Covering our wheels against the unexpected clearly remains a priority for Australian drivers, with nearly 80% having some form of optional car insurance, according to Youi’s 2025 Under the Hood Report.
But with many household budgets feeling the pinch, it makes sense to shop around and gather a few different car insurance estimates before buying or renewing a policy. It also stands to reason that you’ll want to get the most accurate quotes possible, to help you land on the right provider for your needs – and avoid any unwelcome surprises when it comes to the actual cost of your premium.
Many insurers now offer customers the ability to apply for car insurance estimates online, making the task of obtaining a policy quote quick and easy.
“Just remember, though, in order for insurers to accurately estimate car insurance costs for you, they’ll usually need to ask a range of questions about you, your vehicle and how you use it – and a car insurance quote is only as accurate as the information you provide,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
“So, if you’re out there comparing quotes across a range of insurers to find the right policy for you, it’s all about providing precise and consistent information.”
So how do car insurance estimates actually work? What information do insurers look at, will your premium be the same as your quote, and how can you avoid some of the common mistakes that can lead to potentially inaccurate quotes?
Whether you’re researching car insurance costs for the first time or looking to switch providers, this handy guide will help dig into all of that and more.
What exactly is a car insurance quote?
Put simply, a car insurance quote is an insurer’s estimate of how much your premium will be.1 Beyond the dollar amount, a quote might also typically include other details, such as:1
- What type of car insurance policy it’s for – Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Property Only
- Whether your car is insured for Market Value or Agreed Value
- Any optional cover you've requested
- Your excess1
- Any special conditions that apply
- Regular and listed drivers
How to estimate car insurance with Youi
“If you’re simply looking for an indicative range to get a quick sense of the average cost involved to insure a car like yours, at Youi, you can use our make and model calculator to get an instant car insurance estimate online,” says Jackson.
However, if you want a more personalised quote that’s specific to you and your situation, Jackson suggests starting a quote online.
“Simply visit our website, click ‘start a quote’ then follow the prompts. In most cases a Youi representative will call you to provide a custom quote based on your specific situation and needs,” she says.
“And, of course, if you’d rather start that process over the phone and speak to a real human from the get-go, you can always give us a call instead,” she says.
What information do I need for an accurate car insurance estimate?
“When putting together an insurance estimate for car cover, insurers look at lots of different factors, all of which help them assess your risk and the likelihood you might need to make a claim,” says Jackson.
Here are some of the details you may typically be asked to supply and some insight into why insurers collect them:
| Information | Why your insurer may ask for this |
| Level of cover1 | Comprehensive car insurance policies offer a higher level of cover and usually cost more.2 |
| Your age and gender1 | Younger drivers are generally considered less experienced and a higher risk to insure, which can impact the amount they pay for car insurance,3 however gender can play a role too. Young male drivers are often considered riskier to insure than young female drivers, while older female drivers may be considered higher risk than older male drivers.2 |
| Your vehicle make and model1 | The type of car you drive impacts how much it will cost to replace or repair.2 |
| Where you live1 | People who live in high-crime areas or places with an increased risk of extreme weather may pay more for car insurance.2 |
| Where you keep your car1 | If you park your car in a secure location, such as a garage, your premium may be lower.3 |
| How much you drive1 | Typically the more you drive, the more wear and tear on your car and the higher the risk of accident.2 |
| Your driving record1 | Safe drivers with minimal or no claims might find this helps them save on car insurance costs.3 |
| How much you want to insure your car for1 | You may pay less to insure your car for its Market Value rather than Agreed Value.2 |
| Your excess1 | Choosing a higher excess may lower your premium.2 |
Why does my car’s make and model impact my car insurance estimate?
“As we’ve seen, vehicle type is something insurers consider when calculating your car insurance quote. If your car is expensive, a newer model, or has modifications, it will generally be more costly to repair or replace if you need to claim — and that can lead to a higher premium,” says Jackson.
“At Youi, we also consider a vehicle’s risk of theft as part of your quote.”
