If you're looking for wide-ranging protection for your home and possessions that’s not only great value, but also comes with a heap of extra features like new for old replacement and portable contents cover, then 2020 Insurer of the Year Budget Direct’s Home and Contents Insurance policy could be the option for you.
With a 30% discount when you sign up online, it’s no wonder that the policy was awarded a 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Award in the Exceptional Value Home & Contents Insurance category.
Budget Direct Home and Contents Insurance will provide cover for your house and valuables for a range of events. The policy will insure you for everything from everyday occurrences like the accidental breakage of glass, to theft and even natural disasters such as lightning strikes and storms, and you’ll even be able to add flood cover to your Budget Direct policy as an optional extra.
If your home or contents are damaged or destroyed by an insured event, you’ll rest easy knowing that Budget Direct covers your valuables such as jewellery for up to $1,000 an item, and artwork for up to $5,000 per item. Even the contents from your home office will be insured for up to $12,000.
With temporary accommodation cover you’ll also be safe in knowing that your family and pets will have a roof over their heads for up to 12 months (up to 10% of the sum insured) in the event that your home is damaged or destroyed.
The Budget Direct Home and Contents Insurance policy also comes with a number of handy extra features like new for old replacement for your belongings and optional personal effects cover for frequent travellers, plus you’ll be eligible for a 30% policy discount if you sign up online.
When it comes to paying for your policy Budget Direct gives you the option to pay your premium as a lump sum once a year, or in monthly instalments. However, you might be charged an extra fee if you do choose the monthly option.
With extensive cover for a range of events as well as a number of extra and optional features, Budget Direct’s Home and Contents Insurance is a top value option for homeowners looking to get the most out of cover for their home and valuables.
While Budget Direct provides a generous level of cover for a number of possessions, the policy does not cover landscaping costs such as the replacement of trees and shrubs in your garden should they be damaged.
60
Optional Extra - Up to 25% of building sum insured
Yes
$100
true
n/a
30% online discount
Yes
Up to 90 days, up to 20% of sum insured
Up to $1,000
Up to $20,000,000
n/a
n/a
Optional Extra
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Optional Extra
Yes
Optional Extra, up to 10 years old
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Up to $1,000
No
Yes
Up to $800
No
Up to $3,000 combined with computer software
Hardware yes, software up to $3,000 combined with CDs/DVDs
Yes
Yes
Up to $2,500 per item
Up to $5,000 per item for artwork, up to $12,000 in total, up to $2,000 for collections
Up to $1,000 per item or set, up to $5,000 in total
No
No
No
Yes
Up to $2,000
No
Up to $12,000
Up to $7,000 funeral expenses
No
Up to $1,000
Up to 10% of sum insured, up to 12 months. Combined with temporary accommodation for pets.
Up to 10% of sum insured, up to 12 months. Combined with temporary accommodation.
Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal and demolition costs
Up to 10% of sum insured combined with demolition cost and emergency storage
Up to 10% of sum insured combined with debris removal cost and emergency storage
No
No
Up to 20% of sum insured
Please avoid. If your house is old they will happily take your money but will reject any claims you make. They are untrustworthy and definitely a scam of an insurance company. They are cheap because they simply don't pay any claims.
Read full reviewPlease avoid. If your house is old they will happily take your money but will reject any claims you make. They are untrustworthy and definitely a scam of an insurance company. They are cheap because they simply don't pay any claims.
Having reviewed a range of insurers, I ended up selecting Budget Direct purely based on price for the respective cover. I also liked the discount offered for paying the full premium in advance. In addition, the online experience in obtaining a quote was simple and the optionality in terms of excess options was positive and better than competitors.
Read full reviewHaving reviewed a range of insurers, I ended up selecting Budget Direct purely based on price for the respective cover. I also liked the discount offered for paying the full premium in advance. In addition, the online experience in obtaining a quote was simple and the optionality in terms of excess options was positive and better than competitors.
The worst insurance company ever! I regret having chosen it for my home insurance. After a heavy rain my husband noticed the roof leaking in our bathroom and we called Budget Direct to make a claim. We paid $500 excess fee to lock in a claim so they sent someone to check. Then they said the leaking was from a hail storm back in February so we have to lock in another claim for the hail storm. It means we have to pay another $500. And now after 4 months 3 people have come to check and still gotten nowhere. Every time when it’s raining, the roof keeps leaking and getting bigger. We have called many times but no answer is given. I’m so DISAPPOINTED and do NOT recommend Budget Direct!
Read full reviewThe worst insurance company ever! I regret having chosen it for my home insurance. After a heavy rain my husband noticed the roof leaking in our bathroom and we called Budget Direct to make a claim. We paid $500 excess fee to lock in a claim so they sent someone to check. Then they said the leaking was from a hail storm back in February so we have to lock in another claim for the hail storm. It means we have to pay another $500. And now after 4 months 3 people have come to check and still gotten nowhere. Every time when it’s raining, the roof keeps leaking and getting bigger. We have called many times but no answer is given. I’m so DISAPPOINTED and do NOT recommend Budget Direct!
I moved to Budget Direct some years ago to secure a competitive premium. Last year, we made a claim on a damaged engagement ring which was repaired under our insurance. I have just found out now, 6 months into my annual agreement, that Budget direct have increased our premiums by exactly 50%. That's a $1000 annual increase. Similar to others I see, they explain this as due to natural disasters, local factors etc. However in exploring this more closely, I have been told by a senior advisor from Budget Direct that indeed it is due to my claim, I quote: "..and recovery of the claim". I strongly recommend not going with Budget Direct, and if you do, and make a claim, expect a hefty increase on renewal.
Read full reviewI moved to Budget Direct some years ago to secure a competitive premium. Last year, we made a claim on a damaged engagement ring which was repaired under our insurance. I have just found out now, 6 months into my annual agreement, that Budget direct have increased our premiums by exactly 50%. That's a $1000 annual increase. Similar to others I see, they explain this as due to natural disasters, local factors etc. However in exploring this more closely, I have been told by a senior advisor from Budget Direct that indeed it is due to my claim, I quote: "..and recovery of the claim". I strongly recommend not going with Budget Direct, and if you do, and make a claim, expect a hefty increase on renewal.
Beware of this insurer. They advertise on TV and elsewhere saying you will get the best deal with them. That may be true for ONE year but then they hike the premium on you and bombard you with insurance doubletalk about why. I ask: why isn't it the law that they must publish your previous renewal amount on the renewal notice? Very deceptive - but I guess it's to be expected. I wouldn't recommend this company to anyone.
Read full reviewBeware of this insurer. They advertise on TV and elsewhere saying you will get the best deal with them. That may be true for ONE year but then they hike the premium on you and bombard you with insurance doubletalk about why. I ask: why isn't it the law that they must publish your previous renewal amount on the renewal notice? Very deceptive - but I guess it's to be expected. I wouldn't recommend this company to anyone.
