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• Will my parent’s car insurance cover me as a P-plater?
• What types of car insurance can P-platers get?
• What doesn’t car insurance cover for P-platers?
• Does car insurance cost more for P-platers?
• How could I save on car insurance as a P-plater?
• What car insurance mistakes should I avoid as a P-plater?
• Where can I compare car insurance for P-platers?

Long story short

P-platers can choose from three levels of cover

There’s comprehensive, third-party property, fire and theft and third-party property car insurance.

A parent’s car insurance policy can also cover P-platers

Watch out for higher premiums and additional excesses, though. P-platers driving their own car should consider getting their own policy.

Car insurance can be more expensive for P-platers

Younger, inexperienced drivers can be a higher risk to insure, and a higher risk can mean higher costs.

P-platers can still save on car insurance costs

Parking in a garage, driving safely and comparing a range of policies are some ways to lower premiums.

Will my parent’s car insurance cover me as a P-plater?

Yes, in many cases, a parent’s car insurance policy will cover you when you drive their car, though you might need to be listed as a driver on their policy first. Before you get behind the wheel, it’s a good idea to check whether you’ll need to be listed or whether you’re automatically covered, as the conditions of cover can vary between policies and insurers. And bear in mind, an insurer can charge a higher premium to cover a driver under 25 and an additional driver excess or age excess if a younger driver causes an accident.

If you’re a P-plater and you drive your own car, you might want to consider getting your own car insurance policy. You could even add your parents or other regular drivers to the policy to avoid an unlisted driver excess if someone else is driving your car and has an accident.

Important

If you own a car and drive it more than anyone else, you must not list anyone with more driving experience than you, like a parent, as the main driver in the hopes of paying a lower premium – this is called ‘fronting’ and it’s considered insurance fraud.

What types of car insurance can P-platers get?

P-platers can get comprehensive, third-party property, fire and theft or third-party property car insurance. When deciding what type of policy to get, consider your budget and how much cover you want for your car. Comprehensive is the most expensive but also provides the highest level of cover.

• Comprehensive: A comprehensive policy can help cover your car and other people’s vehicles and property in an accident. You also get access to optional extras like choice of repairer or reduced windscreen excess to really get the most from your policy.
• Third-party property, fire and theft: A third-party property, fire and theft policy could help cover accidental damage you cause to other people’s vehicles and property while driving your car. It can also help cover your car if it’s damaged by fire or stolen.
• Third-party property: If you cause an accident, a third-party property policy can help cover accidental damage to other people’s property, but it won’t cover your own car.

Note: Compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance, or Green Slip if you’re in New South Wales (NSW), is mandatory for all registered cars, but it doesn’t cover the same things that car insurance covers. Instead, it covers injuries or deaths caused by a road accident – in other words, it covers people, not property. iSelect doesn’t compare CTP insurance policies.

Helpful tip

For novice drivers on a tight budget, third-party property, fire and theft insurance can strike a good balance between coverage and affordability, especially if the car you’re driving is fairly affordable. But remember that these policies won’t usually cover your car for collisions or storm damage – and even though the car may be cheap, it can still cost a similar amount to repair as a more expensive car.

Toby Hagon

Motoring Journalist

What doesn’t car insurance cover for P-platers?

As a P-plater, you should know that car insurance doesn’t cover loss of your car’s value caused by depreciation, general wear and tear or rust, nor does it cover breakdowns, flat tyres and undisclosed modifications – essentially, any events outside of accidental or unexpected damage or loss. Car insurance policies also come with a set of instances when you won’t be covered; like if you’re driving an unsafe car, while under the influence of drugs and alcohol or without a valid licence.

What you’re covered for can also depend on the level of cover you have. For instance, third-party car insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by weather events or vandalism or offer features like a hire car after a no-fault accident or new car replacement – only comprehensive car insurance can do that. You’ll get a better idea of what your car insurance covers by checking its Product Disclosure Statement.

Does car insurance cost more for P-platers?

