Budget Direct vs Bingle car insurance
A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and Bingle car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.
Bingle is consistently the cheapest comprehensive car insurer in our Finder Awards research. If you're happy to pay a little more for comprehensive coverage, Budget Direct could be a better option.
Budget Direct vs Bingle car insurance — compare key features
We've compared the comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from Budget Direct car insurance and Bingle car insurance. See further below for other types of car insurance offered by these providers.
Budget Direct Comprehensive |
Bingle Comprehensive |
|
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter |
Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd |
AAI Limited |
| Accidental Damage | ||
| Damage to other people's car |
|
|
| Bonuses |
15% online discount |
No |
| Roadside assistance |
Optional |
No |
| Agreed or market value |
Agreed or Market |
Market |
| Choice of repairer |
Optional |
|
| Legal liability |
Yes - $20,000,000 |
Yes - $20,000,000 |
| Fire and theft |
|
|
| Storm |
|
|
| Flood | ||
| Hire car after theft |
Up to $1,000 - Up to 14 days |
Optional Up to $50 per day - Until claim is completed |
| Hire car after no fault accident |
Optional Up to $75 per day - Up to 14 days |
Optional Up to $50 per day - Until claim is completed |
| Hire car after at fault accident |
Up to $75 per day |
Optional Up to $50 per day - Until claim is completed |
| Emergency repairs |
Up to $500 |
Limit not disclosed |
| Emergency travel and accommodation costs |
Up to $1,000 - Up to $200 per day |
Limit not disclosed |
| New car replacement |
If your car is written off in the first 2 years or is under 40,000kms |
Optional If your car is written off in the first 3 years |
| Personal effects/property |
Up to $500 |
|
| Locks and keys replacement |
Up to $1,000 |
|
| Towing |
|
|
| Trailer cover |
Up to $1,000 |
|
| Important |
Limits, exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement. |
Limits, exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement. |
Budget Direct vs Bingle car insurance prices compared
As part of our 2024 Finder car insurance awards, we collected over 1,800 comprehensive quotes from 30 car insurance providers, using a range of driver profiles across different states, ages and genders.
On average, Bingle typically offers cheaper car insurance than Budget Direct. However, it's important to keep in mind that price may not be the only factor in your search for the best car insurance.
| Provider | NSW | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA | Aus average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Direct | $1,148 | $941 | $978 | $829 | $1,180 | $880 | $992 |
| Bingle | $935 | $872 | $724 | $726 | $1,156 | $761 | $862 |
These quotes are formed based on a fictional driver profile and your own quote will differ based on your personal circumstances. This should be used as a guide only.
About our car insurance methodology
"I'd had various insurances through Budget Direct for many years. In 2022 I purchased a brand new Landcruiser Prado. Bingle's like-for-like quote was about $100 cheaper, so I decided to go with Bingle. Unfortunately, I was involved in an accident where I was not the at-fault driver. I was satisfied with the repair carried out and how Bingle handled the claim. However, I was shocked to see that come the next annual renewal my premium rose almost $500 a year. Budget Direct was significantly cheaper so I switched back."
Car insurance policies on offer
Budget Direct offers 4 levels of car insurance cover:
- Gold Comprehensive
- Gold Comprehensive Low Kilometeres
- Third Party Property Damage
- Third Party Fire & Theft
Bingle has 2 levels of car insurance cover:
- Comprehensive
- Third Party Property Damage
Customer reviews
Budget Direct has a good rating on popular review sites and scored 4.32/5 in the Finder Customer Satisfaction awards. Bingle has less positive reviews but it also has significantly fewer reviews and couldn't be rated in the Customer Satisfaction awards because of eligibility.
Budget Direct and Bingle car insurance complaints information
Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters from Budget Direct (Auto & General Insurance) and Bingle (AAI) have received and resolved.
| Underwriter | Complaints received | Complaints resolved at registration & referral | Referral resolution rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAI | 2231 | 1370 | 61.43% |
| Auto & General Services Pty Ltd | 1431 | 723 | 50.56% |
Finder's verdict
Both Budget Direct and Bingle are cheap insurers. However, our research shows Bingle is typically cheaper and only covers the essentials, such as damage to your own car as well as others. It won the Low Cost award in the 2024 awards. Budget Direct won the Value Award. It gives you a little more for your money.
Gary Ross Hunter
Insurance and innovations editor
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Ask a question
What is the cheapest ctp insurance
Hi David,
It isn’t possible to say as premiums will vary depending on where you live and your driving record (among other factors). You can visit our guide to CTP insurance if you’d like to learn more.
Best wishes,
James