# B-T15-M-02: What official documents should I check to compare current car policy features?

Collected 11 October 2026

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

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: 83e0964b-68e8-458b-b1e6-1cd0073bda9b

In New Zealand, the best way to compare current car insurance policy features is to check each insurer’s official policy wording, policy schedule, and current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or equivalent disclosure document. These documents are more reliable for comparing cover than advertising pages or headline premiums.

## Official documents to check

- 1. Policy wording (policy document or policy terms and conditions) — your main reference for what is covered, exclusions, limits, excesses, optional benefits, and claims conditions.
- 2. Current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or equivalent disclosure document — where available, use it to understand the product’s key features, risks, limitations, and costs. Not every New Zealand car insurance product uses a document titled PDS.
- 3. Policy schedule or certificate of insurance — confirms the specific cover you have selected, insured vehicle, agreed or market value, excesses, named drivers, and any special conditions.
- 4. Optional-cover or benefits addenda — check separate terms for extras such as replacement vehicles, windscreen cover, roadside assistance, new-for-old replacement, and rental-car costs.
- 5. Current premium quotation and excess details — check the actual premium, compulsory and voluntary excesses, fees, discounts, and any conditions attached to the quote.
- 6. Claims guides and complaints procedures — useful for comparing how to make a claim, repairer arrangements, settlement options, dispute resolution, and complaint escalation.

## Where to find current official documents

These New Zealand insurer and regulator websites are useful starting points.

AMI Insurance

[Official policy documents](https://www.ami.co.nz/policy-documents)

Check the current car policy wording and change summary. AMI lists different versions for new policies and existing renewals. [AMI Policy Documents](https://www.ami.co.nz/policy-documents)

MAS

[Motor vehicle policy details](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance-policy-details/)

Review its feature summary alongside the full policy wording and the applicable version date. [Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Details](https://www.mas.co.nz/insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance/motor-vehicle-insurance-policy-details/)

NZI

[Vehicle insurance and policy wording](https://www.nzi.co.nz/personal-cover/distinction/vehicle-insurance)

Check the motor vehicle policy and any relevant addenda or separate assistance terms. [Distinction Vehicle Insurance](https://www.nzi.co.nz/personal-cover/distinction/vehicle-insurance)

Financial Markets Authority (FMA)

[Official insurance consumer guidance](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/)

Use this for general guidance on comparing insurance, fair treatment, complaints, and dispute resolution. [Insurance](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/)

## Features to compare side by side

| Policy feature | What to verify in the documents |
| --- | --- |
| Cover level | Comprehensive, third party, fire and theft, or third party only |
| Vehicle value | Agreed value versus market value; how the payout is calculated |
| Excess | Standard, young-driver, inexperienced-driver and other additional excesses |
| Damage and theft | Accidental damage, theft, vandalism, weather and flood exclusions |
| Replacement vehicle | Eligibility, duration, limits and whether it is an optional extra |
| Windscreen and glass | Excess waivers, exclusions and claim limits |
| Liability | Maximum cover for damage to other people's property |
| Repairs and write-offs | Choice of repairer, genuine parts, salvage and settlement options |
| Driver restrictions | Who can drive, permitted use, and licence requirements |
| Premium and discounts | Total annual cost, fees, discounts and renewal terms |

## How to make sure your comparison is current

1. Download the latest policy wording directly from each insurer's official website.
2. Check the policy version number, publication date, and effective date.
3. Confirm whether that version applies to new policies, renewals, or both.
4. Read any change summary and endorsements alongside the full wording.
5. Compare exclusions and claim limits, not just the benefits highlighted in marketing material.

For New Zealand-specific context, the FMA notes that insurance companies offering services to consumers must hold the relevant financial institution licence, and it provides guidance on consumer protection and complaints. [Insurance](https://www.fma.govt.nz/consumer/everyday-finance/insurance/)

My recommendation: Use the full policy wording as your primary comparison document, then use the schedule and quote to compare the cover and price you would actually receive. A feature advertised as included may still have eligibility requirements, limits or exclusions.

## Gemini

Answer ID: c43207ab-f786-454f-ad4a-f0e2671331b8

To compare current car insurance policy features effectively in New Zealand, you should examine several key official documents and independent resources. 

### 1. Insurer-Specific Policy Wordings
The legal contract between you and the insurer is the most critical document. Always request or download the specific **Policy Wording document** (often available as a PDF on the insurer's website). Key areas to cross-reference include:
* **Scope of Cover:** Definitions for Comprehensive vs. Third Party, Fire and Theft.
* **Exclusions and Conditions:** Specific clauses on unlisted drivers, vehicle modifications, geographical limits, and wear-and-tear exclusions.
* **Settlement Basis:** Whether payouts are based on *Agreed Value* or *Market Value*, and the criteria for new car replacement clauses.

