increase of 13.62% on the previous year and at a rate of 862.5 car thefts per 100,000 people.2NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services – Northern Territory Crime Statistics – Until November 2023
So, if you’re ever hit by the unpleasant realisation that you’re a victim of car theft, having third-party fire and theft or comprehensive insurance could help provide you with cover for the situation.
How can I get cheap car insurance in the NT?
Whether it’s manoeuvring dodgy roads or dealing with the rising cost of living (or both!), choosing car insurance is quite the balancing act. On the one hand you want the right level of cover for your vehicle. On the other, you don’t want to be paying too much for your premiums.
Here are some ways that you might reduce your car insurance premiums:
- Pay a higher excess. A higher excess can help reduce your ongoing premium payments, but keep in mind, it might mean you pay more whenever you make an insurance claim.
- Park your car in a dedicated safe space like your driveway, or better yet a carport or lock-up garage. Doing this reduces the chances of your vehicle being stolen, swiped by moving traffic, or damaged by storms.
- Restrict drivers under a certain age from operating your vehicle. Insurance providers consider less experienced drivers to be more prone to accidents. So, the lower the age restriction, the higher your premium could be.
- Switch to annual payments. Insurers can offer a reduced premium if you choose to pay for your insurance in one annual payment instead of monthly or fortnightly instalments.
What should I keep in mind when looking for car insurance in the NT?
Here’s a list of things to consider:
- Who drives your car. If you list your partner or a teenage L-plater as an additional driver on your policy, keep in mind that your insurer might increase the premium to accommodate the added risk of an extra driver, particularly if they’re less experienced or have a claims history.
- Inclusions and exclusions in your cover. Your policy might not cover everything you need it to, such as a mechanical failure, rust, wear and tear, or storm damage. If your provider doesn’t cater exactly to your needs, you might want to consider a more comprehensive policy, or perhaps a specialty insurer.
- How much excess you pay. The excess is what you typically need to pay when you make a claim. You could see it as sharing the cost of processing said claim with your insurer. Generally, if you pay a higher excess, your insurer may lower your premiums as a result.
- How often you pay your premium. Insurers typically offer fortnightly, monthly or annual premium payment options. You get to choose which suits you best, although it’s worth knowing that with annual payments you’re likely to pay lower premiums.
- Whether you’ll add optional extras to your policy. Services such as roadside assistance, a hire car after an accident, and a choice of repairer can soften the blow of an unexpected motoring mishap. Your insurer might offer these services as extras that you can add to beef up your comprehensive policy.
- No-claim discounts or bonuses for safe driving. Some insurers might offer a no-claim discount or bonus as a reward for being a safe driver and not making any claims on your policy. Usually, this is a benefit that only comes with having comprehensive car insurance. Some providers may even offer discounts for policies that are purchased online.
Does car insurance cost more in the NT?
On average, comprehensive car insurance premiums in the NT can be on the higher side. If you’re wondering why, it mostly comes down to the territory’s high fatality rate (per population) on roads and frequent extreme weather events, which are only becoming more severe due to climate change.
All things considered, it may be a good idea for you to shop around and consider all your car insurance options. By doing this, you can help ensure that you’re getting the best possible cover at a reasonable price to boot.
Let’s get you started! Use our online comparison tool to start comparing your car insurance options today.
iSelect does not compare all car insurers or policies in the market. The availability of policies may change from time to time. Not all policies available from iSelect’s providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements, area or availability, not all policies compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Some policies are available only from iSelect’s call centre or website. A number of our participating general insurance brands are arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909 on behalf of Auto & General Insurance Company Limited 111 586 353, both of which are related entities of iSelect Limited. Our relationship with those companies does not impact the integrity of our comparison service. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
iSelect General Pty Limited ABN 90 131 798 126, AFS Licence Number: 334115. Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold that is a percentage of the premium or a flat fee. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services.
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- 1.Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report, page 4
- 2.NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services – Northern Territory Crime Statistics – Until November 2023