Have you just shifted into the land-locked state of the Australian Capital Territory and are looking for a car insurance policy that suits your needs the best?
Well, you have come to the right place. Buying the perfect car insurance policy in the ACT can be quite challenging as there are a few steps to consider while buying.
What types of car insurance are available in the ACT?
There are four main types of car insurance available in the ACT. These include:
- Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Scheme. This insurance covers anyone injured in an accident not considering who was at fault. It does not cover property damage, or damage to yours or someone else’s vehicle. Compulsory Third Party Insurance was replaced by MAI on the 31st of January 2020. The premium on this is based on the class of your vehicle.
- Third Party Property Damage (TPPD). As the name suggests, it covers the damages that you might have caused to other people’s property with your vehicle in an accident.
- Third Party Fire & Theft (TPFT). This offers additional cover for damages caused due to fire and theft. You should consider this cover if you're unsure of the area you park your car in.
- Comprehensive Car Insurance. This is the widest range of coverage with policies having provisions for different circumstances. Once you decide to make an insurance claim and pay the excess, your comprehensive insurance policy will cover the cost of the repairs or replacements your vehicle might require that are listed in your policy’s PDS.. It will also cover damage to other people’s cars or property.
Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Scheme
The Motor Accident Injuries Scheme was introduced in February 2020, where everyone who is injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to receive treatment and even loss of income benefits for up to five years. This scheme provides more comprehensive support than the previous one.
This is a compulsory car insurance policy which is required for everyone who owns a motor vehicle in the Australian Capital Territory. The scheme replaced ACT’s Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance, which exists in different versions across the country.
What does the MAI scheme cover?
- Treatment for all the people injured in a motor vehicle accident
- Comprehensive support for anyone who needs it the most
- Coverage for all road users
- Transparent benefits for a quick recovery
How do I make a comprehensive car insurance claim in the ACT?
Making a car insurance claim when you have been in an accident seems daunting. But here are a few easy steps that you can follow:
- Safety: Make sure that you and everyone involved are safe and no one needs to be taken to the hospital.
- Document all information: Make sure you keep a record of all the important documents, personal details of everyone involved and your vehicle.
- Check PDS: Make sure you know what you can claim for. It always helps if you have read your policy’s PDS beforehand.
- Make a claim: There are different processes that insurers follow.
- Contact your insurer and find out how much the repair is going to cost and if you will have to pay any excesses. They will also tell you if you need any documents to support your claim (like police reports or photos, for example).
What features should ACT drivers look for in car insurance?
Car insurance providers come up with a lot of variations to their policies trying to cater to a wide audience. Check and see which ones would you like to consider from the following list:
- Variety of coverage options: As is already known, you require a Motor Accident Injuries scheme in your pocket as a mandatory policy in the Australian Capital Territory. But other than that, it is also a good idea to consider damage to your vehicle or third-party property.
- Reasonable limits and excesses: It is best to read the Public Disclosure Statement (PDS) thoroughly to know whether your policy has any excesses or limits as policies may differ slightly from provider to provider.
- Good customer service & efficient claims process: Are you confused between a couple of insurance providers and want to know which are the consumer favourites? 2023 Mozo People’s Choice Awards car insurance tells you what the people’s choice is.
- Competitive pricing & good discounts: There’s always a range of providers to choose from and so it is best to get quotes from a few. Also, don’t forget to check for discounts.
- Clear & understandable policy terms & conditions: All the information that you will ever need about your policy is explained in detail in the Public Disclosure Statement (PDS). Be sure to read it thoroughly to understand any terms or conditions.
What extras should I have when driving in ACT?
Be careful when you choose an insurance policy as not every event will be included in your cover. However, you can add extras considering your driving habits. Some optional extras include:
- If you go on a lot of road trips, it’s best to consider excess-free windscreen cover.
- Rentals after accidents may be offered on some policies when there has been a theft, but might not be considered in case of an at-fault or not-at-fault collision without an optional extra fee.
- Modifications for cars with extra bling or power under the hood.
- 24-hour roadside assistance.
How much does ACT car insurance cost?
Insurance premiums can be difficult to make sense of because it’s dependent on so many factors. Other than the type of car insurance policy you choose, your data can play a huge role in deciding your premium.
The factors that determine your premium are:
- Location: Drivers in the city may have to pay more than the drivers in the countryside. Rates can also vary widely between different states and cities.
- Age: Young drivers often pay more as compared to older drivers because of the considered risk.
- Driving history: Your driving history and patterns also affect your premium. If there have been accidents or violations that can raise premiums.
- Vehicle type: Expensive, sporty, or high-theft risk cars typically cost more to insure.
- Coverage and excess: More comprehensive coverage and lower excesses will increase your premium.
How do I find the best car insurance in ACT?
When looking for Australia’s best car insurance, a good place to start is by checking out the winners in the Exceptional Value and Exceptional Quality categories in the latest Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards for 2023.
Our experts analysed over 10,000 car insurance quotes to find the best value for the widest range of customers.
However, not all customers are looking for the same thing when it comes to car insurance, so it's important to bear this in mind when comparing car insurance policies in the Australian Capital Territory.
.png?width=634)
.%20The%20image%20should%20vi.png?width=634)
