Insurance unsolved: The case of the proliferating awards

Dr Mumbo sure does find the insurance world baffling.

It’s not even a fortnight since Budget Direct put out a press release announcing that it had become the first brand to simultaneously hold all four insurer of the year awards, from Canstar, Money magazine, Finder and WeMoney.

Indeed, until Dr Mumbo saw the announcement, he was unaware there was such a thing as “the Insurance Grand Slam”.

Budget Direct invents (and claims) “the Insurance Grand Slam”

Still, social proof is a powerful tool of behavioural economics, so leaning in to third party endorsement is a legit marketing strategy.

Which leaves Dr Mumbo wondering why Budget’s rival brands have charged into the same territory. Youi is currently running a TV ad featuring its Canstar awards. Dr Mumbo had to put his nose against the TV screen before he could read “2024” on the image.

And sadly, Dr Mumbo’s eyesight (and camera’s zoom function) is unable to distinguish which Canstar Award Youi is claiming on the giant Glebe Island Silo billboard next to Sydney’s Anzac Bridge.

Does Youi need a bigger billboard, or a more up to date one? (Mumbrella)

AAMI is getting in on the act too. DespiteCanstar handing out its 2026 awards back in January, AAMI is currently bombarding Reddit users with all of its 2025 wins.

Check out AAMI’s (old) medal tally

It’s all a mystery worthy of Budget Direct’s hardbitten detective, Sarge.