Car insurance is a key consideration for people living all throughout Queensland, from the far north to the southeast and everything in between. The threat of natural disasters looms large over the state, so making sure all your assets are adequately covered is essential. Getting the right insurance policy for your car is no different, which is why it’s so important to take the time to consider your options before you sign on the dotted line.
What car insurance options can I choose from in QLD?
Here are the four types of car insurance you’ll be looking at in QLD:
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.
The cover you’ll get from your policy depends on which one you choose. Here’s a breakdown of some general car insurance inclusions and exclusions:
| 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. | ||||
QLD car insurance requirements
CTP insurance is mandatory in Queensland for all motor vehicles. You can choose to buy this separately or purchase it as part of your vehicle registration. This is administered by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, which has a list of insurers through whom CTP insurance is offered. You’re able to choose your insurer from the list of accredited providers.
How much does car insurance cost in QLD?
No one car insurance policy is the same, regardless of where you live in Queensland. Insurers consider a variety of factors when calculating your premium. You can see how this looks for men and women on different cars below:
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 Brisbane (4151), 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 14 November 2025.2025 Ford Ranger XL 2WD Two-Door Cab Chassis
Gender
Cheapest premium
Average premium
Most expensive premium
Male
$1,166
$1,693
$2,183
Female
$1,189
$1,694
$2,173
2025 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD
Gender
Cheapest premium
Average premium
Most expensive premium
Male
$882
$1,645
$2,216
Female
$898
$1,643
$2,206
2022 Hyundai i20 N
Gender
Cheapest premium
Average premium
Most expensive premium
Male
$739
$1,239
$1,606
Female
$766
$1,242
$1,599
2020 Mazda6 Sport
Gender
Cheapest premium
Average premium
Most expensive premium
Male
$976
$1,555
$1,954
Female
$993
$1,554
$1,945
You can see how significant the difference is between some of the newer, more valuable models and the older budget models. However, it’s more than just the car that impacts your insurance. You can see here how much comprehensive and TPPD insurance costs in different parts of Queensland:
Comprehensive 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 $600 excess. All cars are garaged, have no modifications or non-standard accessories and have an alarm installed. Quotes obtained through Compare the Market on 14 November 2025.2020 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD
Location
Cheapest TPPD premium
Cheapest comprehensive premium
Brisbane
$283
$839
Gold Coast
$301
$1,028
Cairns
$216
$1,075
Townsville
$212
$1,000
Sunshine Coast
$227
$857
Toowoomba
$235
$885
Ipswich
$242
$753
How do I compare car insurance in QLD?
Before you jump in and buy your car insurance policy in Queensland, there are a few important things to think about. These include:
- How much your policy costs: make sure the policy you choose is affordable for you and presents good value for money.
- What your policy covers: of course, you’ll need to look at the events that are and aren’t covered before you buy it. Have some ideas about what you want coverage for when you’re comparing offers.
- The size of your excess: how much are you willing to pay when you have to make a claim? Look for insurers that offer policies with excess options that suit your budget.
- Signup incentives: can you get a discount for buying online or bundling your home and contents insurance as well? These could be valuable, but make sure the policy is still worth it beyond the discount.
- Whether you need optional extras: what extras are available through your insurer? Think about things like personal effects cover and choice of repairer, whether you need them and whether they’re worth the cost.
- Choice of agreed or market value cover: will you get to choose between market value or an agreed sum if your car is written off?
