Car Insurance in Queensland

What kinds of Car Insurance are available in QLD?

For a start, you’ll need Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP). It’s against the law to drive in Queensland without some form of CTP insurance. But other than that, it’s up to you whether or not you want to take out additional insurance. Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of car insurance policies to choose from: 

• Compulsory Third-party Insurance: is a must-have for all drivers in the Sunshine State. It’s actually compulsory across all states to some degree (and for good reason). CTP helps Queenslanders from being held financially responsible if they injure someone in a vehicle accident. This includes passengers, pedestrians and other drivers. If you were injured as a result of another driver’s actions, you can also claim under CTP insurance to access medical treatment and compensation. 
   
• Comprehensive Cover: can help with the cost of repairs or even the replacement of your car and property whether you’re at fault or not. Depending on your policy, it can also help cover other costs associated with an incident such as emergency repairs, transportation and damage caused by other drivers. 
   
• Third-Party Property Cover: can help cover any damage that you may have caused to another person’s much loved vehicle or property. It can include legal costs but it generally doesn’t cover the cost of damage to your own car. 
   
• Third-Party Fire & Theft: helps provide cover for the loss or damage of your car if it’s stolen or catches on fire, as well as your liability for damage caused by your car to another person’s property. 

This table breaks down typical inclusions in each policy:

What’s driving like in Queensland?

Queensland roads have a bit of everything, from dense city centres to scenic outback roads. During the winter, police officers also see the population skyrocket,¹ with tourists from the southern states travelling through some of Queensland’s most remote areas. And, with more than 5.7 million registered vehicles on the road,² they unfortunately also see a number of accidents: 

• In 2021, Queensland had the equal-highest number of fatalities (tied with NSW) of all Australian states and territories³
  
• The leading cause of fatal car accidents in Queensland during 2021 was due to drivers speeding⁴

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. 

Helpful Tip: When it comes to figuring out which car insurance policy is suitable for you, it’s important to weigh up the risks. For example, if you live in an area of Queensland that’s prone to extreme weather events, like tropical cyclones, then it might be a good idea to take that into account when looking for a policy. Comprehensive insurance could be worth considering if you’re looking for a policy that can help cover repair costs to your own vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident. Paul Maric, Paul Maric, Managing Editor and co-founder of CarExpert.

How much does Car Insurance cost in Queensland?

First up, it depends on which type of car insurance you’re looking at.

CTP Insurance

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 $100,000.⁵ Some claims can even end up in the millions. So compared to that, the cost of CTP insurance seems like a pretty good deal!

Other Types of Car Insurance

When it comes to the other types of car insurance (Comprehensive, Third-Party Property, Third-Party Fire and Theft), the cost can depend on a number of factors, including: 

• Your age: premiums can be higher for drivers under 25. 
   
• Your car: some makes and models can cost more to insure. 
   
• Your insurance history: if you’ve made claims in the past this could bump up the price. 
   
• Your insurance excess: the lower your excess, the higher your annual premiums are likely to be. 
   
• Your driving history: if you’ve lost demerit points or your licence, this also might impact the cost of your premium. 

According to iSelect car insurance data for Queensland, the below are the average comprehensive premiums for 2022:

What are the major characteristics of the Queensland road toll?

Here’s a list of the major characteristics of Queensland’s road fatalities in 2021:⁶ 

• 14.2% involved unlicensed drivers/riders  
   
• 23.3% were caused by alcohol-related crashes 
   
• 24.4% involved senior adult drivers/riders 
   
• 30.2% involved young adult drivers/riders 
   
• 19.3% involved heavy freight vehicles 
   
• 28% involved speeding drivers/riders 

Now, these figures are definitely a bit grim, but keep in mind not every crash is fatal.  

This shows us how beneficial car insurance can be for all drivers. Whether you’re young or old, good cover can help take the stress out of an unlucky bingle.

How do I get great value out of my Car Insurance policy?

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. 

We know reviewing different car insurance policies probably isn't your idea of fun, so why not let us help with the comparison? Seriously. Just call us on 13 19 20 and we can compare a range of different Comprehensive Car insurance policies and providers* to help you consider your options. 

How do I compare Car Insurance?

Easy! You can do it through us online here or over the phone. Just call 13 19 20 and one of our consultants will help you compare a range of different policies and providers.* Remember you don’t necessarily just want the cheapest when it comes to your car insurance. You should also look into what the cover includes and try to sleuth-out any incentives or add-ons that might make you sway to a certain provider. Buckle up with iSelect and we’ll help you compare from our range of different providers and policies.

^{Sources:
1 Driving in Queensland - QLDTraffic
2 Queensland Government: Department of Transport and Main Roads - Vehicles on Register in Queensland (Page 2)
3 Queensland Government - Road Crash Weekly Report 2021 (Page 4)
4 Queensland Government - Road Crash Weekly Report 2021 (Page 3)
5 Motor Accident Insurance Commission - About CTP Insurance
6 Queensland Government - Road Crash Weekly Report 2021 (Page 3)}