
Budget Direct is a well-established insurance provider that offers a range of policies to suit different needs and budgets. They have been in the industry for over 20 years, with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand.
Their policies are designed to be flexible and affordable, with options to suit different lifestyles and circumstances. For example, their comprehensive car insurance policy offers a range of features, including windscreen cover and new car replacement.
Budget Direct's customer service is also noteworthy, with a 24/7 claims hotline and online claims portal. This makes it easy to lodge a claim and get back on the road quickly.
Customer Experience
Budget Direct customers rate their experience with home insurance as above average or excellent, with 66% of respondents giving it a positive review.
Budget Direct's home insurance satisfaction rate is on par with other aspects of their service, with 66% of customers also rating their overall experience with the company as average.
Budget Direct customers are also satisfied with their car insurance experience, with 66% of respondents rating it as above average or excellent.
Customer Satisfaction
Budget Direct's customer satisfaction ratings are average for home insurance, but below average for car insurance, with 66% of customers rating their experience as above average or excellent.
Budget Direct customers have a generally positive experience with their home insurance, with 66% of customers rating it as above average or excellent.
However, the claims experience for home insurance is a different story, with close to half of Budget Direct customers rating it as average, below average, or poor.
Budget Direct customers are more satisfied with their car insurance experience, with 66% of customers rating it as above average or excellent.
Customer Car Satisfaction
Budget Direct customers are pretty happy with their car insurance experience, with 66% rating it as above average or excellent. This is according to a survey of their customers.
A small sample size of 29 customers who made a claim also gave Budget Direct above average results, with 66% rating the company as above average or excellent. However, this result is considered indicative only due to the small sample size.
Budget Direct's car insurance satisfaction rating is actually below average when compared to other insurers in a customer satisfaction survey.
Claims and Discounts
You can start home, car and other Budget Direct insurance claims online. Budget Direct's claims process is accessible through their website, making it convenient for customers to initiate the process from the comfort of their own homes.
Budget Direct received one of the lowest results in our survey, with close to half of its customers rating the claims experience as average, below average or poor. This suggests that while the online claim initiation process is available, the actual experience may not be as smooth for some customers.
Budget Direct does not have a dedicated app for claims, and while they do have a rewards program app, it's not a substitute for a claims app. This might be something to consider when choosing an insurance provider.
What Types Does It Offer?
Budget Direct offers a wide range of insurance types, so you can choose the one that suits your needs.
They have car insurance, which is a must-have for anyone who owns a vehicle.
Home and contents insurance is also available, covering your home and belongings in case of damage or loss.
If you're a renter, you can opt for contents insurance specifically designed for renters, providing protection for your personal belongings.
Travel insurance is another option, giving you peace of mind while traveling abroad.
Pet insurance is perfect for animal lovers, covering veterinary expenses for your furry friends.
Landlord insurance is also offered, providing protection for property owners who rent out their homes.
Motorcycle insurance is available for motorcycle enthusiasts, offering coverage for their bikes.
Finally, life insurance is an option for those who want to ensure their loved ones are protected in case of an unexpected event.
Here's a quick rundown of the insurance types offered by Budget Direct:
- Car insurance
- Home and contents insurance
- Contents insurance for renters
- Travel insurance
- Pet insurance
- Landlord insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
- Life insurance
Customer Satisfaction and Discounts
Budget Direct offers various discounts to customers who buy policies online, including 30% off the combined premium for home and contents insurance in the first year, and 15% off the first year's premium for home, contents, car, pet, or travel insurance.
If you're looking to save some money on your insurance premiums, buying online is definitely worth considering.
Budget Direct's customer satisfaction ratings are a mixed bag, with an average rating for home insurance and below average for car insurance.
According to a customer satisfaction survey, 66% of Budget Direct customers rated their experience with home insurance as above average or excellent.
Similarly, 66% of Budget Direct customers also rated their experience with car insurance as above average or excellent.
Here are the details of the discounts you can get from Budget Direct:
- 30% on your home and contents insurance combined premium for the first year
- 15% on your first year's premium for home, contents, car, pet or travel insurance
How Claims Are Rated
Claims are rated based on several factors, including the type of coverage, the amount of the claim, and the severity of the damage.
