Check these 3 things before you hit the road this Christmas

With one week left to go before Christmas, Australians are being urged to check their car insurance policies before they hit the road to make sure they’re fully covered. 

With more drivers on the road than usual, the possibility of an accident could increase, according to Mozo money expert Rachel Wastell. 

“Christmas is one of the busiest times on the roads in Australia, which also makes it one of the most dangerous,” she says. 

“Getting into an accident at Christmas is tough enough, without realising you’re the one who has to pay for it all. As premiums get more expensive year on year, it’s crucial to check if the insurance you’re paying for will cover you when you need it.”

Related: Top 7 tips for a summer road trip to remember

The cost of car insurance is accelerating 

The 2023 Mozo Car Insurance Report found the average premium rose by 47% since 2018. The average Australian now pays $1,472 a year to insure their car, with drivers in Victoria ($1,817) and NSW ($1,717) often forking out the most. 

“If you’re going on the road this summer, there are three simple checks you can make to ensure you have the coverage you need before you get in the car; who’s covered, what’s covered and how much is covered.”

1. Check who’s covered to drive 

If you’re planning to share the driving, check your policy to find out if unlisted drivers (those that may use your car, but aren’t named on the policy) are covered. 

While sharing the wheel, especially on longer drives, is a very responsible thing to do, some car insurance policies require the personal details of drivers to provide coverage, while others provide cover for all drivers within a specific age range. 

“Adding all eligible drivers means that if you need to stop, revive and survive this summer and let someone else take the wheel, you can rest knowing you’re still covered,” says Wastell. 

2. Check what your car insurance covers

Comprehensive car insurance policies provide coverage for accidental damage to your car, others’ cars and property, as well as things like theft and severe weather. 

Before you load up the car this Christmas, or head out on a road trip, Wastell says to check the finer details of your policy. That way, “you know exactly what coverage you’re paying for, as things like roadside assistance and rental car coverage may not be covered by standard policies.”

Related: Which car insurance comes with roadside assistance in Australia?

“If you’re going to tow a caravan or a trailer this Summer or leave expensive Christmas gifts in the car overnight, you should check things like whether your policy covers towing and personal property loss.”

3. Check how much is covered

If you’ve done some modifications to your car, like fit out your van as a tiny home, repainted the exterior of your car, upgraded your engine, or put in aftermarket parts, it’s a smart move to check that your customisations are covered. 

“Upgrades to your vehicle can increase the cost of your insurance, but it’s crucial to ensure all modifications are listed on your policy. Adding any upgrades you’ve made before you start your summer trip is the only way to ensure you’re fully covered,” says Wastell. 

“Policies are priced based on how much it will cost to replace the car if anything goes wrong, and if you don’t mention modifications you can end up losing out.”

If you find that your car insurance premium has gone up, your next course of action could be to compare car insurance and get a new quote.

As part of the 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Awards^, experts analysed 10,000 car insurance quotes to find the best car insurance in 2023, including the providers that offered the best value for money. 

That could be somewhere good to start if you’re looking to switch your policy and potentially save yourself some cash. 

Otherwise, you can check out the featured car insurance policies below.