How to save on car insurance in 2020

Everybody loves a bargain, whether it’s scoring a new outfit on sale or saving money on car insurance.

So, if your policy is due for renewal or you’re looking to spring clean your budget, here’s a round-up of some of the latest car insurance incentives on the market in September.

COVID-19 discounts

A handful of providers are offering significant discounts to customers facing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic. 

Suncorp Group – which includes GIO, Apia, AAMI and Suncorp Insurance – is offering existing affected customers discounts of up to 20% and three-month premium waivers, as well as lowered premiums for reduced car usage and no fees for policy cancelations. 

Youi is promising 15% cashback on premiums for a three-month period to all new and existing customers who are driving less as a result of COVID-19. In June, this offer was extended for a further three months with a 10% discount. 

Free roadside assistance offers

Roadside assistance is regularly an optional extra in car insurance policies, so take advantage of these offers if you’re eligible. 

AAMI has offered free roadside assistance to all emergency service workers until December 31, 2020, whether or not they are AAMI customers. Other new customers considering comprehensive car insurance with AAMI can also score a year of free roadside assistance if they take out a policy before 30 June, 2021. 

Gift voucher incentives

It may sound a little unconventional, but many insurers will offer customers gift cards in place of cash-back discounts. If you take out Virgin Money’s Comprehensive Car Insurance before 30 September, you’ll receive a $100 virtual gift card.

QBE is also offering a $25 gift card when you take out their compulsory third party (CTP) insurance until 31 August – get in quick to lock-in this perk during spring. Since every car needs this type of cover to get registered and on the road, it’s a fun bonus to spend at supermarkets and selected retailers.

Point rewards programs

If you look for a little icing on top of your car insurance policy (and let’s admit it, they can be pretty bland), you might be on the lookout for a way to gain extra frequent flyer points. If you join or switch to Qantas Car Insurance, you can score up to 20,000 Qantas Points. You’ll also receive one Qantas point for every dollar you spend on your premium.

Buy online car insurance discounts

Many insurers offer a discount on the first year of premiums when customers apply or buy a policy online. Below are some of the offers available throughout September.

ProviderOnline discountConditions
AAMI

$50 discount plus 1 year free roadside assistanceOnly for Comprehensive Car Insurance, offer ends 30 June 2021
Allianz
15%
Only for Comprehensive Car Insurance, not including optional cover
Apia
5%
Only for Comprehensive Car Insurance
Budget Direct
15%
Available across all policies
Coles Car Insurance
10%
Available across all policies
GIO
10% 
Only for Comprehensive Car Insurance.
HSBC
10%
Only for Comprehensive Car Insurance
Real Insurance
10%
For all cover types, but drivers under 25 only get a 5% discount
Suncorp Insurance$50 discountComprehensive Car Insurance ($20 discount for Third Party and Third Party Fire & Theft
Virgin Money
15%Available across all policies
Woolworths Car Insurance
15%Only for comprehensive cover, and drivers under 25 can only get a 10% discount

Compare car insurance policies

Mozo may receive payment if you click to the website of one of the products below. Mozo does not compare the entire market.
Last updated 13 October 2024Important disclosures
Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.
  • Comprehensive Car Insurance

    Youi like to get to know you from the very first conversation, which provides you with the opportunity to find comprehensive car insurance cover that could better suit your lifestyle and your needs. Because we’re all individuals, so we all use our cars differently from day-to-day. Youi is car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped. Mozo People's Choice Excellent Customer Service Car Insurance award winner in 2024.

    Monthly premiums
    Calendar icon
    Yes Costs Extra
    Choice of repairer
    tools icon
    Optional Extra
    Choice of excess
    coins icon
    $400 - $2,500
    Agreed or market value
    Car coin icon
    Agreed Or Market

    Available discounts

    • Comprehensive Car Insurance

      ROLLiN’ offers affordable monthly comprehensive car insurance with its favourite extras included. No additional excess for young drivers, lodge a claim 24/7 and zero cancellation fees. Hire car is included up to $80 per day for up to 21 days; cover for one tow to our nearest authorised repairer, following a covered incident. No excess on your first covered windscreen, sunroof, and window glass damage once per insurance period. List multiple cars and drivers under the one policy as long as they fit the underwriting criteria (excludes Safe ’n Save policies).

      Monthly premiums
      Calendar icon
      Yes
      Choice of repairer
      tools icon
      No
      Choice of excess
      coins icon
      $800 Flat Excess Fee
      Agreed or market value
      Car coin icon
      Agreed

      Available discounts

        Details
      • Gold Comprehensive 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.

        Monthly premiums
        Calendar icon
        Yes Costs Extra
        Choice of repairer
        tools icon
        Optional Extra
        Choice of excess
        coins icon
        $550 - $1,900 (varies By State)
        Agreed or market value
        Car coin icon
        Agreed Or Market

        Available discounts

        • No Claim Discount
        • Online Discount 15%
        Details
      • Comprehensive Car Insurance

        Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance offers a broad range of coverage and includes cover for anyone who drives your vehicle. It also covers new car replacement if your recently purchased brand new car is written off within the first three years (provided it has travelled less than 60,000km). Get $100 off your first year's premium when you buy Comprehensive Car Insurance online. T&Cs apply.

        Monthly premiums
        Calendar icon
        Yes Costs Extra
        Choice of repairer
        tools icon
        Optional Extra
        Choice of excess
        coins icon
        $500 - $2,200
        Agreed or market value
        Car coin icon
        Agreed Or Market

        Available discounts

        • Online Discount $75
        Details

      Other ways to cut car-related costs

      • Ask for a better deal on your car insurance premium

      Mozo’s research has shown haggling down your car insurance can save you as much as a 20% discount on your premium. If you’re not sure how to demand a better deal, prepare yourself with our hot haggling tips before you get on the blower to your provider. If your insurer won’t play ball, consider switching providers.

      • Opt for pay-as-you-drive insurance

      Not driving as much as the pre-lockdown days? It might be time to consider pay-as-you-drive car insurance. This is essentially what it says on the tin: a policy priced to reflect how often you drive. If you think you’ll be driving less in the foreseeable future and can stick to your estimated kilometerage (which you’ll need to settle on when taking out a policy), you could be saving big bucks.

      • Shop around for petrol

      This may sound like an obvious one, but in the hubbub of metropolitan roads or busy commutes, it’s all too easy to pull up alongside a pump for convenience sake. Instead of making a mad dash to the bowzer running on fumes, plan ahead with apps like Fuel Check or Petrol Spy . These let you compare petrol prices in your area at a glance, and provide details to ensure servos have the kind of fuel you're after. 

      Looking to save more across your family’s insurance policies? Seek out multi-policy discounts using Mozo’s home insurance comparison tool.


      * Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

      ^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards