Budget Direct Insurance - Car Insurance

I am currently in an unresolved dispute with this insurer Budget Direct /Auto General following authorised repairs to my vehicle.

The core issue is that I did not receive what was quoted and authorised, and the insurer has been unable to provide evidence that I did.

The approved repair quote specified new replacement parts. However, the vehicle was returned with components that appear repaired or reused, including panels that show signs of panel beating rather than replacement. Despite repeated requests, I was not provided with a repair report, itemised invoice, part numbers, or confirmation that new parts were supplied.

The vehicle was also returned with ongoing and worsened issues, including electrical faults and alignment problems. When I raised concerns that the completed work did not align with the authorised quote, I was told I would need to fund independent diagnostics myself to establish causation — even though the insurer authorised and paid for the repairs without verifying completion.

This has left me with a vehicle that I cannot reasonably say was restored to pre-loss condition, and an insurer that appears unable to demonstrate that the quoted new-part repairs it paid for were actually delivered.

This matter is now with AFCA. Based on my experience, I would strongly caution anyone with a complex claim to consider whether they are comfortable proceeding without clear proof that authorised new parts and repairs will actually be provided.

I am currently in an unresolved dispute with this insurer Budget Direct /Auto General following authorised repairs to my vehicle.

The core issue is that I did not receive what was quoted and authorised, and the insurer has been unable to provide evidence that I did.

The approved repair quote specified new replacement parts. However, the vehicle was returned with components that appear repaired or reused, including panels that show signs of panel beating rather than replacement. Despite repeated requests, I was not provided with a repair report, itemised invoice, part numbers, or confirmation that new parts were supplied.

The vehicle was also returned with ongoing and worsened issues, including electrical faults and alignment problems. When I raised concerns that the completed work did not align with the authorised quote, I was told I would need to fund independent diagnostics myself to establish causation — even though the insurer authorised and paid for the repairs without verifying completion.

This has left me with a vehicle that I cannot reasonably say was restored to pre-loss condition, and an insurer that appears unable to demonstrate that the quoted new-part repairs it paid for were actually delivered.

This matter is now with AFCA. Based on my experience, I would strongly caution anyone with a complex claim to consider whether they are comfortable proceeding without clear proof that authorised new parts and repairs will actually be provided.

I am currently in an unresolved dispute with this insurer Budget Direct /Auto General following authorised repairs to my vehicle.

The core issue is that I did not receive what was quoted and authorised, and the insurer has been unable to provide evidence that I did.

The approved repair quote specified new replacement parts. However, the vehicle was returned with components that appear repaired or reused, including panels that show signs of panel beating rather than replacement. Despite repeated requests, I was not provided with a repair report, itemised invoice, part numbers, or confirmation that new parts were supplied.

The vehicle was also returned with ongoing and worsened issues, including electrical faults and alignment problems. When I raised concerns that the completed work did not align with the authorised quote, I was told I would need to fund independent diagnostics myself to establish causation — even though the insurer authorised and paid for the repairs without verifying completion.

This has left me with a vehicle that I cannot reasonably say was restored to pre-loss condition, and an insurer that appears unable to demonstrate that the quoted new-part repairs it paid for were actually delivered.

This matter is now with AFCA. Based on my experience, I would strongly caution anyone with a complex claim to consider whether they are comfortable proceeding without clear proof that authorised new parts and repairs will actually be provided.

They choose the repairer despite the fact he is fully booked. Still waiting 10 weeks later for repairs to START!!!! Also, as car is older than 3 years, they only authorise second hand parts so waiting forever!

