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What types of car insurance are available in Tasmania?
Compulsory third party
Tasmanian drivers must be covered, at a minimum, by compulsory third party (CTP) insurance. As in every other state and territory, this type of insurance is mandatory and conveniently in Tassie, it’s also included in your vehicle registration fees. CTP insurance in Tasmania can help cover medical and compensation costs if someone is killed or injured by your driving. It doesn’t cover any costs of vehicle repair.
Third-party property
As the name suggests, third-party property insurance helps cover other people’s vehicles and property if they’re damaged by your vehicle and the accident was your fault. While this is a step up from CTP, it doesn’t cover damage to your own car or property.
Third-party fire and theft
Third-party fire and theft insurance still doesn’t cover your car in an accident where you’re at fault, but it helps cover damage to your car caused by fire or theft. It also covers third-party property damage, so this is another step up in cover.
Comprehensive car insurance
Okay, we’ve reached the top of all step-ups. Comprehensive car insurance helps cover other people’s property and vehicles as well as your property and vehicle, whether the incident is your fault or not. In some cases, it also covers hail or storm damage to your car. A comprehensive policy often comes with options to add extras to your cover, like a hire car or roadside assistance.
A breakdown of typical inclusions in each policy
Car insurance type | Damage to your car | Damage or loss caused by theft | Damage to another person’s car or property | Injuries or death to others in an accident |
Compulsory third party (CTP) | No | No | No | Yes |
Third-party Property | No | No | Yes | 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) |
Average care insurance premiums in Australia
Use our interactive chart to find out the average car insurance premiums from around Australia to see how South Australia compares.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need car insurance in Tasmania if CTP is included in my registration?
If you’re covered by CTP Insurance in Tasmania and have an accident where you’re at fault and another person’s car or property is damaged, you’ll still be responsible for paying for the repairs or replacement of that car. And without either third-party property or comprehensive car insurance, this could be a pretty hefty amount. So, while they’re not mandatory, they could spare you some big expenses down the track.
What’s driving like in Tasmania?
It’s easy to feel safe on Tasmanian roads; after all, they seem relatively quiet.
But quiet doesn’t necessarily mean safe. As anyone who’s driven in Tassie can tell you, the roads can be treacherous.
In 2022–23, Tassie had the second highest road fatalities per 100,000 people compared to other states. But just a year later, deadly car crashes have gone down by over 30%, the biggest improvement throughout Australia.1Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report, p4
While this is a welcome news for locals and tourists alike, it’s still worth being extra careful on the way to see the stunning landscapes.
Is it worth protecting my car against theft in Tasmania?
Motor vehicle theft seems to be rising over the last two years in Tassie, with a 38% increase from 2022 to 2023.2Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management – 2022–23 Crime Statistics Supplement, p4
Lonnie has the dubious honour of being the area in Tassie where your car is most likely to get nabbed:
Location | Number of vehicles stolen in 2022 |
Launceston | 306 |
Glenorchy | 245 |
Hobart | 180 |
Bridgewater | 163 |
Clarence | 87 |
Burnie | 53 |
Devonport | 52 |
Central North | 50 |
North-East | 42 |
Kingston | 40 |
Source: Solid GPS – Tasmania’s Top 10 Highest Vehicle Theft Areas in 2024
It’s worth staying vigilant, as car thieves aren’t fazed by heavy foot traffic or location – most vehicles were stolen from residential areas (54%) and in the streets (27%).3As above, p5
All this said, Tassie still does better than most states when it comes to car thefts.
While you can breathe easy, it’s still worth considering third-party theft or comprehensive insurance when driving around the state. You could also get a dashcam to get that perfect shot of the crook!
What is an ‘excess’ in car insurance?
A car insurance excess is the out-of-pocket amount you agree to pay when filing a claim with your insurance provider.
If your standard excess is $500 and you file a repair claim for $1,500, you’ll need to cover the $500, while your insurer will pay the remaining $1,000.
And if your vehicle is a total write-off, your excess will typically be subtracted from the final claim payment you receive.
What should I consider when looking for car insurance in Tasmania?
Let’s say you’ve decided that comprehensive car insurance is just the kind of protection you need on Tasmania’s open roads (or in Launceston’s car parks!). It could be worth checking some optional extras, like the common ones below:
- No-claims discount: If you’re a safe and skilled driver with a glowing record of accident-free driving, then you could get a no-claims discount. Some insurance providers offer this discount, which increases for each year you don’t make a claim – up to a certain point.
- Towing following an accident: If you’re not covered, towing can be an unexpectedly high expense. You might want to check with your insurer whether towing is included or can be added to your policy and any associated limits.
- Agreed value: This is the amount you agreed with your insurer for how much your car would be insured for, say when it gets damaged beyond repair. The alternative is market value, where your payment is assessed according to your car’s value on the market at the time of the claim.
- Hire car: If you rely on your car for work or personal reasons, you might be able to access to a hire car while your car gets repaired after an accident.
- Age restrictions for drivers: Some insurers will give you cheaper premiums if you restrict the age of drivers to over a given age, such as 25 or 30.
- Roadside assistance: Some policies will include the option of adding roadside assistance. This is a handy extra, especially if you get stuck out in the sticks with a flat tyre. It’s worth finding out how much assistance is included, whether there are additional costs, and whether it will cover you if you’re far from home.
- New car replacement: If your car is deemed a total loss (that is, if the repair would cost more than the value of the car) and it’s within a certain age limit, some insurers offer to replace it with a new car of the same make and model.
Keep in mind these extras can increase how much you’ll pay on your premiums.
How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Tasmania?
First, let’s establish that the cheapest car insurance policy might not necessarily be the one that’s the best value for money. CTP is cheaper than comprehensive car insurance, but it doesn’t cover you for as many things.
Generally, the cost of your car insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, the model of car you drive, where you live and your driving record. While you can’t control many of these factors, there are other actions you can take to reduce how much you’ll pay for car insurance:
- Install safety features: Some insurers offer lower premiums if you install certain safety features, such as alarms or immobilisers.
- Park your car in a safe place: Your insurer will typically look at where your car is usually parked when calculating a premium. If you keep it inside a garage, where it’s safer from the elements (as well as thieves!), your premiums may be less than if you keep it parked on the street.
- Look for online discounts: Certain insurers can offer a discount on your insurance premium if you get a quote and purchase your policy online.
- Compare policies: Not all policies are equal. By looking at what different policies offer – their level of coverage, additional features and overall cost – you can get a good sense of which one is the best value for money for your priorities.
To help you weigh your options, consider comparing different policies and see which one stands out. Compare car insurance online with iSelect from a range of providers in Tasmania.
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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.
- 1.Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland Road Crash Weekly Report, p4
- 2.Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management – 2022–23 Crime Statistics Supplement, p4
- 3.As above, p5