GIO is a Suncorp-owned general insurer with strong brand recognition in New South Wales, offering car, home, contents, CTP (green slips), business and travel insurance. With roots dating back to 1927, GIO has served NSW motorists and households for nearly a century, scoring a 73% car insurance satisfaction rating in CHOICE surveys - above the industry average.
In This Review
What is GIO Insurance?
GIO - originally the Government Insurance Office of New South Wales - was established in 1927 as a state government insurer. Privatised in 1992 and subsequently acquired by Suncorp Group, GIO has retained its strong NSW identity while expanding its product range to serve Australian customers more broadly.
The brand is most strongly associated with New South Wales, where it is one of the leading providers of CTP insurance (known as green slips in NSW). Green slips are compulsory for all registered vehicles in NSW, and GIO has been a consistent participant in the green slip market, regularly featuring as one of the more competitively priced options on the official NSW green slip calculator.
Beyond CTP, GIO offers a full suite of general insurance products including comprehensive car insurance, home and contents insurance, business insurance, travel insurance, motorcycle insurance and boat insurance. The brand operates alongside sister Suncorp brands AAMI, Apia, Shannons, Bingle and Terri Scheer.
CHOICE surveys have rated GIO's car insurance satisfaction at 73%, which sits above the industry average. While not at the top of the satisfaction rankings, this above-average score indicates that most GIO customers are reasonably satisfied with their car insurance experience across pricing, claims and service.
GIO's strength in the NSW market, competitive CTP pricing and above-average car insurance satisfaction make it a commonly chosen insurer for New South Wales households looking to bundle vehicle and property cover.
GIO Insurance Ratings Across Review Platforms
Disclaimer: Ratings are sourced from public review platforms and surveys as of April 2026. Individual experiences may vary. Scores are aggregated for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website for guidance on choosing insurance.
What Customers Say About GIO
Been with GIO for green slips and comprehensive car insurance for eight years. The green slip pricing is always competitive and the car insurance renewal is straightforward.
Home insurance claim after the Easter storm was handled well. Assessor came within a week and the payout covered the full roof replacement.
The convenience of having green slips, car and home insurance all with GIO makes managing everything simple. One login, one payment schedule.
Premium increased by about 18% at renewal with no claims. Called to negotiate and they reduced it somewhat but it was still higher than the previous year.
Tried to claim on travel insurance and the process was drawn out. Took over a month to get a resolution on a relatively simple cancellation claim.
Disclaimer: Review highlights are sourced from public review platforms for informational purposes only. Individual experiences may vary and do not represent guaranteed outcomes. This content does not constitute financial advice. Visit ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance on choosing insurance products.
GIO Insurance Products
Compulsory Third Party insurance for all registered vehicles in New South Wales. GIO is consistently one of the competitively priced CTP providers on the NSW green slip calculator.
Full coverage for your vehicle including accident damage, theft, fire, storm, hail and third-party property damage. 73% car satisfaction in CHOICE surveys (above average).
Building cover for your home against insured events including storm, fire, flood, theft and accidental damage. Flexible sum insured and optional extras available.
Business insurance including public liability, business property, business interruption and professional indemnity. Tailored for small and medium businesses.
GIO Insurance Pros and Cons
GIO Insurance Pricing
GIO is generally positioned as a mid-market insurer with competitive CTP pricing in NSW. The following are estimated premium ranges based on publicly available data and may vary significantly based on individual circumstances.
Disclaimer: All pricing figures are indicative estimates based on publicly available data and general profiles. They are not binding quotes. Your actual premium will depend on your individual circumstances, claims history, location, and the cover options you select. Visit gio.com.au for an actual quote or refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance on comparing insurance.
Your postcode significantly affects premiums. Areas with higher accident rates, theft levels or natural hazard exposure - common in parts of Sydney and regional NSW - attract higher premiums.
The make, model, year and value of your vehicle determine repair and replacement costs, directly impacting your car insurance premium.
A clean claims history and no traffic offences result in lower premiums. At-fault claims in the past three to five years can significantly increase your premium.
Choosing a higher voluntary excess reduces your premium but means you pay more out of pocket when making a claim. GIO offers multiple excess options.
Comprehensive cover costs more than third party options. Optional extras like hire car, roadside assistance and windscreen cover add to the total premium.
GIO vs Other NSW Insurers
| Feature | Feature | GIO | NRMA | AAMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.9/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 | |
| Car Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CTP (Green Slips) | Yes (NSW) | Yes (NSW) | Yes (various states) | |
| Home Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Business Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| CHOICE Car Satisfaction | 73% (above avg) | 75% (above avg) | 62% | |
| Physical Branches | Limited | Yes (extensive) | No | |
| Multi-Policy Discount | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Owner | Suncorp Group | IAG | Suncorp Group | |
| NSW Heritage | Since 1927 | Since 1920 | VIC-based |
Disclaimer: Comparison data is based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Features and pricing may change. Verify details directly with each insurer before purchasing. This comparison does not constitute financial advice. Refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance.
Alternatives to GIO Insurance
NRMA is the dominant NSW insurance brand with extensive branch network, strong CTP presence and comprehensive car and home cover. Part of IAG.
Fellow Suncorp brand AAMI offers competitive pricing across car, home and contents with the Safe Driver Rewards program. Strong value proposition.
Australia's most-awarded value insurer with strong online pricing and Canstar Outstanding Value recognition 19 years running.
Who Is GIO Best For?
GIO's consistently competitive CTP pricing makes it a natural first stop for NSW vehicle owners. Bundling a green slip with comprehensive car insurance creates a convenient single-provider arrangement.
With CTP, car, home, contents and business insurance all available under the GIO brand, NSW customers can consolidate their insurance with one provider and one online account.
GIO's 73% car insurance satisfaction score in CHOICE surveys - above the industry average - indicates that most customers have a positive experience with their car cover and claims.
GIO's car insurance premiums are generally competitive in the Sydney market, and the ability to pair with a competitively priced green slip creates potential savings on total vehicle insurance costs.
Our Verdict on GIO Insurance
GIO delivers reliable insurance coverage with particular strength in the New South Wales market. The combination of competitive CTP green slip pricing and above-average car insurance satisfaction (73% in CHOICE surveys) makes it a practical choice for NSW motorists looking to bundle their compulsory and voluntary vehicle cover.
The broad product range and Suncorp Group backing provide the breadth and financial security that households need from a general insurer. For customers who value the convenience of having CTP, car, home and contents under one roof, GIO offers a straightforward proposition.
The main downsides are premium increases at renewal - a common frustration across the industry but one that GIO customers report frequently - and a brand that is less competitive or well-known outside NSW. Customers outside New South Wales may find better options from national brands like AAMI or Budget Direct.
Common questions about GIO Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in April 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Our review methodology is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Scores represent editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Individual experiences may vary. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing insurance. For independent guidance on choosing insurance, visit ASIC's MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au.
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