ChatGPT · New Zealand
My teenager has a learner licence and sometimes drives our car with me. Do I need to change our insurance?
Yes — you should contact your car insurer and check whether your teenager needs to be added to your policy. In New Zealand, you may not need to change your insurance cover itself, but you should make sure your teenager is covered when driving your car on their learner licence.
The important thing is to sort this out before they have an accident, because the rules and costs vary between insurers. Car insuranceDuty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your InsurerCar insurance buying guide
What you should check
- Whether they need to be named on your policy. Some insurers cover permitted drivers who aren't specifically listed, while others have restrictions or require additional drivers to be declared.
- Whether your premium will increase. Adding a young, inexperienced driver can cost more, particularly if your policy currently has a discount for having no drivers under 25.
- What excess would apply if they had an accident. A learner or young-driver excess may be charged on top of your normal excess, potentially leaving you with a substantial bill.
- Whether your existing cover is sufficient. Check whether you have comprehensive, third-party, or third-party fire and theft cover, and what damage each type covers. Do I need to list everyone who drives my car on my policy?Car insurance buying guideCar ownership and insurance
What to say to your insurer
You can keep it simple:
Writing
My teenager has a learner licence and will occasionally drive our car with me as their supervisor. Can you confirm whether they need to be added to our policy, whether this changes our premium, and what excess would apply if they had an accident? Could you also confirm that our current cover applies while they are driving under learner-licence conditions?
It's worth getting confirmation in writing. New Zealand's Insurance Council advises policyholders to disclose relevant changes, including details of additional drivers, and warns that failing to disclose relevant information can affect claims. Duty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your InsurerInsurance
Also, make sure your teenager follows the learner-licence rules: they must have a qualified supervisor sitting beside them and display L plates at the front and rear. How to get a learner licence
One question that would help me give you more specific advice: Which insurer is your car insured with — for example, AA, AMI, State, Tower, or another provider?
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.
Captured 11 October 2026