Policy Information/Product Features
- How is my Motor Vehicle Insurance premium calculated?
- What is a no claim discount?
- When do I have to pay an excess?
- What excesses apply to me?
- What is an agreed value?
- Can I have an agreed value policy?
- Do I need to list all drivers on my Motor Vehicle Insurance?
- Do I need to list learner drivers?
Getting a quote/Applying for insurance online
- What information do I need to provide?
- Is my personal information secure when I get a quote, or apply for insurance online?
- What do I need on my computer to get a quote and apply for insurance online?
- How do I view PDF files?
- How do I use the quoting and application system?
- What if I need help during the quote or application?
- What are my payment options if I apply online?
- Can I choose my excess online?
- Why did I get a 'We'll call you back' page.
- Why do some of the sum insured fields already have figures entered? Can I change them?
- For how long is my quote valid?
- Can I print my quote?
- Can I get a copy of all the questions and my answers?
- I have completed the quote and application process, what now?
- When will my insurance start?
Buying/renewing/cancelling your policy
- How do I pay for my policy?
- Will my policy renew automatically?
- What do I do if my renewal contains incorrect information?
- How can I cancel my policy?
- Do fees apply if I cancel my policy?
Making a Claim
- What should I do if I have an accident?
- What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?
- Do I need to complete a claim form?
- How do I get my vehicle repaired?
- Will I have to pay my excess?
- Will my No Claim Discount (NCD)/Rating be affected?
- What should I do if someone makes a claim against me?
- Do I have to tell you my Input Tax Credit (ITC) entitlement on my insurance premium?
- Why do you deduct ITC entitlement from any direct payments to me?
- Who can I discuss my ITC with?
Policy Information/Product Features
How is my Motor Vehicle Insurance premium calculated?
The amount you pay for insurance depends on many factors including the type of cover and options you choose, the type of vehicle and where it is garaged, the drivers of your vehicle, including their age, driving and insurance record.
What is a no claim discount?
A No Claim Discount / Rating (NCD) is a discount off your premium. It is calculated based on your insurance or driving record. The discount increases each year to a set maximum if you do not make a claim that affects your discount.
When do I have to pay an excess?
Excess is the amount you might have to pay when you claim. The amount and types of excess are shown on your Certificate of Insurance. You will not have to pay an excess if:
- you have a claim involving another vehicle, and we decide the driver of your vehicle was not at fault, and you can give us:
- The registration details of the other vehicle and
- The name and address of the other driver or
- you have a claim not involving another vehicle, and we agree the driver of your vehicle was not at fault, and you can give us the name and address of the person responsible for the loss or damage.
What excesses apply to me?
Your certificate of insurance will show the types of excess that you might have to pay if you claim. Depending on the circumstances, you might have to pay more than one type of excess when you claim. There are three different types of excess,
- Basic excess
- Insurance / Driving Record / Vehicle excess
- Age / Inexperienced driver excess
For more information about these excess types please read the Motor Vehicle Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 250KB).
What is an agreed value?
An agreed value is the amount we agree to insure your vehicle for. This can change when you renew your policy. Your Certificate of Insurance will show this amount.
Can I have an agreed value policy?
Our Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance offers an agreed value for most types and uses of vehicles, ask us for a quote.
Do I need to list all drivers on my Motor Vehicle Insurance?
All drivers who you expect will drive your vehicle should be listed, although this is not compulsory. Listing drivers may affect your premium, excess, policy coverage and the decision to insure you. Failing to list a driver may result in additional excesses, a reduction or refusal of a claim.
Do I need to list learner drivers?
If you have Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance there is no need to list drivers while they are on a learner permit. The only exception to this might be if you have the Named Driver option. Ask us for details.
Getting a quote/Applying for insurance online
What information do I need to provide?
We will ask you details about your vehicle, its use and drivers. During the quote, we only ask questions that are relevant in providing you with a premium estimate. We only ask full personal details (such as your name and contact information) if you choose to apply online.
To get a quote, some things you might need to find out if you don't already know are:
- The make, model and year of your vehicle - you'll find these on your registration papers
- Details about the drivers of the vehicle including their date of birth, their driving experience and history
- Your No Claim Discount/Rating
And, if you choose to apply online:
- You registration number and expiry date and vehicle's VIN/engine number (optional) - you'll find these on your registration papers
- Details of all drivers - including full names and licence numbers
- Previous insurance policy details including policies numbers
Is my personal information secure when I get a quote, or apply for insurance online?
GIO maintains technology and procedures no less than industry standard in respect to its information management and provision of online services. These measures are revised and updated to ensure we continually maintain and improve our level of security.
Transactions involving the submission of personal information over the Internet to GIO by using one of our online forms or systems, such as online quoting, use encryption technology to ensure the security of that personal information transmission.