Yes, on average, car insurance is more expensive for P-platers because they tend to be younger and less experienced, making them a higher risk for insurers than others on the road. Unfortunately, drivers are most likely to be in an accident in the first six months of having their license. So, with higher risk comes the increased likelihood that an insurer will have to pay out – that’s how younger drivers end up with higher premiums.

Customers aged under 25 quoted comprehensive car insurance through iSelect paid between $1,532 to $2,178 on average (depending on their state and not counting the Northern Territory), while customers aged 50 and over were quoted between $825 and $1,246 on average.¹Refer to table ‘Average comprehensive car insurance premiums for drivers under 25 and 50 and over’

Note: These figures represent the average annual indicative quote to insure a car in each specified state and territory for customers aged under 25 and 50 and over who purchased comprehensive car insurance through iSelect during the period 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026. Quote data includes indicative stamp duty and GST where applicable. Premiums have been rounded to the nearest dollar.

So, as you get older, that premium will likely come down. But keep in mind that insurers take more into account than your age and P-plates to calculate car insurance premiums: like your driving record and claims history, your car, where you keep it, how you use it and your chosen optional extras.

How could I save on car insurance as a P-plater?

As a P-plater, you could save on car insurance costs by choosing a low-risk car with a low market value, opting to pay a higher excess (if you can afford to) and letting your insurer know that you park your car in a safe and secure spot overnight. Comparing a range of policies is also a good idea if you want to find a better deal without compromising on cover (iSelect can help you with that).

Basically, the less risk you pose to insurers, the cheaper your insurance is likely to be. More specifically, to help lower your risk level, you could try:

• keeping your car in a locked garage when you’re not driving it
• picking a higher excess, or a voluntary excess on top of your basic excess
• choosing a low-kilometre or pay as you drive policy (if you don’t drive too often)
• being a safe driver to build that good history and attract no-claims discounts
• choosing a different payment schedule, like going from monthly instalments to an annual lump sum
• being strategic about your extras (for example, including roadside assistance, but removing choice of repairer)
• comparing a range of policies to find one that offers you better value, including at renewal time.

What car insurance mistakes should I avoid as a P-plater?

As a P-plater, avoid misrepresenting anything about your car and driving, including who drives and any modifications you’ve added, as well as breaking the rules of your provisional licence, including not displaying your P-plates or driving above your speed limit. Doing any of these things could void your car insurance. When it comes to buying car insurance, avoid underinsuring (or over-insuring) your car and going with the first plan you see rather than shopping around for better deals.

Here are the specifics:

• Don’t choose cover that doesn’t suit your budget or your car: Even if you love your car, it might not be worth going all out on top-tier insurance. Similarly, if you don’t have enough cover, you could be going out of pocket for some hefty repair bills.
• Don’t leave any drivers off the policy: Your insurance might not cover drivers who aren’t named on your policy, so if mates or family members will be driving your car, it could be worth getting them added.
• Don’t skip checking any car loan requirements: If you got a little financial help to buy your car, your contract may specify the level of car insurance needed.
• Don’t leave your insurer out of the loop: If your circumstances change, like if you move house or modify your car, you might want to notify your insurer about it. Otherwise, you could find future claims rejected.
• Don’t forget to shop around for policies: From the level of coverage to the premium, checking to see what’s on offer could help you find car insurance that’s a better match.

And remember, CTP insurance won’t cover any kind of property damage. So, not getting the appropriate type of car insurance can mean going out of pocket for unexpected repairs or replacement costs.

Where can I compare car insurance for P-platers?

You can compare a range of car insurance quotes for P-platers online with the iSelect comparison tool. Using the tool, you can find and weigh up car insurance quotes from some of Australia’s well-known car insurance brands. After you provide a few details such as your rego, how long you’ve had your licence and how much you use your car, you’ll get a range of policies to choose from, along with their features and premiums. When you’re locked in, you can buy the one you want and even specify when you want your policy’s cover to start – whether it’s the same day or a later date.