Budget Direct vs NRMA Car Insurance

A side by side comparison of Budget Direct and NRMA car insurance including expert analysis of pricing, features, complaints and reviews.

Budget Direct won the 2024 Finder Award for best value car insurance. It comes with the same benefits you get with the most comprehensive car insurance providers but for less money, according to our research. NRMA isn't typically as cheap but it's got stores throughout NSW and gives you a little more money for emergency repairs.

Budget Direct vs NRMA — compare key features

We've compared the comprehensive car insurance policies on offer from Budget Direct car insurance and NRMA car insurance. See further below for other types of car insurance offered by these providers.

Budget Direct Comprehensive image
Budget Direct Comprehensive
NRMA Comprehensive image
NRMA Comprehensive
Underwriter
Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd
Insurance Australia Limited
Accidental Damage
Damage to other people's car


Bonuses
15% online discount
10% online discount
Roadside assistance
Optional
No
Agreed or market value
Agreed or Market
Agreed or Market
Choice of repairer
Optional
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

Up to $75 per day - Up to 21 days
Hire car after no fault accident
Optional
Up to $75 per day - Up to 14 days
Optional
Up to $75 per day - Up to 14 days
Hire car after at fault accident

Up to $75 per day

Reasonable Cost
Emergency repairs

Up to $500

Up to $800
Emergency travel and accommodation costs

Up to $1,000 - Up to $200 per day

Up to $1,000
New car replacement

If your car is written off in the first 2 years or is under 40,000kms

If your car is written off in the first 2 years
Personal effects/property

Up to $500

Up to $1,000
Locks and keys replacement

Up to $1,000

Up to $1,000
Towing
Trailer cover

Up to $1,000

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 NRMA 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, Budget Direct typically offers cheaper car insurance than NRMA. 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 NSWQLDSATASVICWAAus average
Budget Direct $1,148$941$978$829$1,180$880$992
NRMA$2,027$1,154$1,038$1,004$0$1,034$1,252

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

Car insurance policies on offer

Budget Direct offers 4 types of car insurance:

  • Gold Comprehensive
  • Gold Comprehensive Low Kilometres
  • Third Party Fire & Theft
  • Third Party Property Damage

NRMA also offers 4 levels of car insurance:

  • NRMA Comprehensive Plus
  • NRMA Comprehensive
  • NRMA Third Party Fire & Theft
  • NRMA Third Party Property Damage

NRMA also offers Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
car insurance
.

Customer reviews

Budget Direct has a good rating on popular review sites and scored 4.32/5 in the Finder Customer Satisfaction awards. NRMA has less positive reviews and couldn't be rated in the Customer Satisfaction awards because of eligibility – it's not available in all states.

Budget Direct and NRMA complaints information

Using data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), we can see how many motor insurance complaints the underwriters for Budget Direct (Auto & General) and NRMA (Insurance Australia Limited) have received and resolved.

UnderwriterComplaints received Complaints resolved at registration & referral Referral resolution rate
Auto & General Services Pty Ltd 143172350.56%
Insurance Australia Limited 141376053.82%

Finder's verdict

FAQs

Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 644 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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