Understanding car insurance

Australian Bureau of Statistics recently reported that between 2015-2016 motor insurance claims increased by 6%^° and the number of cars on our roads topped 18.8 million^. That's around 0.75 cars per person.

With motor insurance claims on the rise, if you were in a accident, would you know what you're covered for? To help, we've put together a list of commonly asked questions about Woolworths Car Insurance.

Here are 10 frequently asked questions:

How do I apply for Woolworths Car Insurance?

You can apply for Woolworths Car Insurance online in a few easy steps. The first step will be to get a quote. Quotes are available online 24/7 or by calling 1300 10 1234 between 8am - 8pm (AEST) Monday to Friday and 9am- 5pm (AEST) Saturday and Sunday (except public holidays).

How do I make a claim?

You can lodge a claim 24/7 by:

• Submitting online via My Insurance Portal
• Calling our claims line on 1300 10 1234

Find out more about the Car Insurance claim process

How can I manage my account?

You can manage your Car Insurance policy online with My Insurance Portal. This allows you to do things like:

• Update your personal and payment details
• Keep your policy details up to date
• Update your odometer reading (for Drive Less Pay Less policies only)
• View your insurance certificate

What do I have to do when I have an accident?

Firstly, check the welfare of yourself and any other people involved in the accident.

Once you've made sure everyone is ok, there a few details you'll need to confirm.

• Don't accept responsibility for the accident. Being involved in an accident can be an emotional time and you might not have had time to review all aspects of what happened. It's best to leave this to the experts to determine
• Exchange details with the other person involved
• Note down the driver of the other car's driver's license, name, address and the car's registration number. If the person driving it is not the owner of the vehicle, you should also take the car owner's name, address and contact details
• Call the police. It's a good idea to contact authorities when you have an accident with a third party. This will help in the case of any disputes about who was at fault

Can I choose my own repairer?

Yes - subject to our approval. When you make a claim, we’ll provide you with a list of approved or appointed repairers closest to your home or work place. You can have the relevant repairs quoted by a repairer not on our list, however, we will need to provide final approval prior to repairs. We also only guarantee materials and workmanship of a repairer on our approved repairer list. 

 

What excess do I have to pay if I make a claim?

The amount of excess will vary depending on the type of claim you make. During the application process, you have the option to choose the value of your basic excess amount. You can view the excess amount for your policy on your Certificate of Insurance, which you can access anytime through My Insurance Portal.

How do I renew my car insurance?

To make sure you're always covered, we'll send you a renewal offer at least 14 days before your policy end date. If you're happy with the offer you don't need to do anything as your policy will automatically renew. In the case where the information provided is no longer correct, you'll need to let us know so we can update your policy otherwise it may impact any claim that is made. If your policy will not be automatically renewed, we'll also contact you to let you know.

 

What is agreed value?

Agreed value is the dollar value you and your insurer agree your car is worth, and what your vehicle will be insured for with your car insurance policy. When your policy renews, the agreed value of your car is automatically adjusted for depreciation at the time of renewal.

Is there a cooling off period?

Yes. If you decide this policy is not for you, and have not made a claim, you can cancel your policy within 14 days of starting it (this includes renewals).