Whether you're comparing cover options, getting a quote, making a claim, or simply trying to understand how car insurance works, we're here to help. This guide answers common questions about car insurance in Australia, including comprehensive car insurance, third party property damage insurance, CTP, premiums, excesses, claims, agreed value and market value.
Use the questions below to learn what different types of car insurance cover, what affects the cost of your premium, and how to choose the cover that's right for you.
Before you buy
Car insurance is a way of protecting yourself against financial loss should something go wrong. Depending on what type of car insurance you have, it can help cover the costs of damage to your car in certain circumstances.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) car insurance covers the reasonable and necessary medical cost of injuries to people if your vehicle is involved in an accident.
Comprehensive car insurance covers accidental loss or damage to your car if you have a collision, it’s stolen or damaged by fire or in a weather event such as hail or flood up to policy limits. It also provides coverage for damage caused by the use of your car.
Third Party Property Damage car insurance generally covers damage you cause to someone else's property, although limited cover for your own car may be available under specific benefits such as Fire and Theft cover or Damage Caused by an Uninsured Driver.
No, car insurance isn't legally required in Australia, but Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is required to register a vehicle in most states and territories. CTP helps cover injuries caused to other people in a motor vehicle accident.
Comprehensive Car Insurance and Third Party Property Damage Insurance are optional forms of cover that can help protect you financially if your car is damaged or you damage someone else's property.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, also known as a Green Slip in New South Wales, is a legal requirement for registered vehicles in NSW, QLD, SA and ACT. If you or anyone driving your car causes an accident in which someone else is injured, CTP will cover the cost of their compensation claim. It doesn’t cover damage to your car, other people’s vehicles, or property. Other states and territories include CTP as part of the vehicle registration fee, which means you can’t choose your insurer.
While not compulsory, you may consider having car insurance in addition to CTP. Car insurance can provide cover for the costs of repairs or replacement to vehicles and property if things go wrong.
Comprehensive car insurance covers accidental loss or damage to your car if you have a collision, it’s stolen or damaged by fire or during a weather event, such hail or flood. It also provides covers for damage that your car causes to other people’s property.
Third party property damage car insurance provides less protection. It covers compensation for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property caused by the use of your car. It doesn’t cover your car’s repairs if its driver causes an accident.
Choosing the right car insurance depends on your needs, and everyone’s needs are different. It’s important to understand the difference between comprehensive car insurance and third party property damage car insurance.
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car and its driver for damage that the use of your car causes to other people's vehicles and property. For example, if your car accidentally runs into another car at the traffic lights.
Third party property damage car insurance provides less cover. It covers your legal liability to pay compensation which arises from damage to someone else’s vehicle or property caused by the use of your car. It doesn’t cover your car’s repairs if the driver of your car causes an accident. It also doesn’t cover damage caused by things like weather events, fire or theft.
Under QBE’s Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance, you can choose to add the Fire and theft cover option for an extra premium to include cover for loss of or damage to your car caused by fire, theft and attempted theft up to the amount shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
It’s worth considering your car’s value and the level of cover you’d like.
Compare our car insurance options for more information.
Comprehensive Car Insurance provides the highest level of cover offered by QBE for accidental loss of or damage to your vehicle, as well as cover for damage you cause to someone else's property. Whether it's right for you depends on factors such as the value of your car, how often you drive and the level of financial protection you're looking for.
If your car’s involved in an incident and you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, you may have to pay for any damage to your car or a third party’s vehicle or property out-of-pocket.
A comprehensive car insurance policy is a contract between an insurer (us) and the insured (you). You pay a premium, and we insure for damage caused to your car by insured events such as a collision, weather events, vandalism, theft and more. We’ll also provide cover if your car causes damage to a third party’s vehicle or property.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, also known as a Green Slip in NSW, is mandatory as a separate purchase in NSW, QLD, SA and ACT. In other parts of Australia, vehicle registration includes personal injury insurance.
If you or anyone driving your car injures someone in an accident, CTP covers their medical costs and compensation they’re entitled to. CTP doesn’t cover damage to your car or the responsibility of the driver of your car for damage caused to other people’s vehicles or property.
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your insured car and damage to other vehicles or property caused by the use of your car. It also covers repairs to your car for damage caused by unexpected things like collision, fire, theft or weather events. If someone collides with your car, we'll arrange for your car’s repair without you having to chase the responsible driver for the repair bill.
While not compulsory, comprehensive car insurance provides the highest level of cover if things go wrong.
For full details about what is and isn’t covered by QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD).
No, CTP isn’t included in comprehensive car insurance.
CTP is a separate type of insurance covering injury you cause to another person on the road. Comprehensive car insurance covers repairs to your car for damage caused by things like collision, fire, theft and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else’s vehicle or property caused by the use of your car.
