# B-T02-M-02: How do car insurers differ on windscreen, roadside support, courtesy cars and agreed value? Collected 11 October 2026 [Car insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/car-insurance) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 96efde60-2f41-40c0-9b73-1110ecec2041 # NZ car insurance: what differs between insurers? In New Zealand, the biggest differences between car insurers often aren't the basic comprehensive cover — they're the extras, what you pay when making a claim, and how much help you get when something goes wrong. For windscreen cover, roadside assistance, courtesy cars and agreed value, I'd compare AA Insurance, AMI, State, Tower, Cove and MAS. Their benefits vary, and some features are included while others cost extra. [Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and more](https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/ami-vs-aa-vs-cove-vs-state-vs-tower-vs-trade-me.html)[Quashed | AA Insurance NZ 2026: Comparing Prices, Cover & Value Against Every Major Competitor](https://quashed.co.nz/insurance/reviews/insurance-companies-aa-comparison/)[Motor Vehicle, Bike and Car Insurance](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/) ## 1. The four features compared ### Windscreen and glass cover This covers damage to your windscreen and, depending on the policy, other vehicle windows. - Best feature to look for: no excess for glass claims. - Key difference: whether glass cover is included or an optional extra. - Check whether side and rear windows, sunroofs and glass-related calibration costs are covered. ### Roadside assistance Help if your car breaks down, has a flat battery or needs a tyre changed. - Best feature to look for: assistance included with your policy at no extra charge. - Key difference: whether it's included, optional or supplied through a separate motoring membership. - Check call-out limits, towing distances, and whether the cover follows the car or the driver. ### Courtesy or hire car Helps you stay mobile while your insured car is being repaired or after theft. - Best feature to look for: a hire car provided after an accident, including when you're at fault. - Key difference: whether the benefit is standard or optional, and whether theft is covered. - Check the daily dollar limit, maximum duration and any conditions for getting the car. ### Agreed value The amount set with your insurer for your vehicle, subject to the policy terms and applicable deductions, if it's written off or stolen. - Best feature to look for: an agreed value that reflects what it would cost to replace your car. - Key difference: agreed value versus market value, and whether the insurer lets you choose. - Check how the value is reviewed at renewal and whether it keeps pace with the vehicle's replacement cost. ## 2. How major NZ insurers compare This is a practical shortlist based on published policy information and comparison guides available in October 2026. Treat it as a starting point rather than a guarantee for every policy tier. | Insurer | Windscreen | Roadside assistance | Courtesy/hire car | Vehicle value | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | AA Insurance | Excess-free glass benefit may be optional | Check insurance policy and separate AA membership | Check policy/add-ons | Agreed value | | AMI | Excess-free glass benefit may be optional | Roadside Rescue available with comprehensive cover; check current terms | Available under specified cover and conditions | Agreed value | | State | Check excess-free glass option | May be an add-on | Optional hire-car benefit | Market or agreed value, depending on policy | | Tower | Glass covered on comprehensive and third party, fire and theft; excess buyout available | Optional RoadWise service | Optional hire-car benefit | Market or agreed value | | Cove | Excess-free glass cover is an optional extra | Check current add-on terms | Check current policy terms | Agreed value | | MAS | No excess on eligible comprehensive glass claims | Included with eligible comprehensive cover from 1 April 2026 | Hire-car cover can be added | Market value | Sources: insurer policy information and comparative guides. [Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and more](https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/ami-vs-aa-vs-cove-vs-state-vs-tower-vs-trade-me.html)[Quashed | AA Insurance NZ 2026: Comparing Prices, Cover & Value Against Every Major Competitor](https://quashed.co.nz/insurance/reviews/insurance-companies-aa-comparison/)[Third Party Car Insurance Quote](https://www.tower.co.nz/car-insurance/third-party/)[Motor Vehicle, Bike and Car Insurance](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/)[Car Insurance](https://www.ami.co.nz/content/dam/insurance-brands-nz/ami/nz/en/documents/car/ami-car-insurance-policy-wording-ami0052-11-1124.pdf)[Get a Motor Vehicle Insurance Quote](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/get-motor-vehicle-insurance-quote/)[Car