Car Insurance Guide 2026

Best Car Insurance Providers 2026

Canstar's 2026 ratings highlight AAMI for competitive premiums across a wide range of driver types, plus hire car cover for up to 21 days after theft. Bingle stands out as a digital-only insurer with unlimited no-excess windscreen cover. ROLLiN' Insurance offers a unique monthly rolling policy that updates your premium and car valuation automatically, and covers EV batteries and charging equipment. Budget Direct offers a 15% first-year discount for buying online, and Youi emphasises personalised, customisable cover with 24/7 claims support.

What Car Insurance Costs in 2026

The average comprehensive car insurance premium in Australia is $1,362 a year (around $134/month), while third-party property damage cover averages $522 a year (around $44/month), according to Canstar's research across more than 30 comprehensive and 19 third-party insurers. Costs vary significantly by state — Tasmania is the cheapest at $1,128/year, while Victoria ($1,721) and NSW ($1,698) are the most expensive.

Types of Car Insurance in Australia

• Comprehensive — covers damage to your own car plus damage you cause to others' property and vehicles
• Third-party property damage — covers damage you cause to someone else's car or property, not your own vehicle
• Third-party fire and theft — third-party cover plus protection if your own car is stolen or damaged by fire
• CTP (Compulsory Third Party) — covers injury to other people; legally required in every state, bought separately from your registration or as a 'Green Slip' in NSW

Compare by State

Car insurance pricing and CTP rules genuinely differ across Australia — see our dedicated guides for NSW, Victoria, and Queensland for the cheapest local insurers and average costs in each.

Guides and Resources

Everything you need to make a confident decision