We compare the Unsealed 4X4 team’s current policies against the new kid on the block and see if a few extra bucks could mean a whole lot more coverage.
Read this story in our online magazine platform.
OK, let’s be honest here. 4X4 insurance is about as exciting to most of us as listening to that mate (we all have one) bang on about how great his GQ Patrol is for the brazillionth time. We pretend to listen, occasionally nodding or throwing in a murmur of agreement here and there; but inside we’re finding the subject about as entertaining as a blind bloke finds a silent movie.
But should we be paying more attention to our vehicle’s insurers? They’re the people you count on to get you out of trouble when disaster strikes – be it in the form of sliding into a tree up the High Country, or old mate in the $300 Barina who decided to test the tensile strength of your rear door in the shopping centre car park. They’re not exciting, but we all rely on them from time to time.
We’ve mentioned the new player in the insurance industry – Club 4X4 – in these pages before. And we got curious about how Club 4X4 stacked up cost vs coverage-wise against our current policies… Strangely it was about the same time that Ev started talking about the new dual-battery system in his GQ.
Anyway, we got on the blower to compare coverage and what we found out was more than a little eye-opening. Turns out we’ve been forking out a fair chunk of change for not a lot of safety net.
Take a look and compare the policies for yourself. It may just save you a bunch of heartache.
Couple of things to keep in mind
Club 4X4’s standard excess is $850. Excesses can be adjusted and this will affect your premium.
Other variables such as location and driving history have a bearing on your quote.
It’s your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is legally modified.
The total sum insured of your vehicle plays a large part in your premium.
SAM’S DEFENDER 130
QUICK RUNDOWN
2001 TD5, 5-speed
2in lift with King Springs
and Bilstein shocks
Dynamic steelies
with 285/75R16
Bridgestone muddies
Safari Snorkel
Internal beadlocks
Long Ranger fuel tank
Dual-battery setup with Lithium auxiliary battery
ARB front bar
Bushranger winch
LightForce lights
GME UHF
Howling Moon awning
Redarc gauges
Redarc trailer brakes
| AAMI (current insurer) |
CLUB 4X4 | |
| Insured value of vehicle |
$13,780 maximum agreed value | $32,210 agreed value incl accessories and modifications |
| Cost P.A. | $744.48 | $973.09 |
| Basic excess | $650 | $850 |
| Coverage |
All options included as part of maximum value allowed Accidental loss or damage $500 in emergency repairs and emergency travel costs 21-day hire car coverage after an accident $500 personal belongings in vehicle (if they have been damaged in a claimable event) Third Party Property cover on two-wheeled trailers and caravans Roadside assistance |
All accessories and modifications factored into overall value separately to cost of vehicle $1,500 worth of off-road vehicle recovery (more coverage available if required) $2,000 worth of personal effects – including camping, 12V and recovery gear Full off-road coverage on gazetted and non-gazetted roads anywhere in Australia – as long as you’re not trespassing or otherwise breaking the law (this includes closed tracks and waterways) 21-day car hire cover for $180 (no hatchbacks for you!) $1,000 in emergency repairs $1,000 trailer coverage Full caravan and camper trailer coverage available Roadside assistance New vehicle replacement
|
SAM’S THOUGHTS
Paying $200 a year extra, as well as a $200 increase in excess, didn’t seem that appealing to me at first. But as I read through the policy documents of both insurance companies it became clear that my current insurer really takes a one-size-fits-all approach; while Club 4X4 wanted to spend the time to work out exactly what I have and where I drive – and actually seemed to know about 4WDs. I’m still not totally sold, but it’s certainly got me thinking that the extra expense each year may well be worth it.
EV’S GQ PATROL
QUICK RUNDOWN
1989 TB42S (carby model), 5-speed
2in Dobinson suspension lift
285/75R16 Kumho MT51 tyres
F&B chassis brace
ROH alloys
Uneek front bar
Dolium K9 roof rack
Aventa awning
and rooftop tent
LightForce lighting
Narva LEDs
Hard-mounted Evakool
55L Fridgemate
Redarc dual-battery system
Redarc trailer brakes
Petronix electronic ignition
| QBE (current insurer) |
CLUB 4X4 | |
| Insured value of vehicle |
$9,425 maximum agreed value | $17,000 agreed value incl accessories and modifications |
| Cost P.A. | $1,207.19 | $878.58 |
| Basic excess | $450 | $850 |
| Coverage |
All options and modifications included as part of maximum value allowed Lifetime guarantee on approved repairs 14-day hire car coverage after an accident $500 temporary repairs to get vehicle moving after accident $500 personal property contained within vehicle (if damaged in accident, not if stolen from the vehicle) Up to $5,000 coverage if in an accident with an uninsured vehicle who is at fault |
All accessories and modifications factored into overall value separately to cost of vehicle |
$1,500 worth of off-road vehicle recovery (more coverage available if required)
$2,000 worth of personal effects, including camping,
12V and recovery gear
Full off-road coverage on gazetted and non-gazetted roads anywhere in Australia – as long as you’re not trespassing or otherwise breaking the law (this includes closed tracks and waterways)
21-day car hire cover for $180 (no hatchbacks for you!)
