Agreed vs market value

Last updated on March 20, 2025

When you take out Comprehensive Car Insurance, you sometimes have two ways to insure your car: for an agreed value or its market value.

Both options determine how much money you’ll get if your car is written off or stolen – but they can be very different amounts.

A man and a woman driving in a car

Agreed value is the amount you and your insurer agree to insure your car for. The vehicle’s depreciation during the policy period has no impact on any payout amount you’ll receive following a total loss. It’s up to you to decide how much cover you need. You'll receive this exact amount if your car gets written off.

We only offer agreed value cover to new Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance customers.

The market value is the price your car would likely sell for just before it was stolen or damaged beyond repair. It takes into account factors such as age, condition, and mileage.
Choosing between agreed value and market value depends on your situation. It also depends on the type of car you have as well as how much you value certainty.

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Criteria Agreed Value Market Value
Flexibility Yes – you can select the value with the insurer, within a given range No – determined by market conditions and depreciation
Stability of value Stable – the value is locked in for the policy period Unstable – the value can fluctuate with changes in the car market
Payout clarity Certainty – you know exactly how much you’ll receive in a total loss Variable – subject to the car’s market value at the time of a claim
Premium cost Typically higher – but offers certainty and control Typically lower – but more risk and uncertainty because of fluctuating value

The market value of your car is determined at the time you make a claim. Typically, you'll receive a lump sum based on this valuation. We obtain these valuations from automotive industry resources like RedBook and Glass's Guide, which conduct extensive research to provide accurate pricing and valuation data for used vehicles.

It's important to note that these valuations might differ from the price you could get if you sold your car privately. For instance, some cars might sell for more due to their popularity and limited availability.

The market value takes into account factors such as the make, model, age, kilometres travelled, and overall condition.

In most cases, your car will depreciate over time. This means the payout may be less than you expected.

The market value isn’t the same as the trade-in value. Car dealerships typically decide on the trade-in value. It’s often based on whether you plan to buy a new or used car in exchange for your current one.

Agreed value is a little simpler. Say your car is written off by a covered incident. When you make a claim, the insurer pays you the pre-agreed amount as a lump sum, regardless of market fluctuations. With Allianz, you agree on a set amount to insure your car for when you get coverage.

Additionally, if your new car is stolen or written off within two years of manufacture, you have another option. You can choose to receive the agreed value or have your new car replaced with one of the same make and model where available in Australia.

Keep in mind that regardless of whether you have agreed or market value cover, you’ll typically need to pay an excess. An excess is the amount you pay before your insurer contributes to your claim.

Good to know: It’s worth checking if your agreed value is appropriate at each policy renewal. For example, reducing the agreed value could lower your insurance premium.

We only offer agreed value cover to new Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance customers. It allows you to lock in your payout amount and provides you with more certainty at claim time.

If you bought a policy before 9 September 2021 and have since renewed, you may have either agreed or market value cover.

“You always think that insurance is a payment that just goes into a hole and no benefits.....until you have a claim. My wife's car was written off. Called Allianz from the scene. [Within] an hour my car was towed away and we were on our way in a rental vehicle. Claim was settled in less than 2 weeks. Amazing service all round. Thank you Allianz!" - Nathan

“Our claim was dealt with quickly and effectively. The fella I spoke to initially on the phone was very good, as was the assessor, who contacted us promptly and explained things very well. Our car was written off and a fair market value price was also promptly placed into our account. Overall we are very happy with the outcome." - Allianz Customer

“Faultless experience. Great staff, personal touch, and a fair result (I was surprised at how quickly we could agree on market value). They've secured a life member in myself." - Daniel

Want to read more reviews? Head to Allianz Car Insurance Reviews for more information.

With Allianz agreed value policies, you choose how much coverage you need within a given range. Be sure to include any changes, as well as:

  • accessories that have been made or added to the car or 4x4
  • wall chargers and charging accessories including wall mount for EVs 
  • registration and any CTP insurance 
  • on-road costs like stamp duty
  • GST
If you bought a policy before 9 September 2021 and have market value cover, you may be able to change to agreed value cover by moving to our new Comprehensive Car Insurance product.
You can find your agreed value in your policy details document. If you’re not sure what it is, get in touch and we can help.

If an insurer offers an agreed and market value option, the agreed value option can cost more because it allows you to lock in your payout amount. 

Similarly, the higher your agreed value, the higher the premium. Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different and there may be times this is not the case.

This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 ("Allianz"). In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.

Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.

Allianz acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work across Australia. We pay our respect to First Nations Elders past and present.

Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website. We do not provide any form of advice if you call us to enquire about or purchase a product.

Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 is the insurer of any general insurance products offered, and Allianz Australia Life Insurance Limited ABN 27 076 033 782 AFS Licence No. 296559 is the insurer of any life insurance products offered. Each entity is responsible for any statements and representations made about its products, on this website.