If you buy comprehensive cover, you’ll still need to buy CTP insurance separately if you live in NSW, QLD, SA or ACT. In NSW, CTP is often called a ‘Green Slip’.
CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance and Comprehensive Car Insurance are different types of cover that protect you against different risks:
- CTP insurance covers injuries to people if you're responsible for a road accident.
- Comprehensive car insurance helps cover damage to vehicles and property, including your own car.
CTP insurance
CTP insurance, also known as Green Slip in NSW, is a legal requirement for vehicle registration in Australia. It covers compensation costs if you or someone driving your vehicle causes injures someone else in a motor vehicle accident.
CTP insurance does not cover damage to vehicles or property.
To learn more about CTP in your state, read our CTP explained: a state by state guide
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance provides a broader level of protection. It can cover:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Damage to other people's vehicles or property caused by the use of your car
- Theft or attempted theft
- Fire, storm and other insured events (depending on your policy).
While not compulsory in Australia, comprehensive car insurance provides the highest level of cover if things go wrong.
Comprehensive car insurance covers repairs to your car for damage caused by things like collision, fire, theft and the weather. It also covers damage to someone else’s vehicle or property caused by use of your car.
QBE’s Comprehensive Car Insurance also has standard features, which help with the cost of necessary towing, emergency accommodation and replacing keys or recoding locks if someone steals your car keys. The cost to replace a damaged or stolen baby capsule or child seat is also covered in the case of theft if stolen with your car.
You can also upgrade your QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance to include three straightforward options. Take a look at the QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information.
Third party property damage car insurance, also known as third party, covers your legal liability to pay compensation which arises from damage to someone else’s vehicle or property, caused by the use of your car. You’re not covered if you crash or a weather event damages your car.
Don’t confuse this cover with Compulsory Third Party (CTP), also known as a Green Slip in NSW, which covers you if a third party injures you in a motor vehicle accident.
CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance and Third Party Property Damage Insurance are often confused, but they cover very different things.
- CTP insurance covers injuries to people if you're responsible for a road accident.
- Third Party Property Damage insurance covers damage your car causes to someone else's vehicle or property but not damage to your own car.
CTP insurance
CTP insurance, also known as Green Slip in NSW, is a legal requirement for vehicle registration in Australia. It covers compensation costs if you or someone driving your vehicle causes injures someone else in a motor vehicle accident.
CTP insurance does not cover damage to vehicles or property.
To learn more about CTP in your state, read our CTP explained: a state by state guide
Third party property damage insurance
Third Party Property Damage Insurance covers damage your vehicle causes to another person's vehicle or property. For example, if you accidentally collide with another car or damage a fence, this insurance can help pay for the repairs.
However, it doesn’t cover injuries and generally does not cover damage to your own vehicle.
No, CTP isn’t included in third party property damage car insurance.
Third party property damage car insurance provides cover for the damage caused by the use of your car to other people's vehicles or property. If you buy a third party property damage policy, you’ll still need to register your car, and if you live in NSW, QLD, SA or ACT, purchase separate CTP insurance, also known as a Green Slip in NSW.
You can pay an extra premium to add the Fire and theft cover option to your QBE Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance policy. Once added, this option provides cover for loss of or damage to your car caused by fire, theft or attempted theft for up to the amount shown on your Certificate of Insurance, or if your car is assessed as a total loss, we’ll pay the market value of your car – whichever is lower.
The Fire and theft cover option also insures you for:
- Fire-damaged or stolen baby capsules and child seats inside your vehicle
- Towing and storage costs
- A hire car after theft or attempted theft. We’ll arrange and pay the reasonable daily cost of a suitable hire car, if your car is stolen or damaged in an attempted theft. It will be provided for up to 14 days:
- Until your car is found and doesn’t need repairs; or
- Until repairs authorised by us are completed; or
- Until we pay the reasonable costs to repair your car; or
- Until we pay your claims after your car has been assessed as a total loss.
Getting a quote
To get a quote, you'll generally need details about yourself, your car and how it's used. This will include information such as the make and model of the vehicle, where it's kept, who drives it and how it's used. The information you provide helps determine your premium.
When choosing car insurance, it’s important to understand the difference between market value vs agreed value, as it can affect how much you’re paid if your car is written off or stolen – and how much you pay for your premium.
Agreed value
A fixed amount that we agree on when you take out your policy. This amount stays the same during your period of cover and is clearly stated on your Certificate of Insurance (COI), giving you certainty about your payout.
Market value
The estimated value of your car in your local area immediately before an incident. It reflects market conditions, including factors like make, model, age, kilometres travelled, accessories, modifications fitted and general condition.
The choice between agreed vs market value often depends on your preference for certainty versus flexibility. Agreed value provides a fixed payout amount that’s set when you take out the policy, while market value reflects the car's current value at the time of a claim.
