My First Car Insurance

SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 17:14

Hi all

I bought a Nissan Pulsar in October 2015 from a dealer in Sydney for $14K. The dealer arranged for a CTP insurance.
I haven't insured my car yet. I have used this website: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/ to compare prices. I am confused to pick a provider.

Make: Nissan
Model: Pulsar ST(Sedan)
Mfg. year: 2014
KMs driven: 39700
License: NSE Full license.

I use it for private purposes(non - business and not to work) and average usage of about 5000-6000km annually.

Any suggestions/recommendations on
(a) Extras amount that I need to opt for.
(b) Should I opt for Roadside assistance separately or is it better to have it along with the insurance ?
(c) I have seen few posts from Woolworths/Coles car insurance where they offer Gift cards along with the policy. Is it okay to go with Woolworths/Coles insurance ?
(d) Any recommendations of insurer or any offers/benefits/discounts.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/06/2016 - 17:41
    +8

    You've been driving a brand new car without insurance for 8 months!?!

    • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 18:46

      Sorry I should have mentioned that its a second hand car.

      • CVK1154 on 06/06/2016 - 19:09
        +3

        You better arrange something ASAP, wouldnt want to be paying for a BMW etc if you have an at fault accident

      • indium on 06/06/2016 - 19:47
        +4

        It doesn't sound like you are aware of the implications of driving around with no insurance, whether your car is worth $500 or $15000 if you were to damage another vehicle or property you would have to pay for their costs of repair. Can be quite costly if you were to damage an expensive car.

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 19:47

          Is that not CTP ?

        • indium on 06/06/2016 - 19:51
          +1

          @spk: CTP will only cover injuries or death but not property damage. In NSW you purchase it yourself whereas in VIC it is included in car registration.

          https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/nsw-ctp-greens…

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 20:24

          @phew: thanks mate. didn't know this.
          so essentially we need to have a valid license along with the Rego, CTP and car insurance ?

        • mskeggs on 06/06/2016 - 20:49
          +1

          @spk:
          There are two types of insurance that cover property damage. Comprehensive insurance, which covers damage you cause plus any damage to your car, or 3rd party property, which covers damage to others but not your car. In fact, there is an in between option called 3rd party property, fire and theft, which covers damage to others, plus fire damage or if your car gets stolen.

          Comprehensive is great, but can be very costly for younger drivers. 3rd party is necessary, in my opinion, unless you are dead broke and prepared to be made bankrupt if you have a crash (and accept the anti-social nature of not covering damage you cause).

          In your case, with a car that was likely quite costly and is a material expense for you, comprehensive is likely best.
          I would suggest calling a few insurers and getting a quote, then double checking online for the cheapest two. Sometimes they will offer better prices by phone, other times online.

        • tabz on 06/06/2016 - 20:53

          @spk: In short: yes.

          When you do your Rego, you usually need to have CTP (Compulsory Third Party, which covers injuries), and an Safety Inspection depending on how old your car is.

          Car insurance is separate and can be broken down into 2 main types:

          • Third Party Property Damage (Covers other parties if you're at fault, but doesn't cover the cost of damage to your own vehicle)
          • Comprehensive Insurance (Covers both damage to others as well as your own vehicle)

          You can use comparison sites like you mentioned but they don't always have all insurance providers on their panel. You can usually go to insurance sites and get a free quote. Check out the main providers such as NRMA, AAMI, GIO, Allianz to name a few.

          Another thing to note is that you can usually increase your excess (which is the amount you pay when you make a claim) which tends to lower the premium (the amount you pay to have your car insured).

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 20:57

          @tabz: thanks heaps. that was very useful.

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 20:57

          @mskeggs: thanks a ton. very helpful info.

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 21:30

          @tabz: Is it true that roadside assistance is not by default part of comprehensive insurance cover ?

        • altomic on 06/06/2016 - 21:37

          @spk: roadside assistance is not by default part of comprehensive insurance cover

          I haven't required it since i since I stopped driving my 1975 toyota corona in 1997.

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 21:39

          @altomic: any idea what would be the major benefit of roadside assistance, is towing covered under insurance, if need be ?

