You need car insurance but comparing quotes feels like a maze. Different insurers ask for different information. Some quotes arrive instantly while others take days. You wonder if you’re getting genuine value or just paying for fancy marketing. Most Australians overpay simply because comparing policies properly takes too much time.
Getting accurate car insurance quotes is straightforward when you know what information to gather and which questions to ask. You can compare multiple insurers in under 30 minutes and find cover that fits your budget without sacrificing protection.
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish. You’ll learn what factors affect your premium, which details insurers need before they can quote, and how to compare policies properly. We’ll show you the fastest ways to get quotes online and over the phone, then how to evaluate them side by side to lock in the best deal. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make a confident decision and potentially save hundreds on your annual premium.
What affects car insurance quotes in Australia
Insurers calculate your premium using dozens of data points about you, your vehicle, and how you drive. Your age, postcode, driving history, and vehicle make all play a role in determining what you pay. Understanding these factors before you start comparing quotes helps you anticipate the price range you’ll see and identify where you might reduce costs.
Your vehicle details
The car itself drives much of your premium calculation. Insurers assess the make, model, year, and current market value to determine replacement costs if your car is written off or stolen. A 2023 Toyota Camry attracts different rates than a 2015 Holden Commodore because repair costs, theft statistics, and safety ratings vary. Performance vehicles and luxury brands typically cost more to insure because parts are expensive and they’re more likely to be stolen. Modified vehicles also increase premiums since aftermarket parts raise replacement values and can affect safety ratings.
Your driving history and location
Your postcode affects your quote more than you might expect. Insurers analyse theft rates, accident frequency, and weather patterns for each suburb to calculate risk. Someone in metropolitan Melbourne typically pays more than someone in regional Victoria because higher traffic density means more collision risk. Your claims history and driving record follow you between insurers through industry databases. Even a single at-fault claim in the past five years can increase your premium by 20 to 40 percent, while maintaining a clean record often qualifies you for no-claim discounts that reduce your annual cost substantially.
Drivers with no claims for five consecutive years typically receive the maximum discount, which can reduce premiums by up to 65 percent with some Australian insurers.
How you use your car
Daily usage patterns directly impact your premium calculation. Insurers distinguish between private use, business use, and commercial activities like rideshare or delivery driving. A car that travels 5,000 kilometres annually for weekend trips costs less to insure than one covering 30,000 kilometres in city traffic because less time on the road means lower accident probability. Where you park overnight matters too since vehicles garaged in locked spaces have lower theft and damage risk compared to those left on the street. You’ll pay more if you allow multiple drivers under 25 to use your vehicle regularly, particularly if they’re provisional licence holders, because statistics show younger drivers have higher accident rates than experienced drivers.
Your excess amount creates an inverse relationship with your premium. Choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay when claiming) reduces your annual cost because you’re taking on more financial responsibility. Most insurers let you select excesses ranging from $400 to $1,500 or more. Selecting a $1,000 excess instead of $500 might save you $200 annually, but you need cash available to cover that higher amount if you need to claim.
Step 1. Choose your cover type and extras
Before you learn how to get car insurance quotes, you need to decide what level of protection you want. Your cover choice is the biggest factor affecting your premium, so selecting the right type upfront saves time and prevents quote shock. Most Australian insurers offer three main types plus various extras that increase or decrease your annual cost.
Comprehensive vs third party options
Comprehensive cover protects your vehicle and other people’s property in all situations. You receive payouts for theft, fire, storm damage, vandalism, and collision repairs regardless of who caused the accident. This option costs the most but provides complete peace of mind, particularly for newer vehicles where replacement would strain your budget. Insurers typically cover your car’s market value at the time of loss, minus your excess.
Third party property damage covers only the other person’s vehicle and property when you’re at fault. Your own car receives no coverage if you cause an accident or if damage occurs from storms, theft, or vandalism. This option suits older vehicles worth less than $5,000 where replacement from savings is manageable. You’ll pay substantially less each year but accept total financial responsibility for your own vehicle repairs.
Third party fire and theft sits between these options, covering your vehicle only for fire and theft events while still protecting other people’s property. This middle ground works well for cars worth $5,000 to $10,000 where full comprehensive feels excessive but basic third party leaves you too exposed. Your premium typically runs 30 to 50 percent less than comprehensive while maintaining some protection for your own vehicle.
