Cover type
Third-party property
The minimum. Pays for damage to other people's cars and property if you cause a crash. Nothing else.
- Premium band
- $25–$70/mo on a typical car
- Insurers offering
- 8 of 8
In plain English
What third-party actually means
Third-party property is the cheapest cover type and the bare minimum most kiwis carry. There is no compulsory third-party (CTP) car insurance in New Zealand — but driving without third-party property cover is genuinely dangerous, because if you total someone else's $80k SUV, you're personally liable for the bill. The premium for third-party is small enough that almost every driver should at least carry this. The case for stopping at third-party (rather than stepping up to TPFT or comprehensive) is when the car you're driving is worth so little that you'd happily walk away if it was written off.
What it covers
- Damage to other people's cars and property if you cause a crash
What it doesn't cover
- Damage to your own car, ever
- Theft of your car
- Fire damage to your car
- Vandalism
- Anything happening to your own vehicle
Best for
Cars worth under $2,000, second cars used occasionally, and drivers who want the minimum responsible level of cover at the lowest premium.
Not right when
Your car is worth more than a couple of grand and you'd be upset to lose it to a thief or a fire — step up to TPFT or comprehensive.
NZ insurers offering third-party
Every mainstream NZ insurer sells this cover type. The premium and the small print vary; click through for the editorial on each.