I have been with BD for some time now. Made a claim or two and have mostly been happy. Initially what I enjoyed most was when I spoke to them I was speaking to someone who lived in Australia. I appreciate that OS call centres provide an efficient mechanism to operate a business and subsequently keep costs down and to be honest they have been reasonably good until recently. For five weeks and 9 contacts, I have been attempting to get access to a tax invoice for the previous years insurance. Impossible! Continually received the current year's invoice, nothing at all and the most annoying of all, last year invoice with this year's cost, lazy or incompetence it is not clear. When asked to speak to an Australian representative I am informed that it is impossible. With the exception of an Australian postal address in Queensland contacting an Australian representative at BD is simply impossible. I think id rather pay more than not to have the ability to speak to a company representative who resides in the country they provide services in, especially when it's a tricky issue, I just wanted a copy of an invoice, you can only imagine how difficult it would be to settle on a solution to a problem that doesn't fit neatly into their processes.

what can i say duget direct add just shows a car door left after insurance been cancelled dint even tell been cancelled top.of that takes like a wk or more before being fully insured asking upload photos of the car and there apps doesent work correctly then they get back tell this 1-2 days after .thinking being insured and if have accident meanwhile ???

as well spent over 8hrs on the phone try sort out .parently dint even notife us not been insured had accident last thursday thinking was insured .told them they dint have any compassion or wanted to help .tried insure after on friday next day then got email wend try tell me photos of upload was cropped would not accept the photos as there apps dint work properly if dint check my email.would been same ordeal all over again.

so told them after 4 hours on the phone cnacell the stuppied insurance .went to suncorp was insured in 20 min dint need photos this budget direct is biggest rip of waste of time and there phone manners are rude .no understanding how to look after clients .omgod think if had a accident do a claim would take mths .

do not trust this insurance or waste your time keep pass this on to every one

Our business vehicle was written off when (a comprehensively insured) driver fell asleep at the wheel and smashed into us head on. Happy to be alive I wasn't really worried about the car because the other driver is at fault and all will be well - right? Whoa I couldn't be more wrong. Our insurer - Budget Direct - gives us a ludicrously low ball payout figure on our car. Argue as I might, as far as they are concerned because the vehicle is 10 years old, the $5000 worth factory options fitted to the vehicle (aircon, HD alloy tray, roof racks, ladder racks, tow pack, etc) to configure it to our specific business needs are WORTHLESS. So all they'll value it on is a clapped out featureless base model when ours had done half the amount of Kms and was in mint condition. I don't understand when I need my insurance to be on my side why all this heartache and ruthlessness. I will never again insure with them, and not just our cars, but our home and business insurance too. Their loss in the long run, I have many years of insurance premiums ahead of me and they won't see another red cent, like the scene in Pretty Woman where she goes back to the rude shop assistants in Rodeo Drive "Big mistake.... HUGE MISTAKE"

I purchased car insurance through Budget Direct over a month ago. I received a bank statement a week later with an amount that had a different vendors name on it. I disputed this with the bank until I realised that it was actually Budget Direct that withdrew the money out of my account, I then had the restriction lifted from the bank.

I called Budget and asked them if everything was ok with my insurance and I also explained the situation. The woman assured me that everything was ok. I also asked her if someone can contact me on the phone if there is an issue. She assured me that there was no issue and someone will definitely contact meif an issue arises.

I then receive a letter in the mail stating that my insurance has been cancelled. I am currently on the phone with another consultant who advised me that my insurance has been cancelled for 30 days... I spoke with the previous consultant in the time that my insurance had lapsed and she advised me that there is no issue. How did this happen???

How can a consultant tell me that there is no issue with my insurance when it had actually lapsed during the time that I was speaking with her??? I was also advised that she had a note in her diary to call me, but it seems that she was too busy and didn't have a chance to call me. UNBELIEVABLE.

I asked the second consultant if there is anything that Budget Direct can do for me in the form of discounts, or anything at all just to say sorry. He spoke with his team leader and the answer was "no". All the team leader could do for me is reinstate my insurance and backdate it to the day when I orginally purchased it (Woo-freaking-hoo). I also asked if my insurance can start from today instead of backdating it, but it was too difficult to key into the system as it would have produced a new amount with extra fees

I must admit that the last consultant who I spoke with was very understanding and professional. You people need to learn from him.

Don't trust Budget Direct