Which one is the best car insurance company in NZ?

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justkar

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#151005 10-Aug-2014 22:24

Hi everyone, I have been living in NZ for more than 10 years and I had never have my car insured since I got full license in 2004. Everything seemed ok until last month I bought a new car and hit by a truck when parking in the car park. Though I finally got car fixed and the cost covered by the truck company who didn't want to use their insurance claim either, I felt the fixing cost is quite expensive and it is time to take a insurance with my new car.

It is much appreciated that if someone can advise me that which insurance company is best for car insurance in term of cost , ease of claim process and customer service: AA, AMI, State or Tower? Should I run to the bank where I have home loan with?

justkar

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1106104 10-Aug-2014 22:26

Google the internet and found the following article:

http://www.canstarblue.co.nz/banking-insurance/car-insurance/

Does anybody think the rating is reliable?

Jase2985

13466 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1106145 11-Aug-2014 05:23

there is no best, everyone has different situations and different circumstances so whats best for one is not best for another.

its a case of ringing round and reading up of T&C's.

there will also be good and bad stories for each company

Sidestep

1013 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1106148 11-Aug-2014 06:31

Who do you have your home/contents insurance with?
There's usually a discount for having all your policies in the one place.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1106626 11-Aug-2014 17:29

Medical Assurance Society - ensure my car & contents. Never had a problem claiming from them.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

rsrider

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1124038 8-Sep-2014 09:38

Having worked in insurance for a number of years I can also tell you that there is no 'best' car insurer. There are positives and negatives to all. Do you want a company that will settle your claim really quickly but has a 'no frills' approach? Or do you want an insurer who offers you benefits on things like keys & locks, window glass, rental cars etc etc?

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1124064 8-Sep-2014 09:51

Most of the major insurers offer online quotes, so you can compare prices fairly readily. If you have existing home/contents/etc insurance with someone, you are likely eligible for a package discount if you get car insurance with them also. None are 'best', but some may be more suited to specific circumstances. You will also be able to find people who've had some sort of negative experience with any of the major insurers, but that doesn't mean that that insurer is bad - it may just have been bad circumstances. Personally, I find AA and State really good, have current vehicle insurance with both, and have had good experience both service-wise and price-wise from them.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1124068 8-Sep-2014 09:56

ASB insurance is very good for me. Quite flexible.
Good rates for my car.

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Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#1124075 8-Sep-2014 09:59

I've got AA myself. You can probably find cheaper if you shop around, I found in the end, its usually not worth the hassle in terms of customer service - thats where these big companies are more worth it I reckon. I went ahead and got AA membership as well and that has helped me out when I have gotten stuck a couple of times.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124267 8-Sep-2014 13:23

I have Toyota Insurance, they were one of the cheapest but the main benefit of it is if my car is a write-off in the first 3 years I get a brand new one (I think it only applies to brand new Toyotas). Not sure if it was salesman BS but they also claim that they were the first to pay out people who had cars stuck in carparks in Chch after the earthquakes, another selling point for me as I was living in Chch at the time.

qwertee

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1124278 8-Sep-2014 13:30

I have used State, AMI and now AA
I always shop around when it comes to renewal time.

I was with AMI and they couldnt match the price that the AA was quoting.
So switched to AA.

But again this can change for me next year

mattwnz

20180 posts

Uber Geek

#1124298 8-Sep-2014 13:38

Many are also owned by the same parent company. eg AMI was purchased by the company that owned state. So you will find that many will have very similar terms.