NZI Car Insurance

Enjoy a choice of cover from one of New Zealand’s largest insurance brands.

NZI offers a solid selection of car insurance policies, including comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, and third-party only, to cover you against all common motoring risks. You can also opt for the top-of-the-line Distinction policy and enjoy complimentary roadside assistance.

Voted Insurer of the Year by the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand many times over, NZI has a long-standing market presence in New Zealand. The company does not sell policies directly to customers; you can only buy an NZI policy via an insurance broker.

What cover options does NZI offer?

NZI offers two types of motor insurance policy. The Distinction Motor Vehicle policy is the company’s premium comprehensive cover. Or, you can opt for the more practical Echelon Motor Vehicle cover, which provides a choice of comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, or third-party only cover.

• Distinction Full Cover
• Echelon Full Cover
• Echelon Third Party, Fire and Theft
• Echelon Third Party Only

What is generally excluded in NZI policies?

Each NZI policy has slightly different exclusions. However, you can generally expect the following to be excluded:

• Claims where your car was used to carry a fare-paying passenger
• Hauling or towing plants, machinery or goods related to a trade
• Using your car for certain trades such as real estate, insurance broking and courier services
• Using your car for testing or trial purposes
• Driving your car on a race track or using it to participate in a race
• Loss due to wear and tear or any mechanical breakdown not related to an accident
• Claims where the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving
• When your car has been modified and this has not been cleared with NZI
• Loss due to wars, terrorism or nuclear attacks or accidents
• When your car was driven by someone without a valid driving licence, unless the car was stolen

How much excess will I pay?

The excess you pay on a claim depends on the individual policy. Some levels of cover have special exceptions:

• Excess protection. You won’t be charged an excess if your car suffers damage and the damage is the fault of another driver. Your excess is also protected if your car is stolen while equipped with a professionally-fitted or manufacturer-installed immobiliser.
• Keys and locks. A $100 excess is charged for any claims made for replacing keys or locks.
• Trailer cover. Claims made with respect to your trailer carry a $100 excess.
• Window and driving light damage. No excess is applicable to claims limited to windscreen, window or driving light damage.

How to save on your NZI car insurance policy

• Economise on cover. Choose a third-party or third-party fire and theft policy in the Echelon range to reduce the amount you pay towards premiums.
• Practise safe driving. Avoiding accidents means you will keep your no claim discount for longer.
• Skip the extras. Avoid adding extras such as roadside assistance to your policy, as this will increase your premiums.

How do I make a claim?

NZI policies are only sold via brokers and your claim will also be processed by your broker. You can download claim forms from the NZI website, but your claims contact will be your broker. Make sure you keep the following in mind when making a claim:

• Inform NZI of any accident or theft as soon as possible
• Notify the police if you think the loss was due to an illegal act
• Allow NZI to inspect your car if it requests to do so
• Immediately inform NZI if you are charged with an offence as a result of the accident

Other benefits of choosing insurance from NZI

There is a range of other benefits you can enjoy if you buy your insurance from NZI. Depending on your choice of policy you could benefit from the following:

• New replacement. If you purchase comprehensive cover, NZI will replace your car if it is uneconomical to repair and is less than 12 months old.
• Roadside assistance. A Distinction policy includes complimentary roadside assistance with no cap on the number of call-outs. Echelon policies include the option to add roadside assistance for an additional fee.
• Repair guarantee. Repairs made through NZI’s network of approved repairers are covered by a quality guarantee for as long as you own the car.

FAQs

• Does NZI insurance cover modifications made to my car?

  You can get cover for modifications to your car as long as you specify them to NZI and NZI agrees to cover them.

• How do I buy a policy from NZI?

  NZI does not sell policies directly to consumers. You can only buy a NZI car insurance policy through an insurance broker.

• Do I get a new car if my car is stolen or in an accident?

  If your car is stolen or it is uneconomic to repair it after an accident, NZI will pay you the market value up to the amount your car is insured for. You will only be given a new vehicle if your car is less than 12 months old at the time of the incident, and if the insurer decides it is uneconomic to repair.

• Who underwrites NZI policies?

  NZI’s car insurance arm is part of IAG New Zealand, which sells insurance under many well-known brand names, and which underwrites policies for NZI.