Compare car insurance

What is car insurance?

Car insurance is an agreement between you (the driver) and an insurer, in which you pay them a car insurance premium in exchange for them covering you in case something goes wrong. In New Zealand there are 3 levels of insurance.

Your options are third party, which covers damage you cause to other people’s vehicles. Third party fire and theft polices cover you for that, plus any damage from fire and theft. Comprehensive car insurance policies cover you if you’re in an accident with someone else and need your vehicle repaired or replaced. It’s the only type of policy that will cover you for pretty much any event, like storms, vandalism, and car crashes.

Comprehensive, third party, or third party fire and theft?

Comprehensive

If you want top cover, this is the option for you.

It covers theft, vandalism, storms, flood, hail, fire, key replacement, emergency accommodation, hire cars, accidental damage (to name a few) – plus everything that’s covered by cheaper policies.

Learn more

Which is the cheapest car insurance company? We compared prices

In our latest comprehensive car insurance quote comparison, we collected quotes from 11 car insurance providersv from 6 locations across New Zealand and 2 different driver and car profiles. All quotes were for comprehensive car insurance policies.

In our most recent quote snapshots, we found the cheapest car insurance companies were AMI, AMP and State for our cheaper 2005 Mazda Axela. Cove was often the cheapest for our more expensive 2019 Toyota Highlander Wagon, with Kiwibank and Protecta not too far behind.

However, it’s worth pointing out that quoted prices could vary significantly from the most to least expensive. In our selection, prices could differ by more than $1,000 for the same car, location and driver profile, showing that picking the right insurer can result in huge savings every year.

• Quote set 1
• Quote set 2

So will these insurers give you the cheapest quote?

Not necessarily. Our quotes represent a snapshot of the market and are only an indication of how cheap or expensive an insurer may be. They also show the importance of comparing car insurance prices since there can be substantial differences between providers.

Car insurance companies take lots of details into account when pricing their insurance, and they don’t all look at these details in the same way or give them the same importance.

For example, Tower and Trade Me want to know if your car is normally parked on the street, or somewhere else such as in a driveway or garage. You may get a lower price if your car is somewhere a little more secure. Many other providers will only look at your address.

Several insurers also offer a multi-policy discount that can be as much as 20%. If you already have home or contents cover with one of these insurers it’s definitely worth seeing how much you could save.

In summary, take the time to compare quotes as it really will help you find the best (and cheapest) cover for your car.

Car insurance buying guide

The ideal car insurance policy is one with an affordable price tag and the right amount of cover for your needs. If you have too much protection, you’ll be over-insured and spend more than you need. If you have too little, you’ll be under-insured and not efficiently protected.

The trick is to find the right balance of cost and cover for your needs. Try running through this car insurance, buying checklist to discover your next policy.

Here’s a quick walk through how to find the right car insurance. The three steps are deciding, comparing and buying.

Once you decide what you need, you can start looking for suitable options.

After this, you might be ready to start buying.

Do you need car insurance in New Zealand?

Unlike in other countries, car insurance is not a legal requirement when you own a vehicle in New Zealand. Injuries are covered by ACC, but if you cause an accident you are likely to be left with a hefty bill to repair the vehicles and property involved.

At a minimum, third party insurance covers your legal liability if you damage someone else’s property, but third party insurance won’t be much use if you find that your vehicle has been stolen or broken into.

In 2019, 24,416 vehicles across the country were reported as being stolen or vandalised, with the top 5 hotspots being Lower Hutt, Palmerston North, Wellington, Napier and Auckland.

Find out more about car theft in your area in our NZ Car Theft Statistics 2020 report.

Your car could be stolen at any time, anywhere, so you should consider an insurance policy that includes theft of your vehicle. Third party, fire & theft provides cover for stolen vehicles and fire damage, but you’ll still be left with a repair bill if you are in a road accident.

Another point to consider is that many lenders require you to have comprehensive insurance when you take out finance for a vehicle purchase and have them listed as a named party on the policy. This is to ensure that you don’t get even more in the red should something happen to your car and you need to pay for repairs or a replacement.

