Best car insurance
Finding the best car insurance for your needs and budget can take time. Fortunately, Canstar Research has made it easier by comparing and rating products from 39 different car insurance providers. The result is our 2026 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards, designed to help you as you search for the best car insurance for your needs.
You can use the table at the top of this page to compare comprehensive car insurance policies that fit your requirements. It features Canstar’s expert Star Rating for each product rated, as well as details like whether you can opt for agreed value or market value coverage and if you can pay by the month for no extra cost. Filters also include options to search for policies suited to different ages (including those that accommodate under 25s), locations, features, cover options and after-accident care, as well as those offering discounts.
Best car insurance: Outstanding Value Award winners
If you’re looking for the best value car insurance, Canstar’s Star Ratings and Awards could help. Three car insurance providers topped the list in Canstar’s 2026 Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards:
AAMI
AAMI secured a National Award this year, alongside State Awards in SA, VIC, and WA. AAMI’s comprehensive policy was found to pair competitive premiums across a range of driver types, car types, and locations with strong features that come standard. These features include a hire car for up to 21 days following a theft, coverage for accidental damage to personal property up to $1,000, and “new for old” total car replacement with no kilometre limit for the first registered owner of a vehicle less than two years old. Roadside assistance is also available as an optional extra.
Bingle
Bingle has retained its National Award this year. Canstar Research found the digital-only provider focuses on essential protections at a competitive price, with the option to tailor coverage through extras. These include new car replacement for cars under three years old, a hire car for any covered incident until repair or settlement, and unlimited no-excess windscreen cover.
ROLLiN’ Insurance
ROLLiN’ Insurance retained its National Award and State Awards in NSW, QLD, and TAS, while picking up a State Award in the NT. ROLLiN’ operates on a unique monthly “rolling” structure where policies automatically renew each month with an updated premium and valuation of your car based on the current market price–found to give policyholders flexibility without locking into an annual commitment. New car replacement after a total loss is included as standard for cars with less than 15,000km on the odometer. EV batteries, charging cables, wall boxes, and adapters are also explicitly covered. For drivers under 25, ROLLiN’ charges no additional excess.
View All Award Winners
What is the best type of car insurance?
Before deciding which provider and policy to choose, it’s worth considering which type of car insurance will be best for your needs. There are three main varieties of car insurance available in Australia and the best for you will depend on the vehicle you are insuring, the level of cover you need, and your budget.
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive car insurance is the most extensive form of optional car insurance and includes cover for accidental damage to your own vehicle as well as damage to other people’s property. It also tends to cost more than other types of optional cover. Comprehensive car insurance may be suitable if:
- You want a high degree of financial protection for a broad range of risks, including damage to your vehicle from a car accident as well as some of the indirect costs associated with being without a car while it’s being repaired (like rental car hire).
- You would find it difficult to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle by yourself.
- You have a car loan, as some lenders will require the vehicle being financed to be insured with a comprehensive policy.
Third Party Property Damage and Third Party Fire and Theft car insurance
Third Party Property Damage car insurance provides cover for damage caused to another person’s property—like if you caused a crash that damaged someone else’s car. Third Party Fire and Theft policies offer third party protection, as well as coverage for your vehicle if it’s damaged in a fire or stolen. Third Party car insurance may be suitable if:
- You could afford to repair or replace your own car if you were to be at fault in an accident.
- You could do without a car while yours if off the road after an accident.
- You want a cheaper policy and are happy to sacrifice the protection a comprehensive policy offers.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is the most basic form of cover and is mandatory for all drivers who use Australian roads. If your car is registered, then it’s also covered by CTP insurance. CTP insurance protects you financially if you injure or kill someone in an accident, but doesn’t provide any cover for damage caused to other property.
Best car insurance features to look out for
The best car insurance features really depend on what you value as a driver, the risks most relevant to you, and what kind of car you drive. As a general guide, ask yourself what you need in the way of:
- Options for the level of excess you pay (a higher excess can mean lower premiums, but could sting your wallet if you need to claim)
- Cover for personal items in the vehicle
- Windscreen cover
- Roadside assistance
- Cover for rental car costs if your vehicle is off the road due to an insured event.
What’s the best car insurance excess to choose?
The best car insurance excess will depend on your budget. A higher excess generally means a lower premium, but you’ll have to pay more out of your own pocket if you need to make a claim. Alternatively, a lower excess can reduce the cost of claiming, but your premium will generally be higher.
Make your own assessment of the trade-off between saving now and potentially needing to pay more if you make a claim, or paying a bit more to protect yourself from the risk of higher out-of-pocket costs at claim time.
How can I find the best car insurance policy?
Once you have decided on a type of cover you need, it’s worth taking the time to compare policies. Here are some things to consider:
- What’s included and excluded: While two policies may be similar in terms of what’s covered, one might offer protection from extra risks or come with helpful inclusions, such as roadside assistance. Be sure to also look at the limits–the maximum amount an insurer will pay out for particular situations.
- Check the premiums: Price isn’t everything, but all other things being equal, a cheaper policy may be appealing. It could also be worthwhile looking at factors related to the premiums, such as any discount that applies for buying the policy online and being able to pay your premiums monthly at no extra cost.
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate: Insurance providers may be able to offer you a better price than what you’re initially quoted, especially if you’re already a customer. If you find a cheaper deal on insurance, ask your provider if it will be willing to reduce your premiums in order to keep your business.
- Consider ‘pay as you drive’ cover: If you don’t drive a lot, take a look at policies that base premiums on how much you use your car (as opposed to a flat rate regardless of kilometres travelled), as these might work out cheaper.
When weighing up car insurance policies, it’s a good idea to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for each product to ensure it’s suitable for your situation. Pay close attention to what is and isn’t covered and any limits that may apply.
