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Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance

Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance

 Verifiedbudgetdirect.com.au
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
3.7

2,434 reviews

Positive vs Negative
72%28%
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Claim Resolution Time
  • <10 minutes
  •  · 
  • <1 week
  •  · 
  • 1-2 weeks
  •  · 
  • 3-4 weeks
  •  · 
  • 1-2 months
  •  · 
  • 3+ months
  •  · 
  • Never
Claim ApprovedYes · No
Transparency ?
3.5
Customer Service
3.7
Value for Money
3.8

 AI reviews summary 

Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance receives polarised feedback, with a sharp divide between customers purchasing new policies and those attempting to lodge claims. While the initial sign-up process is frequently described as fast, affordable, and user-friendly, the claims experience is widely criticised for significant delays, poor communication, and frequent denials based on technicalities or "maintenance" issues.

Pros
Competitive Pricing: Many users report significant savings, sometimes thousands of dollars, compared to their previous insurers or major competitors.
User-Friendly Onboarding: The online quote system and application process are consistently praised for being intuitive, quick, and easy to navigate.
Helpful Sales Staff: Customers interacting with sales and service representatives during the setup phase often describe them as professional, knowledgeable, and polite.
Flexible Coverage Options: The ability to opt-in or out of specific covers, such as flood insurance, allows customers to tailor policies to their specific needs and budget.
Cons
Difficult Claims Process: Recurring reports highlight months of delays, lack of proactive updates, and difficulty reaching assigned claims managers.
Frequent Claim Denials: A significant number of policyholders report claims being rejected for storm or water damage, with the insurer often citing "pre-existing maintenance issues" or "wear and tear."
Steep Renewal Increases: Long-term customers frequently cite "loyalty taxes," with premiums increasing by 30% to over 150% annually despite no changes in risk or claims history.
Administrative Friction: Specific complaints focus on the inability to cancel policies or opt-out of auto-renewal online, forcing customers into lengthy phone hold times.
Verdict

Budget Direct is highly effective for consumers seeking immediate cost savings and a seamless digital setup for home and contents insurance. However, the data suggests a high risk of dissatisfaction during the claims process, with multiple users reporting protracted disputes and a perceived reluctance by the insurer to honour coverage for older properties or storm-related damage.

2,434 reviews
5 Philip M.  · Very happy saved 700 on house insurance going to look at car insurance as well
5 michelle m.  · The person I spoke to was efficient and helpful, was easy to set the policy up,and after comparing numerous companies,this was the best on offer
5 Elaine T.  · Very easy to do online. Spoke to an operator for further advice, extremely helpful.
5 Tony P.  · Price was significantly below our existing insurer. Easy to get set up and well explained. Have no experience of a claim with them.
5 Kay L  · Very helpful staff. Reasonable price for a satisfying product. Thank you.
5 Linda09  · So far the budget direct process has been easy and painless. I saved 0n this policy and now have both house and car insurace with budget direct.
Raman G.
Raman G.VIC2 posts
 

Budge Direct is cheap comparatively but one of the worst Insurance to deal with, especially when it comes to Claims and they will make sure that you get frustrated with their rounds of interviews (like you made mistake or crime) to put claim against your policy , and they will also make sure that they'll ask you hell no. of proofs/evidence that… Read more

you get fed up and withdraw the claim.

So please be wary of once you buy cheap and of no use insurance policy from Budge Direct. This is the first hand experience for own home claim and after almost a month they ensured I get frustrated and withdraw my claim.

Rest your call, your time and money, please act judiciously.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hello Raman. I'm so sorry to hear you have not had… Read more

Dan
Dan
 

I've had a home insurance policy with budget direct for over a year now and I put in my first claim as the tenant defaulted. Firstly, the consultant claimed for 2 specific reasons that the claim would be denied. With no experience of how insurance works as this is my first ever insurance claim I was able to prove the claim manager incorrect in… Read more

less than 30 minutes after going through the data on both points. She then admitted she got this clearly wrong afterwards. The team leader then denied the claim ultimately after for a 3rd invented reason which is a deliberate misinterpretation of policy. This experience really throws into question the competence, intelligence, financial incentives and integrity of the employees at budget direct. I will now be going through the extensive complaints/appeal process. I will never use budget direct again in any capacity and I highly recommend that everyone else avoids this company. They are the reason the general public don't trust insurance companies.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Dan. We sincerely apologise for any… Read more

Hugh
Hugh6 posts
 

I would give zero stars if I could. After being a customer for a year I received my first renewal with budget direct which had a small increase of 25%....... No claims had been made, no changes to the policy, just a 25% increase for no apparent reason. Using their chatbot to review my policy and see why the massive increase in my premium, only to… Read more

get an AI chat bot that made continuous mistakes, constant misunderstanding's and after making changes to the policy INCREASED MY PREMIUM BY ANOTHER $200.