Insurance Policy Wording](https://www.state.co.nz/content/dam/insurance-brands-nz/state/nz/en/documents/car/state-vehicle-car-insurance-policy-wording-si6737-4-1019.pdf) A few important distinctions: - AMI: Its published policy wording describes hire-car or alternative-transport benefits for eligible claims, subject to the policy's conditions. [Car Insurance](https://www.ami.co.nz/content/dam/insurance-brands-nz/ami/nz/en/documents/car/ami-car-insurance-policy-wording-ami0052-11-1124.pdf) - Tower: Glass is covered under its comprehensive and third party, fire and theft policies, but the excess-free benefit is a separate consideration. Its RoadWise roadside assistance is also an optional benefit. [Third Party Car Insurance Quote](https://www.tower.co.nz/car-insurance/third-party/)[Car Insurance NZ - Quick Quote & Buy Online](https://www.tower.co.nz/car-insurance/) - MAS: A particularly useful option to investigate if you want roadside assistance bundled with comprehensive insurance. Eligible vehicles receive AA Roadservice assistance, while hire-car cover is a separate choice. [Motor Vehicle, Bike and Car Insurance](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/)[Roadside Assistance provided by the AA](https://www.mas.co.nz/mas-roadside-assistance/)[Get a Motor Vehicle Insurance Quote](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/get-motor-vehicle-insurance-quote/) Policy names, eligibility and optional benefits can change, so verify the exact policy wording and quote before switching. ## 3. Which features matter most? My priorities would be: 1. Agreed value if you want certainty about the vehicle's insured value after a total loss. 2. Excess-free windscreen cover if you drive frequently on motorways or gravel roads, or have an expensive windscreen with driver-assistance sensors. 3. Courtesy car after an at-fault accident if you rely on your car daily. Confirm whether theft and total-loss claims are covered too. 4. Roadside assistance if you travel long distances, drive an older vehicle or don't already have breakdown cover. ### Agreed value versus market value For example, suppose your car is written off: - With agreed value of $18,000, the claim is generally settled using that agreed amount, subject to the policy and deductions. - With market value, the payout is based on the vehicle's assessed value immediately before the loss, which could be less than you expected. Agreed value isn't necessarily the same as the amount you originally paid for the car. Check the value at each renewal. [Car Insurance NZ - Quick Quote & Buy Online](https://www.tower.co.nz/car-insurance/)[How much does car insurance cost?](https://www.mas.co.nz/hub/how-much-does-car-insurance-cost/) ## 4. How to compare quotes fairly When getting quotes, make sure every insurer is quoting the same car, drivers, excess and cover level. Then compare the annual premium plus the cost of optional extras. Here's a checklist you can use: ### Insurance comparison checklist 0 of 6 Windscreen and side-window glass cover, with zero excess Roadside assistance included, with clear towing limits Hire car after an at-fault accident and theft Agreed value sufficient to replace the car Excess amount and any additional young-driver excess Repair guarantee and choice of repairer Copy checklist My recommendation: Don't automatically choose the cheapest premium. A slightly more expensive policy may be better value if it includes roadside assistance, a suitable agreed value and a hire car when you need one. If you tell me your car's make, model and year, I can help narrow down which of these NZ insurers is worth comparing for your particular vehicle. ## Gemini Answer ID: dfd19ba3-8dc4-43af-8b97-f89e2c4c5548 When comparing comprehensive car insurance in New Zealand, insurers like **AA Insurance, Tower, AMI, State, Cove, and Trade Me Insurance** handle standard features and optional add-ons quite differently. A breakdown of how major New Zealand providers contrast across windscreens, roadside support, courtesy cars, and agreed value reveals key distinctions: --- ### 1. Windscreen and Glass Cover * **How insurers differ:** Most mainstream Kiwi insurers (such as AMI, State, AA Insurance, Tower, and Cove) treat windscreen and window glass protection as an **optional add-on**. However, if you purchase or bundle this option, glass claims are typically **excess-free** (meaning you don't pay your standard policy excess if a stone chips or cracks your glass). * **Exceptions:** A few policies or niche providers include basic glass cover built-in or structured differently (for example, AMP covers glass with no excess under specific comprehensive terms, while other providers might charge a small separate annual premium for glass protection). ### 2. Roadside Support / Breakdown Cover * **How insurers differ:** Roadside assistance is almost universally an **optional extra** across New Zealand insurers (including AA Insurance, AMI, State, and