Seniors Car Insurance Solved® with Budget Direct
Compare our prices
As a senior, your driving skills have been honed over many years and you tend to take less risks behind the wheel than young drivers do.
It’s because we insure relatively safe drivers like you – as opposed to unsafe drivers – that we can keep our premiums low.
Compared to their previous insurers' premiums, customers across Australia who switched to Budget Direct Comprehensive Car Insurance told us they saved an average of
$###†
Use our Comparitron™ tool to compare car insurance savings against other insurers.
Choose your cover
With Budget Direct, you can select one of three types of car insurance:
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Covers loss or damage to your vehicle due to an accident – regardless of who’s at fault – severe weather, fire, malicious damage, and theft; and your liability for damage your car causes to other people’s property.
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Third Party Property Only Insurance
Covers your liability for damage your car causes to other people’s property, including their vehicle and home.
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Third Party Property, Fire and Theft Insurance
Provides the same cover as Third Party Property Only Insurance, with extra protection against loss or damage to your vehicle due to fire and theft.
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Award-Winning Australian car insurance
After comparing over 47,000 quotes, comparing 50 Comprehensive Policies offered by 41 insurance providers, across 42 Consumer profiles, Canstar proclaimed Budget Direct winners of the National Outstanding Value Car Insurance Award for 2023. In the process, Budget Direct became the only brand in any category to win a Canstar National Outstanding Value Award 17 years in a row.
We also won Money magazine's Best of the Best 2024 winner for Best-Value Car Insurance 6 years in a row (2019–24); Mozo Experts Choice 2023 award for Exceptional Value Car Insurance; and Finder's 2024 Best Car Insurance - Value award.
We were also rated 5 stars by LMI ClaimsComparison for our Motor and Home & Contents Insurance product. The rating is based on both quantitative and subjective data, as well as policy features that are deemed by LMI ClaimsComparison as important to a positive claims experience.
More ways to save
Depending on the type of Budget Direct car insurance you choose, there are a number of ways you can reduce your premium even further, namely:
Speak with a real person
While all of our customers can manage their policies online if they wish, we know a lot of people, including seniors, prefer talking to someone.
The good news is you can call us on 1300 139 591 (claims) or 1300 306 560 (customer service) at any time - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Rest assured you’ll be in good hands: At the 2017 Auscontact Association awards, our Queensland call centres, who service our customers nationwide, won three titles, including Best Centre Team
Licensing of older drivers
There’s obviously no point in having car insurance unless you’re licensed to drive. So what are the rules and regulations surrounding older drivers in your state or territory?
| Drivers 75 years or older | |
|---|---|
| Are required each year to get a doctor to certify they’re fit to drive | Are encouraged to self-assess their driving ability and, if necessary, have a medical check-up to confirm they’re fit to drive |
|
Western Australia (80 years or older) |
Tasmania |
In addition:
- In NSW, drivers 85 or older who wish to keep their unrestricted licence are required to pass a practical driving test every two years; or else they can take out a modified licence.
- In WA, drivers 85 or older must pass a practical driving test if a health professional recommends one.
Note: This information was current on 2 December 2020.
Get a quote online and save 15%^
Get a quote online – it takes just two minutes. If you get a quote and buy a new Gold Comprehensive or third party policy online, you’ll receive a 15%^ discount on your first year’s premium.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my no-claim bonus or driver rating from my current insurer to Budget Direct?
Yes – as long as you supply us with proof of your current no-claim bonus (or no-claim discount, as we call it) or driver rating.
For example, you may have a renewal notice from your current insurer that shows your no-claim bonus or rating.
We’ll factor in the rating when we calculate your premium.
How much can I insure my car for?
With Budget Direct, you can insure your car for its market value or, in some cases, for an agreed value.
Market value is the value of the car at the time of loss or damage, taking into account factors such as the make, model, age, kilometres travelled and overall condition. We may use local market prices, recognised industry publications or other sources to determine the market value.
To get an idea of what your car may be worth, search for it in the Red Book or on car sales websites.
Please note that the prices provided by these sites are only meant to be a guide. Your car's market value will be determined by us at the time of the loss or damage.
Agreed value is the amount we agree to insure your car for. We may offer you an agreed value, provided:
- your car is less than 10 years old; and
- your car has not been converted to LPG; and
- the car has no pre-existing damage; and
- the agreed value is within an acceptable range of the market value.
The value for which your car is covered is shown on your insurance certificate and in your online account.
Will I need to get a cover note?
Budget Direct doesn’t issue cover notes, which are temporary documents insurers historically provided to cover policyholders until they received their formal insurance documents.
Instead, when you buy a policy from us, we’ll give you a policy number – confirmation your car is covered.
Are caravans covered?
Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance includes cover for your caravan if it’s damaged in a collision while being towed by your Budget Direct-insured car, up to $1,000. Please note that your caravan’s contents are not covered.
Is my vehicle covered for off-road driving?
Yes – as long as all reasonable steps are taken to prevent any loss or damage, and the vehicle’s not being used for racing, trials, tests, contests or rallies.
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† {comparitron-disclaimer}
‡ Your car would not be covered while it was being driven by someone under the restricted age.
