Private motor insurance for Australian drivers
Cars and drivers change over time, and the insurance should keep pace. RMA Insurance Brokers reviews the vehicle, who drives it, how it is used and the cover options available so the policy fits the way the car is driven.
Cover shaped around your vehicle, drivers and how it is used.
Overview
Private motor insurance at a glance
Private motor insurance is designed for vehicles used mainly for personal or domestic driving. Depending on the cover arranged, it can protect your own vehicle against insured loss or damage and provide cover for certain damage your vehicle causes to someone else's car or property.
Vehicle value, regular drivers and everyday use all influence how cover is arranged. Different levels of cover and policy benefits are available, so these details are worth reviewing when circumstances change.
Who it is for
Who is this cover for?
Private motor insurance is relevant for vehicles used mainly for personal and domestic travel, including:
- family cars
- commuter vehicles
- privately used utes and 4WDs
- households with more than one regular driver
- newly purchased or replacement vehicles
- vehicles used for personal travel with limited business use where accepted by the insurer
- second or additional household vehicles
Private motor insurance is generally designed around personal use. If a vehicle is regularly used for work, business, rideshare or paid delivery, Commercial Motor Insurance may be more appropriate. Vehicles used primarily in farming operations may instead need Farm Motor & Agricultural Machinery Insurance.
Cover
What can it cover?
Private motor insurance is generally available at different levels of cover. The names and features can vary between insurers, but the main distinction is how much protection is provided for your own vehicle as well as damage caused to other people's property.
- Comprehensive
- Covers accidental loss of or damage to your vehicle from insured events, together with selected legal liability for damage caused to other people's property.
- Third Party Fire & Theft
- Provides selected fire and theft cover for your vehicle together with legal liability for damage caused to other people's property.
- Third Party Property Damage
- Covers selected legal liability for damage caused to other people's property, without providing comprehensive accidental-damage cover for your own vehicle.
Other policy features worth comparing
Beyond the level of cover, policies can also differ in the benefits, excesses and options available.
Towing, recovery and storage
If the vehicle cannot be driven after an insured incident, the policy may provide for towing, recovery, transport or storage while the claim is being managed.
Towing after an insured event is different from roadside assistance for breakdowns. Roadside assistance should be checked separately rather than assumed to form part of the motor insurance.
Hire vehicle options
Some motor policies include a hire vehicle in particular circumstances and may offer broader hire-vehicle cover as an optional benefit.
When a hire vehicle is available, the circumstances, duration and limits can differ between insurers, so this benefit should be checked rather than assumed.
Windscreen and glass cover
Windscreen and window-glass claims may be covered under the normal policy excess or available under a separate glass option, depending on the insurer and cover arranged.
Whether a separate excess applies and how often a glass benefit can be used can vary, so this feature is worth checking rather than assuming.
Repairer and repair options
Repair arrangements can differ between insurers. Some policies provide access to an insurer repair network, while others may allow the driver to nominate a repairer subject to the policy terms and authorisation requirements.
Where repairer choice or repair arrangements matter to you, these features are worth comparing before cover is arranged.
Replacement and other policy benefits
Some policies may include benefits such as new-vehicle replacement, replacement keys or other additional cover where the eligibility requirements are met.
These benefits vary between insurers and can depend on the vehicle, level of cover and policy selected, so they should be treated as policy features to compare rather than assumed inclusions.
Worth checking
What should you review?
Private motor insurance should reflect more than the make and model of the car. Areas worth reviewing include:
the level of cover, including Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Property Damage where available
the vehicle's value and whether agreed or market value is available
who regularly drives the vehicle and their driving experience
how the vehicle is used, including any business, rideshare or paid delivery activity
the excesses that may apply to different drivers or claims
modifications, accessories and manufacturer options fitted to the vehicle
any finance interest recorded against the vehicle
hire vehicle, windscreen, glass and repairer options that matter to you
Two policies described as comprehensive can still differ significantly, so the detail is worth comparing.
Limits
What may not be covered?
Some circumstances may fall outside the cover arranged or affect how the policy responds. Areas worth checking include:
- driving by an unlicensed, suspended or disqualified driver
- driving while affected by alcohol or drugs
- racing, rallying, track days or other motorsport use
- business, rideshare, paid delivery or other vehicle use that is not accepted under the policy
- modifications or accessories that have not been disclosed or accepted
- ordinary wear, deterioration and mechanical or electrical breakdown
- damage that existed before the insured event
- use of an unsafe or unroadworthy vehicle, or a driver or use excluded by the policy conditions
This is not a complete list. RMA Insurance Brokers helps explain the areas that need closer review when comparing or arranging cover.
