Car Insurance Northern Territory

In the NT, and all across Australia, drivers are required to have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance. CTP Insurance is built into your NT car registration, so don’t panic – you probably already have it! 

But there is also the option of additional insurance cover that you might like to consider, such as Third Party Property and Comprehensive Car Insurance. If you’re involved in an accident, then additional Car Insurance could help cover some of the costs of a potentially big repair bill.

What types of Car Insurance are available in the Northern Territory?

The table below will give you a good overall breakdown of what’s typically included within each type of Car Insurance policy: 

Compulsory Third Party 

CTP Insurance, more commonly known in the NT as the Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme,^{1TIO – Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme}  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, including:^{2As above.}  

• Passengers in your car 
• Pedestrians and cyclists 
• Other drivers/motorcyclists and their passengers. 

CTP insurance is compulsory in the NT and is automatically included in your car registration. 

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 your car (and an angry stranger’s car, too!). In this case, your Third Party Property Insurance could help cover the other person’s damages, but not the dents to your own car. 

Third Party Fire & Theft 

Third Party Fire & Theft Insurance can help cover damage to your car that’s caused by… you can probably guess this one… fire and theft. 

It can also help cover the cost of damage that you cause to another person’s car and property in an accident. Unfortunately if your car’s damaged by something other than fire or theft, you’ll be left to cover the cost of repairing and/or replacing it yourself. 

Comprehensive 

Comprehensive Car Insurance can help cover damage to your car and other people’s cars and property.  

This can include damage caused by fire and theft, accidental damage, malicious damage, weather damage and third-party damage regardless of who’s fault it is.

Do I need Car Insurance in the NT if CTP is included in my registration?

If you cause an accident, CTP Insurance in the Northern Territory 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/property.^{3Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance}   

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.  

Unlike CTP, if you get in an accident, Comprehensive Car Insurance could help cover the cost of repairs and/or the replacement of your own car. 

How much does Car Insurance cost in the NT?

The cost of Car Insurance depends on a number of different factors, which could come down to your age, gender, the car you drive, how long you’ve been driving for, and overall, the likelihood that you would make a claim.^{4As above.}   

To see how the cost of Car Insurance in the NT compares to the rest of the country, use our interactive chart to see the average annual cost of Comprehensive Car Insurance for iSelect customers across Australia. 

What’s driving like in the NT?

Car Insurance can be important to consider no matter where you are in Australia but arguably even more so in a state or territory like the NT with lots of wide, open roads. 

Sadly, the Northern Territory has the highest rate of fatal car crashes in Australia, which currently sits at 18.7 deaths per 100,000 people (from data released in 2022).^{5Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and The Arts – Road Trauma Australia 2022 Statistical Summary, page 28.}   

Between April 2022 and March 2023, there were 1,995 motor vehicle thefts in the Northern Territory, which came to a rate of 810 car thefts per 100,000 people.^{6NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services – Northern Territory Crime Statistics}  

In the ‘20-’21 financial year, the top 5 locations for car theft in the NT were:^{7National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council – Theft watch 12 months to June 2021, page 4 of 7.}  

1. Alice Springs 
2. Darwin 
3. Palmerston 
4. Litchfield 
5. West Arnhem

In the ‘20-’21 financial year, the top 3 vehicles stolen in the NT were:^{8As above.}  

1. Toyota Hilux  
2. Toyota Landcruiser Ute  
3. Ford Ranger PX  

What should I keep in mind when looking for Car Insurance in the NT?

Here’s a list of things to consider: 

• Can other people drive your car under the same insurance policy? For example, if you want to list your partner or a sixteen-year-old L-plater on your policy, keep in mind that your insurer may increase the premium to accommodate the added risk of an additional driver, particularly if they are less experienced. 
• What’s included and excluded in the cover? Your policy may not cover everything you need, such as cover in the event of a mechanical failure or storm.^{9Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance}  If your provider doesn’t cater exactly to your needs, you may want to consider a more comprehensive policy, or perhaps a specialty insurer. 
• How much is the excess? The excess is what you would typically need to pay if you are involved in an accident and need to make a claim.^{10As above.}  Generally, if you choose to pay a higher excess fee, then your insurer may lower your premiums as a result. 
• How frequently do you have to pay your premium? Many providers offer the ability to pay monthly or annually, with an annual payment typically being slightly cheaper. 
• Are there optional extras? If you want access to services such as roadside assistance, free towing after an accident, or choice of repairer, your insurer may offer these services as extras that you can choose to add on to your policy. 
• Are there any discounts or bonuses? Some insurers may offer a no-claim bonus as a reward for safe driving,^{11Moneysmart – No claim bonus on car insurance}  while others may offer discounts for policies that are purchased online. 

How do I find a Car Insurance policy in the NT?

You may want to consider comparing a range of different policies to find a suitable one for your lifestyle and budget.  

If that doesn’t quite sound like your cup of tea, ask iSelect to help! Compare Comprehensive and Third Party Property policies online from our range of policies and providers. Click here to get started today.