What are your 4x4 insurance options?

All cars need some level of insurance, and your 4×4 is no different. The questions you should ask are what type of car insurance does your 4×4 need and what do 4WD insurance options cover?

If you use your 4WD for hauling the kids to school and weekend sports, and you don’t intend to take it for an off-road adventure, then a standard policy should be enough to adequately cover your car.

However, if you do take your 4×4 off-road, you may find that your provider won’t cover you when travelling on non-gazetted (unmarked on a map) roads. It’s not all bad news, though, there are insurance policies in the market that cover for off-roading. These policies may include cover for:

• both on- and off-road driving
• modifications to the vehicle, as well as accessories
• off-road recovery expenses.

Be aware that cover for these sorts of 4×4-related benefits differ between providers. If this is the coverage you need, make sure you read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing to ensure you understand how your vehicle is covered.

If you intend to take your 4×4 off-road, some things you should look for when purchasing insurance for 4×4 vehicles include:

• whether you’re covered for off-road driving. Since some providers may not cover driving on non-gazetted roads, this is a crucial point to check if you do want to go bush or beach driving at some point. You may find that some policies won’t cover off-road activities while some do, so always be sure to read your PDS;
• cover for modifications and accessories. Souping your 4WD up can cost a lot of money, so you’ll want to make sure that all these modifications and accessories (e.g. LED headlights, roof racks, bull bars) are also covered; and
• off-road recovery costs. The cost of an off-road recovery can far exceed that of an on-road, especially if you really are in the middle of nowhere. Making sure you have a policy that covers the cost of such an event could save you a lot of trouble, worry and cash!

If you are looking at comparing 4WD insurance options, you should always read the PDS as it outlines exactly what you are and aren’t covered for.

Providers determine the cost of your car insurance using a whole range of factors. Some factors that will influence the cost of insurance for your 4WD include:

• the model, age and colour of the car
• any modifications (lift kits, diff guards, etc.)
• your claims history
• the car’s parking location
• the level of car insurance you purchase.

If you’d like to know how much it may potentially cost to insure your vehicle, you can use our car insurance comparison service to get a quote.

If you’re covering your 4×4 with car insurance, providers may offer optional extras on policies. These may vary across the car insurance industry, but some common optional extras include:

• no excess on windscreen claims. By paying a higher premium, you won’t need to pay anything at all on windscreen claims;
• hire vehicle cover. If you need to hire a replacement vehicle because yours is damage, your provider may cover the hire fee;
• roadside assistance. However, this may be available on sealed roads only; and
• additional off-road recovery expenses. On top of those already included in your policy.

If you’re looking for 4×4 insurance, you can purchase car insurance that covers your 4×4 from most car insurance providers. However, if you’re taking your 4WD off-road, you’ll need to make sure the insurance option you choose covers you for off-road four-wheel driving.

Comparing your options is a great way to potentially find a better deal on car insurance. By comparing your options with our service, you can easily view the features and prices of a range of policies. Our service is also fast and completely free to use!