CONSUMERS will be told upfront and in plain English whether their car insurance policy allows them to choose their own smash repairer, under a new code to end a decade of ferocious disputes between Australia's insurance giants and the smash repair industry.

CONSUMERS will be told at the outset and in plain English whether their car insurance policy allows them to choose their own smash repairer, under a new code to end a decade of ferocious disputes between Australia's insurance giants and the smash repair industry.

Australian insurance companies have never been more profitable but fierce competition is about to bring these gains to a screeching halt, an industry survey has found.

Young drivers have been slugged with hefty insurance premiums, but it's possible to significantly lower the costs, reports Ian Hamilton.

THE difference between quotes for car insurance can be considerable ? sometimes hundreds of dollars ? so it is vital you compare prices and policies before committing to an insurer.