Featured Image Source from Mcmenamin Insurance Group
By Isla Thompson
Cars can cost a fortune to repair when they get damaged. However, you can protect yours and defray some of the cost in such instances with the best car insurance in Auckland – and we’re featuring those here today!
Car insurance covers your car in the event of accidental loss or theft. Also, it keeps you free from liability if you happen to damage someone else’s car or property.
We’ll first discuss the average cost of Auckland car insurance. That way, you’ll know how to get the best deal when you take out a car policy from our top insurers later.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Auckland
For car insurance policies, the cost will depend on several factors such as your age, gender, location, driving history, purpose, car make and model, and parking site.
The basic idea here is that the higher your risk is, the higher your premiums will be. That’s because insurers don’t want to take chances on careless and speedy drivers.
As for location, you’ll find that the cost of car insurance in Auckland is different from that in Christchurch and Wellington, since their roads and places differ.
More importantly, you have to be aware of how you’re going to be paid by your insurer, whether that be by the market or agreed value.
Agreed Value – An agreed value is the amount you and your insurer accept as the value of your car. This is the price you’ll be insured for at the start of your policy and at each renewal.
Market Value – This is the value that your car is worth based on the current market. Be careful when it comes to market value as it decreases every year.
Suppose you own a Toyota Hilux and insure it for its market value of $12,000. Next year, that value can go down to maybe $9,000, so you’re insured for less, yet you pay the same premium as you did the year before.
In conclusion, both market and agreed value isn’t better or worse than the other. It’s all a matter of which one will get you the best value for your insurance.
For guiding purposes only, here’s a table from Money Hub showing how car insurance prices differ amongst insurers in terms of location.
This car insurance quote is for a male driver aged 35 who drives a 2017 Toyota Rav4:
| Location | Ami | AA Insurance | Cove | State | TradeMe Insurance |
| Takapuna, Auckland | $973 | $1,122 | $981 | $969 | $902 |
| Henderson, Auckland | $1,031 | $1,097 | $996 | $1,053 | $998 |
| Mangere, Auckland | $992 | $958 | $1,011 | $1,063 | $1,046 |
| Hamilton | $824 | $916 | $765 | $838 | $663 |
| Wellington | $857 | $885 | $892 | $803 | $905 |
| Christchurch | $900 | $869 | $817 | $989 | $827 |
| Dunedin | $824 | $844 | $757 | $910 | $702 |
*Note that all premiums above accord with $400 excess except for Ami. Also, for TradeMe Insurance, its figures already include a 15% TradeMe membership discount.
The Best Car Insurance Providers in Auckland
Now that you have an idea of the average cost of car insurance policies, let’s go on to our list!
1) Star Insurance Specialists
| Best for | Luxury and classic cars |
| Policies | Vintage car Classic car Project & performance car Motorsport car Modern hobby car Prestige cars |
| Benefits | Built-in Benefits Vintage Car Agreed value (can be upgraded to certified value) Specialist repair and assessments Spare parts Wreck buy-back Glass coverage Classic Car Agreed value (can be upgraded to certified value) Spare parts Specialist repair and assessments Glass coverage Project & Performance Car Certified value options Specialist repair and assessments Spare parts Wreck buy-back Motorsport car Certified value options Specialist repair and assessments Spare parts Wreck buy-back Modern Hobby Car Certified value options New replacement vehicle Incorrect refuelling cover Genuine parts Prestige Car Rental car contribution New replacement vehicle Genuine parts Incorrect refuelling cover Optional Benefits (for all cars mentioned above) Roadside assistance |
| Address | Building 6, 15 Accent Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Contact Details | 0800 250 600 [email protected] |
| Office Hours | Monday – Wednesday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM Thursday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Friday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM Saturday – Sunday: closed |
Star Insurance Specialists is a specialist vehicle insurer with offices in Auckland and Tauranga. They have cover for classic, luxury, race, modified, and hobby cars, to name a few.
