Car Insurance Review

 Budget Direct is part of the Budget Insurance group of companies. Internationally, the group administers over 2 million policies worldwide.

You could save 100's off your Car Insurance when you switch to Budget Direct

Pros: price of comprehensive car insurance, lifetime guarantee on repairs, $100 cover for accommodation and transportation + $250 for personal effects.

Cons: None

Rating:  5 out of 5

Budget Direct’s main attraction is the price of their comprehensive car insurance policy. I was previously with AAMI and RACV but was referred to the company as it was known for its cheaper policy prices.
One other benefit that I found enticing was their lifetime guarantee on repairs for as long as you own the car. Also there is a $100 per day cover for both accommodation and transportation. Should you get involved in a car collision, Budget Direct will cover $250 in personal effects.

I was impressed by their friendly costumer services and their ability to extend the due date of my Comprehensive insurance policy ( I paid lump sum).  In general  I’m happy with the policy and can’t see any disadvantages. 

Pros: Low cost and simple pricing structure

Cons: None thus far

Rating:  4 out of 5

I haven’t really experienced any situations and hence not made a claim yet. Their operations are simple in nature and I like how the pricing structure is really simple. I tend to hear that the service is good as well… though I haven’t dealt with them for long. Overall I think Budget Direct is a smart operation that is low cost based that passes on the benefits to the consumer.

AAMI is a leading car, home, compulsory third party (CTP) and small business insurer. We deal directly with our customers and we use innovative business and marketing strategies to provide them with high quality products and excellent customer service.

Insurance benefits such as no fault, no penalty; lifetime repair guarantee; lifetime rating one/maximum no claim bonus; valet service; progressive no claim discount on home insurance and the first general insurance customer charter were all introduced by AAMI. 

Pros: 24 Hours Operator Support telephone line, Friendly telephone customer service, reasonably cheap comprehensive insurance premiums.

Cons: Does not insure some luxury or sports cars for the under 25 and sometimes the under 30s age group.

Overall Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

I chose AAMI insurance for my comprehensive car insurance because they offered the best premium for my car. The other major insurance companies were much more expensive than what AMMI offered. AAMI also offered 24 hours/ 7 days a week operator support in the event of a car accident. This was a huge plus for me as other car insurance companies such as Just Car does not. I also found that the waiting time when you call for customer support was reasonably shorter than at RACV. 

 Andreas S, Melbourne

 Pros: Price (discounts when bundling home and contents insurance also) and decent service over the phone (no claim made as yet though). Simple policies. Rating 1 for life policy.

 Elaine L, Melbourne

Pros: Great rates for vehicles than RACV and the prices a lot cheaper than RACV.Friendly service and reliable.

Cons: None that i have experienced. They have been professional and act on queries promptly.

Overall Rating: 4(out of 5)

I chose AAMI for insurance on my car as they were able to save me a whopping $300 on my insurance premiums per year! This did not compromise the service at all. I received the same cover but paid much less than what I previously have.
A few years ago, I made a claim and during this time they were able to promtly organise repairs and act  quickly to make sure i wasn't inconvenienced. They made the experience an easy one. AAMI is the best and I wouldn't choose any other car insurer. 

Pros:  Full comprehensive insurance, flexible payment options, retain rating if not at fault

Cons: Not available for under 25, high access for expensive car

Overall Rating: 4(out of 5)

I’m quite happy with AAMI because If the accident is not my fault, I still retain my rating. I can have that twice a year for accidents that are not my fault. They also provide an easy to pay option so you can pay it off monthly rather than all in one hit . They wouldn’t have done the deal if I was under 25 as my car is pretty damn expensive and the excess is pretty high on it

GIO General Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suncorp-Metway Ltd., one of Australia's top 25 companies. The Suncorp Group includes Australia's fourth largest general insurance group and sixth largest bank. It has total assets of over $48 billion and around $12 billion funds under management.

With over 4.2 million customers, the Group's main businesses are banking, insurance, investment and superannuation products with a focus on retail consumers and small to medium size businesses.

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Allianz Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz SE, one of the world's largest insurance and financial service providers and offers a wide range of insurance and risk management products and services. These include:

• Personal insurance such as home & contents, motor, boat, travel and CTP and Life insurance such as Consumer Credit, Lifestyle Protection and Term Life
• Industrial and Commercial insurance e.g. farms, businesses, transport, trades and services
• Corporate insurance e.g. marine, construction, liability, professional indemnity, property, transport and machinery
• Public and Products Liability
• Workers’ Compensation
• Loss Control and Risk Management strategies 

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NRMA started life in 1925, as a motor vehicle insurer in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Today, as part of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), our group now operates in every Australian state and territory.

