# S-P12-M-02: How can I verify whether roadside help or a courtesy car is actually included when buying online?

Collected 11 October 2026

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

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: dcff8821-e41f-4cbf-9ff9-b8321613e01d

When buying online in New Zealand, don’t rely only on a listing that says “roadside assistance” or “courtesy car included”. Verify it in the actual policy, warranty, or purchase documents. [Financial Markets Authority](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## Steps to check

1. **Find the official terms and conditions**
   - Look for links such as:
     - “Policy wording”
     - “Product disclosure statement (PDS)”
     - “Benefits”
     - “Optional extras”
     - “Warranty terms”
   - Marketing pages may highlight benefits, but the terms explain limits and exclusions. [Financial Markets Authority](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. **Check whether it is included or optional**
   - Look for wording such as:
     - “Included as standard”
     - “Automatically included”
     - “Optional add-on”
     - “Available if selected”
   - Some insurers include roadside assistance only on certain policies or if it appears on your policy schedule. [NZI Site](https://www.nzi.co.nz/documents/nziselect-roadside-assist?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. **Search the document for specific terms**
   Use the PDF search function for:
   - “roadside”
   - “breakdown”
   - “towing”
   - “hire car”
   - “rental vehicle”
   - “courtesy car”
   - “alternative transport”

4. **Check the conditions**
   Confirm:
   - Is it available after a breakdown, an accident, or both?
   - Is there a limit on days or dollars?
   - Is there a maximum number of call-outs?
   - Does it apply to your vehicle or only certain drivers?
   - Are there exclusions (for example, servicing issues or misuse)? [Consumer NZ](https://www.consumer.org.nz/travel-and-transport/cars/what-s-the-best-roadside-assistance-provider-for-you?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. **Check your final confirmation documents**
   Before paying or accepting:
   - Save a copy of the online quote.
   - Check the final policy schedule/order confirmation.
   - Make sure the benefit is listed there, not just in an advertisement. [NZI Site](https://www.nzi.co.nz/documents/nziselect-roadside-assist?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

6. **Ask the seller/provider in writing**
   If it is unclear, send a message such as:
   
   “Can you confirm whether roadside assistance and a courtesy car are included in this purchase at no extra cost? Please confirm the exact limits and where this is stated in the policy or agreement.”

   Keep the reply with your purchase records.

If you’re buying a **car**, also check whether the benefit comes from the **dealer warranty**, **manufacturer roadside programme**, or **your insurance policy**—they can have different rules. [Consumer Protection](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/paying-registering-insuring-car/car-sales-contracts-warranties?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## Gemini

Answer ID: 0f64d99d-057e-478d-b4d8-d1828060e33e

When buying a vehicle online, verifying whether extras like roadside assistance or a courtesy car are genuinely included requires a bit of diligence, as online listings can sometimes be broad or use promotional wording. 

To ensure you are fully covered and don't encounter unexpected out-of-pocket costs down the line, use the following steps to verify these inclusions:

### 1. Check the Fine Print and Terms & Conditions
* **Look for asterisks and conditional phrasing:** Phrases like *"Roadside assistance included"* often have fine print. Check if it is only included for a limited period (e.g., the first 12 months) or restricted to specific tiers (e.g., only on brand-new vehicles, certified pre-owned, or specific trim levels).
* **Define the courtesy car triggers:** A courtesy car is rarely given unconditionally. Read the terms to see *when* it applies. For instance, does it apply only during routine servicing, or does it require a major mechanical breakdown happening a certain distance (e.g., over 100 km) from your home? Are fuel and insurance excess waivers your responsibility?

### 2. Request a Written Confirmation or Invoice Breakdown
* **Get it in writing:** Never rely solely on a banner on a website, a pop-up ad, or a salesperson's verbal/chat message. Ask the online dealer or customer service representative to email you written confirmation or an itemized quote/invoice.
* **Specify the exact service provider:** If roadside help is included, find out which provider backs it (e.g., AA, First Rescue, NZRA). Knowing the provider lets you check what standard benefits they actually offer.

### 3. Review the Vehicle Status (New vs. Used vs. Imported)
* **New Vehicles:** Brand-new cars sold through official networks almost always bundle manufacturer-backed roadside assistance and sometimes courtesy options for the duration of the warranty period.
* **Used or Imported Vehicles:** If you are buying a used or Japanese import car online from a dealer, roadside assistance and courtesy cars are **not** automatically guaranteed. Dealers sometimes bundle a third-party roadside package as a promotional incentive, but you must confirm whether it is active on delivery or if you have to register it yourself.

### 4. Cross-Check Consumer Protection Standards
* Keep in mind that under New Zealand consumer laws (such as the Consumer Guarantees Act when buying from a registered trader), businesses must guarantee that vehicles are of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. However, **dealers are not legally forced to provide a courtesy car** during repairs unless it was explicitly part of the sales contract or a specific dealership promotion. Therefore, if it is not explicitly written into your purchase agreement, you cannot legally demand it later.

### 5. Inspect Alternative Coverages You May Already Have
If the online seller doesn't include these perks, or if the fine print makes them hard to claim, check your other existing policies:
* **Car Insurance:** Many comprehensive car insurance policies in New Zealand either include roadside assistance automatically or offer it as a low-cost add-on. 
* **Membership/Banking Perks:** Membership organizations (like the AA) or certain credit cards and bank accounts bundle roadside rescue as part of their package.

