5 things people ask about car insurance
- Comprehensive car insurance covers your car for things like collision, fire and explosion, weather events and malicious damage
- But do you know who can drive your car when it’s comprehensively insured?
- And what about excesses, hire cars and windscreens?
Owning a car comes with its own set of responsibilities, and one of the most important is understanding car insurance. By getting to know the different types of cover available, you can make an informed choice that fits your needs.
But how do you choose the right cover for you? Here are five things to help you decide.
1. Types of cover
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car, as well as damage to someone else’s property, caused by using your car. It can also cover damage caused by weather events (fire, storm and hail damage), along with theft and vandalism.
Insure your new car with QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance, and if it’s driven less than 60,000km and is written off within the first three years of registration, we’ll replace it with a new car.
What is third party property damage car insurance?
Third party property damage car insurance covers damage to other people’s property through the use of your car.
If your car is damaged in a not-at-fault accident by an uninsured driver, QBE’s Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance will cover reasonable repair costs of up to $5,000, under the Standard Feature: ‘Damage caused by an uninsured driver’.
You can also add the Fire and theft cover option to cover for loss or damage to your car caused by fire, theft or attempted theft.
Related article: CTP, comprehensive and third party car cover explained
2. What is agreed value vs market value?
Agreed value is the amount you and QBE agree to insure your car for, during your period of coverage when you take out a QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance policy.
Market value is the value of your car in your local area, immediately before the incident.
Why choose agreed value on car insurance?
Having an agreed value on your comprehensive car insurance may give you more certainty and control over the value your car has been insured for. But it may cost more in premiums.
Why choose market value on car insurance?
Market value may save you money on premiums, but the value of your car may also fluctuate and change over time.
3. Types of drivers
Do L platers need to be listed on a car insurance policy?
Yes, they can be added to your policy.
If you make a claim, the fully licensed passenger who’s supervising the learner driver will need to pay the excess as outlined in their policy, as if the licensed driver was driving the car.
Do P platers need to be listed on a car insurance policy?
Yes, you can list P platers under 25 years old – however, there may be additional excesses that apply if you were to make a claim.
Do drivers aged 25 or over need to be listed?
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance automatically covers drivers 25 years or older if they're fully licensed and meet underwriting guidelines. The excesses outlined in the customer's Certificate of Insurance will apply.
4. Car insurance excesses
How much is the car insurance basic excess?
The basic excess is the amount of money you pay towards a claim. With QBE, you can choose the basic excess level of your car insurance policy.
Do you always have to pay an excess on a car insurance claim?
In most cases you’ll need to pay a basic excess if your claim is accepted. But if the accident wasn’t your fault, you won’t be charged the excess, subject to certain criteria.
When does an additional excess apply?
You may also have to pay an additional driver excess if you are under 25 years old, or have an additional policy excess imposed due to the insurance history of your car or it’s driver.
When do you pay the excesses on a car insurance claim?
If your car is being repaired, you’ll generally be asked to pay any applicable excesses before repairs are done. Otherwise, the excesses will be deducted from your payout if we pay you the cost of repairing your car – or if your car is a total loss.
5. Optional benefits
Can you choose your own car repairer when making a claim?
If you want to choose your own licensed repairer, you’ll need to add the Choice of Repairer optional benefit at an additional cost.
The quality of repairs is guaranteed, as long as these repairs are authorised by us, and for as long as the owner of your car doesn’t change.
How does my vehicle get to the repairer?
If your car is safe to drive, you’ll need to take it to our chosen repairer. If it’s not safe to drive, we’ll arrange to take it there.
Do you get a hire car with comprehensive car insurance?
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance provides you with a hire car after theft, attempted theft or a not-at-fault car accident. If you’d like cover for a hire car after other incidents, you can add the Hire Car – Extra optional benefit.
What is CTP Green Slip car insurance?
A base level of insurance, called Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is a legal requirement in Australia.
To drive legally in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, you need to buy CTP as a standalone product to register the car. In other areas, it comes as part of your registration.
Related article: Top CTP questions answered
FAQs
Are windscreens covered by QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance?
If you claim for damage to your car's windscreen, and it can be repaired without replacing it, it will be covered under the standard feature: 'No excess' windscreen repair.
If your car's windscreen is damaged and needs to be replaced, you won't need to pay an excess if you have the 'No Excess' Windscreen optional benefit.
Can I make changes to my QBE car insurance policy anytime?
Yes, you can amend, update and cancel your policy at any time.
Are accessories such as a dash cam, or tow bar covered?
Most accessories are covered on a QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance policy. If your car is insured on a market value basis, we’ll pay the market value of the accessories. If the car is insured on an agreed value basis, the accessories will be covered within the agreed value amount.
What happens with your car insurance when you change cars?
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance and QBE Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance automatically transfers your policy's cover to a replacement car for up to 14 days, from when you sell or dispose of your car.
To ensure your policy is kept up to date, it’s important you contact us with new details as soon as possible.
How do you make a car insurance claim?
QBE claims can be made online or over the phone.
Learn more about QBE car insurance.