By far the worst customer service I have ever received, to the extent I have cancelled my policy and gone with a more expensive insurer just so I don't have to endure the incompetence and disregard of this company.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Hugh, we appreciate you posting this feedback… Read more

Reviews with attachments

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Steve H.
Steve H.South Australia2 posts
 

Great pricing and cover. Unbeatable value for money Insurance. Do it today guys, you will not be disappointed. Show reply

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Mark
Mark3 posts
  Verified

I was pleasantly surprised when I approached Budget direct online after becoming highly dissatisfied with my existing (now previous) insurer. The monthly fee was reasonable, the amounts insured reasonable and realistic. A happy customer Show reply

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Kenneth William Cumming
Kenneth William CummingVIC5 posts
  Verified

In 2024 i noticed an advertised discount offered by Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance, hence I investigated. Surprised to reveal their policy comparing ‘apples for apples’, was hundreds of dollars less than my current R.A.C.V insurers renewal notice. They refused to negotiate even though I had never ever made a claim, hence I said goodbye… Read more ·  2

and found it easy and ‘user friendly’ on-line to join Budget Direct plus a short phone call to confirm my new policy payment date. There appears to be NIL LOYALTY BENEFITS WHATSOEVER by staying with an insurance company for DECADES ❗️My advice to all Australians is this: “If your next insurance policy renewal seems EXCESSIVE”, take the worthy time & effort to compare quotes with other companies, making sure you compare the same or improved ‘benefits’ as your current policy. Like myself, you may be very surprised and financially rewarded!

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Ruth H.
Ruth H.
 

Yes, helpful staff with phone call. Thanks! Registered our new house for insurance. Show reply

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Ram
Ram5 posts
  Verified

Well done, Budget Direct – The insurance met my needs and adjustments were made promptly. Thanks. Show reply

Latest follow-ups

robin
robinSA55 posts
 

I contacted them to get a quote for home and contact insurance and their quote was almost $1000 more compared to my current provider. But that is not the problem, problem is that they ask you to agree to a statement when you call that they will… Read more

share our data, and i made a massive mistake by agreeing to that. Since that day my email has been flooded with spam from these weird companies, my phone keeps ringing with the spam numbers and i keep getting texts from these weird companies. They clearly shared my data to some shady companies and now i am getting spammed like there is no tomorrow. I feel like they are not really in business of selling insurance, instead they are in business of selling data. Please please please don't give your data and permission to this company or be ready to get spammed. You have been warned.

 Follow-up  · Still a dodgy business. They are still using same business practices.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Robin, thank you for taking the time to write… Read more (+1 reply)

Robert D.
Robert D.
  Verified

Be prepared to be disappointed!!! 60 x earthquakes in 3-4 months, repair of house damage declined 3 x times, the excuse is that it was caused due to natural earth movement? They are cheap for a reason, NEVER AGAIN!!! Show details

 Follow-up  · - House next door was approved for same damage via a honest insurance company. - Cornicing dropped from ceiling. - Ceiling cracks. - Brickwork and concrete cracks. Policy states coverage for earthquakes, Area was declared a disaster zone.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Robert. I appreciate you posting this feedback,… Read more (+1 reply)

Colin D
Colin DNSW
 

Excellent customer service when our call finally got to a consultant . The policy offered a very competitive rate & appeared excellent value for money when compared to other companies . Show reply

 Follow-up  · Waited for approximately 20 minutes while continually receiving various recorded messages , when finally connected to a staff member the process to complete my insurance requirements was quite good ,

Positive reviews

Mark
MarkNSW
 

Quotation and information provided by your staff was very good. It assisted us to compare our existing coverage with your proposal. Your new policy was easy to understand and was slightly cheaper than previous supplier. Show reply

Find out how Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance compares to other Home and Contents Insurance

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Compare all
Anthony
AnthonyQLD3 posts
 

Excellent experience with the consultant and signing up with our new home and contents Insurance with budget direct. The consultant was very informative and advised us of the additional items that we could add to our Insurance, which we did do. Overall it was a seamless and easy process to sign up with budget direct and we saved so much money on… Read more ·  1

our new home and contents insurance policy compared to what we used to pay with one of the larger traditional Insurance

Mark
Mark4 posts
 

I was asked the type of dwelling.first time ever.was with the NRMA for 40 years.My home is brick vaneer. NRMA would not distingush the difference between full brick and brick vaneer,was the home elevated or ground slab,which in my opinion would reduce my premium.So I was happy that Budget Direct asked these questions.Flood insurance was… Read more ·  1

optional.great,as where I have lived for 45 years,it has never flooded. The ease of insuring was great,done in minutes. Saved over $850 ,which is handy as I am a pensioner.

