RACQ Insurance is the latest personal lines insurer to introduce concessions to reflect reduced driving during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Customers renewing or purchasing a new comprehensive car policy with RACQ Insurance before June 30 will save $30 on average at a cost of around $5 million to the insurer.

The measures come after Youi, QBE and Suncorp recently announced special offers for car insurance customers.

RACQ Insurance is also offering to delay the payment of excesses for customers who have lost their job or had their work hours cut.

More than 1750 applications for financial hardship relief have been received by the company so far, with 60% saying that paying their insurance premiums would be a struggle.

“We’ll work through the options and give them time to pay that excess back when they are back on their feet again,” RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.

“For members insured with us, we recognise many are using their vehicles differently. That’s why we’ve already paused premiums from going up for our motor vehicle insurance policy holders, and with the further discount, we’re saving members almost $5 million,” he said.

QBE says it will contact its motor customers soon with details on how to access vouchers of up to $50, or around a quarter of the average value of premiums for three months.

Last week, Youi announced a 15% premium relief for three months to motor customers who are driving less due to COVID-19 while New Zealand insurer Tower is also working out its own refund plan to reflect lower car use.

Suncorp and its GIO, AAMI and Apia brands are targeting measures toward customers experiencing financial difficulty caused by the COVID-19 crisis, offering flexible premium options, including discounts of up to 20% or three-month premium waivers, to home and car insurance policyholders who have lost their job or suffered significantly reduced income because of the pandemic.

Suncorp is also offering free roadside assistance to nurses, doctors, paramedics, firefighters and police officers across Australia for rest of the year.

IAG has also not opted for refunds or vouchers but says a dedicated team is working on customer support measures, and any additional benefits arising from restrictions would “ultimately flow through to our customers.”

IAG motor customers can change upcoming premium payments from annual to pay-by-the-month, and cancellation fees have been waived.