Is Bingle Good for Cheap Car Insurance?
In a Nutshell: Bingle is an online-only, budget car insurer in Australia. It offers some of the cheapest premiums available — especially for young drivers and people with clean records. However, cover features are bare-bones, and the online-only model means no phone support for sales (claims are handled by phone). Bingle is best for drivers who want absolute minimum cost and are comfortable managing everything online.
Bingle Insurance Overview
| Feature | Bingle |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 (in Australia) |
| Parent company | Auto & General Insurance (same as Budget Direct) |
| Market | National |
| Business model | 100% online — no phone sales, no branches |
| Claims | Phone-based claims line (24/7) |
| Multi-policy | ❌ No — Bingle only offers car insurance |
Bingle Pricing — How It Compares
| Cover Type (Same Driver, Same Car) | Bingle | Budget Direct | AAMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive — 40yo, $30k car | $750–$980 | $800–$1,050 | $950–$1,200 |
| Comprehensive — 20yo, $15k car | $1,300–$1,900 | $1,500–$2,200 | $1,800–$2,600 |
| Third party property | $200–$320 | $220–$350 | $280–$400 |
| Third party fire & theft | $250–$390 | $280–$420 | $350–$500 |
💡 Bingle is often the cheapest — or very close to it. For standard drivers with clean records, Bingle consistently beats or matches Budget Direct.
Bingle Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Very low premiums — often the cheapest available | Bare-bones features — no extras, minimal coverage |
| 100% online — quick and easy for tech-savvy users | No phone sales — can't talk to someone to buy |
| Great for young drivers — often the lowest quote | No new car replacement — market value only after write-off |
| Good for clean-record drivers | No roadside assistance — must buy separately |
| 24/7 claims phone line | No multi-policy discount — car only |
| No-claim bonus protection available | Not ideal for modified/imported cars |
| Quick online quote — 3–5 minutes | Lifetime repair guarantee — not always included |
Bingle Comprehensive Features
| Feature | Bingle | Budget Direct | AAMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreed value | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Market value | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Hire car after claim | ❌ Not included | ✅ Up to 10 days | ✅ Up to 14 days |
| Hire car after theft | ❌ Not included | ✅ Up to 14 days | ✅ Up to 14 days |
| New car replacement | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (<2yo) |
| Windscreen cover | ✅ Up to $400 | ✅ Up to $500 | ✅ No excess |
| Roadside assistance | ❌ No (buy separately) | ⚠️ Optional | ⚠️ Optional |
| Lifetime repair guarantee | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Personal effects cover | ❌ Not included | ✅ Up to $500 | ✅ Up to $1,000 |
| Emergency accommodation | ❌ Not included | ✅ Up to $500 | ✅ Up to $1,000 |
| No-claim bonus protection | ✅ $30–$40/year | ✅ $30–$50/year | ✅ $50–$70/year |
⚠️ Important: Bingle's comprehensive policy is very basic. No hire car after a claim, no personal effects, no emergency accommodation. If you're in an accident, you're without a car.
Bingle for Different Driver Types
| Driver Type | Bingle Verdict |
|---|---|
| Young driver (under 25) | ✅ Excellent — often the cheapest option |
| Safe driver (30–50) | ✅ Very good — low premiums for clean records |
| Senior (65+) | ✅ Good — price-focused seniors will like it |
| High-risk driver | ⚠️ May accept but with higher loading |
| Multi-policy customer | ❌ Not ideal — no bundling discounts |
| Driver who wants features | ❌ Not for you — most extras are missing |
Bingle vs Budget Direct — Which Is Cheaper?
| Scenario | Bingle is Cheaper | Budget Direct is Cheaper | About the Same |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young driver, basic car | ✅ Often | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Standard driver, clean record | ✅ Usually | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Senior driver, clean record | ✅ Usually | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Driver needing hire car | N/A (Bingle doesn't offer it) | ✅ (if you choose it) | N/A |
| Driver wanting extras | N/A | ✅ (more features available) | N/A |
💡 Insight: If you just want the lowest possible price and don't need hire car, roadside assistance, or other extras — Bingle is your best bet.
Who Is Bingle Best For?
- ✅ Budget-first drivers — absolute lowest premium
- ✅ Young drivers (18–25) — often the cheapest available
- ✅ Safe drivers with clean records — for maximum savings
- ✅ Online-savvy users — comfortable with 100% digital management
- ✅ Second car owners — no need for premium features
- ❌ Drivers who want hire car after an accident
- ❌ Families who rely on their car — not having a hire car could be a problem
- ❌ People who prefer phone-based support
- ❌ Multi-policy customers — Bingle only does car insurance
Key Takeaway
- Bingle is one of Australia's cheapest car insurers — often the absolute lowest price.
- Features are bare-bones — no hire car, no personal effects, no roadside assistance.
- Online-only model — quick and easy for tech-savvy users, no phone sales.
- Best for: young drivers, safe drivers, and anyone who just needs the minimum cover.
- Not for: drivers who need hire car after an accident, roadside assistance, or premium features.
- If you never claim, Bingle is fantastic value. If you have an accident, the lack of extras can hurt.
- Compare Bingle with Budget Direct — they're the two cheapest options, and Bingle is often slightly cheaper but with fewer features.
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides an independent review of Bingle car insurance. Pricing, features, and availability may change. Always compare multiple insurers and read the PDS before purchasing.