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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 South Australia?
From the bustling streets of Adelaide to the scenic beauty of Kangaroo Island, car insurance can give you that worry-free feeling while you explore the diverse landscapes and vibrant culture of the Festival State. While compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance is mandatory in South Australia, it’s a good idea to think about higher levels of car insurance.
What’s driving like in South Australia?
It’s a sad fact to state, but a lot of people lose their lives on South Australian roads. As of 4 November 2025, there were 72 fatal crashes and 597 crashes that resulted in serious injuries.1South Australia Police – Traffic statistics Though the state’s been seeing fewer car insurance claims related to car thefts, the probability of your car being stolen in South Australia is never zero – making car insurance a good failsafe.
What different types of car insurance are available in South Australia?
Compulsory third-party
Compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance is mandatory for every driver in Australia. In SA, it’s paid at the same time as your car registration. SA’s CTP insurance is designed to protect you against liability if you cause injury or death to another road user, while also providing support to those who’ve been injured in a road accident. But it doesn’t cover property damage, a driver who was fully at fault, or an accident that was nobody’s fault.
Third-party property
If you have an at-fault accident, let’s say you rear-ended your neighbour’s new Ferrari, third-party property insurance could help cover the damage. Sadly, it doesn’t cover the damage to your own car or property. So, if you take out this type of insurance, you’ll have to pay for your repairs out of pocket.
Third-party property, fire, and theft
Third-party property, fire, and theft insurance covers third-party property damage. But on top of that, it also helps cover damage or loss to your car caused by fire or theft. However it’s important to remember, this cover still doesn’t cover damage caused to your car in an accident where you’re at fault.
Comprehensive
The top cover available in SA is comprehensive car insurance. Whether an accident is your fault or not, a comprehensive policy will help cover damage to other people’s property and vehicles, as well as your own. Depending on your provider and the policy you choose, it might also cover other events like hail or storm damage.
On top of this, you can often add extras, which could include personal effects cover and roadside assistance.
What can different types of car insurance cover in South Australia?
| 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 |
| Compulsory third-party (CTP) | No | No | No | Yes |
| Third-party property | No | Yes | No | No (but covered by CTP) |
| Third-party property, fire, and theft | No | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by CTP) |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (but covered by CTP) |
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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.
Helpful tip
Most policies are a little bit different when it comes to how much cover they provide and the kinds of things they cover. You’ll always want to check the policy’s product disclosure statement to find out exactly what you’re getting – and what’s excluded – before committing to anything.
Toby Hagon
Motoring Journalist
How much does car insurance cost in South Australia?
To answer this question, check out the average cost of comprehensive car insurance premiums for iSelect customers across South Australia (depending on their ages and genders).
Average comprehensive car insurance premiums in South Australia, 2024–25
| Age | Female | Male |
| 18–24 | $1,265 | $1,188 |
| 25–29 | $1,207 | $1,210 |
| 30–44 | $1,007 | $981 |
| 45+ | $831 | $763 |
Source: Based on iSelect comprehensive car insurance sales, July 2024 – June 2025
What affects the cost of my car insurance in South Australia?
If you’re trying to figure out how much your car insurance will cost in SA, there are quite a few factors that come into play. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look out for:
Age
Younger drivers, especially those under 25, often face higher premiums because they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. On the flip side, experienced drivers typically enjoy lower rates.
Car
The make, model, and age of your vehicle significantly impact the cost. A Tesla or Mustang tends to attract higher premiums than a second-hand Mitsubishi Lancer, due to their repair costs and theft risk. Also, cars with good safety ratings might lower your insurance costs.
Excess
Car insurance excess is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket when making a claim. A higher excess usually means a lower premium, but it also means you’ll pay more if you need to make a claim.
Driving record
A clean driving history with no or few claims makes you a lower risk for insurers, often resulting in lower premiums. A history of accidents, traffic violations, or claims can increase your costs.
Where you live
Urban areas with higher traffic and crime rates generally lead to higher premiums compared to regional locations due to the increased likelihood of accidents and theft.
Optional extras
Additional coverage options like roadside assistance, rental car cover, or windscreen replacement can increase your premium but provide extra peace of mind.
How can I reduce my car insurance premiums?
Like any savvy customer, you’ll want to get a great policy at the lowest possible price. The following options can try and help you on this front – especially when it comes to reducing your premiums. But just make sure that they work with your budget and what you need out of car insurance, too!
Explore payment options
Some providers charge less for your premiums if you pay in one lump sum every year instead of monthly instalments. Still, others might be a little more flexible and won’t charge extra if you pay monthly.
Do a regular policy check
At renewal time, you may want to have a look around to see if there’s a better option out there.