$1,000 in emergency repairs
$1,000 trailer coverage
Full caravan and camper
trailer coverage available
with multi-policy discount
Roadside assistance
(sealed roads only)
New vehicle replacement (within 24 months)
EV’S THOUGHTS
Hmmm, I’m not a mathemagician… but paying over $300 less a year for a higher agreed value and way more coverage off-road – where I do 80% of my driving – doesn’t seem like it needs much working out… I wonder if they’ll mind if I pay in 5c pieces?
TIM’S 150 PRADO
QUICK RUNDOWN
2010 3.0TD manual
TJM barwork all around
Torqit chip
Rhino roof cage
Britax Linear driving light
Bitax HID spotties
TJM winch
2in TJM suspension
265/70R17 Toyo Open Country tyres
GME UHF
TJM snorkel
Redarc trailer brakes
| NRMA (current insurer) |
CLUB 4X4 | |
| Insured value of vehicle |
$36,900 (agreed value) | $50,000 agreed value (incl $10,000 of modifications) |
| Cost P.A. | $915.83 | $964.19 |
| Basic excess | $850 | $850 |
| Coverage |
All options and modifications included as part of agreed value (up to maximum) Emergency repairs up to $800 Hire car coverage after an accident up to $95 $1,500 tools of trade cover for certain items $500 personal property contained within vehicle (if damaged in accident, not if stolen from the vehicle) ‘Reasonable’ cost of towing |
All accessories and modifications factored into overall value separately to cost of vehicle |
$1,500 worth of off-road vehicle recovery (more coverage available if required)
$2,000 worth of personal effects, including camping,
12V and recovery gear
Full off-road coverage on gazetted and non-gazetted roads anywhere in Australia – as long as you’re not trespassing or otherwise breaking the law (this includes closed tracks and waterways)
21-day car hire cover for $180 (no hatchbacks for you!)
$1,000 in emergency repairs
$1,000 trailer coverage
Full caravan and camper
trailer coverage available
with multi-policy discount
Roadside assistance
(sealed roads only)
New vehicle replacement
(within 24 months)
TIM’S THOUGHTS
Around $50 more per year (paying the same premium) for $13,100 more coverage value, as well as the fact I’ve driven right around Australia (taking the route with the least amount of blacktop possible), and I regularly do a few big trips a year into the bush – this just seems like a no-brainer to me.
DEX’S DISCOVERY I
QUICK RUNDOWN
1994 300TDI auto
2.5in exhaust
2in suspension lift and trimmed guards
33in BFG KM2 mud terrains
Safari snorkel
Custom barwork
Front and rear Air Lockers
Dual batteries
Winch
Electronic trailer brakes
GME UHF
Narva HID spotties
| GIO (current insurer) |
CLUB 4X4 | |
| Insured value of vehicle |
$5,070 maximum agreed value | $12,500 agreed value (incl $7,000 accessories) |
| Cost P.A. | $629.32 | $698.98 |
| Basic excess | $650 | $850 |
| Coverage |
All options and modifications included as part of maximum value allowed $500 in emergency repairs and emergency travel costs 14-day hire car coverage after an accident $500 personal belongings in vehicle (if they have been damaged in a claimable event) $1,000 on two-wheel trailers and caravans |
All accessories and modifications factored into overall value separately to cost of vehicle $1,500 worth of off-road vehicle recovery (more coverage available if required) $2,000 worth of personal effects, including camping, 12V and recovery gear Full off-road coverage on gazetted and non-gazetted roads anywhere in Australia – as long as you’re not trespassing or otherwise breaking the law (this includes closed tracks and waterways) 21-day car hire cover for $180 (no hatchbacks for you!) $1,000 in emergency repairs $1,000 trailer coverage Full caravan and camper trailer coverage available with multi-policy discount Roadside assistance New vehicle replacement (within 24 months)
|
DEX’S THOUGHTS
It’s a common story with older trucks – particularly ones with the resale value of a Land Rover – you end up spending a bunch on mods and accessories, only to have the insurance agent on the phone laugh at you when you tell them what you want to insure it for.
So it was refreshing when old mate from Club 4X4 asked me how much I spent on mods… and then seemed genuinely interested in what I’d done to the old bus. It costs me a little more each year and there’s a higher premium, but for the extra off-road coverage (where I spend a lot of time) and the fact I’m dealing with a company that knows what I’m talking about when I say the words ‘rock sliders’… to me, it’s worth it.
COMPARE THE POLICIES FOR YOURSELF
CLUB 4X4 PDS:
https://www.club4x4.com.au/pds/motor-product-disclosure-statement.pdf
AAMI PDS:
NRMA PDS:
https://www.nrma.com.au/sites/nrma/files/nrma/policy_booklets/car_pds_0917_all.pdf
QBE PDS:
https://www.qbe.com/au/car-insurance/comprehensive-car-insurance
GIO PDS:
https://www.gio.com.au/documents/car-and-vehicle/car/gio-car-insurance-pds-19-6-18.pdf
