Finding your perfect car insurance policy in Western Australia
Whether you regularly take in the stunning Indian Ocean Drive views, head outback on dirt roads, or prefer Perth’s smoother CBD, you’re going to want a comprehensive car insurance policy to cover your ride.
At Mozo we make it easy for you to get the most appropriate comprehensive car insurance policy for your circumstances via our comparison tables and tools. For example, in Western Australia the number of unsealed roads mean you might value glass cover to protect your windscreen a little more than your compatriots in the eastern states.
It's always wise to do a little homework before you start comparing car insurance policies to brush up on some of the technical terms you might come across while shopping around. So, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions from road users in Australia’s most western state.
What kind of insurance do you need to legally drive in Western Australia?
As is the case in all Aussie states and territories, you'll need Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance to legally drive on Western Australian roads. You might know it as a 'greenslip'. Providers offering this kind of compulsory insurance and the details of the policy varies depending on which state or territory you register your car in.
In Western Australia, CTP is a type of ‘at fault’ insurance, meaning it only provides compensation to you, passengers in your car and anyone else like pedestrians who are injured if you are not the driver at fault. If you are, you'll only be able to make a CTP claim if you sustain catastrophic injuries.
The sole provider of CTP in WA is the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA). It's included in your registration costs when you take out a WA motor vehicle licence. Remember: CTP doesn't cover any damages to your car or others.
What are the other levels of car insurance available in WA?
There are different types of policies and levels of cover available which you'll need to consider when shopping around:
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive car insurance provides the highest level of cover, protecting your vehicle in a range of circumstances and providing additional benefits. Once you pay the excess on an insurable claim, the cost of replacing or repairing your car as well as any damage you’ve caused to another person’s car or property can be covered.
- Third party property damage: Third party insurance is a basic level of cover which only deals with other people's cars or property when you cause an accident. A third party policy won’t cover repairs to your own car – this is the main difference between comprehensive and third party insurance.
- Third party fire and theft: This is like the next level of third party insurance, and as the name suggests, it also covers repairs or losses in case your car is damaged by fire or stolen. Car owners parking in the street overnight or driving in areas with higher crime rates might consider this option.
How can I save on my comprehensive car insurance in WA?
One of the easiest ways to save on your comprehensive car insurance premium in Western Australia is through a no claims bonus. The system is pretty simple: the longer you go without making a claim against your car insurance policy, the more money you save. These bonuses are transferable between WA car insurance providers.
While this is a popular way to save, it isn’t the only option for motorists. Check out a range of discounts that could potentially be applied to your premium below.
Multi-policy discount
Consider taking out a car insurance policy with the same insurance provider you use for your home insurance and you could be rewarded with discounts for having more than one policy with them.
Online discount
Since it saves them time and manpower, many providers will put money back in your wallet for taking out a policy via the world wide web.
Restricted driver discount
The more drivers listed on your policy, the pricier your premium. Conversely, some insurance companies in Western Australia will give you the chance to save simply by restricting the amount of people who will get behind the wheel of your car.
Family discount
You may be able to nab a discount on your own policy if your parents have a car insurance policy with the same provider. So this is a good one for first-time car owners.
Loyalty discount
If you’ve kept your comprehensive car insurance policy with the same company for a few years you could be entitled to a loyalty discount.
Fuel efficient discount
If you took the environment into account when buying your new car, look out for policies that will reward your socially-conscious ways. A fuel efficient or a green electric car could help you save on insurance
What car insurance features should WA drivers look for?
Each car insurance policy may have a slightly different range of benefits and coverage covers. Under a comprehensive car insurance policy, you’ll often be covered for:
- Damage to another driver’s car when you are at fault in an accident
- Damage to your car in an accident
- Accidental damage
- Fire damage
- Theft and attempted theft of your car
- Vandalism and malicious damage to your car
- Emergency repairs
- Towing costs in an emergency
- Damage to your personal property in your car
Are there any car insurance optional extras to consider in WA?
Some common optional extras you might want to look out for as a Western Australian driver are:
- Excess-free windscreen cover (great if you live in rural WA and might need semi-regular windscreen repairs from driving on unsealed roads)
- Rental car after accident
- Modifications
- 24-hour roadside assist
- No claims bonus protection (this is a veil of protection added onto your clean driving record, keeping it intact if you ever make a claim)
How can crime and car accidents in WA affect car insurance?
Like most car insurance policies, your Western Australian cover can be affected by where you live (and where you park your car) as different areas have different levels of crime and road incidents, and therefore come with higher risk.
Fatalities on WA roads
In 2020, 155 people died on WA roads (down from 164 deaths in 2019), according to the Western Australia Road Safety Commission.* Of these fatalities 62 occurred in metropolitan areas and 93 were on regional roads. When driving in rural or regional areas of WA, wildlife, wandering cattle, unsealed roads and low lighting can increase crash risk, so drivers must remain vigilant.
The 2019 summary of road deaths in WA shows the 2020 figure is the lowest number of lives lost while driving in the state since 1961, and reveals an overarching downward trend in road fatalities since 2008.**
This data also shows the majority (53%) of fatalities involved motorcycles, almost a third of deaths were related to speeding, 20% involved alcohol consumption, and 12% were the result of fatigue.
Car thefts in WA
Across the 2019/2020 calendar year, there were 6,057 motor vehicle thefts in Western Australia, which accounted for 11.5% of car theft across the country.^
These statistics are tracked by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council and show a 22% decrease in theft compared to the previous year. Stirling, Swan and Wanneroo were the top three theft hotspots in this period, but still saw significant theft reductions.^^
If you're considering living in these areas (or anywhere with a higher crime rate of other types), insuring your car for theft, fire and malicious damage is advisable. This is generally covered in a comprehensive car insurance policy. Also consider parking your car on your property or in a garage, as this can potentially reduce the likelihood of theft or damage (and even reduce your car insurance premium).
How do I find the best car insurance in WA?
When looking for Australia’s best car insurance, you want to look for the one that suits you the best. A good place to start is by checking out the winners in the Exceptional Value and Exceptional Quality categories in the latest Mozo Experts Choice Car Insurance Awards for 2023.
Our experts analysed over 10,000 car insurance quotes to find the best value for the widest range of customers.
However, as mentioned above, not everyone is looking for the same thing, so it's important to look for the features that suit you when comparing car insurance policies in Western Australia.
External sources
* Government of Western Australia Road Safety Commission (Jan 2021), 'Annual road statistics 2020' - accessed 13 Jan 2021
** Government of Western Australia Road Safety Commission (Apr 2020), '2019 Preliminary summary of fatalities on Western Australian roads' - accessed 13 Jan 2021
^ National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (Sep 2020), 'National context' - accessed 13 Jan 2021
^^ National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (Sep 2020), 'Where were they stolen?' - accessed 13 Jan 2021
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