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: 0c640231-3f4c-4e2f-97f8-5c25de7236d1

When buying a vehicle or insurance online in New Zealand, you can verify if roadside help or a courtesy car is included by **checking the Certificate of Insurance (or vehicle purchase agreement), reviewing the Policy Wording document for specific exclusions, and confirming whether these features are standard or paid "add-ons."** Do not assume they are automatically included; in NZ, roadside assistance and courtesy cars are frequently treated as optional, paid extras.

Here is how you can systematically verify both benefits before hitting the final "buy" button.

1\. Verifying Roadside Assistance

 * **Look for explicit "Add-On" checkboxes:** When buying car insurance online (e.g., via Tower, State, or Westpac), roadside assistance is rarely standard unless you are buying a top-tier premium policy. Look closely at your online quote summary to see if a product like "

Roadside Rescue

" or "RoadWise" is listed as a selected optional extra.

 * **Check the Policy Summary Page:** Before entering payment details, the online portal will generate a summary of cover. Ensure "Roadside Assistance" is explicitly listed with a checkmark or a dollar value next to it.

 * **Verify "Person vs. Car" coverage:** Read the quick-link terms. Some policies cover the specific _vehicle_ (meaning anyone driving it can call for help), while memberships like the NZAA (AA) cover the _person_ regardless of what car they are in.

2\. Verifying a Courtesy Car / Rental Cover

 * **Distinguish between "Accident" and "Breakdown":** Online descriptions can be intentionally vague. Most courtesy car provisions in NZ insurance policies only apply if your car is stolen or damaged in an _accident_ where you are not at fault. They almost never provide a courtesy car for a mechanical _breakdown_.

 * **Search the Policy Wording (PDF) for "Limits":** Open the online policy wording document and search (`Ctrl + F`) for "Courtesy Car" or "Rental Vehicle". Check the exact limits:
 * **Duration:** Is it capped? (e.g., "Cove Insurance" limits courtesy car hire to 30 days).
 * **Daily allowance:** Does it cover the full rental cost, or just a maximum dollar amount per day?

3\. If You Are Buying a Vehicle Online (Dealers & Manufacturers)

 * **Check the Warranty Framework:** If you are buying a brand-new or certified used car online (e.g., through Toyota NZ or KGM NZ), check the warranty section of the breakdown text. New vehicles usually bundle complimentary roadside assistance for the duration of the manufacturer's warranty.

 * **Review the Sale Agreement:** Before finalising a digital purchase from an online dealership, inspect the final line-item invoice. If they promised roadside help, it must be explicitly coded into the invoice or mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) paperwork.

Quick Verification Checklist

What to look for online| Where to find it| What it tells you
---|---|---
**Quote Summary Breakdown**| Final checkout page| Verifies if you are paying an extra premium for roadside assistance.
**Policy Wording PDF**| "Optional Covers" section| Spells out the exact limits, daily caps, and stand-down periods for a courtesy car.
**Email Confirmation**| Draft Policy Certificate| If it isn’t explicitly itemised on your draft certificate, you are **not** covered.

If you want to make sure your bases are completely covered, let me know:

 * Are you looking at a specific **insurance provider** or a **car dealership's website**?

 * Is the vehicle you are purchasing **brand new** or **second-hand**?

I can give you the exact steps or terms to watch out for with that specific provider.

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 9f7eb332-3ac6-42a1-b107-ea12a046ca3c

When buying a vehicle online, promotional offers or bundled perks like roadside help and courtesy cars can be easily misunderstood. Because online listings may generalize or omit fine print, you need to verify these inclusions in writing before completing the transaction.

Here is how you can verify whether roadside assistance or a courtesy car is genuinely included:

 1. **Review the Consumer Information Notice (CIN) and listing details**
If you are purchasing from a registered motor vehicle trader online, they are legally required to provide accurate information. Check the digital CIN or the main vehicle specifications page on the dealer's site. Look specifically for add-ons, promotional bundles, or warranty packages listed under the vehicle price.
 2. **Examine the terms and conditions of the specific warranty or package**
If roadside help or a courtesy car is listed as part of a complimentary mechanical warranty or promotional deal, do not rely on the headline claim. Request or locate the full, unedited policy document. Check for hidden clauses such as:

 * * Whether a courtesy car is only available during major servicing or _only_ if the car is off the road due to a covered mechanical failure (and whether it is subject to availability).

 * Whether roadside rescue requires a separate third-party signup (such as an [AA Roadservice](https://www.aa.co.nz/membership/roadservice-breakdown-assistance/) subscription) that you have to activate yourself.

 *

 3. **Request written confirmation via email or live chat**
Never trust a verbal assurance over the phone or a vague social media/messenger reply. Ask the online sales representative to explicitly state in an email or documented chat transcript: _"Does the purchase price of [Vehicle Make/Model/Stock Number] include complimentary roadside assistance and a courtesy car? If so, please outline the duration, provider, and exact conditions."_ This creates a paper trail protected under the Fair Trading Act, which prohibits misleading claims by traders. [Consumer Protection NZ]
 4. **Check if it is a manufacturer promotion vs. dealer perk**
If you are buying a brand-new or demonstrator vehicle online directly from an official franchise website, roadside assist and loaner vehicles are often nationwide manufacturer standards. You can cross-reference the model's standard specifications on the official brand website or call an authorized service center to confirm if your VIN/reservation qualifies automatically.

If you'd like, let me know:

 * Are you buying from a **registered dealership** or a **private seller** online?
 * Is it a **brand-new vehicle** or a **used import**?

I can give you more specific advice on what questions to ask the seller.