Negative reviews

Nel T.
Nel T.3 posts
 

Worst insurance company i have ever been with ! My experience was they lied and did anything to get out of paying any legit claims . I wasted my money going with Budget Direct , please read the fine print , as i found it misleading , Ambiguous and Conflicting statements . I feel This is a greedy company only after Taking $$$$$ from their… Read more

customers and not honoring the insurance claim ! Why would any one want to support such a corrupt company ? !!

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Thank you for taking the time to provide a review… Read more (+2 replies)

Ian p
Ian p4 posts
 

Had contents insurance but not home insurance with Budget Direct. Advised budget that we were soon commencing major renovations on our home. I answered an inordinate number of questions on the scope of work. A few days later I had a follow up conversation with budget answering another bunch of questions. A few days later I received an email… Read more

advising that the scope of renovations meant that budget could no longer accept our policy and was ceasing the contents policy in 3 weeks. Then a day later received a follow up email advising the policy was being canceled in 5 days. At no time was i contacted with the actual reason for their determination or any offer on how we could do to continue the policy ie extra monitoring of the house, ensure the contents were padlocked although they didn’t actually ask what we were doing with our contents during the renovation. Also not happy that Budget changed the cease date of the policy without actually having the fortitude to ring me. I had similar foundational issues which caused me to cancel my vehicle comprehensive insurance with them 5 years previously.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or… Read more

Susan
Susan10 posts
 

I am extremely disappointed with the service I received from Budget Direct. I contacted them to discuss contents cover including lost or stolen items outside Australia and simply wanted an explanation as to why individual items needed to be listed rather than allowing a total insured amount. Instead of answering my question, the consultant… Read more

repeatedly asked the same questions about how many items I had, their individual values, and even the karat value of gold items. It felt like talking to a robot rather than someone genuinely trying to help.

The process was unnecessarily tedious and time-consuming. I was placed on hold for a lengthy period, only for the consultant to return and tell me that the percentage wasn't sufficient and that they couldn't provide cover. When I asked why, he was unable to give a clear explanation and simply continued with the script instead of addressing my concerns.

Good customer service involves listening to customers and answering reasonable questions. Unfortunately, that did not happen in this case. The lack of communication, lengthy delays, and inability to provide clear explanations made for a very frustrating experience. Based on this interaction, I would not recommend Budget Direct.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Susan. We sincerely apologise for any… Read more

Recent reviews

Deb and Dean
Deb and DeanNSW10 posts
 

Purchasing our first home, we were completely green and didn’t know how the process worked. We had contents insurance for years renting but not building and contents insurance. We did a quote using the calculator and Budget Direct were the best for our needs. Speaking with customer service was easy and always super friendly. We look forward to continuing our business connection with Budget Direct and recommend them. Give it a go! Show reply

George
GeorgeQLD5 posts
 

After requesting a further look into my claim, Budget Direct agreed that I was entitled to make a claim. They were very helpful, and I am so happy that I have insured my house and car with them. I highly recommend them. They are very professional and have a strong claims system. Show details ·  1

Clayton P.
Clayton P.
  Verified

I mean all I did was buy insurance. I don't know how good it is yet cause I am yet to use it. Buying it was simple. I can review that. 5 stars for taking my money. Hopefully it will be retruned one day should I ever need it. Show reply

tram t.
tram t.2 posts
 

Very disappointing customer service experience with Direct Budget today. I called to request the addition of a secondary mortgagee to my insurance certificate, and the representative’s attitude was unnecessarily rude and unhelpful. It felt as though assisting customers was a burden rather than part of the job. Regardless of the request, customers… Read more

deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism. Based on this interaction, Direct Budget has some work to do when it comes to customer service.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Tram, thank you for taking the time to write… Read more

Find out how Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance compares to other Home and Contents Insurance

Know better, choose better.

