WJ INSURANCE
Motor Vehicle Cover

Motor vehicle insurance in Melbourne, done properly.

From a single ute to a commercial fleet, we arrange the right motor cover for Melbourne individuals and businesses — comparing across more than 230 insurers, with bilingual advice in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

What we arrange

Cover that fits the vehicle and its use.

The right motor policy depends on how the vehicle is used, who drives it, and what it would cost to replace. We start with those questions before approaching the market.

Private motor — comprehensive

Comprehensive motor insurance covers your vehicle for accidental damage, theft, fire, weather events and third-party property damage. The key decisions are agreed value versus market value, the excess structure, and whether the policy includes hire car, road rescue and new-for-old replacement — terms that vary considerably between insurers at similar premium levels.

Commercial vehicles and business use

Utes, vans, light commercials and passenger vehicles used for work require a policy that specifically covers business use. Tradies carrying tools, sales representatives visiting clients, and delivery drivers all fall outside the scope of a standard private motor policy. We arrange business use extensions and commercial vehicle policies that reflect how the vehicle actually operates.

Fleet insurance

A fleet policy covers multiple vehicles under a single policy and administration point. Pricing reflects the fleet's collective claims history, which means a well-managed fleet typically pays less per vehicle than the equivalent individual policies would cost. Fleet cover is available from as few as three vehicles and can include cars, utes, vans and light trucks on a single schedule.

Rideshare and hire car

If you drive for Uber, DiDi, Ola or a similar platform, a private comprehensive policy will not respond to claims that occur during rideshare activity. We arrange rideshare-endorsed policies and commercial hire car cover that eliminate those gaps and keep you covered whether the app is on or off.

Specialty and prestige vehicles

Classic, vintage, prestige and modified vehicles need policies written for them — not standard market rates applied to a depreciated book value. We arrange agreed-value cover through specialist underwriters, including policies for vehicles driven seasonally, stored over winter or used at track days.

Read the fine print

What motor insurance typically does and does not include.

Policy wordings vary more than most people realise. Understanding what is and is not included before a claim is the difference between a smooth settlement and an unexpected gap.

Typically covered Included

  • Accidental damage to your vehicle
  • Theft and attempted theft
  • Fire, explosion and weather damage
  • Third-party property damage you cause
  • Hire car after a not-at-fault accident, in most policies
  • Towing and emergency roadside assistance, where added
  • New-for-old replacement within the first one to two years, in most policies
  • Windscreen and glass cover, where added

Often excluded Check the policy

  • Rideshare and hire car activity under a private policy
  • Regular business use under a private policy
  • Mechanical and electrical breakdown
  • Wear and tear, rust and gradual deterioration
  • Driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Unlicensed drivers
  • Modifications not disclosed at inception
  • Contents and personal items inside the vehicle
Common situations

Where Melbourne drivers often get caught out.

Patterns we see regularly. If any of these sound like your situation, it is worth a conversation before your next renewal.

  • Business use not declared — many policies restrict or exclude claims if the vehicle was being used for business purposes at the time of the loss, even incidentally.
  • Market value shortfall — settling on market value for a prestige or specialty vehicle often leaves a gap between the payout and the actual replacement cost.
  • Young driver added after purchase — adding a young driver mid-policy without notifying the insurer can void cover for claims involving that driver.
  • Tools and equipment in the vehicle — tools carried in a tradie's ute are not automatically covered under the motor policy; a separate tools and equipment policy is needed.
  • Rideshare gaps — the window between accepting a job and the platform cover activating is a known gap that a standard private policy does not fill.
  • Modifications not disclosed — bull bars, lift kits, aftermarket wheels and performance modifications must be declared, or the insurer may reject a claim or apply a different excess.
  • Stored and seasonal vehicles — vehicles laid up over winter need to be actively laid up under the policy, or standard cover (and its premium) may continue to apply in a way that does not suit your needs.
Common questions

Motor vehicle insurance, in plain language.

What is the difference between agreed value and market value?

With agreed value, you and the insurer agree on the vehicle's insured value at the start of the policy. If the car is written off, you receive that amount in full.

With market value, the insurer pays what the vehicle was worth at the time of the loss — which may be less than you expect, particularly for prestige or specialty vehicles that hold their value. For business vehicles and classic cars, agreed value is usually the better choice.

Does my personal car insurance cover business use?

Most private comprehensive policies exclude regular business use. If you use your vehicle to visit clients, carry goods or tools, or drive for rideshare platforms, a standard personal policy may not respond to a claim.

A business use extension or a dedicated commercial vehicle policy is needed. The definition of 'business use' varies between insurers, so it is worth checking the policy wording carefully.

How does fleet insurance work?

A fleet policy covers multiple vehicles under a single policy rather than insuring each vehicle separately. This simplifies administration, usually produces a better premium per vehicle, and allows new vehicles to be added mid-term without requiring a new policy.

Fleet policies are available from as few as three vehicles, and the pricing reflects the whole fleet's claims history rather than individual driver records.

Am I covered if an employee has an accident in a company vehicle?

A commercial vehicle policy will typically extend cover to employees and other drivers, subject to the policy terms. Some policies exclude young or inexperienced drivers, or charge an additional excess for drivers below a certain age.

We review driver details with you when setting up a fleet or commercial policy to make sure the cover matches your actual workforce.

Is rideshare driving covered under my car insurance?

Standard private motor policies typically exclude rideshare activity. Uber and similar platforms provide some cover while you are on a trip, but there are gaps — particularly during the period when the app is on but no trip has been accepted.

A dedicated rideshare extension or a commercial hire car policy fills those gaps. If you drive for Uber, DiDi, Ola or any other platform, speak to us before renewing your private policy.

What happens to my no-claim bonus if I switch insurers?

Most insurers will recognise a no-claim bonus earned with another insurer, provided you can demonstrate it in writing. We obtain your claims history and carry it across when we approach the market on your behalf, so you do not lose the discount you have built up.

Other ways we can help

Related services.

Ready to take a proper look at your motor cover?

Send us your current policy and a real broker will benchmark it against the market — cover for cover, with no review fee and no obligation. If you choose to place cover through us, we may earn commission from the insurer as set out in our Financial Services Guide.

Send for a review Call 0478 978 888