Bupa Comprehensive Car Insurance Review: Features, Pros & Cons

British United Provident Association, better known as Bupa, is a British multinational insurance and healthcare giant, with operations across countries in Europe, Middle East, the US, and Asia-Pacific. Its Australian operations are part of Bupa Asia Pacific, which offers health, travel, pet, home and car insurance.

The company has leveraged its popular health insurance brand and has a range of offerings in other insurance segments. For car users, the insurer offers three levels of cover: third party property damage, comprehensive insurance, and an ‘Ultimate Cover’ that features additional inclusions and extras.

Bupa’s Comprehensive Car Insurance plan includes a pay-as-you-go option for customers who drive less than 15,000 kilometres a year, but customers can only insure their vehicle at market value. (Ideally, customers can choose between market and agreed value when they insure their cars.)

Bupa’s Comprehensive car insurance policy is its mid-range offering in the segment, covering drivers for accidents, collision, theft, malicious damage, fire and natural events. The cover can be personalised to suit the customer’s needs, with the inclusions and optional extras explained further below.

Break-ins, Accidents, and After-Accident Care

In the event of a break-in, personal property within the car such as clothing or handbags are covered up to $500 if they are stolen or damaged. However, this does not include items such as cash or credit cards, nor mobile devices such as phones, laptops or tablets. Nor does it include items being carried in a trailer or caravan.

Additionally, child seats, baby capsules and prams are covered up to a limit of $500.

Bupa’s comprehensive policy also includes cover for accidental damage to the vehicle, as well as after-accident care. This includes up to $500 for essential temporary repairs or  “reasonable costs” for towing your car to the nearest approved repairer or another secure location; up to $500 in emergency travel and accommodation costs if an accident occurs more than 200 kilometres from your home; and up to $1,000 to replace or recode your car keys.

Will Bupa Replace My Car if it’s Written Off?

If your car is written off, Bupa will replace the vehicle provided it is less than two years old.

Can I Choose My Own Repairer?

No, you cannot pick your own repairer for this cover. Bupa will choose from its network of approved repairers, meaning it’s unlikely to be your local mechanic or repair shop.

Is Free Roadside Assistance Included?

Free roadside assistance is not included in Bupa’s comprehensive policy. It can however be purchased as an add-on cover to your policy.

Customer Service

Bupa offers a number of customer service options, and making a claim is quite straightforward.

There is a 24/7 emergency phone number handled by an Australia-based team, and customers are also able to phone in during business hours for enquiries and claims. Customers can opt for a call back option and there is also a Whatsapp chat option available during business hours on weekdays and weekends.

Claims can also be completed online via the Bupa website, and tracked and updated online through the portal.

Bupa’s Car Insurance has 22 reviews on consumer opinion site Product Review, with a rating of 2.0 stars on average out of 5.0. A number of customers have expressed their disappointment with regards to Bupa’s customer service standards and lack of transparency on claims assessment.

There are certain optional extras available with Bupa’s Comprehensive car insurance: these include the choice of pay-as-you-drive cover up to 15,000 kms a year to lower your premium.

You can also add additional features, such as a hire car after theft, limited to $70 per day for up to 14 days; excess-free windscreen cover; excess-free kangaroo damage cover; and the option to cover sports gear in the car in case of an accident, theft, fire, storm, or earthquake.

In terms of exclusions, the PDS for Bupa’s Comprehensive car insurance states that the policy does not cover claims if:

• The driver is unlicensed or suspended;
• The driver is under the influence, or refuses drug or alcohol testing;
• The car is in an unsafe condition, or used for motorsport or rideshare or business purposes;
• There is damage caused by using wrong fuel;
• There is damage due to computer, mechanical or technical issues or wear & tear or routine servicing not related to claim; and
• Other exclusions as listed in the PDS.

Lower premiums are available to those who drive their car infrequently. The Bupa pay-as-you-drive cover can be added for those who drive less than 15,000 kms making it handy for those who work from home, for example.

Bupa Comprehensive car insurance does not offer the industry standard of a ‘no claims bonus’ that involves discounts for policyholders who don’t make claims during the year.

However, a 10% discount is available for Bupa Health Insurance members, which goes up to 15% for Bupa Ultimate Health Insurance members.