        • altomic on 06/06/2016 - 21:46

          @spk: towing -depends on the insurance you have. you'll need to review the product statement.

          side questions - how old are you? this will impact majorly if you are under 25 for insurance.

          have a look at progressive online (I use them. they are inexpensive for comprehensive + 3rd party).

          seriously, get your car insured now.

          CTP does not cover you for any damage you may cause whilst driving.

        • mskeggs on 06/06/2016 - 21:48
          +1

          @altomic:
          I nearly didn't get it on my partner's car, as cars a re so much more reliable these days, even old bombs like we drive, and there isn't much a roadside mechanic can do to get you going again these days. But I thought, what if she locks the keys in the car - do I really want to drive the hour her commute takes to bring help?
          And, of course, she ran out of petrol twice last month. Both times when she called I was not in a good place to help, so it ended up being money well spent.
          I have no idea how you can run out of petrol twice in a month. I have never done so in 25 years of driving. I don't think she has either, except last month.

        • altomic on 06/06/2016 - 21:51

          @mskeggs: I locked my keys in the car a few months ago whilst in country victoria. luckily my uncle owned the local servo/ mechanic shop (300 meters away) and my cousin is the RACV mechanic for the area. the only time this century.

        • mskeggs on 06/06/2016 - 21:53

          @altomic:
          Your cousin probably doesn't want to bail you out next time you do it at home!

        • SydOzber on 06/06/2016 - 21:58

          @altomic: on the job mate.. comparing all the possible providers. Seems very scary.

          I am 25+

        • mskeggs on 06/06/2016 - 22:05
          +2

          @spk:
          If you need to drive tomorrow, just go to AAMI and apply online. They will cover you immediately and you have 7 days or so to pay the bill when it arrives in the post (obviously don't choose to pay online!).
          Use that time to do your comparison shopping if you find they are not the cheapest.

          In the old days this was called a 'cover note' to insure you until the paper work is sorted.

        • SydOzber on 07/06/2016 - 11:14

          @mskeggs: sounds like a plan. cheers.

        • virhlpool on 09/07/2016 - 12:31

          @mskeggs:

          And in this case you only pay for those 7 days? Is it like a cooling off period when you can call and get it cancelled?

        • mskeggs on 11/07/2016 - 10:07

          @virhlpool:
          You ask them to send you the bill (do not pay over the phone).
          If you are unlucky enough to have an accident in those few days, you pay the premium and make the claim.
          If you find a better deal from another company, you sign up with them and pay nothing to AAMI.

        • virhlpool on 11/07/2016 - 12:03

          @mskeggs: I guess it's with every company.. cooling off period of 21 days. But, you are right.. applicable only if one doesn't claim anything in that period.

  • Garltok on 07/06/2016 - 11:25

    It really depends on your circumstances like no claim bonuses, age, who drives it ect. But in my opinion RAC may cost a little more but is more reliable. For cheapness though I go with budget direct which seems nice enough but I've yet to make a claim so I don't know what they're truly like yet.

    Budget direct you can limit driver ages to 21+ and 25+ to make it cheaper along with adjustable value and excess.

    Also I only get roadside insurance from RAC. I don't quite trust these smaller companies yet

    • SydOzber on 07/06/2016 - 11:32

      so we can buy the car insurance from one company.. and just buy the roadside assistance from someone else ?

      • virhlpool on 11/07/2016 - 12:03

        Yup, or buy both from one if it offers both. For example, Bingle doesn't offer roadside assistance insurance.

  • Euphemistic on 07/06/2016 - 12:02

    I shouldn't be surprised that this is the second time I've seen a post about someone thinking that CTP is all you need to cover you in a car.

  • danger163 on 07/06/2016 - 13:50

    If you are worried about your premiums being higher, go with bingle cheap premiums.

    Go for NRMA for road side assistance.. 165$ for 15 months!

    • virhlpool on 11/07/2016 - 12:05

      Any cons with going with Bingle, apart from no phoneline customer care (only email)?

      • danger163 on 11/07/2016 - 13:37

        Haven;t got a change to interact with customer care. Hopefully, they are good enough.

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