Home > Car Insurance > How to Change Car Insurance
Find out how to change your car insurance provider and what factors to consider with Savvy.
Author
Savvy Editorial TeamFact checked
Choosing the right car insurance is crucial for safeguarding your vehicle and providing peace of mind on the road. If your circumstances change, you may feel you need to switch your car insurance to ensure you continue to receive the cover you need.
In this comprehensive guide, Savvy takes you through the process of choosing a new provider, examining why you might want to switch and factors to consider.
Changing car insurance is generally a straightforward process. You should be able to switch insurance provider in just a few simple steps:
It’s crucial to ensure there is no gap in coverage during the transition from your old policy to the new one. You should make sure the new policy becomes effective on the same day the old policy expires so that you stay protected on the road.
Yes, you can change car insurance at any time, even if you are in the middle of your policy term.
However, if you decide to switch providers before your policy renewal date, it’s important to check if your current policy has any conditions or penalties for changing before the term expires.
If you decide to change car insurance provider, you may be required to pay fees depending on when you cancel your policy and the specific terms of your policy.
If your car insurance policy is up for renewal, you can typically switch providers without incurring any cancellation fees. It’s a good opportunity to evaluate your options and explore new insurance providers that better suit your needs.
During the cooling-off period at the start of your car insurance policy, which typically lasts between 14 to 30 days, you have the opportunity to cancel your policy and generally receive a full refund of any premiums paid, provided you have not made any claims.
If you decide to change car insurance providers mid-policy, the terms and conditions of your existing policy will come into play. While you may be able to get a partial refund for unused premiums, you may also face cancellation fees, administration costs or other costs. This can vary, so it's crucial to carefully review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider directly to understand any penalties or requirements associated with cancelling mid-policy.
There are several reasons why you might consider changing your car insurance policy:
In Australia, there are three types of insurance cover you can choose, each offering different levels of cover: third party property damage (TPPD), third party fire and theft (TPFT) and comprehensive insurance.
Look for a policy that offers the cover you need at a competitive price. Keep in mind that extremely low premiums may result in limited coverage or higher costs in the event of a claim.
Choose a policy with an excess amount that you’re comfortable with, considering both your budget and how much you can afford to pay in the event of a claim.
Consider any additional features or benefits offered by insurance policies and whether these suit your needs and are worth paying for.
A reputable insurer with a good customer service record can provide peace of mind during the policy period.
Your insurer may allow you to transfer your no-claim bonus to the new policy, as long as you provide proof of your claims history. However, specific rules and eligibility criteria may vary so it’s important to check with your current insurer and prospective new insurer to understand their policies.
You will generally be able to switch car insurance providers even if you have a claim outstanding and switching insurers won’t affect the status of the existing claim. However, any ongoing claim process will continue to be handled by your current insurer until it is resolved. It’s important to consult both your current and prospective insurers to understand the process and implications of switching while a claim is still in progress.
Many insurers will allow you to switch your car insurance from your old car to your new car. However, there is a chance that your premium will change, based on factors such as the age, make and model of your car.
Even if you are happy with your insurer and car insurance policy, it may be worth reviewing your policy whenever it is up for renewal to ensure it still meets your needs and remains competitive in terms of price and coverage. If you find a better deal, your current insurer may be willing to match it, or you could switch if not.
Select your car make and find out how much it may cost to insure, read helpful guides and receive instant quotes from our partnered insurers.
Disclaimer:
Savvy (ABN 78 660 493 194, ACR 541 339) provides readers with a variety of car insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from our partnered insurers each time a customer buys a car insurance policy via our website. All purchases are conducted via our partners’ websites. The integrity of our comparison service is unaffected by our partnerships with those businesses and our effort remains to bring further brands that do not already use our comparison service onboard.
Savvy’s comparison service includes selected products from a panel of trusted insurers and does not compare all products in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy. We always recommend readers to consult the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of different policies before purchasing your car insurance.
© Copyright 2023 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
ABN 78 660 493 194. ACR Number 541 339.