# B-T11-M-02: What should I do if my driving history means car insurers quote very high premiums?

Collected 11 October 2026

[Car insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/car-insurance)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: 5cd52d05-f6df-47b9-820d-b45f93e9e128

If your driving history is causing very high car insurance premiums in New Zealand, you still have options. You may not need to accept the first quote you receive, or pay for comprehensive cover if a more affordable type of insurance would meet your needs.

The best approach is to find an insurer willing to cover your particular driving history, reduce the risk they see, and avoid paying for more cover than you need.

## 1. Try these steps first

- Get quotes from several insurers. Don't assume every insurer assesses driving history in the same way. A poor claims history, demerit points, previous licence suspension, drink-driving conviction or at-fault accident can affect quotes differently.
- Contact insurers directly. If online quote systems return very high premiums or decline to cover you, speak to an adviser or the insurer's underwriting team. Explain your circumstances honestly and ask whether they have other cover options.
- Ask about third-party insurance. If comprehensive cover is unaffordable, third-party property insurance may protect you against damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property, while leaving damage to your own car uninsured.
- Consider a cheaper vehicle. A car with a lower market value, lower repair costs or less powerful engine may cost less to insure.
- Increase your excess if you can afford it. A higher excess may reduce your premium, but make sure you could pay it if you had an accident.

## 2. Consider a specialist insurance broker

If several insurers have quoted unaffordable premiums or declined to insure you, contact an insurance broker and explain your driving history before they start searching.

Ask whether they can approach insurers that may consider higher-risk drivers. A broker may be able to identify options that aren't obvious from standard online quote forms, although they can't guarantee acceptance or a lower price.

## 3. Choose the right level of cover

| Cover type | What it generally covers |
| --- | --- |
| Comprehensive | Damage to your car and damage you cause to other people's property, subject to policy terms |
| Third-party, fire and theft | Damage you cause to other people's property, plus specified fire and theft cover for your car |
| Third-party property | Damage you cause to other people's property, but generally not damage to your own car |

For an older, inexpensive car, third-party cover may be a sensible compromise. However, consider whether you could afford to replace your car yourself if it were written off or stolen.

Consumer NZ notes that third-party-only insurance can be substantially cheaper than comprehensive insurance. Compare the actual quotes and exclusions before deciding. [Car insurance buying guide](https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/insurance/car-insurance/guide)[Car insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/paying-registering-insuring-car/car-insurance)

## 4. Work towards lower premiums over time

- Keep a clean driving record and avoid further claims or infringements where possible.
- Ask when any previous incidents, convictions or licence-related issues might stop affecting your eligibility or premium. There isn't one universal timeframe.
- Restrict the policy to named drivers if that suits your circumstances, and ensure anyone driving is properly covered.
- Ask about discounts for secure parking, vehicle security or combining insurance policies.
- Compare annual payment with instalments, including any fees or financing charges.

Important: Disclose your driving history accurately. Leaving out a conviction, accident or other information the insurer asks for could result in a declined claim or cancellation of cover. [Car insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/paying-registering-insuring-car/car-insurance)[Insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/managing-money/insurance)

## 5. If you think an insurer has treated you unfairly

An expensive quote alone doesn't necessarily mean the insurer has acted improperly. But if you believe the insurer has made an error or handled your application unfairly, raise the issue through its formal complaints process. If it remains unresolved, you can approach its independent dispute resolution scheme. See the New Zealand government's [guidance on financial services complaints](https://www.govt.nz/browse/consumer-rights-and-credit-record/how-to-complain/complain-about-your-financial-services-provider/). [Complain about your financial services provider](https://www.govt.nz/browse/consumer-rights-and-credit-record/how-to-complain/complain-about-your-financial-services-provider/)[Insurance](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/)

## Let me help you narrow down your options

The best next step depends on what part of your driving history is causing the problem.

You don't need to share any identifying details. With those answers, I can help you work out the most realistic way to get insured without paying more than necessary.

## Gemini

Answer ID: 29715020-e64c-4ce0-89c8-977f4987c26b

Dealing with high car insurance premiums due to a challenging driving history can be frustrating, but there are several practical steps you can take to lower your costs and manage your coverage effectively in New Zealand. 

### 1. Increase Your Voluntary Excess
* **Action:** Opt for a higher excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket when making a claim), such as increasing it from $400 to $1,000. 
* **Why it helps:** Insurers view higher excesses as a trade-off where you shoulder more of the initial risk, which usually drops your regular premium significantly. Just ensure you have that cash set aside in an emergency fund in case you do need to make a claim.

### 2. Shop Around and Consider Specialist Insurers
* **Action:** Compare quotes across multiple mainstream providers and insurance brokers, or look into specialist providers in New Zealand (such as Star Insure/StarPlus or specialized "hard-to-insure" brokers like IUNZ) that cater specifically to drivers with historical driving convictions, tickets, or accidents.
* **Why it helps:** Mainstream insurers use automated risk algorithms that can heavily penalize past infractions. Specialist providers are often more willing to look at your overall current situation rather than automatically pricing you out.

### 3. Adjust Your Level of Cover
* **Action:** If you drive an older car with a relatively low market value, evaluate whether comprehensive cover is still financially worth it compared to **Third Party, Fire and Theft** or strictly **Third Party Only** cover.
* **Why it helps:** Third-party policies are considerably cheaper because they only cover damage you cause to *other* people's vehicles or property, not your own car. (Only do this if you could comfortably afford to replace your own car out-of-pocket if it were written off).

