Downsizing car insurance: What are the cheapest cars to insure?
All manner of things can impact your car insurance, from your driving history to your age and even where you park your car. As you might expect, a big factor is the kind of car you drive.
As the new year approaches, you might want to reassess your car insurance bill. While comparing car insurance policies for the best-value deal can help cut costs, downsizing your car to a more affordable vehicle to run and insure could be amore radical money-saving New Year’s resolution.
When it comes to the car itself, there are a few factors that can push premiums up or down. Let’s investigate them.
Make, model and price
In general, cars that are cheaper to buy are cheaper to insure. This is because repairing or replacing a cheaper car after a claim will cost an insurer less. However, if you’re driving a rust bucket with minimal safety features, this could cost more since safety factors into premiums.
Safety rating
In theory, the safer the car the less likely you are to crash, or if you do crash there’ll be less damage. Many insurers will reference ANCAP safety ratings when setting premiums for different types of cars. While most new cars score pretty high on the chart of 0 to 5 stars, this could be something to consider in the insurance equation if you’re buying an older or used car.
Parts and country of origin
Even if you are changing gears to a cheaper ride, a bargain-basement car might not be the cheapest option to insure. If it’s difficult to source parts, the premium may jump up since repairs could cost more. Where the car is made (its country of origin) could also impact this, as importing car parts can be costly.
Crash and theft statistics
Stereotypes aren’t always accurate, but they often do factor into car insurance premiums. If you’re trying to insure a car of a particular make or model which is statistically more likely to be stolen or involved in a crash, you can expect a more expensive premium.
Fuel efficiency
If you drive environmentally friendly wheels some insurers may offer a premium reduction for your green habits. This is less about the risk involved in covering the vehicle, and more a means of encouraging sustainability in the industry and providers advertising they support those values.
In considering all these factors, just remember there’s a bundle of other calculations that go into setting premiums, and every insurer can assess them differently. To get a car insurance quote, start by comparing some of the options below then head to the website of policy that suits you.
Compare comprehensive car insurance - rates updated daily
Gold 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%
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.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years or 40,000 kilometres of original registration, whichever comes first
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $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
- -
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.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Budget Direct Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $5,000
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Pay As You Drive Cover With Pricing Tiers Available For Limited Kms.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Huddle Car Insurance, Pay as you drive & save up to 30% (T&Cs apply). 24/7 claims lodgement and new-for-old replacement (under 2 years).
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $70 per day.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Optional Extra. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 10 days, max $70 per day.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce excess for first windscreen claim each year to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Most modifications covered automatically
- Young driver excess imposed
- $1,200 for listed drivers under 21, $800 for listed drivers under 24, $2,000 for unlisted drivers under 21, $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 24, $800 for inexperienced drivers over 24, $800 for learner drivers.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Service
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
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.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Huddle 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
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Stella have created a more intuitive experience and offer a product that’s been designed with women in mind; offering premium benefits, and optional extras and rewards for being a safe driver. Stella are back by QBE. Get a quick quote online in 40 seconds and insured in 4 minutes. Save 10% when you pay annually.
- 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
- -
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.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Stella Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,200
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount $75
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).
- 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
- -
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.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,500
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- 20% Discount On Contents Insurance If Youi Car Insurance Also Held
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Making sure your car insurance is about where you’re at right now could save you lots. Start a quote with Youi today and see what you could save. Exceptional Value Car Insurance award winner in 2020.^
- 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.
- 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 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for listed drivers under 25, $2,000 for unlisted drivers under 25
- Roadside assistance
- Yes
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
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.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance
*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