Compare all
Douse
DouseNSW3 posts
 

Saved a lot of money over my normal insurer. It really does pay to see what else is on the market. I've been with the same insurer for over 40 years, but Budget Directs premium was too hard to refuse Show reply

Brooke H
Brooke HWA
 

This company is awful! I am disgusted in how my mother’s claim has been handled. She is a 66 year old widow with a health condition, whose house was flooded and due to poor handling and delays in processing her claim she has been out of her home for 5 months. It has been an extremely stressful and exhausting experience for her. At this point the… Read more

treatment she has recieved is dismissive and borders intimidation rather than support. NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Brooke. Thank you for taking the time to write… Read more

John M.
John M.VIC4 posts
 

I recently had a claim denied by Budget Direct, and my experience has been extremely disappointing. It felt as though their first instinct when a claim is lodged is to look for reasons to deny it, rather than genuinely assess and support customers through the claims process. The company appears to invest heavily in marketing, advertising, and… Read more

paid endorsements, including recognition from organisations such as Canstar, which can create an impression of customer value and reliability that does not align with my claims experience.

Insurance is ultimately tested when you need to make a claim, and unfortunately this is where my experience with Budget Direct fell well short of expectations.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi John. Thank you for taking the time to write… Read more (+5 replies)

Steve W.
Steve W.VIC3 posts
 

Insurance sold with Budget Direct-Yes! Insurance Solved with Budget Direct-Good Luck! If you are considering buying any Budget Direct product, be advised that is the easy part. As with all insurances, the product you buy can only be evaluated when it comes time to rely on it. We had occassion to lodge a claim last February. Initially the online… Read more

claim process was quick to respond while they extracted our "Excess Payment". We were initially contacted by a Budget Appointed contract assessor who bought in their experts to formulate a "Scope of Works". The trades to be involved were plasterers, painters, structural fabricators and electricians.

It is now coming close to three months and in summary here are the KPIs for customer service by Budget Direct.

1. Number of times I have contacted them=11 2. Number of times they have promised deadlines for a response =4 3. Number of times they have reached out to me =0 4. Excuses used. "waiting on "Scope of works"=5 "seeking clarification from Contract building assessor"=2 "seeking clarification regarding warranty by contractor"=1 "seeking ammendment of scope of works regarding an item they consider to be ""maintenance item"".=3

Everytime you call them, there is a recorded preamble that sets out expected codes of conduct by the customer. It is like a form of Chinese water torture to further raise your frustration levels. It is particularly galling to learn that our claims manager is receiving bonuses. Based upon their abysmal attitude to customer service I can only imagine they receive Bonus payments for wearing clients down until they go away.

I have tried to clarify our position by discussing our case directly with a representative from the appointed "Claim assessor Contractor". They say "the matter is with Budget Direct ".

In summary. Their advertising is slick and at saturation levels. Their online quotation and payment system makes it easy to feel you are getting peace of mind at a fair price. And thats the end of it!

It now appears a compalint to AFCA is my next step in this sorry mess.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Hi Steve. Thank you for taking the time to leave us… Read more (+1 reply)

Dean
DeanVIC
 

Both of the staff that assisted me were absolutely excellent. They were patient, kind and very informative. Truly exceptional customer service and lovely humans. Budget Direct is very fortunate to have them. Show reply

Garycrasher
GarycrasherVIC
  Verified

After comparing all options this was by far the best. Great service when I called for clarification on a few points and very easy online experience. Saved over $400 in comparison to my previous 12 year insurance provider. Show reply

RossC
RossC2 posts
 

Disappointed to have just recently cancelled both car insurance & home & contents insurance with Budget Direct. Hard to fathom how little real effort they make to keep their existing customers in comparison to attracting new customers. With 25% annual increases on their policies, with little interest in any actual discussion beyond increasing our… Read more

excess, we will continue to play the “game” and seek new policies elsewhere. This year saving just under $800! Surely the extra time involved for Budget (& the customer) signing up & checking on new policies would make retaining existing policy holders with more modest annual increases an obvious choice. I won’t hold my breath.

Budget Direct
Budget Direct    

Good afternoon, thank you for taking the time to… Read more

Cole
ColeQLD
  Verified

Stay away from these excuse making crooks. Took 5 months to do anything other than call me 30 times asking for the same info already provided or discussed. I ended up printing out 100-140 photos to send express via post because they “apparently” couldn’t see the photos. They then denied me 5 months later saying I never added a causation report… Read more

yet this was discussed over 6 times with budget direct, 2 different builders, and 10 different people on 10 different calls, I believe they are trained to make you “give up” and “perplex you” to the point you give up. Stay clear of these gooses! Their job is to find reasons to not pay you out!!!!

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