Top 7 hacks to cut your premiums

1. Take advantage of discounts. When looking around for cover, see if you can get a loyalty discount or a deal for new customers. Some insurance providers will also supply a discount of up to 15% for taking out your policy online.
2. Pay a higher excess. The excess is an amount you pay when you want to make a claim. If you increase this amount, your insurance company perceives you as less likely to make a claim. This helps bring down the overall cost of your premium.
3. Restrict certain drivers. Most policies give you a cheaper premium if you restrict specific drivers from taking your wheels for a spin. Consider restricting drivers like under 25s, seniors, learners, or restricted licenses.
4. Understand how your vehicle make and model affects your premium. If you haven’t purchased a car yet, get insurance prices for a variety of car models. You might be surprised how much the car you drive can have an effect on how much car insurance costs.
5. Bundle your policies together. If you already have home insurance, consider sticking with the same provider for your auto insurance. When you group multiple policies, you can benefit from a multi-policy discount which can take a significant chunk out of your car insurance premium.
6. Keep a clean driving record. Obviously no one goes out of their way to receive a fine. However, your driving record and the history of the claims you lodge are used to determine how much of a risk you pose to the insurance company. The higher the level of risk, the more you have to pay. Conversely, if you have a good driving record and haven’t lodged many claims or none at all, there’s a good chance you’ll receive a better deal on your premium.
7. Compare! It pays to do your research. Get multiple quotes from different insurers to make sure you’re getting the best quote out there. Don’t be fooled by policies that are ridiculously cheap, as this can sometimes compromise your cover. Don’t be afraid to switch providers to get the a new deal.

Looking to switch insurers?

There are many reasons why you might want to leave your current insurer. Your circumstances might have changed; you might be paying a bucket load, or maybe you’re just fed up with their customer service. We get it! If you’re unhappy, there’s no reason why you can’t switch to another company.

There are a few times where you should actively consider changing policy. If your circumstances have changed, chances are, your premiums may alter too. Consider finding a new insurer when:

• Your policy comes up for renewal
• You change cars
• You move into another home
• The number of drivers using your car changes
• You’ve just celebrated a birthday, (especially your 25th birthday)
• Your driving record has changed

Why changing insurers isn’t that hard

So, you figure out you’re excessively charged for your car insurance. You’re probably thinking about switching, and if you’re not, maybe you should.

There’s a common misconception that changing car insurance is a huge hassle. In reality, it isn’t as hard as you think.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Find a new car insurance policy

Before you abandon ship, it’s a good idea to have another one you can climb aboard. Compare car insurance policies side-by-side. Be sure to consider not just price but what features you need in a policy and how much cover you want, especially if you’re looking at a comprehensive policy.

Step 2: Take out the new policy before you cancel the old one

When do you want to switch? Some people prefer to do it so they can benefit from discounts from their new company, while others like to change at the end of the payment period.

If you’re switching companies mid-policy, take note of the cancellation fee. This fee is usually in your policy documentation, so check it out to see how much you need to pay.

Ensure you have a thorough read of your new Product Disclosure Statement (it’s just some light reading). Before you cancel your old policy, make sure you accept the new policy and have the letter of confirmation from the insurer. This prevents you being without cover while you change over.

Step 3: Cancel your old policy.

Inform your old insurer in writing that you are cancelling your policy. Ensure you receive written confirmation that the policy is cancelled.

Aim for your new policy to take effect on the same day your old policy is cancelled.

Step 4: Profit!

Enjoy the benefits that come with looking around for the right and car insurance switching to a better policy. Go buy yourself something fantastic!

How Finder helps you choose

Don’t like flicking through fine print? Got better things to do than check if a car insurer offers roadside assist? We’re here to help you Find Better.

At Finder, our experts do all the heavy lifting for you. We spend countless hours looking through policy documents so you don’t have to and highlight the important policy features in a table so you can compare policies side-by-side. Features we look at include:

We want what’s best for you.We don’t work with every brand, but we still provide reviews for almost every brand on the market.