Tower). * **The Nuance:** * Adding breakdown cover through your insurer usually costs around $40 to $50 a year, which is typically cheaper than a standalone traditional AA Membership. * Insurer-provided roadside assistance (like *AMI Roadside Rescue*) generally covers you nationwide for breakdowns, flat batteries, or flat tyres, whether you are driving your own vehicle or someone else's covered car. ### 3. Courtesy Cars / Alternative Transport * **How insurers differ:** This is one of the areas with the most variation between a basic policy and a comprehensive package: * **Optional Add-On:** For many providers (such as AMI, State, AA Insurance, and Cove), a courtesy car or alternative transport hire while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident is an optional extra. * **Built-in or Tiered:** Some top-tier policies (or comprehensive plans with specific insurers like Tower) build in or offer higher allowances (e.g., up to $1,000 or specific day caps) for alternative transport. * **Repairer Perks:** If you use an insurer's preferred network of repairers (such as AMI MotorHub or partnered repair shops), they may provide a temporary courtesy car as part of the repair shop's service while your car is worked on. ### 4. Agreed Value vs. Market Value * **How insurers differ:** * **Agreed Value:** Means you and the insurer agree on a fixed payout amount when you start or renew your policy. If your car is written off or stolen and unrecovered, you receive that exact amount (minus your excess), regardless of sudden market drops. Providers like AA Insurance commonly feature agreed value as a standard component of comprehensive policies. * **Market Value:** Many digital-first or budget-leaning policies default to market value, or let you choose between market and agreed value. Market value means the insurer pays what the car was worth right before the loss occurred. Choosing agreed value often slightly increases your premium, but provides financial certainty. --- ### Quick Comparison Summary | Feature | AA Insurance | Tower | AMI / State | Cove | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Windscreen Cover** | Optional extra (excess-free) | Optional extra (excess-free) | Optional extra (excess-free) | Optional extra (excess-free) | | **Roadside Assistance** | Optional extra | Optional extra | Optional extra | Optional extra | | **Courtesy Car** | Optional extra | Optional extra (tiered options up to $1,000) | Optional extra | Optional extra | | **Agreed Value** | Widely standard/configurable | Configurable option | Configurable option | Configurable option | ## AI Overviews Answer ID: dc41fd15-1dd7-49e7-8719-45486cf028ba In New Zealand, car insurance policies vary significantly beyond the base price. Insurers differentiate themselves through specific policy add-ons, limits, and settlement definitions. The primary differences across **windscreen cover, roadside support, courtesy cars, and agreed value** are outlined below. * * * 1\. Windscreen & Glass Cover Windscreen chips and cracks are incredibly common on Kiwi roads due to loose gravel and loose metal. * **The Difference:** Whether the cover is **automatically included or an optional paid add-on** , and what specific types of glass are covered. * **How Insurers Differ:** * **MAS** automatically includes excess-free windscreen cover in its standard comprehensive policy. * **Tower** automatically covers windscreen and window glass under current comprehensive policies, but you must buy a "windscreen excess buyout" add-on to eliminate the excess. * **AA Insurance** and **AMI** treat excess-free glass cover as an optional extra (e.g., AA charges around $69/year). * **Exclusions to watch for:** Almost all "excess-free" glass benefits exclude sunroofs, glass panoramic roofs, mirrors, and headlights. However, modern policies from providers like **AMI** and **State** will cover the expensive cost of recalibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) cameras built into new windscreens. 2\. Roadside Support Roadside assistance deals with mechanical breakdowns (like a flat battery, flat tyre, or lockout), whereas standard car insurance only covers accidents, fire, and theft. * **The Difference:** Whether the roadside plan is **vehicle-linked or personal-linked** , and the **number of free annual call-outs allowed**. * **How Insurers Differ:** * **MAS** stands out by including free roadside assistance natively in its standard policy. * **AMI** offers "Roadside Rescue" for an extra cost, providing _unlimited_ callouts and covering the policyholder even if they are driving someone else’s car. * **State** and **Tower (RoadWise)** offer paid add-ons that limit you to 3 or 5 free callouts per year, charging a fee (typically $50) for any subsequent calls. * Most insurer roadside programs are outsourced to **First Rescue** or the **AA network**. 