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We’ve compiled this table of benefits to help you see the differences between the levels of cover. This information should be used as a guide only, as different policies and insurers might offer varying coverage.
Usually the highest level of cover available, it includes protection for your car and also covers damage to other people’s vehicles and property.
Generally covers damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property. It also includes protection for your car for fire and theft.
It provides cover for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property. It only covers your car if it’s damaged by an uninsured vehicle.
Usually the highest level of cover available, it includes protection for your car and also covers damage to other people’s vehicles and property.
Generally covers damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property. It also includes protection for your car for fire and theft.
It provides cover for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property. It only covers your car if it’s damaged by an uninsured vehicle.
There are four main types of car insurance products available to a driver in NSW, Australia – one that is compulsory, and three that you can choose from.
Your car make and model, along with your claims and driving history, are a few factors that can affect the cost of your car insurance in NSW.
There may be some car insurance features on offer to help you better tailor your cover.
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Looking for great value car cover in New South Wales? Our Economic Director David Koch shares our expert tips to help you save.
Whether you’re navigating the busy streets of Sydney or the sprawling Southern Highlands, road accidents can happen anywhere. And in case you do get into a fender bender, it’s important to know what you’re covered for, as well as make sure you’re getting bang for your buck when it comes to car insurance. Drivers who want financial protection against potential damage to their vehicle have three options. Third Party Property Damage will cover you for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property and, in limited circumstances, your own vehicle.
Third Party Fire & Theft adds cover for fire and theft on top of that. And comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car and more, for the ultimate piece of mind. But finding suitable cover doesn’t mean being taken for a ride. Compare the Market has these tips to help you save.
Shift your excess. If you’re a safe driver, you could pay less on your premium if you chose to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim. Update your details. Small changes like parking your car in a garage overnight or restricting your policy to drivers aged 25 and over could lower your premiums.
If you’re now driving less because you’re working from home, see if a low kilometre policy could be right for you. Pay your way. Pay fortnightly, monthly or annually to suit your budget and cash flow but remember paying in instalments can be more expensive than paying annually. And – most importantly – compare your options!
It’s the best way to make sure you’re getting good value for your money. Start your journey today with Compare the Market.
Comprehensive car insurance offers the most cover for your car. This type of car insurance policy covers repair and replacement costs for damages to your own vehicle caused by various events, including accidents, storms and fires. It also covers repair costs for accidental damage you cause to other people’s property.
TPFT insurance typically covers accidental damage you cause to another person’s car or vehicle. It also covers your vehicle if it’s stolen or destroyed by fire. It generally won’t cover your vehicle in a traffic incident, but some insurers may offer cover if the at-fault party is an uninsured driver.
As the most basic level of optional car cover, TPPD car insurance covers the repair costs for vehicles or property you damage in a car accident. It doesn’t cover any repair costs for your own vehicle, except in limited circumstances.
Green Slip insurance is mandatory for all registered vehicles in NSW, as it covers your legal liability if anyone is injured or killed while you’re driving your vehicle on the road. In NSW, you have the option of choosing between several different insurers. The NSW state government’s Green Slip Check website can help you find this type of cover.
There is no best type of car insurance for everyone in NSW. It depends on your circumstances and how much cover you want while driving.
Every car on NSW roads must be covered by a Green Slip (or CTP insurance), but it doesn’t cover damages to vehicles or property. Comprehensive, TPFT and TPPD all cover vehicle and property damage to varying extents.
If covering damage to your own car is your main priority, a comprehensive policy is worth considering. Comprehensive car insurance covers repair costs for both you and other drivers from an insured event, and generally has the most optional extras to choose from to extend your cover.
For car insurance that mainly covers damage you cause to other cars, third party cover such as TPFT and TPPD are typically more cost-effective policies than comprehensive cover. However, these policies only have limited cover for your vehicle.
To help you in your decision on which insurance policy is suitable for you, we’ve broken down what each level of cover could offer you.
Insurance type | Damage to your car in an accident | Damage to another person’s car or property | Damage/loss caused by fire and/or theft |
---|---|---|---|
Comprehensive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
TPFT | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
TPPD | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Note: Many factors and considerations may affect the level of cover you can receive. You should always read the policy’s relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for specific inclusions, exclusions and conditions of your cover. |
While some of the below features may be available as add-on cover (at an extra cost to you), they can be invaluable if you find yourself in a tight spot:
Policies will be subject to limits, sub-limits, exclusions and restrictions. You should always check your new policy’s PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) to ensure it’s suitable for your needs.
The cost of car insurance premiums in NSW depends on many different factors, including your:
If you’re shopping for car insurance at the right price for you, read about how car insurance is calculated for a market value.
Your policy itself isn’t affected by the state you live in. The only difference to insuring a vehicle in NSW over another state or territory is that you must purchase Green Slip insurance before you register your vehicle. Elsewhere in Australia it’s part of your registration fees.
However, living in NSW does impact how much you pay for your insurance. Where you park your car at night, how far you drive each year and the crime statistics in the area in which you live can influence your premiums.
You may have to pay a basic excess when you claim on your car insurance policy. Sometimes, you may even need to pay an additional excesses, such as a young driver excess or an unlisted driver excess.
Regardless of whether you have a comprehensive car insurance policy or third party car insurance, it’s important to let your insurer know about all drivers (including learner drivers) who use the vehicle, as you may be required to list them on your car insurance policy. This may help you avoid some additional excesses in the event of a claim.
Under certain circumstances, there are several ways you could get cheaper car insurance, including:
Selecting a higher basic excess on your policy may also lower your car insurance premium. However, before setting a higher excess, consider if it’s an amount you could afford to pay if you need to claim.
Your postcode can affect your insurance premiums because your new neighbourhood may have a different rate of drivers making car insurance claims. The frequency of traffic accidents in your neighbourhood may also affect your insurance premium.
It’s worth giving your insurer a call when you move so you don’t risk any future claims being denied.
A range of car insurance providers operating in NSW offer no claim discounts. To be eligible for this discount, you’ll have to hold your policy for a set number of years without making a car insurance claim.
The number of car thefts in NSW is one of the highest in the country. As of June 2024, motor vehicle theft in NSW has risen 12.5% over the last two years, as 14,891 motor vehicle car thefts were recorded in NSW that year.1
Drivers in NSW who have a comprehensive car insurance policy or a TPFT policy can be covered against car theft.
If you’re looking to compare car insurance providers available in NSW, it’ll only take a few minutes through our comparison service. To get your own car insurance quote, you’ll need to enter your:
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor is passionate about demystifying car insurance for consumers, so they have a better understanding of what they’re covered for. Adrian’s goal is to make more information available from more insurers, to make it easier to compare and save.
1 NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research – NSW Recorded Crime Statistics Quarterly Update (June Quarter 2024). September 2024. Accessed January 2025.