Updated September 28, 2026 · AssureCue Editorial Team
Budget Direct vs MiWay
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Budget Direct | MiWay ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance types | Auto, Home, Renters, Life, Travel, Pet, Motorcycle, Breakdown, Landlord, Income protection | Auto, Home, Renters, Pet, Motorcycle, Breakdown, Home emergency |
| Excess from | A$100 | ZAR 5,000 |
| Cover limit | AUD 12,000-25,000 per year (pet insurance annual benefit limit; Plus up to $25,000, Essential $12,000) | R15,000 to R60,000 per policy (pet annual limits) |
| Claims channels | Phone, Online | Mobile app, Self service portal, Phone, Whatsapp, Online form |
| Age range | Pet insurance: over 8 weeks old and under 9 years old at first policy | 0-12 years (pet insurance: 0-8 years for Premium and Core, 0-12 years for Accident) |
| Premium from | A$76.45 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Provider type (Insurer), Monthly payments (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- MiWay scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Insurance types: only Budget Direct offers Life, Travel, Landlord.
- Insurance types: only MiWay offers Home emergency.
- Claims channels: only Budget Direct offers Online.
- Claims channels: only MiWay offers Mobile app, Self service portal, Whatsapp.
- Support channels: only MiWay offers Community.
Our verdict on each
Budget Direct
Budget Direct suits Australian households wanting one insurer across car, home, pet, travel and other cover, but its price is among the highest here. Premiums start at AUD 76.45 against a site median of €8.37, and the pet excess of AUD 100 adds to the bill.
MiWay
Miway is a practical choice for South African customers who want several personal and business insurance categories from an insurer, with monthly car payments and flexible claims access. Its car excess starts at ZAR 5,000, so compare that cost carefully against the broad choice of cover.
Score breakdown
| Area | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8HigherPremium starts at AUD 76.45, well above the €8.37 site median, so the cost case is weak. | 8.7The car excess starts at ZAR 5,000, making it an important cost factor when comparing policies. |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.9Higher |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.6Higher |
What each covers
| Insurance types | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Home | Yes | Yes |
| Renters | Yes | Yes |
| Life | Yes | No |
| Travel | Yes | No |
| Pet | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle | Yes | Yes |
| Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Landlord | Yes | No |
| Income protection | Yes | No |
| Home emergency | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Car insurance | 100 of 375 | 93 of 375 |
| Home insurance | 86 of 273 | 76 of 273 |
| Renters and contents insurance | 30 of 78 | 26 of 78 |
| Pet insurance | 58 of 167 | 53 of 167 |
| Motorbike insurance | 44 of 120 | 40 of 120 |
| Breakdown cover | 20 of 53 | 16 of 53 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Budget Direct: 1. Additional countries for MiWay: 1.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Monthly | Monthly |
| Legal entity | Auto & General Services Pty Ltd | Miway Insurance Limited |
| Headquarters | Australia | South Africa |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email, CommunityCovers more |
Business insurance
| Fact | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Cover types | Not confirmed | Public liability, Professional indemnity, Property |
Pros and cons
Budget Direct
Pros
- One insurer covers auto, home and renters
- Monthly payments are available, so cash flow is easier to manage
- Support runs on phone, email and chat
Cons
- Premium of AUD 76.45 sits far above the €8.37 site median
- Claims run on phone and online, a narrower route than the phone, email and chat listed for general support
- Pet cover is capped at AUD 12,000-25,000 per year (pet insurance annual benefit limit; Plus up to $25,000, Essential $12,000) per year
MiWay
Pros
- Miway provides personal and business insurance as a direct insurer, according to insurer.
- Cover includes auto, home, renters, pet, motorcycle, breakdown and home emergency through auto, home and renters.
- Car customers can choose monthly payments under monthly.
Cons
- The car excess starts at ZAR 5,000, which is a meaningful cost to consider.
- Good Sam lists life, health and travel cover, while Miway's range is shown in auto, home and renters and auto, home and renters respectively.
Who each suits
Budget Direct
Who it suits
- Australian households bundling car, home and pet policies
- Pet owners whose pet is within a minimum age and under a maximum age at first policy
- People who want monthly payments to spread the cost
Who should look elsewhere
- Cheap-first shoppers, since AUD 76.45 is well above the €8.37 site median
- People who want to claim by email or chat, as claims run on phone and online only
- Owners of older pets, outside the age range for a first policy
MiWay
Who it suits
- South African customers comparing car, home, renters, pet, motorcycle or breakdown cover.
- Pet owners reviewing plan-specific age eligibility and annual limits.
- Businesses seeking public liability, professional indemnity or property insurance.
Who should look elsewhere
- Euroasia Insurance may suit customers focused on auto, home, travel or gadget cover, based on auto, home and travel.
- Hiscox UK may suit customers prioritising landlord, auto and home emergency cover, based on home, renters and landlord.
Current offers
Budget Direct
Current offer
Discount code
15% Online Discount on first year's premium (car, home, motorcycle, pet, travel): 15%
New policy purchased or quoted online, first year only, no renewal, for policies quoted on or after 20 August 2026
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Combined Discount on new combined Home and Contents policy: up to 15%
Home Building and Contents bought in a single transaction, first year only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Standalone Roadside Assistance online discount: 15%
First year's membership on a new Standalone Roadside Assistance membership purchased or quoted online; not when added to a car insurance policy
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Life Insurance $100 eGift card: AUD 100
Eligible life policies with total annualised premium of at least $400 at issue, held 90 days with three months' premiums paid; promotion 8 July 2026 to 31 December 2026; one per customer
Source, checked September 26, 2026
MiWay
Current offer
Bonus
We'll beat your premium or give you up to R2,000: Up to R2,000
Ts & Cs apply; page links to the R2000 dare terms
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Insure 2 or more cars and save on your premium: 25% (2 cars) up to 100% (5+ cars) off the lowest premium
Applies when insuring multiple cars with Miway
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
MiCashback: 10% of premiums back every 2 years
No break in your cover and no claims; Ts & Cs apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Budget Direct | MiWay |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| South Africa | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Budget Direct
What does Budget Direct cost as a starting premium?+
Premiums start at AUD 76.45. That is a high starting point, sitting well above the €8.37 median across the site. The pet policy also carries an excess starting at AUD 100, which adds to what a claim costs you.
Who is behind Budget Direct and is it regulated?+
The insurer is Auto & General Services Pty Ltd, an insurer based in Australia and trading since 2000. In Australia it is licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under licence 360138.
MiWay
Is Miway an insurer or a broker?+
Miway is an insurer, as shown in insurer. The legal entity named in its terms is Miway Insurance Limited, which is identified in Miway Insurance Limited.
What is the starting car insurance excess?+
The car excess starts at ZAR 5,000. This is the amount relevant to the car policy structure, so it should be weighed alongside the monthly payment model listed in monthly.