About your cover
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance can cover accidental loss of or damage to your car caused by weather events, including flood, where the claim is covered under the policy.
QBE Third Party Property Damage Insurance doesn't provide flood cover for your own car.
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance can cover accidental loss of or damage to your car caused by weather events such as hail, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.
QBE Third Party Property Damage Insurance doesn't cover hail damage to your own car.
If you have QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance, we'll replace damaged or stolen baby capsules and child seats which are inside your car, but not if they are stolen from your car when the car itself isn't stolen.
If you pay extra to add the Fire and theft cover option to your QBE Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance policy, we’ll replace your fire damaged or stolen baby capsules and child seats which are inside your car.
In most cases, yes. Both QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance and QBE Third Party Property Damage Insurance cover anyone who drives your car, provided they meet the terms and conditions of the policy. This includes learner drivers who are supervised by a properly licensed driver. Additional excesses may apply depending on the driver's age and circumstances.
Premiums
Your car insurance premium will depend on several factors, such as your level of cover, type of car and driving history.
The easiest way to compare car insurance and see how much it may cost you is to get a quote. Your premium is the cost of buying your policy. It’s the amount we set by taking into account things like the chance of you making a claim under your policy, the optional benefits you’ve chosen, the overall cost of claims we expect to pay and our expenses of doing business as well as other commercial factors.
For more information, read our Additional Information Guides.
The cost of insurance varies depending on your car, where you live, who drives the vehicle and many other factors. Generally, Third Party Property Damage Insurance provides a different level of cover to Comprehensive Car Insurance and may have a lower premium, but it's important to choose a policy based on the cover that's right for your needs, not price alone. The premium for any policy will depend on your individual circumstances.
Your claims history is automatically considered when determining your policy’s premium. Customers who haven’t made a claim will normally get a lower premium. For more information, visit our understanding your premium page.
Read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details about what is and isn’t covered.
Still not sure which cover is right for you? Compare our car insurance products or get a Comprehensive Car Insurance quote.
Manage your policy
You can check your level of cover on your Certificate of Insurance, or by viewing your policy online.
If you need a copy of your Certificate of Insurance, you can request a copy online or just call us on 133 723.
Learner drivers who display L plates don’t need to be listed on your QBE car insurance policy. They’re covered under the policy’s terms as long as they comply with their licence conditions and a properly licensed driver supervises them.
Yes, but only if the penalty results in your driver’s licence being suspended, cancelled or disqualified. You need to tell us as soon as this happens, so we can review your policy.
At insurance renewal time, you should also check your renewal document carefully and tell us of any changes to your car, how you use it and your driving history. If you are unsure about something to tell us, give us a call on 133 723 and we can quickly confirm for you.
After an accident
Check the accident scene is safe. If anyone is injured or there is significant property damage, call the police immediately, and an ambulance if needed. Try to prevent any further damage to your car and keep it secure.
Ensure you collect the name, address, phone number, registration number and car insurance details of any other driver involved and the contact details of any witnesses.
Have this information at hand when you contact QBE’s Car Insurance Claims department to lodge your claim. You can call us 24 hours a day on 133 723 or lodge your claim online.
Call the police immediately to make a report, then contact QBE on 133 723 (24/7) to lodge your claim. You can also claim online.
Head to our car insurance claims page to make a claim online, or call us on 24 hours a day on 133 723.
If your car’s windscreen, sunroof or window glass is damaged and we determine it can be repaired without replacing the glass, we’ll organise its repair, and no policy excess will apply. We cover this type of repair as a standard feature under our comprehensive car insurance.
If you’ve chosen to add the ‘No Excess’ Windscreen option to your QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance policy, you won’t need to pay an excess if your claim is only for damage to your car’s windscreen, sunroof or window glass, and the item needs replacing.
If you need to make a claim for your car’s windscreen or other window glass, head to our car insurance claims page to make a claim online or call us 24 hours a day on 133 723.
If your car needs repairs after a covered claim, QBE will generally arrange repairs through a QBE Accredited Smash Repairer or another licensed repairer it selects. Our hand-picked nationwide repairer network has been chosen to ensure you get a high-quality, guaranteed repair.
If you have QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance and have added the optional Choice of Repairer benefit, you can choose a licensed repairer, subject to our approval. This option isn't available with QBE Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance.
To avoid your claim being delayed, reduced or refused, you must not admit fault or liability if you’re involved in an incident.
Contact QBE’s car insurance claims department so we can anticipate contact from the other driver involved. We’ll handle all communication between them or their insurance provider on your behalf. Call us 24 hours a day on 133 723.
If your car’s involved in an incident and you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, you may have to pay for any damage to your car or a third party’s vehicle or property out-of-pocket.