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PromotedBudget Direct
If written off before the earlier of 24 months old or 40000 kms
  • Save 15%^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new Car Insurance policy online.
  • 24/7 Phone & Online Claims.
  • Budget Direct - Insurance Solved.
PromotedQBE
If written off before the earlier of 36 months old or 60000 kms
  • Flexible cover before, 24/7 claims after.
  • Save $75 on new Comprehensive car insurance online.
  • Conditions apply.
Budget Direct
If written off before the earlier of 24 months old or 40000 kms
Coles Insurance
If written off before the earlier of 24 months old or 40000 kms
Qantas
If written off before the earlier of 24 months old or 40000 kms
QBE
If written off before the earlier of 36 months old or 60000 kms
Kogan Insurance
If written off before 24 months old
Bendigo Bank
Not Rated
If written off before 36 months old

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low), then Provider Name (Alphabetical). Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

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What is ‘choice of repairer’ in car insurance?

When your vehicle is damaged in an insured event, your car insurer will typically send it to a smash repairer in its preferred network. But if your policy provides you with ‘choice of repairer’, you can choose who repairs your vehicle. Your policy’s excess will apply regardless of who the vehicle is sent to and you may have to pay the difference between what your repairer charges and what the insurer assesses the cost to be.

Choice of repairer is generally only offered in comprehensive policies and may be included as a standard feature or an optional extra.

Who offers ‘choice of repairer’ car insurance in Australia?

Choice of repairer isn’t offered by all car insurance providers in Australia. Canstar Research has put together a list of providers that currently offer this feature at the time of writing:

Providers offering choice of repairer

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ProviderChoice of
repairer
Allianz AustraliaStandard
ANZOptional
Bank of
Melbourne
Standard
BankSAStandard
Bendigo BankOptional*
Beyond BankStandard
Budget DirectOptional
BUPA InsuranceStandard*
Coles InsuranceOptional
GIOStandard
GMCUStandard
Huddle InsuranceStandard*
INGOptional
Kogan InsuranceStandard
NABStandard
National SeniorsStandard
NRMA InsuranceOptional
OzicareOptional
People First BankOptional*
People’s ChoiceOptional*
QantasOptional
QBEOptional
RAAStandard
RACStandard
RACQStandard
RACVStandard*
St.George BankStandard
Suncorp InsuranceStandard
Territory Insurance
Office NT (TIO)
Standard
WestpacStandard

Source: www.canstar.com – 07/05/2026. Based on car insurance providers on Canstar’s database. * denotes providers who only offer choice of repairer on certain tiers of coverage. Check with these providers directly for more details.


You can also use the comparison table above to see which of our Online Partners offer choice of repairer as a policy feature.

Is it a good idea to have ‘choice of repairer’ in your car insurance?

Having the choice of repairer included in your car insurance policy may be important if you already have a relationship with a smash repairer or if you care about who works on your vehicle. That said, you may simply be given a cash settlement from your insurer to pay your chosen repairer, meaning you’ll have to take on the leg work of getting the repairs done.

Pros and cons of having your choice of repairer

Pros

  • Transporting your vehicle to your chosen repairer may be more convenient for you.
  • There may be a shorter waiting period at your chosen repairer, meaning your vehicle may be fixed faster, especially if your insurer’s repairers have a large backlog they need to attend to.
  • You’re able to choose a specialist repairer that you trust to fix your vehicle. This may be particularly important if you have a modified vehicle or a classic or vintage car.

Cons

  • If you choose your own repairer, you typically need to be more involved in the process. You’ll probably have to liaise with your chosen repairer and your insurer, negotiating on a price for the repairs and reporting back to your insurer.
  • Depending on the repairer you choose, you may not receive a lifetime guarantee on the repairs, meaning if there’s issues down the line associated with the repairs, you typically won’t be covered. Generally speaking, repairers in your insurer’s network will provide you with a lifetime guarantee—but you should confirm this before they begin work.
  • On top of your standard policy excess, you may need to pay the difference between what your chosen repairer charges for the repairs and what the insurer pays out for your claim.

FAQs about ‘choice of repairer’ car insurance

Canstar Star Ratings and Awards

Looking for an award-winning product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall. We also reveal which providers have the most satisfied customers in our dedicated Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Canstar's Car Insurance Star Ratings & Awards

Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.