You can trust us.We may receive a small fee if you click one of our partner brands, but we’ve got strict editorial guidelines.

We know what we’re talking about. Our financial experts are constantly researching car insurers so you have up-to-date information.

We won’t hassle you. Unlike other sites, we won’t take your details and we don’t call or email you.

Related car insurance guides

Still not sure? Your questions about car insurance answered

Finding the right cover

Why does customer service matter when choosing an insurer?

In car insurance, customer service means much more than a smile as they fill out the paperwork. It means being able to depend on your insurer in the event of a claim, and knowing the next time you speak to them, you might be having a terrible day.

It can help to focus on the essential factors, including:

• Response times: How can you contact the insurer, no matter where or when? This includes how long it takes the customer service team to pick up the phone when you call; how quickly you can expect a response to online or email enquiries and how long it usually takes the insurer to assess and pay claims. It can be a good idea to avoid insurers that aren’t available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all-year around.
• Claims options: If you needed to make a claim now, what would you do? If you have a preference for online claims or want to use an app, it is a good idea to look for insurers that offer these options. If you think you prefer to claim over the phone or in person, consider what exactly this involves.
• Communication: Does the insurer stay in touch throughout the claims process? This can be a significant difference when you make a claim, as you don’t want to chase them for updates. Let them keep you in the loop instead.
• Policy flexibility: How can you adjust your policy? Flexibility encompasses not only the options available to you but also the ease with which you can take advantage of them and the responsiveness of your insurer.
• Partnered service quality: What’s the quality of the insurer’s service partners? Free roadside assistance may not be much use if it’s not available in your area. However, towing, vehicle storage, glass and windscreen replacement and other repairs all typically involve the use of partnered service providers. It can be a good idea to check the quality of these and look for relevant reviews.

How to apply for car insurance

Applying for car insurance involves first getting a quote, then the application process itself.

Getting a quote

The quote process differs depending on the insurance brand, though most follow similar steps to the ones listed below:

• Specify what policy you want and when you want it to start: Comprehensive; third party, fire and theft or third party.
• Input your vehicle type, including non-standard modifications and accessories; if the vehicle is for business or personal use, and if you want to insure it for an agreed or market value.
• Enter your details and the details of any drivers.
• Choose any policy extras and decide if you want to increase your excess to reduce the premiums.

Applying

Once you’re happy with how much you’ll spend each year or month, you have to go through the application process, which will go through the same steps as above but in further detail.

When this is complete, you make your payment, and the policy will start on the date specified.

If any of the requirements that must be disclosed to your insurer seem unclear, it’s always worth giving them a call to verify the details and ensure you are adequately covered. Keep these details with the rest of your insurance documentation, in the event you have to provide future proof that you did as you were required.

Policy information

When am I required to pay an excess?

An excess is the charge you are required to pay on every claim you lodge. For example, if the rear and front of your car are damaged in two separate situations, you are required to make two claims, which means you need to pay an excess for each claim you lodge.

The total amount you have to pay depends on the conditions under which you make a claim.

If the insurance company agrees you or your vehicle were not to blame for the accident, and you can provide the contact information of the other driver or the registration number of the other car, some companies will waive the excess.

Are there different types of excess to pay?

Typically, there are five types of excess you may have to to pay, depending on the circumstances:

• Basic excess
• Voluntary excess, which is an additional excess you can nominate to pay to make your premiums cheaper
• Age excess, for those under the age of 25
• Inexperienced driver excess, for those who haven’t held a licence long
• Undeclared young driver excess, which applies when someone under 25 drives the car but isn’t listed on the policy

It’s important to take note of these when you’re looking for the best car insurance for you.

Does car insurance include GST?

Yes. Car insurance in New Zealand includes GST and is incorporated in the cost of premiums.

This means the GST paid on car insurance may be claimed as a business expense, and may also entitle you to GST credits (input tax credit).

For a vehicle that is used both for private and personal use, the GST paid on car insurance is divided according to the ratio of personal to business use. Learn more about insuring a car for business use here, or insuring vehicles for commercial use only here.

