Whether your car insurance renewal has just landed in your inbox, or you’re sorting out cover for the first time, there’s a decision to make: Do you simply hit renew or buy the first policy you find and move on? Or should you start considering whether you could land a better deal elsewhere?
If you do decide to explore your options, the next question might be, “Should I start comparing quotes myself online or enlist the services of a car insurance broker to do the legwork for me?”.
To help you work out which option might best fit your situation, we’ve put together this informative guide that digs into how insurance brokers work, the circumstances when they might prove particularly helpful, and when buying a policy online might prove the better option. We’ve also included some tips for comparing car insurance quotes effectively yourself.
Using an insurance broker for car insurance
Insurance brokers are specialists who know the market well and can work for you to find the most suitable insurance for your needs.1
How do car insurance brokers work?
When you’re weighing up the pros and cons of using an insurance broker for car insurance, it can help to understand exactly what it is they do and how they get paid. Here are a few things to bear in mind:
- A car insurance broker will collect quotes, analyse the fine print, work to get you better prices, and break down what your policy actually covers.1
- They can also step in to take control of the claims process if you need to make a claim on a policy they’ve organised for you.2
- Brokers may charge a fee for their services which, if you’re only after a straightforward car insurance policy, could mean paying more than if you’d organised the insurance yourself.2
- Some brokers may receive commission payments from certain insurance companies2 – they’re obligated to disclose this to you,3 but this may mean consumers aren’t always presented with the complete range of potential insurance options.4
Who might benefit from using a vehicle insurance broker?
Using a broker to find a car insurance policy won’t suit everyone, but there are certain situations where it’s an option that could be worth considering.2
“Many Australians buy car insurance directly [from an insurer], and for simpler scenarios, for example, insuring one standard vehicle for personal use, that can work out fine,” says Richard Klipin, Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA).
“Where a broker can add real value [in helping to find insurance] is when the risk or situation is more complex than that.”
Listed below are a few such examples of when using a broker to find and purchase car insurance may be of particular benefit:
- If you own a non-standard vehicle: “Modified cars, prestige vehicles, classic cars, caravans and campers or vehicles with expensive accessories can sometimes need tighter specifications of what’s covered and how it’s valued,” says Klipin.
- If you’re insuring a fleet of vehicles: Business owners in this situation may find it’s more efficient to outsource car insurance negotiations to a broker.2
- If you use your car for a rideshare or delivery business: “Or if a vehicle is used by multiple staff members,” adds Klipin. “How cars are used and who drives them can materially change cover and claim outcomes.”
How to find a broker for car insurance
If you are interested in using a car insurance broker, Klipin has some advice.
“The best first step is to be clear about why you want help,” he says. “For example, is it to find the right cover for a non-standard situation? Is it about making sure you’re properly covered for business use? Or is it about wanting trusted guidance and support at claim time?”
Klipin recommends then seeking out a broker with a background and line of specialty that aligns with your specific needs. “Not every broker focuses on the same mix of insurance lines; some brokers might be generalists, and some have deeper experience with particular customers and risk types,” he says.
You can use NIBA’s online Need a Broker service to search for qualified brokers who specialise in car insurance rather than, for example, a specialist business insurance broker.
Alternatively, you can also use the following links to find any one of the following:
- Insurance broker in Brisbane
- Insurance broker in Melbourne
- Insurance broker in Sydney
- Insurance broker in Perth
- Insurance broker in Adelaide
- Insurance broker in Hobart
- Insurance broker in Canberra
Comparing online car insurance quotes yourself
Jumping online to explore different car insurance options and collecting your own quotes puts you in control of finding the insurance that best fits your needs.
What’s involved in getting online quotes
Before you start shopping around for car insurance yourself, it may be useful to understand the process involved in collecting online quotes. Here are a few things to consider:
- Gathering quotes yourself does mean devoting a bit of time, but it can save money because you’re not paying someone else to do it for you.2 At Youi, it costs nothing to start a car insurance quote online. We may follow up with a call so we can provide the most accurate quote for you and your circumstances.
- It can be a good idea to work out what level of car insurance cover would suit you best before you start getting quotes, whether that’s Comprehensive insurance, Third Party Fire & Theft insurance or Third Party Property Only insurance.5
- Insurance comparison sites might help to speed up the process of finding and comparing quotes;6 however, not all sites are independent. Some may promote policies from insurers that pay them the highest commission ahead of others that might genuinely suit your circumstances better and cost less.7
How to compare online car insurance quotes
When you’re ready to start comparing quotes, there are a few steps you can take to increase the likelihood of finding the best cover for your individual circumstances – not just the lightest on your wallet.
- Step 1: Check for comparable cover. As well as making sure each quote is for the same type of policy or level of cover, compare the exclusions and inclusions. For example, does every Comprehensive car insurance policy you’ve sought out a quote for cover damage caused by severe weather and vandalism? And is roadside assistance included as standard or for an extra fee?5
- Step 2: Double check the details. Car insurance premiums depend on a variety of factors, including how you use your car, who’ll be driving it, and where it’s usually parked.5 Make sure you’ve used the same information to generate each quote, to get a more accurate picture of potential costs.
- Step 3: Use the same excess. Choosing a higher excess, which is the amount you pay when you make a claim, may result in a lower premium5 – so when you’re comparing quotes, try to make sure the excess amount selected is consistent each time.
“If you’re considering insuring with Youi, give us a call. Our team will talk you through the key details so you can feel confident you’re choosing a policy that meets your needs,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle. “Once you purchase your policy, we’ll send your full policy documents, which outline what’s included, as well as any limits or exclusions, so you have a clear record of exactly what you’ve signed up for.”
Now that you know more about how car insurance brokers work and how to compare online quotes yourself, you’ll hopefully feel more confident in choosing the best option for your needs and circumstances. If you’re curious to see whether one of Youi’s car insurance policies might be a good fit for you, check out our range of policies or consider starting a quote, which you can do online or by giving us a call on 13 9684.
1 Source: Insurance Council of Australia – ABC’s of General Insurance
2 Source: Canstar – Car insurance brokers: what do they do?, June 2025
3 Source: Parliament of Australia General Insurance Report, Chapter 3 – Transparency and the current product disclosure regime
4 Source: Australian Competition & Consumer Commission – Re: Independent Review of the 2022 Insurance Brokers Code of Practice, April 2025
5 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance
6 Source: ABC News – Comparison sites won’t always get you the best deal. Here’s why, April 2021
7 Source: CHOICE – The trouble with insurance comparison sites, October 2024