When is it worth reviewing your cover?
Drivers, vehicle use and the car itself can change over time. It is worth reviewing the insurance when:
- you buy or replace a vehicle
- a new regular driver, including a younger or less experienced driver, starts using the car
- the way the vehicle is used changes
- you begin using the vehicle for business, rideshare or paid delivery
- significant modifications or accessories are fitted
- the vehicle's value changes materially
- you move address or change where the vehicle is normally kept
- the vehicle's ownership or finance arrangements change
Renewal is also a useful time to check the vehicle value, regular drivers, use, excesses and optional benefits rather than carrying the previous settings forward automatically.
Broker support
Why RMA Insurance Brokers?
Motor policies can look similar at first glance, but vehicle value, regular drivers, use, excesses and benefits can differ significantly. RMA Insurance Brokers reviews how the vehicle is used, explains the available levels of cover and compares the policy details that matter to you.
We review agreed or market value where available, excesses, hire vehicle and glass options, modifications and accessories, and whether business, delivery or farm use needs a different arrangement. As the vehicle or drivers change, we help keep the insurance up to date.
If a claim occurs, we assist with notification, supporting information and communication with the insurer. RMA Insurance Brokers works with clients across Australia, including clients connected with rma network Livestock & Property Agents and clients outside the rma network.
What happens after you enquire?
We contact you
A broker from RMA Insurance Brokers will contact you to understand the vehicle, who regularly drives it, how it is used and what insurance you would like reviewed.
We confirm what is needed
We will explain what information is needed, answer your questions and confirm the next step before approaching insurers.
Useful information to have available
- vehicle make, model and year
- current policy schedule and renewal date, if available
- who regularly drives the vehicle
- how the vehicle is mainly used
- vehicle value and any finance interest
- modifications or accessories fitted to the vehicle
FAQs
Do I need to list all regular drivers on my car insurance?
Regular drivers should be disclosed accurately when the insurance is arranged or reviewed. Age, driving experience and driving history can affect insurer acceptance, premium, excesses and policy conditions.
If a younger or newly licensed driver begins using the vehicle regularly, it is worth reviewing the policy rather than assuming the existing arrangement will continue unchanged.
What is the difference between comprehensive and third-party property damage insurance?
Comprehensive insurance generally protects your own vehicle as well as providing certain cover for damage caused to other people's property.
Third Party Property Damage primarily covers certain liability for damage caused to someone else's vehicle or property and generally does not provide accidental-damage cover for your own car.
Is CTP the same as third-party property damage insurance?
No. Compulsory Third Party insurance relates to bodily injury arising from motor vehicle accidents, while Third Party Property Damage insurance relates to damage caused to vehicles or other property.
CTP arrangements differ between Australian states and territories. CTP does not replace comprehensive or Third Party Property Damage insurance for damage to cars or property.
What is the difference between agreed value and market value?
Agreed value is an amount set with the insurer for the relevant period of insurance. Market value generally reflects what the vehicle was worth immediately before an insured loss, based on factors such as age, condition and relevant accessories or modifications.
Available valuation options differ between insurers. If the vehicle is declared a total loss, the settlement may also be reduced by applicable excesses or other deductions under the policy.
Does private motor insurance cover business use, rideshare or delivery driving?
It depends on the policy and how the vehicle is used. Some private motor policies may allow limited business use, while regular business activity, rideshare or paid delivery can require different terms or a different insurance arrangement.
Tell us how the vehicle is used so the cover can be checked rather than assumed.
Explore
Related insurance
Commercial Motor Insurance
For cars, utes, vans and other vehicles used primarily in business operations.
Farm Motor & Agricultural Machinery Insurance
For farm vehicles, tractors and machinery used in farming operations.
Caravan & Recreational Vehicle Insurance
Insurance considerations for caravans and recreational vehicles.
Home & Contents Insurance
Insurance considerations for residential buildings and household contents.
Travel Insurance
Insurance considerations for domestic or overseas travel.
Review your private motor insurance
RMA Insurance Brokers reviews the vehicle, drivers, use and current insurance to check whether the cover still suits the way the car is driven.
The information on this page is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the relevant policy. Insurance products and available cover vary between insurers. Please review the relevant policy documentation and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances before making a decision.