That’s because some vehicles are more likely to be targeted by thieves. For example, in 2025, the three most stolen cars in Victoria were the Holden Commodore, Toyota Corolla and Toyota HiLux.4
Car insurance estimates by make and model
To help you gauge some car insurance estimates by car make and model, we’ve put together the following table, featuring Australia’s top-selling cars of 2025 and current data* from Youi’s make and model calculator:
| Make and model | Estimated cost of Comprehensive car insurance with Youi6 |
| Ford Ranger | $1,045 to $2,3446 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $804 to $1,6046 |
| Toyota HiLux | $951 to $2,3236 |
| Isuzu D-Max | $891 to $2,0696 |
| Ford Everest | $1,025 to $1,9526 |
| Toyota LandCruiser Prado | $1,051 to $1,9366 |
| Hyundai Kona | $733 to $1,6206 |
| Mazda CX-5 | $819 to $1,6046 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $791 to $1,5256 |
| Tesla Model Y | $1,549 to $2,9256 |
*All figures correct as of 06 Mar 2026.
Looking for a quick and easy car insurance cost estimator for your own vehicle? Just enter its details into Youi’s make and model calculator tool for an instant car insurance estimate for Comprehensive cover.
3 tips for getting accurate car insurance estimates online
Ready to apply for a more personalised car insurance quote? Here are a few things you might wish to keep in mind:
1. Provide all the information
Not only is providing correct information the key to getting a more accurate quote, it’s also your contractual obligation.7
When you buy insurance, you’re expected to take reasonable care when answering the questions asked, making sure the information you provide is accurate, complete, and not misleading. This helps your insurer properly assess your risk and set up your policy on the right terms.7
Giving incomplete or incorrect details could cause problems later. If missing or incorrect information would have affected your insurer’s decision to offer cover, a claim may be reduced or declined, and in serious cases the policy could even be cancelled.8
“That’s why it’s important to take a moment to double check your answers when you’re getting a quote. Details such as who drives the car, where it’s normally kept, any preexisting damage, and your previous insurance history all play a role in ensuring your cover works the way it should if you ever need to make a claim”, explains Jackson.
2. Choose the right insured value for your vehicle
If you choose to insure your car for its Agreed Value rather than Market Value, you’ll usually be required to nominate your own cover amount.
“At Youi, Agreed Value is the amount we agree to insure your car for at the time of loss and our customers are asked to select a value from within the range offered,” explains Jackson.9
“Before settling on a number, however, it might be useful to research your car’s market value to help you set a realistic benchmark that will cover your replacement costs if you need to make a claim.”
Some free resources that can help you research your car’s value include:
3. Compare multiple quotes
Car insurance quotes can vary by more than $500 for the same driver and vehicle.10 That’s why it may be a good idea to compare a few different policies.11
Some things to look out for when comparing policies include:11
- What’s covered – for example, roadside assistance or cover for personal items
- What’s excluded – for example, intentional damage, storm damage or mechanical failure
- Discount eligibility
- How much excess you’ll pay, and when it applies.11
Will my car insurance premium be the same as my quote?
Put simply, the more accurate the details you provide, the more likely it is that your premium will match your quote.
“At Youi, when you complete your quote over the phone with one of our sales advisors, we can put your cover in place straight away. The premium will be as quoted, provided all the details you’ve given us are correct and confirmed during the process ,” says Jackson.
“If you need a little more time, your quote remains valid for 30 days — provided nothing changes. It’s up to you to ensure all the information you’ve given us is accurate, and if any details need to be updated when you proceed, your premium may change from your initial car insurance estimate. For example, this could happen if you receive your new car and find the model specifications differ from what you originally quoted on, or if you realise you need to add another listed driver to the policy.”
Keen to pin down an accurate car insurance estimate? Visit Youi’s car insurance page to learn more about our coverage options or start a quote today.
1 Source: Canstar – What to look for when comparing car insurance quotes, December 2020
2 Source: Canstar – How much does car insurance cost?, March 2025
3 Source: Canstar – How is car insurance calculated in 2025?, January 2025
4 Source: Drive – Holden Commodore still most stolen car in Victoria, but Toyota challenging, January 2026
5 Source: CarsGuide – Australia’s 100 best selling cars for 2025, January 2026
6 The information displayed is based on Youi internal data for Comprehensive policies sold for the make and models between 06 Sep 2025 and 06 Mar 2026.
7 Source: Legal Aid Queensland – Insurance
8 Source: Legal Services SA – The insured’s duty of disclosure, 2021
9 Available with Comprehensive policies. For full details, see the Car PDS.
10 Source: CHOICE – How to find the best car insurance policy
11 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance
