What is pay-by-the-month car insurance?
Pay-by-the-month car insurance is not a standalone product. Instead, it refers to policies that allow you to pay your premiums in monthly instalments. Â
Typically, car insurers offer monthly and annual payments, with the latter often being the default option.
What are the pros and cons of pay-by-the-month car insurance?
Pros
Flexibility: If you’re planning to switch policies or providers in the near future, paying monthly can means you don't pay a large lump sum upfront.
Lower upfront cost: In the short term, spreading your premiums across 12 months may be more forgiving on your budget.Â
Cons
Extra costs: Depending on the insurer, you may be charged more overall than if you were to pay annually. However, not all providers charge extra for monthly car insurance payments.
You can use the table above to compare car insurance policies with the option to pay monthly at no extra cost.Â
You should also read any relevant policy documentation, such as the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), for any policy you’re considering.
How much is a monthly car insurance policy?
The cost of a pay-by-the-month car insurance policy will ultimately depend on factors such as:
- The type of policy (like comprehensive, third party fire and theft or third party property damage) and level of cover chosenÂ
- The personal details of the driver or drivers listed on your policy
- The make and model of the vehicle you are insuring
- Your address, including where the vehicle is parked during the day and night
- The excess (the amount you contribute towards a claim) listed in your policy (a higher excess can lead to lower premiums, but you’ll pay more if you need to make a claim).
How much more do monthly car insurance payments cost compared to annual payments?
Providers may charge you an extra fee, such as a regular admin fee, for the privilege of paying monthly. You may also be charged a higher base premium.Â
Exactly how much extra you could pay for making monthly payments varies in line with:Â
- Your choice of provider
- Your age
- Your gender
- Your location
- The make and model of your car.
If you choose to pay your premiums monthly, you’ll typically still be committing to a 12-month policy with the provider. While you can generally cancel at any time, some car insurers may charge policy cancellation fees.
Note that not all providers will charge extra to access a monthly payment option. That’s why it’s important to speak to your provider or read your policy’s PDS to understand the costs to expect.














































