Compare car insurance in Tasmania

Comprehensive car insurance is the broadest level of cover available. This type of car insurance policy covers repair costs for both your car and other vehicles or property that you damage in a car accident. It can even cover weather damage by like storms and hail. Optional extras such as choice of repairer and accident hire car can also be added to a comprehensive policy.

TPFT insurance covers other cars for damages caused by your car. While this level of car insurance typically doesn’t cover your own car in an accident, it does provide cover for repair costs if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire.

TPPD insurance covers other vehicles and property from accidental damage that you cause. While TPPD typically won’t cover accidental damage to your car in most cases, some insurers may provide cover if it’s damaged by an uninsured driver.

CTP insurance is mandatory for all motorists in Tasmania, as it covers your legal liability if people are injured or killed in a car accident where you’re found to be at fault. It’s usually bundled with your motor vehicle registration fees and the fee is sent onto the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB).

It all depends on your circumstances – there’s not one type of cover that suits all Australians.

CTP insurance is the only mandatory cover in Australia. However, CTP doesn’t cover vehicle or property damage, so it’s still worth considering car insurance, even if it’s a basic third party car insurance policy like TPPD.

Comprehensive covers the widest range of insured events for your vehicle and also includes the cover that’s typically in third party policies. This type of cover is worth considering if you have a new car or one that’s especially valuable.

If your main concern is the cost of your policy and damages to other vehicles, TPFT and TPPD are generally cheaper car insurance options than comprehensive. However, both policies only cover your vehicle in limited circumstances.

Here’s a quick comparison of what each type of insurance generally covers.

Always refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for important information on inclusions, exclusions and general terms and conditions (T&Cs). Also read through the Target Market Determination (TMD) to see if the product is right for your circumstances.

There are several factors car insurance providers take into account when calculating your car insurance quote. Here are just a few things that might affect the price of your policy:

• How long you’ve held your licence. Experienced drivers generally get the most competitive premiums.
• Where you live. Driving around the city is very different from driving in a rural area. Therefore, your premium will vary depending on your location.
• Your car. How much your car is worth, its age, make and model are just a few things that can impact your premium.
• Where you store your car. Keeping your car in a garage or other secure area when parked can generally attract lower premiums.
• Driving and claims history. If you’ve got good driving history (or have been claim-free for a set number of years), you may pay a lower premium.
• How you use your vehicle. Whether you use your car for commuting or for business may have an impact on your insurance costs.

There’s no guaranteed way to get cheap car insurance in Tasmania, but there are several ways you could save on your car insurance premiums, including:

• Paying premiums annually instead of by monthly instalments
• Parking your car in a secure place like a garage
• Restricting the age of people who drive your car
• Installing security devices like alarms, dash cams and immobilisers.

You could also lower your car insurance premiums by opting to pay a higher excess. However, doing this will increase the amount you may be asked to pay if you need make an insurance claim.

Some common features and optional extras Tasmanian drivers might consider include:

• Hire car. If your car is damaged in an event covered by your insurance, some car insurance policies will cover the cost of a replacement vehicle while you wait for yours to be fixed.
• Roadside assistance. If your car breaks down while driving, roadside assistance can send a recovery vehicle to help get you back on the road.
• Windscreen cover can provide financial protection for window glass repairs for low or no excess.

Towing could be included in your policy, but the instances where it’s provided will vary depending on your level of cover. For example, TPFT insurance may only cover towing after a theft or fire incident, while comprehensive car insurance could cover towing for more scenarios.

Some comprehensive car insurance policies provide cover for caravans and trailers, but this usually only applies when your car is towing the caravan.

Your postcode might affect your car insurance premiums since your new neighbourhood may be rated differently based on insurance risk factors. For example, crime rates may be different in your new address or your likelihood of getting in a car accident may have changed based on where you live.

Where you park your car overnight in Tasmania also affects your premium. If you previously parked in a garage but you’re now parking on the street, your premiums may rise to reflect the increased security risk, and vice versa.