Each policy is tailored to your car, needs, and budget. For example, they have bespoke policies for a vehicle undergoing restoration or that is a part of your collection.
With a strong financial credit rating, Star Insurance certainly has no trouble paying out on claims. That means you will most likely be paid if your car has been severely damaged or stolen.
What’s more, they offer genuine service alongside competitive rates. No doubt that it has hundreds of satisfied customers!
Pros
- Strong financial strength rating (A+, as rated by Standard and Poor’s)
- Easy to set up
- Vehicle collection discounts
- Provides value for money
Cons
- Not for all car owners
Customer Reviews
For vintage and collection cars, this insurer offers some of the best car insurance in Auckland. It holds an average score of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google.
Jeff wrote his feedback about the insurer:
“I own a classic and need a company that wants to understand my requirements and not some unknown underwriters policy.
Star has allowed me to insure my fd3-rx7 for the current Kiwi cost of replacement.
I have classic car coverage and yet I have a normal policy like my daily drivers; windscreen protection/replacement and a reasonable co-payment if the unfortunate happens (I would cry tears of blood)…..
Car insurance should not be difficult and should be an easy monthly bill and a voice at the other end of the phone if you need it……..at Star I have found I get just that.”
Justin, another satisfied client, wrote this review:
“Great Insurance company not a cookie cutter policy insurance company like most of the others. I could nominate the insured value of the vehicle also they have a good window cover which being a Model 3 owner is far superior than most.”
2) AA Insurance
| Best for | Lifetime repair guarantee |
| Policies | Comprehensive Third-Party, Fire & Theft Third-Party |
| Benefits | Built-in Benefits Agreed value One event, one excess Discounts Lifetime repair guarantee Towing, storage, and transport Third-party damage Damaged caused by others Theft Fire damage Excess-free keys and locks Optional Benefits: Excess-free glass cover Rental cover |
| Address | New Zealand-wide |
| Contact Details | Phone: 0800 500 231 Claims: 0800 500 216 Overseas: +64 9 927 2306 Email them here |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 8.00 PM Weekends and public holidays: 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM |
AA Insurance has earned clients’ trust for 10 straight years! It even won the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand award from 2011 to 2020.
One of its policy offerings is car insurance. They have three policies you can go for: comprehensive, third-party, fire, and theft, and third-party car covers.
Key benefits of all plans include a lifetime repair guarantee (even if you sell your car in the future), AA membership and multi-policy discounts, and one-event-one-excess.
You also have a customer manager to assist you when you’re lodging a claim. They strive to keep things simple and hassle-free for you as much as possible.
Pros
- Strong financial rating (A+, as rated by Standard & Poor’s)
- Simple, stress-free claims
- Membership and multi-policy discounts
Cons
- Higher premiums compared to others
3) Cove Insurance
| Best for | Quick online application |
| Policies | Comprehensive car insurance |
| Benefits | Built-in Benefits Fire Theft Damage New car cover No fault, no excess Emergency accommodation Loss to trailers Keys & locks Replacement car Optional Benefits: Courtesy car hire Roadside assistance Excess-free windscreen |
| Address | 6/10 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand |
| Contact Details | +64 800 268 347 |
| Office Hours | Open every day from 7.00 AM – 10.00 PM |
Cove is leading the market with its digitised policy management. No more paperwork and phone calls needed—just your smart device or laptop to get started.
You can first download the My Cove app whose interface looks neat and stylish and whose words are simple to understand (no difficult jargon).
They have only one product though, and that’s the comprehensive car insurance cover. It includes all the essentials and optional extras that you may need.
It’s a pretty comprehensive policy. Say if your new car of no more than 12 months old has been wrecked in an accident and cannot be repaired, it will be replaced by a new unit of similar make and model.
The policy also includes a unique no-fault-no-excess where you won’t have to pay an excess if the accident isn’t your fault.
Apart from that, if you have a trailer attached to the back of your car or nearby, they will cover up to $1,000 for the cost of repair and replacement.