Purchasing, renewing or cancelling your policy

Do I need to do anything if the renewal contains wrong information?

If your renewal doesn’t contain the correct information, you should get in touch with your insurer, as you have to make sure all your information is updated and accurate.

If you don’t take action, to inform your insurer about any change to your circumstances that you are fully aware is relevant to your policy, you might end up with a reduced payout on a claim or no payout at all.

Furthermore, your policy might be cancelled and if fraud is suspected, the insurance company may act as if the policy never existed.

What do I have to do if another person lodges a claim against me?

You should contact your insurance company immediately, if you receive a letter making demands from another person involved in an event, even if it’s from their insurer or legal representative.

If contact is initiated verbally, then inform the other party who your insurance company is and let them know the insurer will handle the claim.

At no point, should you admit you were to blame for the damage or accident and you should certainly not make promises regarding covering their expenses.

Write down as much information as possible about the other party, including their name; place of residence; telephone number and vehicle information. Then get in touch with your insurance company to let them know what has occurred, so that they can help you with the process.

What cancellation fees are there?

As long as you give enough notice, most standard car insurance policies will let you cancel at any time. Bear in mind, a cancellation fee may apply, unless you’re switching to another policy with the same brand, or you’re within the cooling-off period.

What do I do if I have a problem with my insurer?

All insurers have their own process for dealing with complaints and your first step is to give your insurer the opportunity to set things right.

If you feel your insurer has done something wrong and you are unable to resolve it with them directly, you can make a complaint with the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO).

The IFSO Ombudsman Scheme a free and independent service and all complaints made through it are fair and impartial. You can make a complaint through IFSO using their online form, or you can call them on 0800 888 202.

What you will/won’t be covered for

What drivers are covered under my policy?

This can differ so it’s important to make sure everyone you need to will be covered..

Usually a learner driver is covered by a car insurance policy as long as there is an instructing passenger in the front seat who is a fully licensed driver. In some cases, you don’t have to pay an additional premium but if the learner driver has an accident, you might have to pay an age or inexperience excess or both.

Most car insurance policies also cover international drivers, as long as they can legally drive in New Zealand and have a valid licence. Of course, they must abide by the terms and conditions of the policy.

If you drive while pregnant, it won’t affect your policy unless you’ve been advised to refrain from driving or your pregnancy could negatively impact your capacity to drive.

To ensure you are fully able to drive, it is a good idea to consult your doctor.

How will I get around if my car is stolen?

Some insurance companies provide their customers with a hire car for a limited period if their vehicle has been stolen. If this is in an important feature for you, make sure it’s covered in any insurance policy you’re looking at

There may be the possibility of pre-purchasing a “discount hire car benefit” or “comprehensive hire car benefit”, which ensures you have access to a hire car while your vehicle is being repaired from damage caused in an accident.

What about coverage for tools of trade and trailers?

Most insurance companies will not cover tools of a trade under a car insurance policy, meaning you will have to seek the services of a specialist insurer.

Regarding trailers, some companies offer a limited degree of coverage for accidental damage caused to a trailer if it was connected to your vehicle.

Learn more about insurance for your trailer.

What if I am travelling overseas?

Most car insurance policies only provide coverage while your vehicle is being driven in New Zealand. If you’re overseas, the policy doesn’t cover the vehicle or the personal liability of the driver.

What happens if my car is a write-off?

In some cases, the damage to a vehicle is so severe it’s not economical or safe to repair it. If the insurer feels this is the situation, your vehicle is declared a write-off and you will receive the amount covered or the agreed value.

If you have comprehensive insurance, some policies allow for the replacement of your car with a new vehicle and coverage of on-road costs, if your original vehicle was declared a write-off after being stolen or damaged within the first two years of its initial registration.

Will I be covered for driving off-road?

Some insurance policies provide coverage for your vehicle if you are driving off-road, but you do have to take some precautions to make sure your car is safe.

What’s the difference between agreed and market value?