Once received by GIO your personal information is stored and protected by a range of security controls including system firewalls and user identification requirements and audit trails. GIO systems and information technology infrastructure are regularly audited both by internal and external experts and regulatory bodies.
View Your Privacy & Security for more information.
What do I need on my computer to get a quote and apply for insurance online?
You need a Browser that is Microsoft IE 5.5 Service Pack 2 or above, or Netscape 6.2 or above.
You also need to have JavaScript enabled. Use your browser's Help menu or visit it's support site to learn about changing your Browser settings.
This website can be viewed on a screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels and above. For best results, you might consider changing your screen size to 1024 x 768. Refer to Help within your Operating System (eg. Windows) for instructions on changing your desktop settings.
How do I view PDF files?
You need Adobe Acrobat Software on your computer to be able to read or print PDF files such as Product Disclosure Statements (PDS). You can download Acrobat Reader for free from the Adobe website.
How do I use the quoting and application system?
At the bottom of each page, click on the 'next' button to go to the next page once you have answered all the questions or the 'back' button to go to the previous page. There is also a menu on the left side of the screen that you can click to go back to a page you have already been. Click the 'next' buttons to go forward again.
What if I need help during the quote or application?
During the quote and application process, there are question marks next to some questions. Click on these to show more information or definitions related to that particular question. You can also access these FAQs from the footer of every page. If you need further assistance, please call us on 13 10 10.
What are my payment options if I apply online?
You can choose to:
- Make a full immediate payment of your premium amount from your credit card
- Pay by the Month from your credit card
- Pay later by BPAY using your financial institution's internet or phone banking service
- Pay later by post or in person - we'll send you an invoice
Can I choose my excess online?
Yes. Once you have completed the quote process and received your premium estimate, you can click on the 'Change my excess.' links. You can find these beneath your basic excess or in the Next Steps box in the top right corner of the page. You can then select different basic excesses to change your premium estimate. Each time you do so you will be given a quote number so you can proceed with the excess of your choice.
Why did I get a 'We'll call you back' page.
It means that at that time, we were not able to proceed with your quote online. This could be because we need to ask you further information about one of your answers to our questions or it might be due to a technical issue. On the 'We'll call you back' page, you can specify when and where you want us to call you so we can assist you further.
Why do some of the sum insured fields already have figures entered? Can I change them?
Yes. Where possible, we provide you with estimated sum insureds. You can find out more about these estimates by clicking on their related question mark '?". You can click inside the field that contains the estimate and it will automatically clear. You can then type in your own figure for the sum insured.
For how long is my quote valid?
Your quote is valid for 7 days. You can apply for insurance anytime within this period. When you come back to the GIO website, select the 'retrieve a quote' link from the menu on the left or the service centre in the top right corner of the GIO homepage.
Can I print my quote?
Yes. On the quote page that shows your premium estimate and quote number, there is a small printer icon and a 'print this page' link in the Next Steps box in the top right corner. Click this link to open your browser's print window.
Can I get a copy of all the questions and my answers?
Yes. When you have reached both the 'Your Quote' and 'Your Policy' screens, there is a detail link in the left menu. Click on this to see all the questions and your answers.
I have completed the quote and application process, what now?
It is a good idea to print the 'Your Policy' page for your records. You will receive a Certificate of Insurance and Product Disclosure Statement by post.
When will my insurance start?
Once you have completed the application, you will be given a Policy Number. You will be covered from the date that you specify:
- If it's today, you'll be covered immediately
- If it's a day in the future, you'll be covered from midnight on the day you specify.
Buying/Renewing/Cancelling your policy
How do I pay for my policy?
You can pay your Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums annually or by the month (a fee applies to pay by the month). Please see our payment options for more information.
Will my policy renew automatically?
If we are prepared to offer renewal of your policy, we will send you a renewal notice at least 14 days before the due date. It will show the amount payable, and the date your payment is due. You must pay your insurance by the due date to ensure cover is maintained. If you pay your insurance by monthly instalments you do not need to take any payment action, we will continue to debit your account on the same date of each month. If you pay your premiums annually please see our payment options for the available methods of payment.
What do I do if my renewal contains incorrect information?
Call us on 13 10 10. It is your responsibility to ensure that your details are up to date and correct. If you fail to advise us of any change in circumstances which you now or should know is relevant, we might reduce or refuse to pay a claim, cancel your policy or if fraud is involved, treat the policy as if it had never existed.
How can I cancel my policy?
You can cancel your policy at any time by calling us on 13 10 10, or by sending us your cancellation in writing. The cancellation takes effect on the date we receive your request.
Do fees apply if I cancel my policy?
