Budget Direct’s ‘Sarge’ demands answers from Australians who pay too much for their insurance
Budget Direct’s Sarge is intent on getting some answers as to why Australians are paying more for insurance than they need to, by interrogating a consumer who bought an expensive insurance policy.
The latest ad from Budget Direct sees detective Sarge in a dimly-lit interrogation room with a man who has taken out an expensive insurance policy for his car.
Sarge throws a copy of Money magazine – which features Budget Direct’s award win on the front cover – on the table, telling the suspect he knew that he could get a better deal. The man asks if he will be arrested.
What a joke. The company behind Budget Direct – Auto & General which operates through a number of brands – increased my home insurance premium by 80 per cent last year, meaning my premium had doubled in just two years. Obviously, I switched provider to get back to my old rate and saved the $1300 a year extra they had stung me. This whole industry is an absolute disgrace which needs a good look from the ACCC. They all follow the same modus operandi of getting you in with a low premium and then drastically increasing it each year, to catch out passive customers and then squeeze them for a fortune when they aren’t looking. Get stuffed Budget Direct and Auto & General. You both need to make an appearance before the Financial Services Royal Commission.
Got renewal form Woolworths for my car 698 dollars . Tried budget direct wanted 789 !!! Finally got it from Coles for 564 !
Suprise, it’s bullshit! Also suprise, magazine still exists.
Yeah righto, how about actually paying out claims fairly! 4 months post house fire and I am still fighting budget direct!!!! Apparently my stuff was worth four figures, not bad for 30 odd years and four kids and bedrooms. They are an absolute disgrace and will do anything to get out of paying properly.
insurance is a serious business, a tough approach as part of the deal is probably accounted as a positive, but aggressive grilling in an interview room, is a poor setting when related to a supposedly benevolent and caring insurance company.
In my opinion. the creative work is apparent, the shooting is almost good, the direction lacks detail, and the production is over enthusiastic; the message stinks.
Duncan and Kylie
I’m really sorry to hear about your negative experiences with Budget Direct. Getting things right for our customers is of the utmost importance to us. If you could send an email “For the attention of Jonathan Kerr” with your contact details to social@budgetdirect.com.au I will get in touch directly to understand the issues better and see what we can do to address them for you.