iSelect

iSelect, Australian comparison service for insurance and household utilities

iSelect Pty Ltd is an Australian company specialising in the comparison of insurance products, energy utilities, internet, and loans. It operates in the Australian consumer market and combines online comparison with phone support from experts based in Australia. The company states it pioneered the comparison sector in the country and has been helping households review their bills for over 25 years.

Products and services available for comparison

The comparison catalogue covers several categories of household and financial spending:

• Insurance: health (with cover for singles, couples, pregnancy, families, seniors, and overseas visitors, as well as hospital, extras, ambulance, and dental cover), car (new drivers, learner drivers, P platers, seniors, and 4WD owners; comprehensive, third-party property fire and theft, third-party property, compulsory third party, and roadside assistance), home (home and contents, contents only, homeowners, and renters), life (income protection, life, total and permanent disability, and trauma), business (public liability, professional indemnity, cyber liability, and personal accident), travel (annual multi-trip and cruise), and pets (dogs and cats).
• Utilities: electricity and gas, with comparison by service type, solar energy plans, and cheapest electricity options by region.
• Internet: NBN plans, fixed wireless internet, and cheap options.
• Loans: home loans, including information on the First Home Owners Grant, interest-only loans, fixed-rate and variable-rate loans, plus mortgage and borrowing power calculators.

How the service works

Users can compare directly on the website or speak to an adviser by phone. In the online comparison, contact details are requested so an expert can call and help understand the options. The company notes that its advisers receive ongoing training to provide up-to-date and accurate information. The service is free for the user and comes with no obligation to purchase: it is the partner insurers and providers who pay a commission. iSelect states that it does not mark up the price of products, so the price would be the same as buying directly, excluding corporate discounts or exclusive retail offers.

For health insurance, there is a Price Promise: if within 30 days of purchase the customer finds the same policy with a lower standard annual premium at the same insurer, iSelect gives a $500 AUD electronic gift card, subject to terms and conditions.

Editorial resources and tools

The company maintains over 300 articles written in plain English by its in-house editorial team on insurance, finance, and utilities. It also offers online calculators, such as the mortgage and borrowing power calculators, and explainer videos on complex topics. Contributors and expert authors featured on the site include author and entrepreneur Adrian Raftery and financial planner Canna Campbell, founder of SugarMamma TV. The team of specialists includes profiles such as Andres Gutierrez, General Manager – Health, and Julia Paszka, General Manager – Utilities.

Structure and presence

iSelect employs over 250 people in Australia, with the majority based at its head office in Collins Square, Melbourne. Phone support is provided from Australia. The company presents itself as more than just a comparison site, highlighting the personal touch of its team. It does not compare every brand and product on the market, although its catalogue includes many of the major Australian brands.