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How much is car insurance in Victoria?

Average comprehensive car insurance cost in Victoria

Comprehensive cover is much more variable than Transport Accident Commission (TAC) insurance. There are lots of different factors that influence how much your premiums will be: the driver’s details, the vehicle, how much it will be used, where it will be driven, etc.

According to Canstar research, these are the average comprehensive car insurance premium costs in Victoria for various drivers:

Driver profile

Annual premium

Female, under 25

$3,819

Male, under 25

$4,254

25-29

$3,169

30-49

$2,418

50+

$1,863

Family

$4,275

Source: Canstar - 24/09/2026. Based on comprehensive car insurance policies rated in Canstar’s 2026 Car Insurance Rating. Premiums include quotes for both new and used cars for a range of scenarios, with a target excess of $900.

How much is the Victoria transport accident charge?

Like in every other state and territory, all Victorian drivers must have compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, covering you (financially at least) if you injure or kill someone in an accident. In Victoria this is known as the transport accident charge (TAC).

The TAC is included when you register your vehicle in Victoria. You pay a single fee that incorporates both your registration and the TAC.

What you’ll pay can depend on the type of vehicle you’re insuring as well as where you’ll be driving it.

The Victorian Government distinguishes between metropolitan or high risk zones which are mostly in Melbourne and Geelong, outer metropolitan (medium risk zones) and rural areas (low risk zones). You can check which area your postcode falls under on the Transport Accident Commission website.

Here are some of the standard annual cover rates applicable from 1 July 2026:

Class of vehicle

Cost to insure
in a high risk zone
(including duty)

Cost to insure
in a medium risk zone
(including duty)

Cost to insure
in a low risk zone
(including duty)

Sedan, station wagon,
or related body type,
including 4WD passenger
vehicles

$606.10

$544.50

$471.90

A vehicle designed,
constructed, or primarily used
for carrying goods,
weighing up to two tonnes

$607.20

$460.90

$319.00

Motorbike between
60 and 126 CCs

$401.50

$353.10

$303.60

Source: tac.vic.gov

Types of car insurance in Victoria

Insurance on top of the TAC is optional, but highly recommended. There are typically three main categories of private insurance:

  • Third party property damage (TPPD) usually covers you for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles
  • Third party fire and theft (TPFT) covers you for everything TPPD does, plus damage to your from fire or theft
  • Comprehensive insurance is the highest level of optional cover in Australia, covering damage to your own vehicle from accidents and often including extras like roadside assistance or windscreen replacement. 

Every insurance policy is different and comes with conditions and exclusions, so it’s important to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) to understand exactly what you’re paying for.

How to save money on insurance premiums in Victoria

If you’re looking to save on your insurance, there are a few possible ways you might be able to reduce your premiums:

  • Shop around: There’s a wide range of insurance providers in Victoria. You might find prices significantly different between insurers, so it’s usually worth comparing car insurance to find a provider and policy that suits you.
  • Increase your excess: Generally increasing your excess (what you’ll pay if you need to make a claim) decreases your premiums. However, you’re effectively gambling that you won’t have a crash, so if you’re more risk averse you might want to keep your excess lower.
  • Drive less: Generally when you apply for car insurance you’ll be asked to estimate how often you’ll be using the vehicle. If you can (truthfully!) report fewer kilometres, you might be able to pay lower premiums.
  • Check if you’re eligible for TAC concessions: TAC cover is generally fixed, but concessions are available. If you’re a pensioner for example, or a veteran of the Australian Defence Force, you may be eligible to have your premiums reduced.
  • Live outside of Melbourne: TAC is also significantly more expensive in ‘high risk’ postcodes, which are all in Greater Melbourne. Comprehensive cover might also be cheaper if you’re in an area with less traffic.

How to compare comprehensive car insurance policies in Victoria

Choosing the right car insurance policy isn’t just about the price. Other factors you may want to consider alongside premiums include:

  • Policy inclusions (e.g. are the risks most relevant to you covered by the policy?)
  • Policy exclusions
  • Claims process
  • Excess options
  • Any discounts on offer (e.g. online discounts or no claim discounts).

Best car insurers in Victoria

Canstar’s 2026 Outstanding Value Awards - Car Insurance recognise the providers deemed to deliver outstanding value on their car insurance policies. AAMI won the 2026 Outstanding Value Award for Victoria, while the national winners were:

  • AAMI
  • Bingle
  • ROLLiN

Keep in mind these awards are general, across a wide range of possible drivers. The right policy for you might not be among these award winners, so it’s important to compare based on your own circumstances.

Harry is Canstar’s Senior Finance Writer. He’s a money nerd who's been working in the finance comparison industry since completing a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland. He has written hundreds of finance articles, and his work has been featured in publications like The Guardian and Your Investment Property magazine. He’s also made several guest appearances on podcasts and radio discussing the latest economic and product news. Harry has also completed RG146 (Tier One), qualifying him to offer general financial advice in areas including investing and insurance.

Harry’s an enthusiastic chess player and reads too many history books, while his moods are unreasonably tied to the performances of Liverpool FC.

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.

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