Cove Car Insurance

Cove offers no-fuss comprehensive car insurance that can be purchased quickly online without needing to talk to someone in person.

Instead of annual policies, Cove has monthly contracts that automatically renew, so you can easily cancel at any time without losing out. This fresh Kiwi start-up has policies that are tailored to your lifestyle with optional extras to suit your circumstances, and with instant coverage, you can get on with doing those more important things.

Cove – key facts

• Cove car insurance policies are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s of London which has a financial strength rating of A+ (Strong).
• Founded in 2017, Cove is owned by Kiwis and operated in New Zealand with offices in Auckland and Palmerston North.
• It has an online self-service portal called My Cove, as well as a customer care phone line and live chat service.
• Cove will soon offer other insurance products, such as house and contents insurance.

What cover options does Cove car insurance offer?

While other providers offer different levels of cover to suit different needs, Cove only has one comprehensive policy option.

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Name	Product	Legal Liability	Agreed or Market Value	Accidental Damage	Roadside Assistance
Cove Comprehensive Car Insurance		$20,000,000	Agreed	Yes	Optional	Join now and get one month free on your new policy worth up to $100. Monthly contracts you can cancel any time.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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• Comprehensive (full cover)

What is excluded by Cove?

Cove does not provide coverage for the following:

• Modified cars
• Commercial use of vehicle
• Drivers under 21
• Learner licences
• Unlicensed drivers or breach of licence conditions
• Cars worth more than $80,000
• Accidents as a result of the driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol

For a full list of exclusions, please refer to the policy documentation.

How much excess will I pay?

• Cove’s default excess amount is $750, but you can change this to a minimum of $400, or a maximum of $1,000.
• Your excess is waived in certain circumstances such as when you are in an accident that is someone else’s fault and their insurer accepts liability, or when you are claiming for excess-free glass.

How to save on your Cove car insurance policy

• Increase your excess. Get lower monthly payments if you increase your excess from the standard default of $750.
• Pay off your finance. You’ll have higher premiums if there is finance owing on your car, so pay this off sooner to get lower premiums.
• Don’t pay for excess-free glass cover. This will keep your monthly premium down if you are happy to pay an excess for claims concerning windscreen and glass damage.
• Reduce your insured sum. Even though you will need to top up the amount needed to buy a replacement vehicle should yours be written off, you can enjoy a lower monthly premium by reducing your sum insured.
• Get a New Zealand licence. If you are driving on a foreign licence, your premiums will be higher so consider getting a New Zealand licence if you plan on staying in the country for some time.
• Refer a friend. Each time you refer a friend to Cove you receive one free month of car insurance.

How do I make a claim?

To make a claim on your Cove car insurance policy, you can either contact the company by phone or complete an online claims form. If you choose to do the form online you will need to provide details such as:

• Personal and car information
• Policy number
• Details of the accident you are claiming for including where and when it happened, and a brief description of the event
• Who was driving
• You can upload a sketch of the accident if it is difficult to explain

You will also need to have the following information ready once Cove has received your claim and is ready to proceed to the next steps:

• Police report
• Location of vehicle
• Excess payment funds
• Witness details
• Photos of damage

Other benefits of getting insurance with Cove

Cove offers the following benefits:

• Simple self-service. Manage your policy online without needing to pick up the phone.
• Designed by Kiwis. Cove is a Kiwi-owned company, with policies designed to best suit the needs of New Zealanders.
• Transparency. Car insurance that is hassle-free with no hidden surprises.
• Flexible. Only pay for the options that you need.

If you need some optional extras, you can add these to your policy:

• Excess-free windscreen. No need to pay an excess to get only your windscreen fixed.
• Roadside assistance. Get two call-outs a year if you happen to break down.
• Courtesy car hire. If your car is stolen or is being repaired, Cove will cover the costs of a hire car for up to 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

• Will I pay an excess?

  An excess is generally required but in some cases your claims handler will inform you that you do not need to pay. This happens when a third party insurer accepts liability or for excess-free glass claims.

• Does Cove insure for market value or agreed value?

  Cove’s car insurance policies are for agreed value. A default sum that represents the average market value for your car is given when your quote is calculated, and the mileage and condition are taken into account. The amount is able to be increased or decreased to meet your needs.

• Which modifications to my car will affect my policy?

  Cove does not cover cars that have modifications.

• Can I buy a policy online?

  Yes, you can get a quote and buy your policy online through a secure payment platform.

• Can I pay my premiums in instalments?

  As Cove only offers monthly auto-renewing contracts, your premiums are paid each month.

If you are looking for a no-fuss comprehensive car insurance policy that offers flexibility and can be managed entirely online, Cove is worth considering. Not only can you add optional extras to your policy for the things you need, but monthly contracts allow you to cancel your insurance at any time.

Even though Cove does not offer more basic insurance policies, you may find that its coverage suits your needs and your budget. It’s always a good idea to shop around and make sure that you find the right deal with a premium that you are comfortable with.