Black box car insurance
Black boxes aren't just in planes anymore – they're a new sensation on the Australian car insurance scene. Also known as telematics or insurance boxes, this new technology means Aussie drivers can buy car insurance policies based on their driving habits. The safer you drive, the less you pay in premiums.
There aren’t that many black box policies available in Australia yet, but if it sounds like your kind of setup, you can check out the need-to-know details below.
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Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $550 - $1,900 (varies By State)
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- No Claim Discount
- Online Discount Up To 15%
Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Get award winning Car Insurance. Save 15% ^ on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new policy online. Budget Direct offers tailor-made cover, new-for-old replacement, 24/7 claims, a highly-rated claims service, and get a hire car following a theft.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years or 40,000 kilometres of original registration, whichever comes first
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days, max $1,000 total.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days for at fault accidents.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $40 on every windscreen claim for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for drivers under 21, $500 for drivers under 24, $600 for unlisted drivers, $500 for inexperienced drivers.
- Roadside assistance
- Optional Extra
- Other benefits
- Existing Budget Direct memebers get a $100 eGift Card when you purchase a new Pet Insurance policy with code "ECGIFT"
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Budget Direct Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
ROLLiN’ put their customers in the driver’s seat by offering great value comprehensive car insurance with no additional excess for young drivers. Zero cancellation fees, 24/7 claims support via phone and a policy paid monthly. Plus, you can list multiple cars and drivers under the one policy, as long as they fit the underwriting criteria
- Monthly premiums
- Yes
- Choice of repairer
- No
- Choice of excess
- $800 Flat Excess Fee
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed
Available discounts
Comprehensive Car Insurance
ROLLiN’ put their customers in the driver’s seat by offering great value comprehensive car insurance with no additional excess for young drivers. Zero cancellation fees, 24/7 claims support via phone and a policy paid monthly. Plus, you can list multiple cars and drivers under the one policy, as long as they fit the underwriting criteria
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 15,000km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day after a covered event
- Rental car after accident
- Yes - Up to 21 days, max $80 per day after a covered event
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - $0 windscreen excess
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- No additional excess for young drivers. $3,000 for unlisted drivers
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- Optional benefit to boost the Single Car Value by 15%, it will be shown on your Insurance Certificate
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC NT TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about ROLLiN' Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance offers a broad range of coverage and includes cover for anyone who drives your vehicle. It also covers new car replacement if your recently purchased brand new car is written off within the first three years (provided it has travelled less than 60,000km). Save $75 on your first year's premium when you purchase Comprehensive Car Insurance online. T&C’s apply.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $500 - $2,200
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
- Online Discount $75
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance offers a broad range of coverage and includes cover for anyone who drives your vehicle. It also covers new car replacement if your recently purchased brand new car is written off within the first three years (provided it has travelled less than 60,000km). Save $75 on your first year's premium when you purchase Comprehensive Car Insurance online. T&C’s apply.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 3 years and 60,000 km of original registration
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess ($0 excess for repair only). Option to reduce windscreen replacement excess to $0 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Automatically covered.
- Young driver excess imposed
- $600 for listed drivers under 25, $1,600 for unlisted drivers under 25.
- Roadside assistance
- No
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Australia Post Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Youi like to get to know you from the very first conversation, which provides you with the opportunity to find comprehensive car insurance cover that could better suit your lifestyle and your needs. Because we’re all individuals, so we all use our cars differently from day-to-day. Youi is car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
- Monthly premiums
- Yes Costs Extra
- Choice of repairer
- Optional Extra
- Choice of excess
- $400 - $2,500
- Agreed or market value
- Agreed Or Market
Available discounts
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Youi like to get to know you from the very first conversation, which provides you with the opportunity to find comprehensive car insurance cover that could better suit your lifestyle and your needs. Because we’re all individuals, so we all use our cars differently from day-to-day. Youi is car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
- New car if written off
- Yes - within 2 years and a listed driver is the first registered owner
- Rental car after theft
- Yes - Up to 14 days.
- Rental car after accident
- Not at fault - Yes. At fault - Optional Extra. Up to 14 days.
- Windscreen cover
- Yes - standard excess. Option to reduce windscreen excess to $50 for an additional premium.
- Modifications
- Covered only if agreed in writing.
- Young driver excess imposed
- Unlisted and aged 25 and over: $700, Unlisted and aged under 25: $2,000, Listed and aged under 25: $600
- Roadside assistance
- Yes
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
- States where offered
- SA VIC TAS NSW ACT QLD WA
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance
What is black box insurance?
When you take out an ordinary car insurance policy, the insurance provider has to try to work out what kind of driver you are and, based on that, the chances of you having an accident and making a claim. While they’re pretty good at making an educated guess, there isn’t really a way for them to know for sure how you drive.