Add-ons that affect your quote
Optional extras modify your base premium depending on what additional protection you select. Rental car cover provides a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired after an accident, typically costing $50 to $100 extra annually. Roadside assistance bundles towing, battery jumpstarts, and flat tyre changes into your policy, adding roughly $80 to $150 per year but often proving cheaper than standalone memberships.
Windscreen cover reduces or eliminates your excess specifically for glass damage. You might pay an extra $30 annually but save $300 to $500 when a stone chip becomes a crack requiring full replacement. Choice of repairer gives you control over where repairs happen instead of using insurer-approved workshops, though this flexibility typically adds 10 to 15 percent to your premium.
Declining hire car cover and roadside assistance when getting quotes can reduce your premium by $150 to $250 annually, but you’ll need alternative arrangements if your vehicle becomes undriveable.
Here’s what common extras cost and what they provide:
| Extra | Annual Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car cover | $50 – $100 | Replacement vehicle during repairs |
| Roadside assistance | $80 – $150 | Towing, battery service, tyre changes |
| Windscreen cover | $30 – $50 | Reduced or nil excess for glass repairs |
| Choice of repairer | 10-15% increase | Select your preferred repair workshop |
Decide which extras matter for your situation before requesting quotes so you can compare like-for-like policies across different insurers.
Step 2. Gather your details and documents
Insurers need specific information before they can calculate accurate quotes. Having everything ready before you start means you’ll get precise premiums immediately instead of receiving rough estimates that change later. Gathering your documents first also prevents you from abandoning half-completed quote forms because you need to hunt down your licence number or registration details.
Personal information insurers need
Every insurer asks for the same core details about you and your driving history. You’ll need your full legal name, date of birth, current residential address, and contact details including mobile number and email address. Your driver’s licence number is essential since insurers verify your claims history and driving record through national databases. Most quote forms also ask how long you’ve held your current licence and whether you’ve had any suspensions or cancellations in the past five years.
Prepare details about your claims history for at least the past five years, including dates, claim amounts, and whether you were at fault. If you’re switching insurers, have your current policy documents handy so you can reference your existing cover level and excess amount. You’ll also need to disclose any criminal convictions related to driving, such as drink driving or reckless driving charges, as these significantly affect your premium calculation.
Vehicle documentation to prepare
Your vehicle details determine much of your quote, so accuracy matters. Gather your registration papers showing the exact make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN). You’ll need to estimate your car’s current market value, which you can check through Redbook or similar valuation guides. Insurers also ask about modifications, security features, and whether you’ve financed the vehicle through a loan or lease.
Note down where you typically park overnight (garage, carport, street) and your annual mileage estimate. Document your primary use (private, business, rideshare, delivery) since this classification directly impacts your premium. If multiple people drive your vehicle regularly, collect their licence details and driving histories as well. Having this information organised before you learn how to get car insurance quotes speeds up the entire process and ensures every insurer works from identical data when calculating your premium.
Providing consistent information across all quote requests lets you compare premiums accurately since variations in details like annual mileage or vehicle use can create price differences of 15 to 25 percent between quotes.
Step 3. Get quotes online and over the phone
Now that you have all your information ready, you can start collecting quotes from multiple insurers. Most comparison websites generate quotes within 60 seconds once you enter your details, while direct insurer websites typically take two to five minutes per quote. Phone quotes require 10 to 15 minutes per insurer but let you ask questions and clarify coverage details immediately.
Using comparison websites efficiently
Comparison platforms like iSelect and Compare the Market let you enter your details once and receive multiple quotes simultaneously. Start by completing the online form with the exact information you gathered earlier, ensuring you select identical cover levels and excesses across all quotes. These platforms typically present five to eight insurer quotes side by side, showing annual premiums and basic coverage features.
Save or screenshot every quote so you can review them carefully later without rushing through the comparison process. Most platforms email you a summary, but having your own records prevents confusion if prices change when you revisit the site. Check each quote’s fine print since comparison sites sometimes display promotional rates that require specific payment methods or exclude certain extras you might need.