If you cancel your cover during the period of insurance we can charge a fee. We will not charge a fee if:
- You are transferring cover to another motor vehicle policy with us or
- You cancel the cover within the cooling off period or
- We cancel the cover for any reason
Your Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 250KB) has full details about the cancellation fees that apply.
Making a Claim
What should I do if I have an accident?
At the scene of the accident:
- Provide assistance to anyone that is injured. Call an Ambulance or Doctor if required.
- Clear the roadway of broken glass and debris if possible.
- Notify the Police if anyone is injured, either your vehicle or the other vehicle needs to be towed away or you are unable to provide particulars of the owner. Keep the details of the Police Officer you spoke to.
- Obtain full details of vehicles involved - drivers' names, residential addresses, phone numbers, registration numbers and insurance company details if possible.
- Do not admit fault to anyone.
- Write down names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses.
- If towing is required, you should direct the towing of your vehicle to one of our Assessment Centres, a Recommended Repairer or your chosen repairer.
- Do everything reasonable to limit and prevent further damage or loss to your vehicle.
After the accident:
- Contact us with full details as soon as possible by contacting our Claims Call Centre on GIO 13 14 46, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- Do not negotiate or promise payment or authorise any repairs without prior consent.
- If you receive any correspondence from any of the other people involved in the accident (or their insurer/legal representative) notify us immediately and send the correspondence to us. This correspondence could include a letter of demand or legal documentation.
- Do not take legal action against the other party without our consent.
- Do not dispose of any damaged property, unless we have agreed.
What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?
- Report the theft to the Police. You must also provide us with the name of the Police Officer, Station, date reported and any report reference number.
- Contact our Claims Call Centre with the full details on 13 14 46, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Do I need to complete a claim form?
No. Lodging a claim is simple. All you need to do is contact our Claims Call Centre on 13 14 46 and provide the details for the claim. The claim number and further instructions will be provided over the phone.
How do I get my vehicle repaired?
We are here to help you with that! In most cases we are able to direct you to either one of our Motor Vehicle Assessment Centres or to another repairer acceptable to us. In both cases they are able to arrange an assessment and organise repairs to your vehicle. Our Recommended Repairers have been appointed by us because we have assessed the repairer as capable of meeting our strict standards of quality workmanship, timeliness, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Please call our Claims Call Centre on 13 14 46 for further information.
The benefits of using our Recommended Repairers are:
- No running around to get quotes.
- We will guarantee the quality of materials and workmanship used in repairs we authorise for the life of the vehicle, even if you no longer own it.
- Fast, efficient and reliable service.
Will I have to pay my excess?
You will need to pay your excess unless:
- you have a claim involving another vehicle, and we decide the driver of your vehicle was not at fault, and you can give us:
- The registration details of the other vehicle and
- The name and address of the other driver or
- you have a claim not involving another vehicle, and we agree the driver of your vehicle was not at fault, and you can give us the name and address of the person responsible for the loss or damage.
Will my No Claim Discount (NCD) Rating be affected?
Your NCD will be reduced and you will pay a higher premium if:
- We decide the driver of your vehicle caused or contributed to the event.
- You were not responsible for the event but can't identify the vehicle and the driver that caused the event (names, residential addresses and vehicle registration details).
What should I do if someone makes a claim against me?
- If you receive any letters of demand from other parties (including their insurer or legal representative) involved in the event, contact our Claims Call Centre on 13 14 46 as soon as possible.
- If you are contacted verbally, advise that you are insured with us and that we will be looking after their claim. Do not admit fault for the damage/accident and do not offer or promise to pay for any costs.
- Record as much of the other parties details as possible (names, residential addresses, phone numbers and vehicle details) as possible.
- Contact our Claims Call Centre on 13 14 46 and advise our consultant of what has happened. We will assist you throughout the claims process.
Do I have to tell you my Input Tax Credit (ITC) entitlement on my insurance premium?
Under the GST Act, you must tell us what your entitlement to ITC was for your insurance premium. If you need more information please contact the ATO on 13 28 66 or www.ato.gov.au.
Why do you deduct ITC entitlement from any direct payments to me?
Under the policy/PDS we are liable to pay you the net cost of your claim. When we calculate a payment to you for your claim, we can reduce it by any Input Tax Credits you are, or would be, entitled to receive, as these input tax credits reduce your net cost.
Who can I discuss my ITC with?
We suggest you contact your Accountant or the ATO on 13 28 66 or www.ato.gov.au
Motor Vehicle Insurance Product Disclosure Statement
Motor Vehicle Insurance is issued by GIO General Limited
Please read the Motor Vehicle Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDF, 337KB) before you make any decision regarding this product. Download Adobe Reader to view this PDF file.