That’s where black box insurance comes in. The black box is a GPS device that sits in your car (usually under the dashboard) and records how you drive. The insurance company can then get a clear picture of what you’re like behind the wheel and adjust your premium to match. So if you’re a safe driver, you’ll pay less to cover your wheels.
Pretty nifty, right?
As technology rolls along, similar features are slowly becoming available on smartphones. So some tech-savvy providers are taking advantage of these to create a black box affect.
What does a black box measure?
The box is designed to measure your driving style over an extended time, to get a really good picture of how you drive.
Unlike a traditional insurance application, which is based solely on things like your age, gender and what kind of car you drive, telematics is also able to measure physical driving habits, such as:
- Speed. Unsurprisingly, speeding is one thing that will label you a risky driver.
- Car mileage. Lower mileage can mean lower premiums.
- Braking. Sudden or hard braking is seen as a red flag.
- Cornering. Turning corners in a gentle, controlled way is best.
- Steering. You should aim to maintain smooth, consistent steering.
- When you drive. Although it doesn’t make you a less skilled driver, driving at night is considered more risky.
Your black box insurance policy will also take into account some of the usual car insurance factors, like where you keep your car when you’re not driving and what areas you drive in.
Who is it good for?
Are you the kind of driver who would benefit from a black box policy? Well, let’s find out. It might be a good option for you to explore if:
- You’re a safe driver. One of the main ways you’ll benefit from personalised car insurance is if you’re a consistently safe driver. You’ll be rewarded for this good behaviour with lower premiums.
- You’re a young driver. It’s no secret that young drivers can often have trouble finding affordable car insurance, since they're often hit with extra excesses or high premiums. Since your score is based on your driving habits and not your age, a black box policy can be a great money saver.
What’s covered?
The inclusions and exclusions of a black box policy are generally the same as any other policy. Car insurance is designed to help you cover the cost of accidents or other unforeseen events, so things like broken windshields, a total write-off or a stolen car are covered.
On the other hand, things like wear and tear, mechanical failure or age, that are just normal (though regrettable) parts of owning a car, aren’t covered.
How can I save on my insurance by using a black box?
If you’re a safe driver or rarely use your car, chances are you stand to save some money by opting for a black box policy, because your premiums will be determined according to your driving results.
When you install the box in your car, it will monitor how you drive, and also give you reports and feedback on your driving and how to improve it. The more you improve your driving, the lower your premium will be.
Once your driving has been consistent for a certain period and the box has all the data it needs, you’ll receive a driver safety score, which the insurance company can use to determine what premium it’s appropriate for you to pay. The higher the score, the lower the premium.
Can I keep my no claims discount?
No - but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
With a normal car insurance policy, you build up a no claims discount by driving safely and not being involved in accidents over a number of years. One drawback is – with the exception of some policies which come with no claims discount protection – one mishap might mean you lose your discount.
With black box insurance, you won’t get a no claims discount, but you will get a policy based on how you drive. Which means, if you’re a safe driver and aren’t in any accidents, your policy should be less expensive anyway.
What black box car insurance policies are available in Australia?
When using a traditional telematics system, you essentially lease a GPS unit to install in your car and get a driving score. Once you do, you’ll sometimes uninstall and return the box, because your score - and therefore premium - will be locked in.
Like any insurance policy, you’ll pay a premium for black box insurance. But there’s also a one-off cost to lease the telematics technology itself. Make sure you take into account this extra cost, and compare car insurance quotes from a range of insurance providers to be sure you’re getting the best deal.
Currently the major providers offering this kind of insurance policy, Ubicar and Youi, are doing so using mobile app-based technology. So the physical 'black box' or telematics tech actually isn't required.
Is my car compatible with black box technology?
Not all cars are able to have a black box installed, mainly because the telematics system works with a GPS. Newer cars, made between 2006 and now, are usually compatible, while some cars made between 2000 and 2005 are.
However, if you're using the mobile app version, you'll usually just need to make sure you've got a smartphone that can run the necessary programs. Check with your provider to see what the requirements are.
Alternatives to black box car insurance
If you’re not sold on the idea of black box insurance, you may be wondering if there are other ways to save on your car insurance. Here are some things to consider when shopping for an affordable car insurance policy:
- Discounts. Many insurance providers offer a range of different discounts, from the no claims discount, through to discounts for buying your policy online. You can also find discounts for seniors, bundling discounts, loyalty discounts and discounts for having security systems installed in your car. Make sure you take full advantage of any of these offers to get the best price on your insurance policy.
- Pay-as-you-drive cover. An alternative to black box insurance may be pay-as-you-drive cover. It’s similar to black box insurance, in that it’s based on your driving habits, since you’ll be charged lower premiums if you only drive under a certain number of kilometres in a policy period. Keep in mind though, these policies don’t take into account things like speed, or braking patterns, so are less personalised than a black box policy would be.
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* Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
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