Insurance companies use a combination of algorithms and human review to determine the validity of a claim.
The type of coverage is a major factor in claims rating, with comprehensive coverage often being more expensive than liability-only coverage.

Comprehensive coverage includes damages to the policyholder's vehicle, such as theft or vandalism.
The amount of the claim also plays a significant role in claims rating, with higher claims typically resulting in higher premiums.
For example, a claim for $10,000 in damages may increase premiums by 20-30%, while a claim for $5,000 may only increase premiums by 10-20%.
The severity of the damage is also taken into account, with more severe damages resulting in higher claims ratings.
In some cases, the insurance company may also review the policyholder's driving record and credit history to determine their claims rating.
A single at-fault accident can increase premiums by 15-30%, while multiple accidents can increase premiums by 50% or more.
Home Claims
Budget Direct's home insurance claims process is a mixed bag. Close to half of its customers rate the claims experience as average, below average, or poor.
You can start a home insurance claim with Budget Direct online. This is a convenient option for those who prefer to manage their claims digitally.
Budget Direct's small sample size for home insurance claims means the results are indicative only. This limited data makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about their performance in this area.
Budget Direct's online claim process is a good starting point, but it's essential to have realistic expectations about the claims experience.
Operations and Advertising
Budget Direct has undergone significant changes in its advertising strategy over the years. In August 2013, the brand rebranded with an alien-themed shower ad, marking a departure from its previous advertisements featuring a couple called Michael and Michelle.
The new advertisements aimed to introduce a new brand positioning and logo created by Hulsbosch. This move was a deliberate attempt to revamp the brand's image and appeal to a wider audience.
In January 2014, the brand released new TV ads featuring a daredevil character called Captain Risky, with a tagline that highlighted the brand's low to medium risk market positioning.
Operations
Budget Direct operates a significant number of call centres and assessment centres across Australia and Singapore.
The company has three call centres in Queensland, located at Kawana Waters, North Lakes, and its headquarters in Toowong, Brisbane.
Budget Direct also has multiple assessment centres in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
As of April 2020, the company has over 1 million policy holders and employs over 1,700 staff.
Budget Direct expanded its operations to Singapore in 2016, offering car, motorcycle, and travel insurance.
Advertising
Budget Direct has undergone several rebranding efforts over the years.
The company's previous television advertisements featured a couple called Michael and Michelle, with Michelle mispronouncing the word "Budget" while explaining the benefits of Budget Direct insurance to Michael.
In August 2013, Budget Direct rebranded with a new shower ad featuring animated aliens, a new brand positioning, and logo created by Hulsbosch.
The brand's low to medium risk market positioning was further emphasized in January 2014 with the release of new TV ads featuring a daredevil by the name of Captain Risky, with the tagline "We don't insure Captain Risky to keep prices low".
In 2018, Budget Direct launched a new series of television advertisements featuring a detective character called 'Sarge', played by Hamish Clark, with the tagline "Insurance Solved".
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Budget Direct a good insurer?
Budget Direct has a high customer satisfaction rate, with 66% of customers rating their experience as above average or excellent. Find out why Budget Direct stands out as a reliable car insurance provider.
How do I contact Budget Direct Australia?
To contact Budget Direct Australia, call 1300 306 560 (or +61 7 3465 1755 if you're overseas) for car-related queries, or 1800 182 310 (or +61 7 3707 3512 if you're overseas) for home-related queries.
Do I have to pay excess if not my fault budget direct?
No excess to pay if the accident is not your fault and we can identify the at-fault driver. Read our claims process to see how we determine fault and what's required to waive excess
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_Direct
- https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/insurance-advice/insurers/budget-direct
- https://campaignbrief.com/budget-direct-creates-meteoric-mayhem-in-latest-blockbuster-commercial-via-303-mullenlowe/
- https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3943319-united-states-announces-34b-in-direct-budget-support-for-ukraine.html
- https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/88-say-that-budget-direct-is-cheaper-than-their-previous-car-insurer-302087837.html
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