Does your car insurance cover you for storm season?
Summer is upon us and with it storm season. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that this December through to February next year will be wetter on average for most of Australia.
For car owners, making sure your wheels have the right level of cover is one of the many things to do in preparation for the turbulent weather ahead. Back in January, catastrophic hail storms showed just how much damage extreme weather can cause to vehicles. The storms hit Melbourne, the ACT and parts of NSW leading to around 29,000 claims, two-thirds of which were for cars.
Getting your car fixed after a particularly vicious storm can be costly, so it’s best to double check your insurance before time.
Does car insurance cover flooding?
Generally speaking, most comprehensive car insurance policies will give you some level of cover for storm and flood damage. This will usually fall under the umbrella of ‘accidental damage’, which can also cover events such as hail storms, fire and collisions.
Although be careful, as different insurers may have different definitions of ‘flooding’ and you may not be covered in all circumstances. For instance, if you drive into flood water, your insurer may not cover you for any damage caused as this could be seen as ‘reckless’ driving.
What about windscreen excess?
Your car windscreen is a vital part of your vehicle’s structure. It supports your car roof and according to AutoGuru adds rigidity in case your car rolls over. So, making sure it’s in tip top condition is a must.
Comprehensive car insurance may cover your windscreen for ‘accidental damage,’ but you may be required to pay an excess. If you don’t have any windscreen cover, AutoGuru says you could pay between $250 and $1,000 to replace it.
Most insurers offer a form of ‘reduced window glass excess’ cover as an optional extra with comprehensive policies. As with any extras it wil up the cost of your premium, but it may be worth it if you want to avoid a big bill from the mechanics.
Whether this cover includes repairs and replacements and what kind of excess it offers will vary from policy to policy. Some insurers even offer excess free repairs or one excess free repair per year.
Prepping for bad weather
If possible, it is best to avoid driving in rough weather altogether. However, on the off chance that you do find yourself stuck in a storm, it is best to be prepared. As the old adage goes ‘plan for the worst, hope for the best.’
A few things you can do to make sure your vehicle is prepared for storm season include:
- Making sure your tyres are in good condition. Get your tyre pressure and tread checked at your local service station to make sure they are up to scratch.
- Check your windscreen wipers. Make sure your windscreen wipers are in full working order.
- Double check your headlights. Headlights can help increase visibility while driving in poor weather conditions, so make sure yours are all fine and dandy.
- Pack an emergency kit. Put together an emergency kit in the boot of your car, this could include a first aid kit, a torch and food items.
Driving through a storm
Just in case you are caught off guard and do wind up driving during a storm, we’ve also rounded up a few tips from CGU and RAC Insurance.
The insurers’ tips include:
- If it is safe to do so, pull your car over to the side of the road, rather than driving through a storm.
- Turn on your headlights so you are more visible to other drivers.
- Drive slower. Taking corners cautiously and reducing your speed can help lower your chance of skidding.
- Leave a bigger space between you and other cars. According to the RAC slippery roads can affect your stopping distance and the amount of control you have over your car. So it’s best to leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front.
- Try to avoid puddles. Hidden potholes and splashing could damage your car’s engine, so if you can, it might be a good idea to drive around puddles. Just make sure you indicate to other drivers, if you are moving into another lane.
- Avoid driving into flood water, as your insurance may not cover you for this.
Not sure what kind of storm cover your car insurance offers you? Why not give your provider a ring and ask for more information. Or if you’re thinking about switching, head to our compare comprehensive car insurance page for a list of policies on offer right now.
Compare comprehensive car insurance - last updated February 20, 2021
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $1,850
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount Up To 15%
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 1 years and 20,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to $1,000 total.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days for at fault accidents.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $40 on every windscreen claim for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for drivers under 21, $500 for drivers under 24, $600 for unlisted drivers, $500 for inexperienced drivers over 24.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Extra
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Budget Direct Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $1,850 (varies By State)
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- No Claim Discount
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
Get car insurance you can count on with up to 40,000 Qantas Points when you join by 28 February. Make this the year you start enjoying more rewarding car insurance. Points awarded will be based on your premium. T&Cs & eligibility apply.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years and 40,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $1,000
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $40 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for drivers under 21, $500 for drivers aged 21 to 24 inclusive, $600 for unlisted drivers, $500 for inexperienced drivers.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Extra
- Other benefits
- Earn up to 40,000 Qantas Points when you sign up by 28 February 2021. Points earned depend on the amount spent on your premium. Points earn thresholds and T&Cs apply.
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Qantas Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- Yes
- Choice of excess
- $100 - $2,000
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- No Claim Discount
- Loyalty Bonus 5% With Various Conditions
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
Choose car insurance to match your needs, with no extra charges to pay monthly, a flexible excess, lifetime no claims bonus and your choice of repairer. Give our specialist insurance team a call or get your quote online today.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $100 per day.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Not at fault - Up to 14 days, max $100 per day. At fault - Up to 14 days, max $80 per day.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce excess for first windscreen claim each year to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- Depending on state between $300 and $700 for listed drivers under 25, $1,500 for unlisted drivers under 25, $400 for inexperienced drivers over 25.
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- Lifetime No Claim Bonus available to customers who are over 25 years of age, have been insured with Bank of Queensland for 3 consecutive years on the maximum No Claim Bonus and have not had any penalty claims in those 3 years.
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Bank of Queensland Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $300 - $2,550
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount $75
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
Flexible, great value comprehensive car insurance for every-day Australians. Option-up your cover to suit your needs. And our $75 online discount makes the choice even easier. Winner of Mozo's Exceptional Value Car Insurance 2020.^
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess ($0 excess for repair only). Option to reduce windscreen replacement excess to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Automatically covered.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for listed drivers under 25, $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 25.
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $800 - $2,000
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed
Available discounts
- No Claim Discount
CompareCompareComprehensive Car Insurance
Stella are changing the tune on car insurance, offering car insurance made especially for women. Features include no claim reward, new car replacement, customise your policy and more. Enter your car rego and get a quick quote online.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $0 on every windscreen claim for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for listed drivers under 25. $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 25
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Extra
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Stella Comprehensive Car Insurance
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