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Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettWe compare many well-known car insurers
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all policies offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers. Learn more.
How does car insurance work in the ACT?
Whether you’re headed to Parliament House or gearing up for a 4WD adventure in the Brindies, you never know when you’re going to have a prang. Getting car insurance in the ACT can help get you back on the road. Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance can cover your liability for personal injury or fatalities resulting from an accident. But without the right kind of additional car insurance, you might be left going out of pocket for accidental damage.
What’s driving like in the ACT?
The Bush Capital has historically had the lowest rate of fatal car crashes in Australia. As of May 2025, the ACT had nine road deaths compared to the 350 in NSW, 303 in Queensland, and 299 in Victoria.1Australian Automobile Association – Road deaths hit 15-year high While that figure’s a cause to celebrate, it doesn’t account for less serious crashes. Unfortunately, these do still happen – and if you’ve ever entered a Parkes Way roundabout during rush hour, you probably won’t forget it. So, it might be a safe choice to buckle up with a solid car insurance policy.
What types of car insurance are available in the ACT?
Motor Accident Injuries (MAI)
The Australian Capital Territory used to offer compulsory third party (CTP) insurance to cover someone if they caused accidental death or injury while driving. On 1 February 2020, this was replaced by Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Scheme.
MAI insurance basically covers the same things as CTP insurance. So, if you get into a car accident that injures or kills another person, MAI will cover the costs of their medical treatment, lost income, funeral expenses, and any death benefits to their dependants. It also covers the driver who caused the accident, whether it was yourself or another person.
Canberrans will buy MAI as part of their motor vehicle registration. It is mandatory car insurance but you can currently choose between four different insurers when registering your vehicle: AAMI, GIO, NRMA and Apia.
Third-party property
As the name suggests, third-party property insurance can help cover damage to other people’s vehicles and property caused by an accident that was your fault. While this provides different coverage from MAI, it doesn’t cover damage to your car or property.
Third-party property, fire, and theft
Third-party property, fire, and theft insurance can help cover damage to your car caused by fire, or help you out if your car’s stolen. It also covers third-party property damage. This is a step up in cover, but it still doesn’t cover damage caused to your car in an at-fault accident.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive car insurance is the top of the tree. It can help cover damage to other people’s property and vehicles as well as your own, whether an accident is your fault or not. In some cases, it also covers weather events like hail or storm damage.
A comprehensive policy might come with options to add extras to your cover, like a hire car, or windscreen cover. These options vary between providers and while some might be covered in the original premium, others might incur an additional cost.
What can different types of car insurance cover in the ACT?
| Car Insurance type | Damage to your car | Damage to another person’s car or property | Damage or loss caused by theft | Injuries or death to others in an accident |
| Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) | No | No | No | Yes |
| Third-party property | No | Yes | No | No (but covered by MAI) |
| Third-party property, fire, and theft | No | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by MAI) |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by MAI) |
Why buy with iSelect?
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Since 2018, iSelect has helped Aussies compare car insurance almost 2 million times.
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FOUND THE SAME POLICY CHEAPER?
WE’LL GIVE YOU A $100 E-GIFT CARD
When it comes to comprehensive car insurance, we’re confident that you’ll get the same price through iSelect as going direct to the insurer.
So, if within 30 days after buying with us, you find the identical policy (commencing within two days of the quote) with a lower annual premium from the same insurer, we’ll give you a $100 e-gift card.*
How to buy with iSelect
Get acquainted
Tell us about your car and what you’re looking for, and we’ll get to work.
Explore your options
We’ll show you policies side by side, including their monthly premiums, inclusions, and exclusions, along with any optional extras.
Pick your favourite
You’re in control. Let us know which policy you want to buy, and we’ll set you up then and there.
Say goodbye to your old policy
All that’s left to do is let your previous insurer know that it’s over between you and them.
‘When I lived in Canberra, I was young and broke and definitely didn’t spend any time thinking about insurance. That meant I only had the MAI insurance that came with my registration … and then I rear-ended an Audi. The repair cost me more money than I could even imagine at the time, but it could have been a lot more! If I could go back, I’d tell my younger and more foolish self to at least get third-party property insurance.’
Ellie Garran
Digital Editor, iSelect
How much does car insurance cost in the ACT?
Car insurance costs are tied to your level of risk as a driver. That includes details specific to you, like your driving history and whether you garage your car. It also includes how your demographic stacks up statistically – that is, how likely someone of your age and gender is to get in a crash.
Average comprehensive car insurance premiums in the ACT, 2024–25
| Age | Female | Male |
| 18–24 | $1,449 | $1,595 |
| 25–29 | $969 | $1,045 |
| 30–44 | $961 | $965 |
| 45+ | $886 | $996 |
Source: Based on iSelect comprehensive car insurance sales, July 2024 – June 2025
What affects the cost of my car insurance in the ACT?
There are quite a few factors to consider if you’re budgeting for car insurance. Here are some you’d typically need to get smart with:
Car
The make, model, and age of your vehicle significantly impact your premium. Pricier cars tend to attract higher premiums due to their potential repair costs. On the other hand, cars with good safety ratings might lower your insurance costs.
How secure your car is
Parking your car in a garage or under a carport, as opposed to street parking, can reduce its chances of being stolen – as can engine immobilisers, car alarms, and GPS trackers. This reduces the overall risk to your insurer.
Excess
Car insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket when making a claim, and some insurers may offer you the option of choosing the excess you pay. A higher excess usually means a lower premium.
