South Australia is filled with some of Australia’s most picturesque destinations. From the state’s renowned wine regions – the Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Clare Valley, or McLaren Vale – through to Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, or vibrant Adelaide.
In any case, there are plenty of roads to cover in SA and any of them can be hazardous. This is especially true when you consider that 1.8 million vehicles were registered for South Australian roads, as of 2017.
That’s why car insurance is so important, and there’s no question that many policies offer high levels of protection at affordable prices. Let’s make sure, however, that the policy you find for your car is suited to the southern state.
Comprehensive car insurance offers the most complete coverage of any product. It covers car theft, repair costs for any other driver’s vehicles and property, weather-related damages, plus any repair/replacement costs for your own vehicle. Additional benefits may include windshield replacement, cover for your belongings, roadside assistance membership, towing, and more!
Third Party Property car insurance will pay towards the repair costs for any vehicles or property you happen to damage in an accident when you are at fault. It does not cover any repair costs for your own vehicle (i.e. what comprehensive cover is for), so it would be wise to keep some money aside, in case your vehicle needs work in the future. This level of insurance does not cover the cost of replacing your car in the event it is stolen.
Third Party Fire & Theft insurance functions similarly to ‘property’ cover, with one added feature: it covers the replacement costs of your vehicle if it is stolen or lost in an unforeseen fire incident. It still won’t cover your vehicle’s repair costs if you are at fault in a traffic incident, but it’s still a bit more robust than CTP insurance and Third Party Property.
Compulsory Third Party insurance is paid whenever you register your car in South Australia. It covers your liability if injury or death occurs to a third party in an accident. In South Australia, you will be sent your CTP premium when you register your vehicle. Alternatively, CTP insurance can be obtained via Service SA customer service centres.
Typically, SA drivers find great value in some of the below features. Although they might fall under optional extras, at additional cost, they can be well worth the investment – especially if you find yourself in a predicament.
In South Australia, every driver must have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, but if you’re concerned about its limited coverage, you might want to consider a higher level of cover. It’s imperative to think about a range of hazards on the road, and if your current level of car insurance covers your vehicle’s repair costs after an accident, or replacement if it is stolen.
The table highlights exactly what you are covered for under each type of car insurance in SA.
The average market value of a car in South Australia (compared on our website in 2017) was $15,996. With an investment this costly, wouldn’t you want to ensure your car (and bank account) is protected if you were involved in an accident?
To answer this, you must consider your own pocket, and if you could afford the repair/replacement cost of your vehicle. On top of these expenses, you may have to also factor in costs related to another person’s car or property. Why would you add stress to an already stressful situation, when you can just take out comprehensive car insurance that gives you the greatest range of coverage?
| Insurance type | Damage to your car | Damage to another person’s car or property | Damage or loss caused by theft | Injuries or death to other people in an accident |
| Green Slip (i.e. CTP) | No | No | No | Yes |
| Third party property | No | Yes | No | No |
| Third party fire & theft | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Note: There are more factors and variables that may affect your level of coverage. Always refer to your Product Disclosure Statement.
The prices above are based on a 2010 Mazda 3; the most popular car quoted for South Australian drivers on our website. To take out the cheapest level of car insurance, it would cost roughly $11.10 a week on our cheapest policy. That’s pretty affordable, especially when repair costs can climb into the thousands!
With these figures in mind, let’s explore why comparing comprehensive car insurance can be a good idea.
Much like the difference between a hatchback and a ute, drivers in SA have individual requirements. Lucky for you, finding a range of products to suit your needs is simple.
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In 2017, over 1.72 million Aussies were living in South Australia. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving through charming Hahndorf, or you’re visiting family in Mount Gambier – South Australia is a fantastic corner of our country. Despite its surreal landscapes and fantastic outdoor destinations, South Australia is not exempt from variables outside of our control.
The information below gives you an indication of what can affect your car insurance premium in South Australia.
There’s no doubt that South Australia is an incredible place to live. Take Adelaide for example, which has been ranked the fifth most liveable city for the sixth year in a row! Regardless of its liveable reputation, it’s certainly not crime-free.
During Oct 2016 and Sep 2017, there were 2,949 car thefts recorded in SA. Although this figure may seem high, car theft has actually declined by 14.1% since the previous year’s period.
On a national scale, SA reports a car theft rate of 1.99 per 1,000 registrations – the lowest in the country. Salisbury recorded the highest number of vehicle theft in the state with 462 stolen in 2017.
Just be sure you keep an eye on your wheels at the end of each week. The most popular time for stealing cars is between 4pm and 8pm on a Friday night.
When we first obtain our learner’s license at 16 years of age, driving often becomes part of our daily lives and increases our likelihood of being involved in a car accident.
In 2017, there were 5,281 car crashes resulting in casualties on South Australian roads. Surprisingly, the age bracket most at risk of falling casualty to a collision was between 30 and 39 years of age.
Be careful all year round, but be extra cautious during March, as 2017 recorded 673 casualties of road accidents – the highest number that year.
Still looking for answers? We’re here to help you.
Moving house may affect your car insurance premiums. If you move to a postcode that is considered riskier due to higher rates of theft, or a busy city centre where car accidents occur more frequently, you may notice a rise in your premiums; especially if you’ve come from an area that is deemed low risk.
Lodging a claim, no matter who was at fault, can affect your premiums. An at-fault claim will increase your premiums more, whereas a no-fault claim may not affect it as greatly.
Drivers under the age of 25 may face higher premiums than older drivers. This means insurers can offer discounts to drivers who are over 30 years old. This is typically because younger drivers are less experienced, and statistically more at risk than other age groups.
Car insurance premiums can be affected by the type of vehicle you’re driving, as well as any modifications that may impact the car’s driving safety. Your age, driving history, and your gender, may impact your premiums as well.
Conversely, car immobilisers, antilock brakes, alarms, and other anti-theft features may help reduce your car insurance premiums. Even the simple act of parking your car in a locked garage as opposed to a busy street can help reduce the cost of your cover, especially if you’re parked somewhere with a high rate of theft or vandalism.
Find out more about what factors can affect the price of your car insurance.
While car insurers (depending on the type of cover) can cover your car against hail damage, insurers may not cover cars with pre-existing hail damage. If insurers do provide cover for hail damaged cars, their premiums may be more expensive. For further information, read car insurance for hail damage.
Government of South Australia, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Registration and Licensing Statistics (2017)
National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (2017)
The Economist, Global Liveability has Improved for the First Time in a Decade, (2017)
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