Car insurance brokers
The motor vehicle insurance space is very, very competitive, and yet it is a fairly basic and simple class of insurance.
Australia’s expert car insurance brokers
For more than 35 years, we’ve helped Australians find reliable, practical car insurance that suits everyday vehicles and real-world driving conditions. From daily commuters and family cars to second vehicles and utes, we focus on cover that protects how you actually use your car, not a one-size-fits-all policy.
Our experienced motor vehicle insurance brokers understand this specialist market inside out. We compare policies from a wide range of trusted insurers to help you secure cover that’s clear, fairly priced and tailored to your needs.
Secure a cost-effective car insurance policy
At Ian Jones Insurance Brokers, our goal is to help you obtain comprehensive cover at a competitive price.
Whether your motor vehicle is driven daily, parked on the street, or kept in a garage long-term, we’ll guide you through car insurance options and explain the fine print for unparalleled peace of mind.
Typical car insurance tiers
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance gives you the widest level of protection for your car, and for damage you may cause to others.
It tends to cover repair or replacement of your vehicle after events like accidents, collisions, hail, storms, fire, theft and vandalism. If your car damages someone else’s property, comprehensive cover also protects you against the cost of legal liability.
This option is best suited to newer or higher-value cars, daily drivers, and anyone who wants confidence that most unexpected events are covered.
Third Party Property Damage
Third Party Property Damage insurance protects you financially if you cause damage to someone else’s car or property.
It covers your legal responsibility to pay compensation for damage you cause, but it does not cover repairs to your own car if you’re at fault. Damage from theft, fire, storms or hail is also excluded.
This level of cover is often chosen for older or lower-value vehicles where repairing or replacing the car yourself may be more affordable than paying for comprehensive insurance.
Compulsory Third Party insurance
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is mandatory for all registered motor vehicles in Australia. CTP covers injury to other people if you or another driver of your car causes an accident. This includes passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and occupants of other vehicles.
Importantly, this type of policy does not cover vehicle or property damage. Its role is to ensure injured people receive care and compensation, while protecting drivers from the potentially high cost of personal injury claims.
Frequently asked questions
Choosing the right car insurance comes down to how you use your car, where it’s kept, and how much financial risk you’re comfortable carrying.
In Australia, all registered vehicles must have CTP insurance, which covers injury to other people. In some states, CTP is included in registration, while in others it must be purchased separately. Beyond CTP, all other cover is optional.
The best way to compare policies is to read the Product Disclosure Statement carefully and make sure the cover suits your circumstances.
At Ian Jones, our expert brokers can help explain the differences and guide you to cover that balances protection, cost and peace of mind.
Comprehensive car insurance provides the highest level of cover for your vehicle and typically includes:
- Accidental damage, fire and theft: Covers damage caused by collisions, impact, fire, explosion, theft, attempted theft and malicious acts.
- Legal liability: Covers your legal responsibility for damage your car causes to other people’s property up to a specified amount.
- Weather and natural events: Protection against damage caused by hail, storms, floods and bushfires.
- A hire car after an accident: Cover for a hire car if you’re not at fault, and in some cases, even if you are.
- New car replacement: Some policies offer replacement if your car is written off within a set period and kilometre limit. Conditions vary by insurer.
- Guaranteed repairs: Repairs authorised by the insurer are usually guaranteed for workmanship and materials for as long as you own the car.
- Emergency repairs and accommodation: Limited cover for temporary repairs, accommodation and transport if an accident occurs far from home.
- Towing costs: Covers reasonable towing costs to a repairer or safe location after an incident.
- Stolen keys: Covers the cost of replacing stolen keys or reprogramming locks, provided the theft is reported to police.
However, this is a general guide only. Always check your chosen policy’s PDS to understand its limits, conditions and exclusions.
Anyone who regularly drives your car should be listed on your policy to avoid issues at claim time. If a regular driver isn’t listed, your insurer may charge a higher excess or reduce or refuse a claim.
Learner drivers are usually covered without being named on the policy while they are driving under learner conditions. However, standard and additional excesses often apply if a learner driver is involved in an incident.
Car replacement is not automatically included and depends on the policy you choose.
Some comprehensive policies offer new car replacement if your vehicle is written off within a certain time frame and kilometre limit. Other policies may offer an agreed value or market value payout instead.
Always check the policy wording to understand if replacement is included and the conditions that apply.
The cost of car insurance premiums depends on multiple factors, including:
- The level of cover and excess you choose
- The age and experience of the listed drivers
- Your driving history and claims record
- The make, model and age of your car
- Where the car is usually kept
Policy features also affect price, such as hire car cover, windscreen replacement, and repairer choice.
At Ian Jones, our experienced car insurance brokers can compare policies across insurers to help you find competitive cover that suits your vehicle and budget.
A basic excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. Choosing a higher excess generally reduces your premium, while a lower excess increases it.
Additional excesses may apply depending on who was driving, their age, or experience level at the time of the incident.
The excess amount is outlined in your policy documents.
If anyone is injured or there is serious damage, call the police and ambulance immediately.
Once it’s safe to do so:
- Prevent further damage to your vehicle
- Exchange details with the other driver
- Collect contact details from witnesses
You should then contact your insurer as soon as possible to lodge a claim.
To lodge a claim with your insurance provider, try to gather information such as:
- Full names, addresses, phone numbers and licence details of all drivers
- Registration numbers and vehicle details
- The other driver’s insurer
- Witness contact details
A police report is required if someone is injured, or if the claim involves theft, attempted theft or malicious damage.
You can still begin a claim even if you don’t have all the above information. Missing details can usually be added later, and your insurer or broker can assist with managing the claim process.