3\. Courtesy Cars (Rental Car Cover) If your car is in the panel shop after an accident or has been stolen, getting back on the road depends entirely on your specific policy wording. * **The Difference:** Some insurers only provide a courtesy car if your vehicle is **stolen** , while others provide it for **accidental damage repairs**. * **How Insurers Differ:** * **Standard vs. Optional:** Some comprehensive policies give you a vehicle for up to 14 days automatically if your car is stolen. However, to get a courtesy car while your vehicle is undergoing accident repairs, you almost always have to pay for a "rental car" or "courtesy car" optional add-on. * **Limits:** Limits are capped by duration or dollar amount. For example, **Cove** offers an optional add-on extending courtesy car usage up to 30 days. 4\. Agreed Value vs. Market Value This dictates the maximum payout you will receive if your vehicle is written off (a total loss) or stolen and not recovered. * **The Difference:** **Agreed Value** locks in a precise financial figure, while **Market Value** fluctuates based on depreciation. Feature| Agreed Value| Market Value ---|---|--- **Payout Basis**| A fixed dollar amount agreed upon at the start of your 12-month policy cycle.| What the car is worth on the open second-hand market _immediately before_ the accident. **Financial Certainty**| **High.** You know exactly what you will get, making it ideal if you have a car loan to pay off.| **Low.** Payout relies on the insurer's post-accident valuation using mileage and wear-and-tear. **Premium Cost**| Typically **higher premiums** because the insurer takes on more risk as the car depreciates over the year.| Typically **cheaper premiums** because the potential payout drops every day the car gets older. **Availability**| Offered by **AA Insurance, AMI, State, and Tower** on comprehensive tiers (reviewed and adjusted down for depreciation at every annual renewal).| Standard on basic policies or budget-friendly insurance options. * * * To help find the right policy for your vehicle, could you tell me: * What is the approximate **age and approximate value** of your car? * Do you have any **aftermarket modifications** or accessories installed? * Are you looking for a **budget-friendly basic policy** or **maximum coverage**? ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: d18d5215-80ab-4722-90d9-6de64654c9d4 In _New Zealand_ , comprehensive car insurance providers handle key benefits and optional extras quite differently. While the underlying framework of comprehensive cover is similar across major players (like AA Insurance, AMI, State, and Tower), the specifics regarding how these features are packaged, costed, or capped can vary significantly. * * **Windscreen Cover** : Some insurers include standard accidental windscreen/glass damage within their base comprehensive policy with a zero or reduced excess (e.g., AMI includes standard accidental windscreen damage cover), whereas others treat it as an optional add-on that you must select and pay extra for (e.g., AA Insurance and Cove offer excess-free glass/windscreen cover as an optional extra). If not covered excess-free, a glass claim will typically require you to pay your standard policy excess, which can cost more than the repair itself. * **Roadside Support** : Roadside rescue or breakdown assistance is built directly into some top-tier policies or standard offerings (e.g., AMI includes unlimited free Roadside Rescue in certain or standard contexts), but more frequently, it is sold as a low-cost optional add-on (typically around $50 to $90 annually). It is often cheaper as an insurer add-on than maintaining a separate standalone automotive club membership, though scope of call-outs can differ. * **Courtesy Cars** : Policies handle rental or courtesy vehicles differently depending on the situation (accident vs. theft) and duration. Some provide a courtesy car automatically or as an add-on only if your car is being repaired by an approved repairer after an accident, while limits and caps vary widely—some offer unlimited rental car hire during repairs (like AA Insurance's comprehensive tier options) versus others capping the daily rate or total duration (e.g., Cove's standard or add-on caps up to 14–30 days). * **Agreed Value** : Most major NZ insurers assess your car's value on an "agreed value" basis (re-evaluated at each policy renewal based on market value and depreciation) or "market value." However, the fine print differs around whether you can manually adjust this value, how disputes are handled at total write-off, and whether specific bonuses apply (such as Tower’s 2-year new-for-old replacement vehicle clause for qualifying brand-new cars). Even sister companies under the same corporate umbrella (like AMI and State, both owned by IAG) can differ in how they price and calculate these agreed values. * If you have a **specific insurer in mind** (or are comparing two particular brands like AA Insurance vs Tower), let me know and I can detail their exact differences for these four features.