Comparison websites earn commissions from insurers, so they may not include every Australian provider in their results, particularly smaller regional insurers or specialist commercial operators.
Contacting insurers directly
Ring insurers not listed on comparison platforms or those whose quotes need clarification. Prepare your documentation before calling so you can answer questions quickly without putting the agent on hold repeatedly. Ask the representative to explain exactly what’s included in your quote, how your excess works, and which optional extras they recommend for your situation.
When you learn how to get car insurance quotes over the phone, request the agent email you a written quote summary before ending the call. Note the reference number and agent’s name in case you need to retrieve the quote later or have follow-up questions. Some insurers offer phone-exclusive discounts not available online, so mentioning you’re comparing multiple quotes might unlock additional savings. Direct calls also let you negotiate on excess amounts or coverage limits to find the right balance between protection and cost.
Step 4. Compare and lock in the best value
You now have multiple quotes sitting in front of you, but the lowest price doesn’t automatically mean the best deal. Comparing policies properly requires examining coverage limits, excess amounts, and exclusions alongside the annual premium. Creating a simple comparison spreadsheet helps you evaluate each quote objectively and identify which insurer offers the protection you need at a price that fits your budget.
Creating your comparison spreadsheet
Set up a basic table with insurers listed down the left side and key comparison points across the top. Include annual premium, excess amount, included extras, coverage limits, and any exclusions that matter for your situation. This structure lets you spot differences immediately instead of flipping between multiple PDFs or browser tabs trying to remember which insurer offered what.
Here’s what your comparison should track:
| Insurer | Annual Premium | Excess | Hire Car | Roadside | Windscreen | Choice of Repairer | Agreed Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurer A | $847 | $600 | Included | Not included | $100 excess | Yes | $18,000 |
| Insurer B | $792 | $750 | $15/day | Included | Nil excess | No | $17,500 |
| Insurer C | $923 | $500 | Included | Included | $150 excess | Yes | $18,500 |
Reading the fine print
Every policy document contains exclusions and conditions that affect whether you can actually claim. Read through each insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) focusing on sections about depreciation, betterment, and claim settlement methods. Some insurers replace your vehicle with a new model if yours is written off within the first two years, while others pay only market value regardless of age. Look for clauses about modified vehicles, unregistered driver exclusions, or geographical limits if you travel interstate regularly.
Check whether each quote includes a choice of repairer or requires you to use approved workshops. Insurers who restrict repairer choice typically offer lower premiums but limit your control over repair quality and timing. Verify what happens if your car can’t be repaired, particularly whether the insurer pays the agreed value you specified or their own valuation at claim time. Understanding these differences now prevents disappointment when you need to claim later.
Insurers who offer "new for old" replacement within the first two years typically charge 15 to 20 percent more than those paying market value only, but this premium increase can be worthwhile for vehicles purchased brand new.
Making your final decision
Select the policy that balances cost with adequate protection for your circumstances. Once you’ve chosen an insurer, double-check your start date since most policies can begin immediately or on a future date if your current cover hasn’t expired yet. Complete the application online or over the phone, providing payment details and confirming all information matches what you supplied during the quote process. Your insurer emails your policy documents within minutes, giving you immediate proof of insurance and your certificate of currency for registration purposes. Save these documents in a secure location where you can access them quickly if you need to claim, and set a calendar reminder three weeks before renewal to repeat this comparison process next year.
Next steps
You now know how to get car insurance quotes efficiently and compare them properly to find genuine value. Start collecting quotes this week while your vehicle details and driving history are fresh in your mind, then dedicate 30 minutes to comparing the policies side by side using the spreadsheet method outlined above. Set a calendar reminder for three weeks before your current policy expires so you can repeat this process annually and ensure you’re always getting competitive rates.
Remember that switching insurers takes less than 10 minutes once you’ve selected your preferred policy, and most providers let you cancel your existing cover mid-term with a pro-rata refund if you find better value elsewhere. If you’re looking for comprehensive cover backed by expert claims support and competitive pricing specifically researched for the Australian market, get a quote from National Cover to see how much you could save. Their team specialises in finding the right balance between maximum protection and affordable premiums, whether you drive privately or operate commercial vehicles.