Where you live
Areas with denser traffic and higher crime rates generally lead to higher premiums due to the increased likelihood of accidents and theft.
Optional extras
Additional coverage options like rental car cover, personal effects cover, and windscreen replacement can increase your premium. But these extras can offer more value and provide that ‘extra’ peace of mind.
What can I do to reduce my car insurance premiums?
Check your policy regularly
At renewal time, you might want to have a look around to see if there’s a better option out there.
Maintain a clean driving record
A clean driving history with no or few claims might place you lower on the risk meter, often resulting in lower premiums. A history of accidents, traffic violations, or claims can raise a red flag that might be hard to ignore.
Increase your excess
A car insurance excess is how much you’ll pay out of your own pocket when you make a claim. A higher excess means a lower premium, but it also means you’re taking on more financial risk if you make a claim.
Restrict younger drivers
You might be able to score a cheaper premium by adding an age restriction on your policy, such as restricting drivers younger than 25 (commonly seen by insurers as high-risk) from driving your car.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that a cheaper policy isn’t necessarily better. Check the policy’s product disclosure statement to ensure that it will give you the cover you need, when you need it.
What car insurance should I choose?
Frequently asked questions
What should I consider when looking for car insurance in the ACT?
Choosing comprehensive car insurance can be a bit more involved than MAI or third-party car insurance. Your insurer might even offer a selection of optional extras:
- Personal effects coverage: Do you tend to keep personal items, such as your handbag, mobile phone, or clothing, inside your car? This can help cover the replacement costs if they’re damaged or stolen.
- Vehicle towing after an accident: This will help cover the costs of having your vehicle towed to the nearest repairer after an accident.
- Agreed or market value: Many insurers let you choose between these two types of cover. Agreed value policies insure your car for a fixed sum when you make a total loss claim, and can cost more. Market value means that payout will be calculated based on your car’s condition and current value at the time of a claim.
- Hire car access: Some policies might offer access to a hire car in certain circumstances, while others might charge an additional premium for this feature.
- Roadside assistance: Check with your insurer to see if roadside assistance is included under your cover, any cost associated, and how far from home it will provide help if you get stuck.
- New car replacement: Some insurers offer to replace a vehicle in a total loss claim with a new car of the same make and model if yours is within a certain age and kilometre limit.
Some policies might include some of these features as part of your comprehensive cover, without requiring you to pay extra. But it really depends on the terms of your policy and can vary from insurer to insurer. For this reason, you’ll always want to check out the policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) to find out which features are included, and which are offered as optional extras.
Is MAI the only car insurance I need in the ACT?
It comes down to your situation and what level of protection (and peace of mind) you’re after.
If you get into an accident, MAI insurance will provide a safety net that could help cover the medical costs of any injured drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. But if you damage the other driver’s vehicle or someone else’s property, the repair costs could come straight out of your pocket.
Only a third-party property, third-party fire and theft, or a comprehensive policy will cover the repair costs if you damage another person’s vehicle.
And if you’re at fault, a comprehensive policy could help cover some or all the repair costs of your own vehicle if it’s damaged in the accident.
These are the things to think about when deciding whether you need extra coverage on top of what MAI provides.
Is it worth protecting myself against car theft in the ACT?
Unfortunately, the ACT doesn’t have a stellar record when it comes to motor vehicle theft.
In 2024, More than 1,000 cars were stolen in the ACT. As of September 2025, the tally for the calendar year stood at 680. In 2025, the number of stolen cars as of September was 680.2ACT Policing – Offense Statistics
Some prime target areas for car thieves have been Fyshwick, Kingston, Gungahlin, Braddon, and City Hill.
All these facts and figures mean one thing: There’s always a possibility of your car being stolen in the ACT, and it might be time to get a third-party property, fire, and theft or comprehensive insurance policy, if you don’t have one yet.
Don’t forget to get a car alarm, too!
Which cars get stolen the most?
Toyota, Holden, and Ford top the thieves’ list for their favourite car brands to steal. Kia, Jeep, Land Rover, and Isuzu are also at risk.
Unfortunately, the Holden Commodore’s infamous reputation for being one of the most stolen cars has stuck. Toyota models like the HiLux, LandCruiser, Camry, Prado, and RAV4 are also a prime target.
What are some car insurance providers in Australia?
If you’re keen to compare a range of policies, the iSelect comparison tool can help you find the right fit. It’s quick and easy – might even take less time than finding when your left your car keys! Some insurers that iSelect can help you compare include:
Other car insurers in the market include:
- AAMI
- Allianz
- ANZ
- Bingle
- Bupa
- CGU
- GIO
- NRMA
- QBE
- RAC
- RACQ
- RACT
- RACV
- Real Insurance
- Shannons
- Suncorp Insurance
- Toyota Insurance
- Virgin Money
- Westpac
- Youi.
Note: iSelect does not compare all car insurance providers in the market, or all products offered by our partners in your area.
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iSelect General Pty Ltd (ABN 90 131 798 126. AFSL 334115) has partnered with Compare the Market (ABN 83 117 323 378. AFSL 422926) to compare a range of car insurers and policies. Not all providers in the market or all policies offered by the partners are compared and not all policies or special offers are available to all customers.
A number of our participating general insurance brands are arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909 on behalf of Auto & General Insurance Company Limited 111 586 353, both of which are related entities of iSelect Limited. Our relationship with those companies does not impact the integrity of our comparison service. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold that is a percentage of the premium or a flat fee. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services.