The Find an Insurer online referral service has received more than 280,000 enquiries in its first year, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.

The council launched the website on July 1 last year at the request of the Financial Ombudsman Service, which previously provided consumer referrals.

Home, travel and comprehensive car insurance are the three most popular general insurance categories among the 258 available from 106 insurers.

More than 280,460 online searches were recorded in the year, while the telephone service fielded 38,600 enquiries, the council says.