QBE and Budget Direct could not be separated at the top of the list for the CANSTAR Outstanding Value Car Insurance Award.
The award, which recognise state winners as well as those nationally, was split by the insurers thanks to their offerings across Australia.
CANSTAR's ratings for the best in each State
New South Wales – Budget Direct
Queensland – NRMA
Victoria – Budget Direct
South Australia – QBE
Western Australia – SGIO
Tasmania – Budget Direct
Budget Direct topped the scores in half the states – Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, while QBE was outright winner in South Australia. It was a hair’s breadth away in all other states, meaning that both insurers are deserved winners of the national accolade.
Budget Direct prides itself on its rock bottom premiums yet it still retains many unexpected benefits such as emergency
accommodation, personal effects cover, death benefits, rental car cover for up to 14 days and new for old replacement on a car
up to 2 years old.
QBE has made big inroads this year by reducing premiums in all but 2 of the 42 profiles. This resulted in QBE becoming very price
competitive, as well as retaining the exceptional feature score it is famous for. It excels in the area of claims and offers a suite of
features such as your choice of repairer, genuine parts, provision of a rental vehicle after accident or theft and, of course, very
strong customer satisfaction scores
“In 2015 Budget Direct and QBE couldn’t be separated for the value they provide,” the CANSTAR 2015 star ratings report into car insurance noted.
In Western Australia, SGIO took the crown while NRMA prevailed in Queensland.
Peter Jamieson, QBE general manager of direct distribution, spoke highly of the award and what it means to the QBE business.
“This award is excellent affirmation that we are delivering on our commitment to provide our customers with superior value car insurance that extends beyond price to comprehensive cover and product features,” Jamieson said.
“We are firmly focused on offering products that meet the changing needs of our customers and are extremely pleased to see we are outperforming the industry in this space.”
Research manager at CANSTAR, Mitchell Watson, congratulated QBE on its achievement and noted that the competitive motor industry proves a difficult battle-ground for insurers.
“With very competitive pricing and great-value features,QBE has performed exceptionally well to achieve our national award for outstanding value car insurance,” Watson said.
“Congratulations to QBE for its success in offering outstanding value car insurance to Australian motorists.”
CANSTAR analyse more than 22,000 quotes nationally and rate 61 car insurance policies from 53 insurance providers to determine the award winners.