Budget Direct has the best value car insurance policy in four states, while QBE leads the way on claims service, according to the latest Canstar customer satisfaction ratings for car cover.

NRMA Insurance was voted best value in Queensland and AAMI took the prize in WA, but Budget Direct won in NSW, SA, Tasmania and Victoria – plus the national honour for outstanding value.

Canstar uses pricing, policy features and claims satisfaction to rate insurers on value, comparing 19,494 quotes and 54 policies from 47 providers.

AAMI’s Claim Assist app, which enables customers to make and track claims online, boosted its score.

QBE retained the national award for outstanding claims service for the third year, based on the comments of 1521 survey respondents who had made a claim.

Customers found QBE to be helpful and liked the flexibility of being able to claim at branches, through brokers or online.

Canstar says premiums have stayed largely stable and moved in line with the consumer price index over the past 10 years.