The three shapes of cover
Comprehensive, TPFT, third-party — explained plainly
Every NZ car insurer sells three flavours of cover. The difference between them is what gets paid for, and by whom, when something goes wrong. Pick honestly: comprehensive isn't always right, and third-party isn't always wrong.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive cover
The full one. Pays for damage to your car, their car, and almost everything else. Highest premium, broadest cover.
TPFT
Third-party fire & theft
Pays for damage to other cars, plus theft and fire of yours. Doesn't pay for crashes you cause to your own car.
Third-party
Third-party property
The minimum. Pays for damage to other people's cars and property if you cause a crash. Nothing else.
How to pick the right one
The single most useful question to ask yourself: if your car was written off tomorrow with no insurer involved, what would the cost actually be? If the answer is "annoying but survivable" — third-party or TPFT is probably enough. If the answer is "I'd be in real trouble" — you want comprehensive. Most kiwis with cars worth more than $5,000 land on comprehensive, and the premium difference between TPFT and comprehensive is often smaller than people assume — sometimes only $20–$40/mo.
The other question: who pays if you crash into a $90k SUV? If you have no third-party cover at all, that's you. There's no compulsory third-party insurance in NZ — unlike Australia — so the floor of responsibility is genuinely on the driver. At minimum, carry third-party property cover. The premium is small and the downside protection is enormous.
Tell us your situation, and we'll suggest the right cover →