Car Insurance Queensland
Whether you live in Brisbane or Bundaberg, you can compare car insurance offers side-by-side online today.
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Whether you’re living in the bustling centre of Brisbane or further up north in Townsville or Cairns, having the right insurance for your car is crucial as a Queensland resident. With plenty of risks on the road and in the sky, it’s important to take the time to compare your options and secure coverage for your vehicle.
What types of coverage options are available for car insurance in Queensland?
When it comes to car insurance in Queensland, there are various coverage options available to suit different needs and budgets. These include:
- Comprehensive coverage: this is the highest level of coverage and can provide protection for your vehicle against a wide range of risks, including accident, theft, fire, and vandalism damage to your vehicle. It can also cover damage to third-party vehicles and property.
- Third party property damage (TPPD): this is a basic level of coverage which can protect you against damage you may cause to other people's vehicles or property. However, it doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle.
- Third party fire and theft (TPFT): this coverage can offer protection against theft and fire damage to your vehicle and damage caused to other people's vehicles or property. It doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle in an accident.
- Compulsory third party (CTP): in Queensland, CTP insurance is mandatory and must be obtained before registering a vehicle. It can provide coverage for personal injury or death caused to others, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists, in an accident where you’re at fault. This insurance is regulated by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) and offered by approved insurers.
| 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.
How much does car insurance cost in Queensland?
When determining the cost of car insurance in Queensland, several factors come into play. Some of the key cost factors to consider are:
- Vehicle type: the make, model, age and value of your vehicle can impact the cost. Expensive or high-performance cars may attract higher premiums due to the greater cost or effort associated with repairing them.
- Driver's age and experience: young and inexperienced drivers often face higher premiums due to their higher risk profile. For instance, those under 25 or P-platers are likely to pay more for their coverage.
- Coverage options: the level of coverage you choose, such as comprehensive, TPFT or TPPD, will affect the cost, with comprehensive being the most expensive and TPPD generally being the cheapest.
- Driving history: your record on the road, including any past accidents or driving offences, can impact your insurance premium. A history of claims will also likely result in higher costs.
- Location: the area where you live and park your vehicle can influence the cost. Urban areas with higher rates of accidents or vehicle theft may have higher premiums. Weather-related risks may also play a role, such as those in Far North Queensland being exposed to cyclones which generally don’t impact the southern part of the state as much.
- Usage: the distance you drive annually can impact your premium. Generally, the more you drive, the higher the risk exposure and potentially higher premiums. Using your car for business purposes can also affect your premium.
- Excess: opting for a higher excess amount can lower your premium, but it means you'll have to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
Keep in mind that these factors can vary between insurance providers, with each insurer potentially weighing them differently when determining your premium. That’s why it’s crucial to compare quotes to help you find the best possible coverage for your situation.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Queensland?
In Queensland, it’s mandatory to have at least CTP insurance to register a vehicle. However, while it’s compulsory, it doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle or property. Therefore, many drivers opt for additional coverage options to protect themselves and their vehicles, which aren’t required but are generally recommended.
It's important to note that the minimum requirements for car insurance in Queensland may change over time, so it's always recommended to stay updated with the current regulations.
Does car insurance in Queensland cover storm and flood damage?
Comprehensive car insurance in Queensland typically covers flood and storm damage, but it's important to review your policy details and exclusions to confirm the extent of coverage.
This type of insurance generally provides protection for a wide range of risks, including:
- Storm surge
- Thunderstorms
- Hail damage
- Rainwater and runoff
Flood damage refers to incidents where water rises or overflows onto normally dry land. This can happen due to heavy rain, rivers bursting their banks or flash flooding. Storm damage, on the other hand, can include damage caused by severe weather conditions, such as strong winds, hail, fallen trees or flying debris.
While comprehensive insurance can cover flood and storm damage, it's important to note that certain policy exclusions may apply. It's essential to carefully review your policy documents and speak with your insurance provider to understand the terms and conditions of your coverage.
Additionally, it's worth considering optional extras or add-ons to enhance your comprehensive policy. For example, you might want to consider additional coverage for items like car contents (personal belongings inside your vehicle), emergency accommodation or towing assistance. These extras can provide added peace of mind and further protect you in the event of a flood or storm-related incident.
Remember, every insurance policy and provider can have different terms and conditions, so it's essential to read your policy documents thoroughly and compare insurers to ensure you have a clear understanding of what’s covered under your comprehensive car insurance policy in Queensland.
Types of car insurance you can choose from
The most basic type of optional cover available, TPPD insurance can offer protection for damage caused by your vehicle to other people's property. However, no damage to your vehicle will be covered.
A step up from TPPD, TPFT insurance can also cover damage to your vehicle sustained due to a fire or theft (or attempted theft) in addition to third-party property damage if you're in an at-fault accident.
The most extensive (and expensive) form of cover, comprehensive car insurance can also offer cover for damage to your vehicle in an accident, collision and certain weather events on top of the areas TPFT covers.
Common questions about car insurance in Queensland
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Savvy’s comparison service includes selected products from a panel of trusted insurers and does not compare all products in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy. We always recommend readers to consult the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of different policies before purchasing your car insurance.