If award-winning products and service are of great importance to you, it’s worth considering QBE. Beyond industry recognition, the insurer offers relatively high levels of cover for accidental damage and emergency transport and accommodation, compared to the competition. It also provides a new-for-old car replacement if your car is written off up to three years after registration, rather than within 24 months, as required by most insurers. However, no roadside assistance and limited discounts may be enough to encourage you to look elsewhere.
Pros
- Positive customer reviews
- Personal items covered up to $1000
- After-accident care up to $1000
Cons
- No roadside assistance available
- Limited discounts
Table of Contents
About QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance
Headquartered in Sydney, QBE is a multinational insurance company, which has been operating for almost 140 years. QBE stands for Queensland Insurance, Bankers’ and Traders’ Insurance Company, and Equitable Life and General Insurance Co., three companies which merged in 1973, marking the beginning of the insurer developing into the organisation that it is today.
QBE’s comprehensive offering is its most popular form of car insurance for Australians, which is unsurprising as generally drivers tend to prefer this type of cover, designed to protect against the widest range of misfortunes.
In addition to car insurance, QBE’s other products include cover for boats, motorcycles, caravans and the home, some of which has won it recognition over the years. Recent awards include The Platinum Trusted Service Award 2024 from Feefo for outstanding service, and the Mozo Experts Choice Exceptional Quality Car and Home & Contents Insurance 2023.
What Is Covered?
QBE’s comprehensive car insurance is for drivers looking for the widest range of benefits, and the highest cover levels, the insurer has to offer.
Break ins, accidents, and after accident care
As standard with comprehensive car insurance policies, QBE’s covers accidental damage done to a car, or other property, regardless of whether it belongs to you or someone else, and who is responsible.
The insurer offers some of the highest levels of cover, compared to the competition, with up to $1,000 for the damage or loss of personal items in your car, and separate cover for baby capsules and child seats.
Another maximum $1,000 is available to cover emergency transport and accommodation costs, where you are left stranded, while a hire car is provided in the case of a no-fault accident. What the insurer deems ‘reasonable’ costs for towing your car to the nearest repairer or safe location, and for storage are also covered.
Windscreen cover can be bolted on to the policy for an additional premium, with no excess to pay on related claims. The excess is a set portion of any accepted claim that you would be expected to pay.
Potentially off putting for some, a ‘no claims bonus’ does not feature on this policy, for a discount at renewal, in accordance with the number of years you have gone without claiming.
Will QBE replace my car if it’s written off?
Unlike most car insurers, QBE will offer a new-for-old car replacement within three years from its first registration, rather than within the typical two-year timeframe.
The car must have been purchased new, or as a demonstrator model, and driven fewer than 60,000km.
Can I choose my own repairer?
The ability to choose a repairer for your vehicle is offered as an optional add-on at an extra cost on QBE’s comprehensive policy. Insurers rarely include it as a standard feature of their policies. Without the add-on, QBE will choose a repairer it sees fit for you.
Is free roadside assistance included?
Free roadside assistance is absent from QBE’s policies, and is not available as a purchasable add-on.
QBE Customer Service (aka How Easy is it to Make a Claim?)
You can make a claim on a QBE policy in one of two ways. Customers can call the 24/7 phone line: 133 723, 24/7 or complete the process online.
The claims process is outlined on the QBE website, but you can call the above contact number with an urgent query, or fill out an online query form, for a response within one to two business days.
QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance: Extras and Exclusions
Key to a fit-for-purpose car insurance policy is tailoring it to your needs, and budget. QBE’s optional extras such as for windscreen cover and a choice of repairer, allow you to do so.
However, as with all car insurance policies, there are some common exclusions on cover to bear in mind. For instance, QBE will not cover claims resulting from intentional acts, and driving under the influence.
Neither will QBE accept claims if you refused a drug or alcohol test, or were involved in illegal activities. The vehicle must not have been in an unroadworthy condition, driven in an unsafe condition or used by an unlicensed driver.
The insurer also does not cover rideshare and food deliveries, or general wear and tear of the vehicle. You can find the full terms and conditions for cover, including the full breadth of exclusions in the policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS), on the insurer’s website.
Can I Get A Discount On QBE Comprehensive Car Insurance?
QBE rewards new customers with a $75 dollar discount should you purchase its comprehensive car cover online.
While it does not offer a set discount on the policy premium (the amount you must pay for your cover) for driving infrequently, it does factor the number of kilometres you drive into its premium calculation.
About Star Rankings
You will note that we have included a star rating next to the product or provider reviewed. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is QBE car insurance good?
QBE made our pick of the best comprehensive car insurance providers, ranking 8th place, out of 10, indicating how it fares against the competition.
Highlights include positive customer reviews and $1,000 each for personal items, and after accident care. However, this insurer does not provide roadside assistance, and offers limited discounts compared to some others.
What is QBE’s telephone number for car insurance?
QBE operates a 24/7 telephone line for urgent queries and claims: : 133 723. Customers can also submit claims online, or use its online query form for a response within one to two business days.
How do I cancel QBE car insurance?
A 21-day cooling-off period applies from the start or renewal date of your QBE policy, during which you can receive a full refund if you decide you no longer need the cover.
You can cancel your policy outside of the cooling-off period by contacting QBE and making a request. If you’ve paid your premium in advance, it will refund the portion of the premium for the remaining policy term.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