Bump up your excess
If you volunteer to pay a higher excess then this will usually reduce your premiums, just make sure you can pull together the excess amount should you need to make a claim.
Age-restricting drivers
Restrict the age of drivers on your policy to over a given age, such as 25 or 30, even 40, and you could land yourself a cheaper premium.
Finally, it’s important to note that a cheaper policy isn’t always better. You’ll want to check the policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) to ensure you’re getting the cover you need as well as a good price. You don’t want to make a claim only to be told the policy doesn’t cover you!
Frequently asked questions
What are some things to consider when looking at comprehensive car insurance in South Australia?
Depending on the insurer, some features might be automatically included with the policy. Others will be optional extras that you can add to your policy at an extra cost. What’s on offer will usually differ from policy to policy, but it will typically include some of the following:
- Personal effects cover: This can help cover the cost of replacing some of the valuables inside your car if they’re damaged or stolen. This may include things like clothing, electronics, and child safety seats, but it really depends on the terms offered by the insurer.
- Towing following an accident: It won’t always be safe (or possible) for you to drive your car after a nasty bingle. Fortunately, some insurers will cover the cost of towing your car so that it can be stored in a safe place and repaired. Double-check with your insurer to see if this is included in your policy and whether any limits apply.
- Agreed or market value: Some insurers will offer you the option to agree on the amount that your car will be insured for, also known as the agreed value. This way, if you have an accident resulting in your car being written off, you’ll know how much your payout will be. The alternative is market value, where payment would be based on your car’s – you guessed it – market value at the time of the claim.
- Hire car: If you rely on your car to get you from A to B to C to D, you might find yourself in a bit of a pickle if it’s damaged in an accident. The good news is, some insurers can offer you a replacement car for some time while yours is being repaired.
- Roadside assistance: Some policies will include roadside assistance, while others may offer it as an add-on. So if you drive an old bomb that might break down often, or if you simply don’t know how to change a tyre, having roadside assistance can be a real lifesaver. Double-check your policy to see what exactly is included and whether there’s a cap on how far you can be from home when you call them for help.
- New for old 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 limit.
Do I need car insurance in South Australia if CTP is included in my registration?
With CTP being compulsory in South Australia, you might think it’s the only cover you’ll ever need. And while it’s the only type of car insurance that’s a legal requirement, there’s a lot it doesn’t cover.
For an illustration, let’s look at the following example:
Fictional scenario: Peter’s Porsche problem
Peter’s normally a pretty good driver. He also loves classic rock. There’s just something about those big, crunchy riffs that he can’t resist.
Unfortunately, one sunny Thursday, while driving to the shops, he gets a little distracted jamming out to KISS’s ‘Strutter’ on the radio and gets into a car accident. The accident is 100% his fault, and to make matters worse, he’s crashed into the back of a pricey Porsche!
Luckily nobody is hurt, but Peter panics for a moment. He whips out his phone and double checks his certificate of insurance. With a sigh of relief, Peter reaffirms that he has third-party property insurance.
Fortunately, this policy covers damage to another person’s car, so all he needs to do is exchange insurance information and make a claim. Now he only needs to pay for his excess and the repair costs to his own car.
If all he had was CTP, then Peter would’ve had to pay the repairs for this ludicrously expensive car out of pocket.
Phew – crisis averted!
As we can see, third-party property insurance might just save you a world of trouble if you get into a car accident. And comprehensive car insurance can go even further, covering some of the repair costs if your own car is damaged.
Does South Australia have a high rate of car thefts?
In the 12 months to June 2025, South Australia had about 3,469 reported car thefts – down by 6% from the previous year. And reports of personal effects being stolen from inside a vehicle were down by 19%, at 7,553.2South Australia Police – Offences reported or becoming known to police as of June 2025
With motor vehicle related thefts going down, you might say things are looking up for SA – but try saying that to someone who’s just had their car stolen! The fact remains that the figures are still in the thousands. So, it’s worth getting protection from incidents of theft with a third-party property, fire, and theft or a comprehensive car insurance policy.
Which cars get stolen the most in South Australia?
Toyotas, specifically LandCruisers, Camrys, and Corollas, were some of the most stolen cars in South Australia in 2023–24, with the Mazda 3 and Holden Commodore joining in to make up the top-five list.
Unfortunately, the Commodore has made a name for itself among Australia’s car thieves! In Australia, car thefts involving Holdens shot up by more than 90% in the year up to January 2025. Other prime targets were models from the Toyota family made in the 2010s such as the HiLux, LandCruiser, RAV4, and 86 – thefts of these cars increased by 76 per cent. Subarus weren’t spared either, with a 107 per cent rise in thefts of models made between 2015 and 2018.3news.com.au – Australia’s most stolen cars revealed as cops warn of new method
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.