Compare Car Insurance in Queensland

Because everyone has to have CTP insurance, it’s typically affordable for most people.

In Queensland the price is regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and this ensures that premiums stay at a reasonable level. However, the cost might differ slightly depending on the type of car you own and how you use it.

For example, if you’re going to use your car for Uber Eats, the cost might go up. Your insurer might also offer ‘optional at-fault’ cover. This costs extra if you decide to add it on.

The average cost of a CTP insurance claim is around $100,000.  Some claims can even end up in the millions.¹Motor Accident Insurance Commission – About CTP insurance So compared to that, the cost of CTP insurance seems like a pretty good deal!

When it comes to your car insurance premiums, the cost can depend on a number of factors, including:

• Your age: Premiums can be higher for drivers under 25 as they are more likely to be involved in an accident and, therefore, are more likely to make a claim. Because of the risk factor, insurers can decide to issue younger drivers with higher premiums.
• Your car: Some makes and models can cost more to insure. Older, larger, or more expensive vehicles could push the needle on premiums, as could those with the boatload of aftermarket parts. On the other hand, cars with high safety ratings, cars that are easy to repair, or even cars that are less popular among thieves can be cheaper to insure.
• Your insurance history: If you’ve made claims in the past, this could bump up car insurance costs. Some insurers offer a no-claim bonus or discount for every year you go without making a claim. Do keep in mind that this is usually capped at five years, is typically offered only with comprehensive cover and doesn’t guarantee a reduced premium.
• Your insurance excess: Simply put, the excess is an out-of-pocket expense you agree to pay when you make a claim. While it may seem a tad counterintuitive to the purpose of getting car insurance, paying an excess can help reduce your premiums. The higher excess you pay, the lower your annual premiums are likely to be.
• Your driving history: If you’ve accrued enough demerit points to result in a suspended or cancelled licence, it can impact how much premium you pay. Insurance companies generally consider these instances as red flags that indicate you’re a high-risk driver and are, therefore, a risk to insure.

Queensland roads have a bit of everything, from dense city centres to scenic outback roads. During the winter, the driving population skyrockets, with tourists from the southern states travelling through some of Queensland’s most remote areas.

Heat-seeking out-of-staters aside, in 2023, the number of Queensland-registered vehicles grew to nearly 4.6 million. At the time, that was the third highest in Australia.²Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts – Road Vehicles, Australia January 2023, p9

Unfortunately, the state is also seeing a recent uptick in the number of accidents. Between 1 January and 20 October 2024, there were 234 fatalities related to crashes. That’s 8.6% higher than the previous five years.³Department of Transport and Main Roads –Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report 21 Oct 2024, p1. Retrieved October 2024

You might think you’d never be involved in an accident, but the truth is it could happen to anyone. That’s why it’s so important to consider your options when it comes to car insurance.

Let’s be honest. It takes very peculiar circumstances for someone to want their vehicle stolen. And if you’re an unwilling victim of car theft, you’ll thank yourself for having a backup plan in place.

In 2023, Queensland saw more than 20,000 cases of motor vehicles being used for unlawful purposes;⁴Queensland Police – Queensland Crime Statistics that’s when a person uses a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, or with the intention to steal the vehicle. That’s a lot of disgruntled car owners, and that’s when having the right car insurance comes in handy.

However, if you were one of those car owners and you had third-party fire and theft insurance or comprehensive cover, you could’ve been covered for your stolen vehicle.

Though car insurance can be your basic line of defence against unexpected road and vehicle-related incidents, it doesn’t cover all scenarios. So, you could consider some optional extras that do. Keep in mind, you can access some of these features only with comprehensive cover and they often come at an extra cost.

• Choice of repairer. You may have a repairer you trust more than others to fix your car if it’s been in a crash. Some insurers let you nominate your repairer of choice and can cover the cost of repairs through that repairer.
• Accident hire car. If you’re in an accident at no fault of your own, you might be able to use a hire car arranged and paid for by your insurer.
• Reduced excess for window glass. When it’s only your car’s windscreen and windows that take damage, an insurer could offer the option of paying a reduced excess or no excess at all for repairs or replacement.
• Roadside assistance. Should your car decide to break down, a roadside assistance service can help your car get back up and running or towed to the nearest mechanic or service centre.

Everyone wants a good deal when it comes to their car insurance, but it’s also arguably more important to make sure you’re paying for an appropriate policy. Here are some tips to help you get good value from your car insurance:

• Don’t just renew, review: review your policy at renewal time and find out what competitors are offering. You might be surprised at what you could save.
• Get the discount you deserve: your safe driver rating should move with you even if you change insurer or policy type, so shop around for discounts.
• Read everything: check your coverage in detail by reading your product disclosure statement (PDS) and potentially speaking to a product specialist to avoid any surprises at claim time. For example, does your policy pay for a hire car while yours is at the shop? Are there different excesses for different drivers? Are you covered for market or agreed value?
• Don’t forget about coverage: price isn’t everything. You’ll also want to think about the level of coverage you’ll need. Make sure your policy has you covered for all the necessities – just in case.