AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance protects your vehicle against damage from accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters like storms and floods. Beyond protecting your own car, it covers damage your vehicle causes to other people’s property and vehicles, up to $20 million in legal liability. This policy delivers broader protection than basic third party insurance, making it a popular choice among Australian drivers who want comprehensive financial security and genuine peace of mind on the road.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about AAMI’s comprehensive cover. You’ll discover exactly what’s included and what’s excluded, typical costs and the key factors that influence your premiums, plus how AAMI stacks up against other major Australian insurers. We’ll also help you determine when comprehensive insurance makes the most sense for your situation and when you might benefit from exploring alternatives that could save you money without compromising your essential protection.
Why AAMI comprehensive car insurance matters
Your car represents a significant financial investment, and repairing or replacing it after an accident can cost thousands of dollars. AAMI comprehensive car insurance protects you from these unexpected expenses by covering damage to your vehicle regardless of who’s at fault, plus damage you might cause to other people’s property. Without this cover, you could face crippling repair bills that strain your budget or force you to go without a vehicle entirely.
Financial protection beyond basic cover
Comprehensive insurance delivers value that extends well beyond collision repairs. You get protection against theft, which affects thousands of Australian vehicles every year, plus cover for natural disasters like hailstorms and floods that can write off your car in minutes. AAMI also includes roadside assistance options and hire car benefits that keep you mobile after an incident, preventing disruption to your work and daily commitments.
"Without comprehensive cover, a single accident or theft could leave you facing repair bills that exceed your car’s entire value."
How to compare and buy AAMI comprehensive cover
Getting AAMI comprehensive car insurance starts with visiting their website and completing an online quote form. You’ll need basic details like your vehicle registration number, driver’s licence information, and details about how you use your car. The entire quote process takes around 10 minutes, and AAMI displays your premium immediately, allowing you to adjust your excess level and optional extras to see how they affect your price in real time.
What information you need to provide
AAMI asks for your personal details including your age, address, and claims history to calculate your premium accurately. You must disclose any vehicle modifications, whether you park in a garage or on the street, and your annual driving distance. Be honest with every answer because incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to claim rejections later, leaving you without cover when you need it most.
Comparing your options effectively
Before purchasing, compare AAMI’s quote against at least three other insurers to ensure you’re getting competitive value. Look beyond the headline price and examine what each policy actually covers, including excess amounts, hire car benefits, and claim limits for personal belongings. Check customer satisfaction ratings and claims handling reviews to understand how each insurer performs when you actually need to make a claim.
"The cheapest premium doesn’t always deliver the best value if it leaves gaps in your cover or creates frustration during the claims process."
Purchase your policy online once you’ve confirmed AAMI offers the right balance of price and protection for your needs.
What AAMI comprehensive car insurance covers
AAMI comprehensive car insurance covers both damage to your own vehicle and damage you cause to others. This dual protection applies regardless of fault in most situations covered by the policy. Your vehicle receives coverage for collision damage, theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters including storms, floods, earthquakes, and hail. The policy extends to legal liability for property damage and other vehicles up to $20 million, protecting your finances if you’re responsible for an expensive accident.
Core coverage components
The policy protects your car against accidental damage from collisions with other vehicles, fixed objects like poles and fences, or single-vehicle accidents where you lose control. AAMI covers theft and attempted theft, including damage criminals cause while breaking into your vehicle or trying to steal it. Fire damage receives full coverage whether it starts from mechanical failure, electrical faults, or external sources like bushfires.
Natural disasters represent a major coverage area, with the policy responding to storm damage from heavy rain and wind, flood damage from rising water, and hail impact that dents panels and shatters glass. Your car also gets protection against vandalism and malicious damage from deliberate acts.
Additional benefits included
Beyond basic vehicle repairs, you receive emergency accommodation and transport costs up to $1,000 if your car becomes undriveable more than 100 kilometres from home. AAMI provides new car replacement for total losses within two years of purchase rather than paying market value. The policy includes towing from accident scenes to repairers, hire car benefits for not-at-fault claims, and coverage for personal belongings damaged in incidents up to $1,000.
"AAMI’s comprehensive cover includes benefits that keep you mobile and reduce stress after an accident, not just vehicle repair payments."
What’s not covered
The policy excludes intentional damage you cause to your own vehicle and wear and tear from normal use including mechanical breakdowns and tyre damage. AAMI won’t cover damage occurring while you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when unlisted drivers under 25 operate your vehicle.
What it costs and key factors that affect price
AAMI comprehensive car insurance premiums typically range from $800 to $2,500 annually for most Australian drivers, though your actual cost depends on multiple personal and vehicle factors. Your premium reflects the statistical risk you present to the insurer based on claims data from millions of policies. Understanding these pricing factors helps you identify opportunities to reduce your premium without sacrificing essential protection.
Typical premium ranges
Most drivers with clean records pay between $1,000 and $1,800 per year for comprehensive cover on standard passenger vehicles. Your excess level significantly affects this price, with higher excess options reducing your premium by $100 to $300 annually. AAMI offers a 21-day cooling-off period from when your policy starts, allowing you to cancel and receive a full refund if you haven’t made claims.
Personal factors that increase premiums
Your age and driving history create the foundation of your premium calculation. Drivers under 25 years old face substantially higher premiums because statistics show they lodge more claims than older drivers. Your claims history over the past five years directly impacts pricing, with each at-fault claim typically adding 20% to 40% to your base premium. Drivers who’ve held licences for less than two years also pay more regardless of age.
"Your driving record carries more weight than almost any other factor when insurers calculate your premium."
Vehicle and usage factors
The car you insure determines a large portion of your cost through its repair expenses and theft risk. Luxury vehicles and high-performance cars attract premiums 50% to 150% higher than basic models because their parts cost more and thieves target them frequently. Your annual driving distance matters too, with drivers covering over 20,000 kilometres yearly paying more than occasional users. Where you park overnight affects pricing, as garaging your car reduces theft and damage risk compared to street parking.
Alternatives and when to look beyond AAMI
AAMI comprehensive car insurance delivers solid protection, but you should explore alternatives if you find better value elsewhere or need specialized coverage AAMI doesn’t offer. Major competitors like Budget Direct, GIO, Allianz, and NRMA often provide similar coverage at different price points, while some insurers excel in specific areas like agreed value policies or modified vehicle cover that suits enthusiasts.
When switching makes sense
Consider alternatives if AAMI quotes you premiums significantly above market average, particularly when you maintain a clean driving record and deserve competitive pricing. You should also look elsewhere when you need commercial or rideshare cover, as AAMI focuses primarily on private vehicle insurance and may not meet specialized business requirements that demand tailored protection.
Wrap up and next steps
AAMI comprehensive car insurance delivers broad protection for your vehicle and liability coverage up to $20 million, making it a solid choice for Australian drivers who want peace of mind. Your premium depends on factors like your age, driving history, vehicle type, and location, so comparing multiple insurers ensures you secure the best value for your specific situation. National Cover specializes in competitive motor insurance rates across private, rideshare, and commercial vehicles. Get a quote from National Cover today to compare pricing and coverage options that could save you money without sacrificing protection.
