It doesn’t matter if your home sits in the heart of Canberra or in surrounding areas like Belconnen, Tuggeranong or Gungahlin; having the right car insurance is crucial for all ACT drivers. That's why comparing your coverage options is essential in helping you find the best possible policy for your vehicle.
What car insurance options can I choose from in the ACT?
The types of car insurance available in the ACT are as follows:
Compulsory third party (CTP)
CTP insurance is the only mandatory type of car insurance in Australia. It covers injuries or death caused to others in an accident but not damage to property, other vehicles or the driver’s own injuries or vehicle.
We’ve broken down the key inclusions and exclusions for each type of car insurance in the table below:
| Claimable event | Comp. | TPFT | TPPD | CTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to someone else’s property | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to fire | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to theft | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to weather | ✔* | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Damage to your car due to accident or collision | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Injury or death of someone else in an at-fault accident | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
| *Not all weather-related incidents are covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy. Check your PDS to find out what's covered and what isn't. | ||||
ACT car insurance requirements
As is the case all across Australia, you must have CTP insurance to drive a car. In the ACT, this is called MAI insurance, which is provided by four different insurers (from whom you can select your policy) under the Motor Accident Injuries Commission (MAIC). This is paid as part of your motor vehicle registration.
How much does car insurance cost in ACT?
There’s a range of factors that help determine how much you’ll be paying for car insurance. Here are two of them in action: a smaller variable, your gender, and a larger one, the model you’re insuring:
2025 Ford Ranger XL 2WD Two-Door Cab Chassis
| Gender | Cheapest premium | Average premium | Most expensive premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $1,132 | $1,505 | $1,851 |
| Female | $1,155 | $1,506 | $1,842 |
|
Male Female |
|
$1,132 $1,155 |
|
$1,505 $1,506 |
|
$1,851 $1,842 |
2025 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD
| Gender | Cheapest premium | Average premium | Most expensive premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $861 | $1,455 | $1,879 |
| Female | $876 | $1,454 | $1,870 |
|
Male Female |
|
$861 $876 |
|
$1,455 $1,454 |
|
$1,879 $1,870 |
2022 Hyundai i20 N
| Gender | Cheapest premium | Average premium | Most expensive premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $722 | $1,099 | $1,358 |
| Female | $749 | $1,103 | $1,351 |
|
Male Female |
|
$722 $749 |
|
$1,099 $1,103 |
|
$1,358 $1,351 |
2020 Mazda6 Sport
| Gender | Cheapest premium | Average premium | Most expensive premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $907 | $1,367 | $1,677 |
| Female | $922 | $1,366 | $1,669 |
|
Male Female |
|
$907 $922 |
|
$1,367 $1,366 |
|
$1,677 $1,669 |
Comprehensive car insurance quotes based on a 35-year-old driver who obtained their licence at 17, has held comprehensive cover with no claims over the last five years, is employed full-time, is a homeowner and lives in Canberra (2600), uses their car for private purposes and commuting only (business usage included in the Ford Ranger quote) and drives approximately 12,000km per year. All quotes are based on a $1,000 excess. All cars are garaged, have no modifications or non-standard accessories and have an alarm installed. Quotes obtained through Compare the Market on 20 November 2025.
Where you live and keep your car is also an important consideration for insurers. You can see how the part of the ACT you’re living in impacts your premium below:
2020 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD
| Location | Cheapest TPPD premium | Cheapest comprehensive premium |
|---|---|---|
| Belconnen | $251 | $807 |
| Braddon | $260 | $897 |
| Tuggeranong | $236 | $799 |
| Gungahlin | $260 | $974 |
| Deakin | $265 | $854 |
|
Belconnen Braddon Tuggeranong Gungahlin Deakin |
|
$251 $260 $236 $260 $265 |
|
$807 $897 $799 $974 $854 |
Car insurance quotes based on a 35-year-old male driver who obtained their licence at 17, has held comprehensive cover with no claims over the last five years, is employed full-time, is a homeowner, uses their car for private purposes and commuting only and drives approximately 12,000km per year. All comprehensive quotes are based on a $1,000 excess and TPPD quotes on a $700 excess. All cars are garaged, have no modifications or non-standard accessories and have an alarm installed. Quotes obtained through Compare the Market on 20 November 2025.
How do I compare car insurance in the ACT?
Before you select your car insurance policy, it’s important to consider the following factors when comparing your options:
- What your policy covers: carefully read through the inclusions and exclusions of your policy before you sign on the dotted line. It’s crucial to make sure your car insurance offers the protection you’re looking for.
- How much the policy costs: arguably the most important thing next to your coverage is the cost. Not overpaying for your car insurance should be at the top of your list, but don’t just pick the cheapest for the sake of it.
- How much you can pick for your excess: check what the options are for selecting your policy excess. Make sure it’s something affordable if you need to make a claim.
- Whether there are any discounts: in many cases, you can score a discount by signing up online or bundling another insurance policy with your provider. Make sure the policy is worth it beyond the initial savings.
- Whether there are worthwhile optional extras: you can add things like choice of repairer and roadside assistance for an extra fee. Consider whether any such inclusions are worth the price you’ll pay for them.
- Whether you can insure for agreed or market value: if your car is written off, you’ll have two options from an insurance perspective: a market or agreed value payout. The latter is often more expensive, but may allow you to receive more if your car is written off.
