Still waiting on a

Budget Direct

refund?

Budget Direct offers refunds under specific conditions:

• 21-Day Cooling-Off Period (Full Refund):
  Cancel your policy within 21 days of the start or renewal date without claims for a 100% refund of your premium.
  
  
• No Claims Made:
  Refund eligibility during cooling-off requires no claims made on the policy. If a claim was made, your full refund eligibility is forfeited.
  
  
• After 21 Days (Pro Rata Refund):
  You can still cancel after 21 days and receive a pro-rata refund of your unused premium, minus applicable fees.
  
  
• Early Cancellation Fee:
  A $40 early cancellation fee applies for cancellations after the 21-day cooling-off period (waived if you cancel at renewal).
  
  
• Exclusions & Small Balances:
  Government taxes/duties and amounts under $1 are typically non-refundable.
  

To request your Budget Direct refund easily, follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Cancellation Date: Decide when coverage ends (immediately or future date).
   
   
2. Contact Budget Direct:
   
   
   • Online Chat: Log into your Policy Manager.
     
   • Phone: Call customer service:
     
     
     • Car Insurance: 1300 306 560
       
     • Home Insurance: 1800 182 310
       
     • Travel Insurance: 1300 792 001
3. Provide Policy Details: Have your policy number and personal details handy to verify identity.
   
   
4. Confirm Refund Amount: Budget Direct calculates your refund amount, considering unused premium and applicable fees.
   
   
5. Refund Method Confirmation: Your refund typically goes back to your original payment method (card or bank transfer).
   
   
6. Receive Written Confirmation: You’ll receive an email confirming cancellation date, refund amount, and refund method.
   
   
7. Monitor Refund Arrival: Refunds usually appear in your account within 3–14 business days.
   

🔖 Tip: Keep your cancellation reference and confirmation email for easy follow-ups if needed.

Budget Direct typically issues refunds promptly after cancellation:

• Standard Refund Timeline: Most refunds processed within 3–7 business days.
  
  
• Maximum Expected Time: Rarely exceeds 14 business days.
  
  
• Refund Delays: Occasional delays occur due to bank processing, closed cards, or weekends/holidays.
  

🔖 Advice: Follow up with Budget Direct support if your refund exceeds expected timelines.

Budget Direct offers refunds via convenient methods based on your original payment:

• Credit/Debit Card: Refund credited directly to your original payment card (fastest method, typically within days).
  
  
• Bank Transfer (EFT): Direct deposit if card refund is not possible (takes 1–3 business days once processed).
  
  
• Cheque Payment: Cheques issued if card/bank transfers fail (slower method, typically 2–4 weeks).
  
  

🔖 Note: Refunds generally return via one method; no split payments across methods.

Customers commonly encounter these refund-related issues:

• Auto-Renewal Charges: Policies automatically renewing without customer intention, leading to refund requests.
  
  
• Delayed Refunds: Occasional processing delays beyond typical timelines, often due to bank issues or closed cards.
  
  
• Refunds to Closed Cards: Refunding to outdated payment methods, resulting in bounced refunds and cheque delays.
  
  
• Communication/Support Challenges: Difficulties reaching customer service or getting timely responses about refunds.
  
  
• Partial-Month Confusion: Misunderstandings about how pro-rata refunds for partial coverage periods are calculated.
  
  
• Early Cancellation Fee Frustration: Customers sometimes surprised by the $40 cancellation fee after the cooling-off period.
  

🔖 Tip: Clearly communicate your preferred refund method to Budget Direct if payment details have changed.