Budgetdirect Reviews 

1,130
TrustScore 3 out of 5

3.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 644 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers appreciate the competitive pricing, often finding policies significantly cheaper than previous insurers. Reviewers frequently highlight helpful, friendly, and patient staff who explain things clearly, making the process of getting insurance easy and less overwhelming. People are generally satisfied with the straightforward online quotes and the overall service received. However, a significant number of people were dissatisfied with the claims process, reporting delays, lack of communication, and outright denial of claims. Some customers also noted poor service quality, long wait times, and unprofessional staff, particularly when issues arose. Additionally, some people mentioned unexpected premium increases or feeling overcharged despite being loyal customers.

What people talk about most

Price

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of price, with many customers reporting significant savings and... See more

Service

People report ambiguous experiences with service, with many expressing significant dissatisfaction due to... See more

Claim

Users describe negative interactions with claim processes, frequently encountering denials based on what they... See more

Customer service

Consumers find customer service to be ambiguous, with some reviewers reporting great assistance, patience,... See more

Staff

Customers had ambiguous experiences with staff, with many praising the helpfulness, patience, and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I was an existing customer with exactly the same cover, but my premium had gone up considerably. I received an online quote more than $500 cheaper... with yourselves...but instead of simply honouring... See more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The process was well handled, except for the reading of the conditions. I understand these have to be read and agreed to, but the staff member spoke rapidly, without pause, then asked if I agreed. Cer... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Minor damage from storm. $4000 area. First claim in 50 years. Slow to inspect damage. Slow to affect repairs (but good job) Dunno if slow is correct re payment cos the damage was affected just af... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was buying a new car (a hybrid) and needed comprehensive insurance with no fuss, no bother, no backwards and forwards with endless e-mails. I got a good on-line quote from Budget Direct and now, al... See more


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3.1

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

1K reviews

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3.1

All reviews

(1,130)

652 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Comprehensive with included roadside…

Comprehensive with included roadside assistance is trash. It isn't actually assistance because they don't hire mechanics, they pay tow trucks and even then they refuse to cover anything over 50km. I was 78km away and Budget direct wanted an additional $780. That's half the cost of my policy! It was a mistake to assume that this company can be trusted.

22 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Budget Direct prides themselves to be…

Budget Direct prides themselves to be the best value but they do charge extra for paying monthly.
Shannons Insurance dont.
Maybe if Budget Direct spent less money on television advertising, they could afford not to penalise customers financially for paying monthly. 🤔

22 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I just got off the phone with Budget… guess what !!!!!

I just got off the phone with Budget Direct, surprise surprise I had a landlords policy that cover me for Tsunami, earthquakes (such regular occurrences in Clayton South in Vic ) however I have just had a tenant vandalize my property but that's not covered nor is accidental damage or tenant default or malicious damage by the tenant or visitors.
I sit and watch your commercial which says you have paid out 1.5 billion dollars(what a laugh)
Never ever again will I let Budget take me for a $702.36 dollar ride .

21 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

$2500 I paid for the year

$2500 I paid for the year, accidental breakage included. One of my windows got smashed and the guy told me unless I pay them $1000 they won't cover it. Make sure you can include the the excess in the claim alliance do.

20 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My experience with Budget Direct… horrible and never again

My experience with Budget Direct throughout these claims has been extremely disappointing and unnecessarily stressful.

I have repeatedly been told to “call back later” because the team operates as an inbound call centre, rather than having anyone take ownership of my claim and follow matters through to resolution. There has been a significant lack of communication, with no proactive updates regarding approvals, claim progress, repair arrangements, or hire car entitlements.

My vehicle was initially directed to one repairer, only for that repairer to organise for the car to be towed to a completely different repairer because they could not complete the work. Despite this, I was then made to feel as though it was somehow my responsibility that the vehicle had not been driven, while at the same time being advised my hire car entitlement was about to expire, and that Budget Direct had only just approved the repairs, after my car sitting with the repairer for 2+ weeks.

I have also been attempting for over a week to have my vehicle booked with my existing repairer. Despite multiple phone calls and being told manager approval was pending, nothing has been actioned and no one has provided any meaningful follow-up or timeframe.

To make matters worse, I previously had claims that reportedly were never properly lodged due to “system glitches,” requiring me to go through the entire process again. As a customer, this has left me feeling completely unsupported and exhausted by what should have been a straightforward claims process.

Overall, the handling of my claims has lacked communication, accountability, efficiency, and customer care. I have spent an unreasonable amount of time chasing updates, repeating information to different departments, and trying to resolve issues that should have been managed internally by Budget Direct.

I genuinely cannot express how frustrating and disappointing my dealings with Budget Direct have been throughout this process.

19 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT BUY INSURANCE WITH THEM IF YOU…

DO NOT BUY INSURANCE WITH THEM IF YOU ARE A GOOD DRIVER AS THEY ARE OVERCHARGING AND PENALISING RATING 1 DRIVERS. I have been with Budget Car Insurance for over a year. A month ago I realised that I was listed as a 'Rating 5' driver and had been charged accordingly. I rang to advise that I was in fact a 'Rating 1' driver. They assured me it was my fault and I must have completed the paperwork incorrectly (which was not true). They amended my payable amount. I have just had my car insurance renew and there was no mention of my driver rating. I called and they advised that as of 2024 they were slowly moving away from Driver Ratings and that as my insurance renewed this had been implemented. Coincidence that my car insurance is now back to what i was paying as a 'Rating 5' driver, with no recognition of good driving and no claims. I am disgusted, and they should have to be upfront about the fact they are going to charge you as a lower rating no matter what.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Random policy cancellation by budget direct

After been with budget direct for a number of years , without a claim , they randomly inform you, that your postcode cannot be insured for property due to high risk. No such issues with other insurers. Puts you in a very bad situation. So whatever weird formulae they use puts you in a difficult situation, since it puts at risk getting a insurance from another provider as well.
So unless u want to be told, cannot be insured randomly, dont go with them.

14 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible service

Terrible service. Had to use one of their nominated repairers and was quoted six months before the repair could be completed. When I went to collect the car, the bonnet was clearly off centre, comically so. At the end of the policy Budget refused to reinsure making it nearly impossible to get insurance from another company. I have been informed that this is a common activity from Budget as they do not want anyone on their books that makes a claim. Went through their complaints procedure and got an answer 6 hours before the expiration of the time a complaint can be considered. They refused to escalate the complaint. Budget by name, budget by nature. They need to spend less money advertising, and more on their customers.

27 May 2025
Unprompted review

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