The directory

The eight NZ car insurers worth comparing

Grouped by how you buy them, not by who pays us. Direct insurers you'd recognise from the side of a billboard, digital challengers, and the broker-distributed insurers you can't buy without one.

Direct insurers

4 insurers

Buy direct from the insurer's website or call centre. No broker in the middle. The default for most kiwi private-car policies.

Since 1994

AA Insurance

The default mainstream choice. Joint venture between the AA and Suncorp; reliable, well-known, mid-pack on price.

3 cover types

Since 1905

State

The big direct insurer — owned by IAG, sold direct, not via brokers. Often a top-three quote for low-risk drivers.

3 cover types

Since 1869

Tower

The kiwi-owned challenger. Risk-based pricing was their pitch — your postcode and driving history, not industry averages.

3 cover types

Since 1926

AMI

The other IAG-owned direct insurer. Long-time mainstream player, particularly strong in the South Island.

3 cover types

Digital-first insurers

2 insurers

App- and web-native challengers. Often sharp on price for younger urban drivers; lighter on phone-based service.

Since 2014

Trade Me Insurance

Trade Me's brand on Tower-underwritten cover. Often the lowest quote in the market, especially online.

3 cover types

Since 2018

Cove

The kiwi digital-first challenger. App-driven, monthly pricing, no-paper claims. Underwritten by Hollard.

3 cover types

Broker-distributed

2 insurers

Bought via a broker, not direct. Right answer for non-standard risks — modified, classic, fleet, high-value cars.

Since 1878 (as predecessor brands)

Vero

Broker-distributed. You don't buy direct — you go via a broker, who shops the market on your behalf.

3 cover types

Since 1859

NZI

The other big broker-distributed insurer — IAG-owned, the broker-channel sibling of State and AMI.

3 cover types