### 4. Optimize Vehicle Details and Security
* **Action:** Park your car securely off-street (in a lock-up garage or secure driveway), limit your annual kilometers driven if you don't commute far, and ensure any factory or aftermarket security immobilizers/alarms are declared.
* **Why it helps:** Insurers calculate risk heavily based on where a car sleeps at night and how often it is exposed to traffic or theft. Lowering estimated annual mileage can also yield a discount.

### 5. Be Strictly Honest on Applications
* **Action:** Always fully disclose your driving history, past claims, and traffic violations honestly. 
* **Why it helps:** Non-disclosure or lying on an application can lead an insurer to void your policy entirely when you try to make a claim, leaving you with zero cover and making it even harder to find insurance in the future. 

### 6. Focus on Clean Driving Over Time
* **Action:** Maintain a clean slate moving forward. 
* **Why it helps:** Most traffic violations, demerit points, and minor accidents lose their heavy pricing impact on your insurance profile after a set window (typically 3 to 5 years). As you build a streak of incident-free driving, your "No Claims Bonus" will recover, and mainstream insurers will gradually drop your rates.

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: a104c22f-26e4-46f6-bf9a-424beb76162e

If your driving history is driving up your car insurance quotes in New Zealand, you can lower your costs by **increasing your voluntary excess, switching to Third Party Only coverage, and shopping with specialist "non-standard" insurers**. My primary recommendation is to temporarily downgrade your coverage level while aggressively boosting your excess to structural limits, shifting the financial risk away from the insurer until your records clear.

Unlike many other countries, **car insurance is not legally compulsory in New Zealand**. However, driving entirely unprotected leaves you personally liable for catastrophic property damage, making a strategic, high-deductible policy your safest economic path.

* * *

Immediate Tactical Framework

 * **Max Out Your Excess:**
 * Voluntarily raise your excess (e.g., from $500 to $1,500+).
 * This directly lowers your premium by absorbing small-claim risks yourself.

 * **Downgrade to Third Party Only (TPO):**
 * Drops comprehensive damage coverage for your own car.
 * Protects you from devastating multi-million dollar liabilities if you hit a luxury vehicle.

 * **Target Specialist Brokers:**
 * Standard corporate algorithms automatically reject or penalize high-risk profiles.
 * Approach an independent broker to access "non-standard" underwriting pools.

* * *

Hidden Costs & Risk Mitigation

Strategy| Upside| Downside / Hidden Cost
---|---|---
**High Excess**| Drastically cuts monthly premium costs.| Out-of-pocket cash risk if an accident occurs.
**Third Party Only**| Lowest available premium tier.| Zero payout if your own vehicle is written off or stolen.
**Named-Driver Limits**| Removes general policy loading.| Anyone not explicitly listed is completely uninsured.

* * *

Long-Term Recovery Plan

 1. **Clean Record Timeline:** In NZ, standard traffic demerits and clean slates generally cycle on a **3-to-5-year rolling window** for insurance disclosures. Maintain strict compliance to age out past infractions.

 2. **Vehicle Downgrade:** Sell high-theft or high-performance models. Buy a low-value, safe vehicle that requires less capital to insure.

 3. **Pay Annually:** Avoid interest loading and administrative fees by avoiding monthly installment plans.

If you'd like to narrow down your choices, let me know:

 * What **types of infractions** are on your record (e.g., speeding fines, demerits, or previous claims)?

 * What is the approximate **market value** of your current vehicle?

 * Are you currently looking for a **brand new policy** or trying to lower a renewal rate?

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: e9515f33-535a-48a7-a975-09c575909098

If your driving history is resulting in steep car insurance quotes in _New Zealand_ , you can take several practical steps to manage your costs and find more affordable coverage. While car insurance is not legally required in New Zealand, having some level of cover is essential for financial protection.

 * * **Consider third-party cover:** If comprehensive insurance is too expensive, look into Consumer NZ recommended alternatives like **Third-Party Only** or **Third-Party, Fire and Theft**. These are significantly cheaper than comprehensive policies and protect you if you damage someone else's car or property, which is where the largest financial liabilities lie.

 * **Specialist high-risk insurers:** Some providers in New Zealand specialize in assisting drivers who have been declined cover elsewhere, have poor driving records, or possess past convictions. Exploring options via IUNZ Hard to Insure Drivers can offer alternative pathways when mainstream insurers quote unmanageable premiums.

 * **Increase your excess:** Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket when making a claim) will generally lower your regular premium. Just ensure it is an amount you could comfortably afford to pay if an incident occurred.

 * **Reassess your vehicle choice:** The make, model, value, and theft statistics of your car heavily influence your quote. Driving a lower-value, less-targeted vehicle can make a substantial difference in reducing the insurer's perceived risk.

 * **Shop around and compare:** Premiums vary wildly between mainstream providers (such as AA Insurance, Tower, State, and AMI). Use online comparison tools or manually request quotes across multiple companies, as risk appetites differ significantly from one insurer to another.

 * **Improve risk factors over time:** Insurers typically look closely at your claims and conviction history over a rolling 3-to-5-year window. Driving cleanly and safely will allow older incidents to phase out of your active risk profile, gradually lowering your premiums back toward standard rates.

 * **Opt for annual payments:** If you can afford it upfront, paying your premium annually rather than monthly often triggers a discount and avoids processing or interest charges.

 *

If you'd like, let me know:

 * **What kind of vehicle** you drive and its estimated value
 * **What type of insurance** (Comprehensive vs. Third Party) you are currently being quoted for

I can help you pinpoint specific adjustments or explore targeted strategies to bring the cost down.