Car Insurance: Market value vs agreed value

Purchasing a new car involves a string of difficult decisions. This includes stuff like which car insurance company to go with or whether to take out third party or comprehensive car insurance.
If you’re looking to insure your sweet new ride comprehensively, you’re going to have to make another important decision. Do you insure your vehicle at market value or for an agreed value?
Like all of your previous car-related decisions, this is pretty important and will affect how you’re compensated should your car be deemed a “write-off” or if it is stolen and unrecovered.
What is market value car insurance?
Market value is the value your vehicle would fetch if it were up for sale at the time of a claim. It is important to realise this is the amount your insurance company values your car for and might not necessarily be exactly what you paid for it or what a particular buyer would pay for it.
When determining the market value of your car, insurance providers are taking into account the vehicle’s make, model and age. Insuring a Toyota might be a different story to insuring a Mercedes-Benz, for example.
- Pros
Market value, generally speaking, has the advantage of offering lower premiums for policy holders. This is because the market value of your vehicle is likely to be less than any valuation of your car that you would agree with your insurance provider.
- Cons
There is a degree of uncertainty over your payout if your car is totalled or stolen. As part of your comprehensive car insurance policy you will likely receive a substantial amount, but this may end up being less than what you paid for the vehicle or less than you expected. This is because the provider is valuing your car based on what similarly-aged cars of the same make and model are selling for on the open market at the time of the accident.
Who’s market value insurance good for?
If you’ve got a car that isn’t brand new, market value might be best option for you. Depreciation would have slowed after a few years and your payout should still be large enough for you to cover the costs of replacing your car if it gets stolen or was damaged beyond repair.
What is agreed value car insurance?
On the other hand, agreed value ensures you are paid the set amount you specify if the car is written-off or stolen and unrecovered. This is a reasonable, fixed sum that you have agreed with your insurance provider at the time of your policy renewal.
- Pros
Agreed value gives you greater control over your potential payout in the worst-case claims scenario. By agreeing to a specific value you can have the peace of mind of knowing you would be covered for an exact, predetermined amount.
- Cons
Premiums tend to be more expensive because, in the event your car is totalled, you’ll probably be paid out a greater amount than if you had chosen market value policies.
BUYER BEWARE: If you opt for agreed value car, when it comes to renewal time check your policy carefully as some car insurance companies will automatically revert your policy to market value. This is easily amended by contacting your insurance provider and telling then you'd like to remain under an agreed value policy.
Who’s agreed value insurance good for?
Agreed value is usually opted for by policy holders who have recently bought a newer car, see greater sentimental value in their vehicle, or have extra features that make the car more valuable than a stock model.
Newer cars depreciate more rapidly, so if you want to be able to replace your car with another new car, it is a good idea to agree on a sum that would allow you to do so. If you have finance owing on your car or had to take out a car loan, it is probably a good idea to go with an agreed value. The last thing you want is outstanding loan repayments alongside the gap between your market value payout and the cost to get replacement wheels.
Not sure where to start your car insurance journey? Find out more with this guide to the different types of car insurance.
Car Insurance Comparison Table - rates updated daily
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
- 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
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. Purchase a new comprehensive car insurance policy from Stella by 30th June 2022 and receive a $100 EGift Card*. T&Cs apply.
- 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. Purchase a new comprehensive car insurance policy from Stella by 30th June 2022 and receive a $100 EGift Card*. T&Cs apply.
- 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
- Receive a $100 eGift card for new Comprehensive Car Insurance policies purchased from Stella by 30th June 2022.
- 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
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).
- 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
Enjoy flexible car insurance with ahm. Whether you’re driving thousands of kms, or just a few, ahm has cover that could suit your needs. Set up a policy in just minutes. Enjoy adjustable excess options to suit different budgets. Get 24/7 emergency help when you need it. Sign up by 30 June 2022 and receive free roadside assistance* for 12 months. T&Cs apply.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $5,000
- Agreed or market value
Available discounts
- Pay As You Drive Cover With Pricing Tiers Available For Limited Kms.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Enjoy flexible car insurance with ahm. Whether you’re driving thousands of kms, or just a few, ahm has cover that could suit your needs. Set up a policy in just minutes. Enjoy adjustable excess options to suit different budgets. Get 24/7 emergency help when you need it. Sign up by 30 June 2022 and receive free roadside assistance* for 12 months. T&Cs apply.
- 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
- Optional Extra
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Optional extra for excess-free windscreen cover.
- Modifications
- -
- 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
- Get free roadside assistance for 12 months when you sign up by 30 June. T&Cs apply.
- 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 ahm Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Easier, better, smarter car insurance. Say g’day to ROLLiN'. They've taken the complicated out of car insurance and created a new route that's simple, u-turn free and keeps you in the driver’s seat. No cancellation fees, 24/7 online claims service and a policy that’s pay monthly. Buy now and boost your single car value under your policy by 15%. Excesses Apply.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $800 Flat Excess Fee
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed
Available discounts
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Easier, better, smarter car insurance. Say g’day to ROLLiN'. They've taken the complicated out of car insurance and created a new route that's simple, u-turn free and keeps you in the driver’s seat. No cancellation fees, 24/7 online claims service and a policy that’s pay monthly. Buy now and boost your single car value under your policy by 15%. Excesses Apply.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 15,000km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day
- Rental car after accident
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - $0 windscreen excess
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- No additional excess for young drivers. $3,000 for unlisted drivers
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- Optional benefit to boost the Single Car Value by 15%, it will be shown on your Insurance Certificate
- 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 ROLLiN' 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