Pros
- Instant online application
- Stable financial strength rating (A+, given by A. M. Best Company)
- Has the My Cove app
Cons
- No third-party-only policies
Customer Reviews
Clients have reported that taking out a policy online with Cove was super-easy, fast, and efficient. Furthermore, a lot said that its price was cheaper than other insurers.
One policyholder named Claran said this:
“Great help from cove for first time car insurance. I called up with many questions that I had and through talking to Aaron, I got great first time cover. Aaron was very patient and helpful and I was then happy to proceed with the purchase there and then.”
Also, another client left this review:
“It was very easy to navigate online, and responses were instant. Have recommended to my children. An NZ owned company and great prices compared to other companies. When I have had queries I have had immediate responses.”
4) Protecta Insurance
| Best for | Responsive customer service |
| Policies | Full cover Third-party cover Third-party, fire, and theft cover |
| Benefits | Built-in Benefits Extensive cover Accident management service No-claims bonus Medical expenses Lifetime repair guarantee Keys and locks Completion of journey Accidental death cover Trailer cover Hire vehicle Optional Benefits Roadside assistance Windscreen cover |
| Address | Level 6/110 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Contact Details | Phone: +64 800 776 832 Email: [email protected] Claims: [email protected] |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 5.00 PM Saturday – Sunday: closed |
You can forget about the insurers that make you wait to get a quote and cover. With Protecta Insurance, you can do those things seamlessly within ten minutes.
Established in 1986, Protecta Insurance specialises in motor vehicle cover for ordinary and classic cars, and motorbikes.
They have 3 levels of cover for you to pick from including full cover, third-party, fire, and theft, and third-party. Prices are competitive for these, as customers can attest.
The Third-party, fire and theft covers are great only for minor cover for your vehicle, while the full cover features a comprehensive range of benefits.
With the full cover, their team will take care of you and your damaged car in the event of an accident. They will cover the medical and courtesy car expenses too.
Pros
- Excellent financial strength rating (A, given by A.M. Best Company)
- Fast application process
- Has an accident management team
Cons
- No downloadable app
5) Tower Insurance
| Best for | Airpoints Dollars rewards |
| Policies | Comprehensive cover Third-party, fire, and theft cover Third-party cover |
| Benefits | Built-in Benefits Legal liability No-claims bonus Damage by an uninsured vehicle Fire, damage, and theft One event, one excess Repair guarantee Rental car Child car seats Transport costs Replacement car Collision cover Lost or stolen keys Optional Benefits RoadWise roadside assistance Windscreen-excess buyout |
| Address | 45 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Contact Details | Customer Service and claims: 0800 379 372 Rural: 0800 161 262 |
| Office Hours | Customer Service Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 7.00 PM Saturday: 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM Sunday: closed Public holidays: 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM Claims Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 7.00 PM Saturday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Sunday: closed Public holidays: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Rural Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Saturday – Sunday: closed Public holidays: closed |
If you want to have full car coverage while earning Airpoints every month, then Tower’s car insurance is made for you.
Their policies have been awarded the WriteMark Plain Language Standard, meaning you’ll easily understand conditions, limits, and exclusions.
You get reliable features like rental car, child seat, and keys and locks cover, as well as extras like windscreen excess buyout and roadside assistance for up to 3 callouts per year.
Also, you have a chance to bring down your premium with discounts if you buy online or get more than 1 Tower policy, or haven’t made a claim throughout the year.
Pros
- Excellent financial strength (A-, given by A.M. Best Company)
- Earns Airpoints Dollars
- Online and multi-policy discounts
- WriteMark Plain Language Standard
Cons
- Expensive premiums
FAQS about the Leading Car Insurance in Auckland
And that wraps up our list for the best car insurance in Auckland. By being insured, you will be able to drive your car every day with complete peace of mind.
Have any questions or suggestions about our list? If you have one, just let us know by dropping us a line and we’ll reply to you promptly.
Need insurance for your motorcycle too? If so, you can try our best motorcycle insurance in NZ list so you can protect your motorbike against the prospect of loss or theft.