IAG owns some of the region's most respected insurance brands including NRMA Insurance, SGIO, SGIC, CGU and Swann Insurance in Australia and State Insurance, and NZI in New Zealand.

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Suncorp is Australia's third largest general insurance group. The general insurance business includes personal insurance products such as home and contents and personal effects cover, motor and boat, compulsory third party insurance, workers compensation and a range of commercial insurance products tailored to the small to medium business market such as property, marine, rural and liability.

Suncorp acquired AMP/GIO General Insurance in 2001 and AMP Ltd's 50 percent shareholdings in motor club insurance joint ventures in RACQ (Queensland) and RAA (South Australia). Both of these joint ventures hold substantial market shares in their respective states. This business runs independently and in competition with Suncorp's existing general insurance business. Suncorp now serves more than 8 million general insurance customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

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CGU is one of Australia's largest intermediary-based general insurers.

We offer a wide range of commercial, rural and personal insurance  products for individuals, families and large multi-national corporations.

We've been protecting the Australian way of life for over 140 years and have a proud tradition of supporting people through difficult times. Today, CGU is part of Insurance Australia Group  - Australasia's leading general insurance group.

We work in partnership with a network of over 1000 insurance brokers and authorised representatives, ensuring all Australians have personalised access to our products and services.

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Just Car Insurance has been looking after young drivers and drivers of modified cars for more than 10 years and understands the special needs of its customers providing insurance

Established in 1995, Just Car Insurance provides comprehensive car insurance, third party property damage insurance, and third party property damage insurance plus fire and theft cover. Just Car Insurance is an authorised representative of, and fully underwritten by, AAMI. products and services that specially suit their needs.

Pros: One of the cheapest insurance premiums, willing to insure younger drivers and more exotic cars that other major insurance companies are not willing to insure. Very quick response times for accident investigations and approvals.

Shannons was the brainchild of the late Robert Shannon who created an insurance business in the early seventies run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. Its insurance product is specially tailored to individual needs and relies on direct contact with clients rather than through other agents or brokers.

Today Shannons has offices in all state capitals, the ACT and Northern Territory. Across Australia Shannons is the first choice of motoring enthusiasts when it comes to insuring their special cars, motorcycles and homes, as well as the day to day cars of owners.

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The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd is a modern, progressive, successful, mutual.  An unlisted public company, RACV was incorporated in 1901.

RACV offers a range of insurance cover to suit all sorts of needs - from comprehensive insurance to basic third party.

Pros: Roadside assistance and good support on the telephone

Cons: None

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

I’m very happy with RACV as they provide roadside assistance which I find important. I’m also rating 1 with them and that makes me happy. Plus they provide good support on the telephone.  I’ve heard stories of bad insurance companies but I haven’t experienced anything like that myself.

Pros: None

Cons: Investigated claim too much, delays in getting work done, and high premiums

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

I don’t really like anything about RACV. I had to make a claim through them recently and they were assholes in getting the claim to go through. They investigated the claim too much while I wanted my claim processed quickly. There were also delays in getting the work done. Too make it worse, my premium is probably too high for the car I own anyway. Not happy with them.

Pros: Insure over the phone, simple to use, known name

Cons: Took long time to fix my battery

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I came to RACV car insurance because my accountant told me to talk to them. I  called them up and asked them for a rate on my car and they gave me a much cheaper rate than the one I was paying with brokers. I was not happy with the previous insurance that was arranged through a broker as it was too expensive and RACV made me an offer that was $2000 cheaper. Cons? When I changed the battery for my car, it took a long time for the RACV man to come.

Pros: Price, quality, discount

Cons: None 

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

I’ve been relatively happy with RACV … they gave me a good price on my car insurance. I haven’t been with other insurance companies before. However the interesting thing is that when I changed my insurance from where I live in Melbourne to where I live in the country and it was almost half the price I was paying .
I’ve reasonably happy with them… my home loan insurance is with them…  I’ve got my business insurance with them and because of this I get a multiple policy discount.
I don't have any problems with them at the moment, otherwise I wouldn’t use them