### 2. Consumer Advocacy & Comparison Reports
To evaluate how different policies stack up in terms of real-world claims handling and customer satisfaction, check independent consumer resources:
* **Consumer NZ:** Publishes independent car insurance buying guides, satisfaction surveys, and "People’s Choice" ratings.
* **Canstar New Zealand:** Provides annual Star Ratings and awards for car insurance value and features.

### 3. Regulatory & Financial Strength Registers
Before committing to a policy, verify the insurer's regulatory standing and financial stability in New Zealand:
* **Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Register:** Confirms whether the legal insurer is a licensed insurance provider under New Zealand law.
* **Financial Strength Ratings:** Insurers are legally required to display their current credit rating (e.g., Standard & Poor's or A.M. Best ratings) on their website and disclosure documents, indicating their ability to pay out future claims.

---

**Next Step:** Are you comparing a specific set of insurance providers, or would you like a checklist of policy clauses (like excesses and optional add-ons) to look for first?

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: c2d71fd2-47be-4ebb-a3ba-763ce9fb0cc3

To compare current car insurance policy features in New Zealand, you should check **two primary official documents** issued directly by each insurance provider:

 1. **The Policy Wording (or Policy Document):** This is the comprehensive legal contract detailing exactly what is covered, what is excluded, and the conditions of your coverage.

 2. **The Policy Schedule:** This is your personalized document showing your specific details, including the **Sum Insured** (or vehicle value), your selected **Excess** amounts, and any applied optional add-ons.

Key Features to Cross-Reference Across Documents

When reviewing these documents from different providers (such as AA Insurance, AMI, or Tower), check the following terms:

Feature to Check| Description / What to look for
---|---
**Policy Valuation Type**| Verify if the policy pays out **Agreed Value** (a fixed amount chosen upfront) or **Market Value** (what the car is worth right before the accident).
**Standard & Special Excesses**| Review the basic excess you must pay during a claim. Check the Policy Wording for "hidden" additional excesses, such as **under-25 driver excesses** or **restricted licence excesses**.
**Policy Exclusions**| Look at the specific exclusions section in the Policy Wording. This outlines scenarios where a claim will be rejected (e.g., track driving, unroadworthy vehicles, or modifications not disclosed).
**Built-in Benefits vs. Add-ons**| Note what is included automatically versus what costs extra, such as **excess-free glass cover** , **roadside assistance** , or a **hire car** while yours is being repaired.

Independent Consumer Verification

To complement the official provider documents, you can consult independent, authoritative consumer resources in New Zealand:

 * **Consumer NZ Car Insurance Guides :** Provides expert reviews, policy databases, and customer satisfaction data.

 * **Consumer Protection NZ :** A government resource outlining your legal rights and driver responsibilities when selecting vehicle policies.

 * **Third-Party Comparison Platforms:** Tools like Quashed or financial guides like MoneyHub NZ can be used to scan policy benefits and prices side-by-side.

Would you like help looking into the standard exclusions for a specific **type of policy** (Comprehensive vs. Third Party), or are you trying to decide between **Agreed Value** and **Market Value** for your vehicle?

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 4d3481f5-78d9-493a-9caa-fc0b16af1a24

When comparing car insurance policy features and provisions in _New Zealand_ , you should examine several key official documents provided by insurers and independent consumer watchdogs.

 * * Policy Wording / Policy Document: The core legal contract detailing standard cover types (comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, or third-party only), definitions, explicit exclusions (such as unlicensed driving or driving under the influence), and specific benefits.

 * Product Disclosure Statement (PDS): A summary document outlining key features, limits, and terms of the insurance product to help you compare offers at a glance.

 * Schedule of Benefits / Certificate of Insurance: The personalized document showing your selected options, such as agreed versus market value, chosen excesses, optional add-ons (like roadside assistance or rental car cover), and any special conditions or endorsements tied to your vehicle.

 * Consumer NZ Car Insurance Guides & Reviews: Independent expert comparisons detailing hidden policy terms, consumer satisfaction, and claims track records (viewable via Consumer NZ Car Insurance Buying Guide and Consumer NZ Car Insurance Reviews). Best car insurance - compare premiums and policies

 * Consumer Protection Guidance: Official regulatory overviews explaining consumer rights, standard policy clauses, and what to watch out for during claim refusals (provided by Consumer Protection NZ). [Consumer Protection NZ]

 *

If you'd like, let me know:

 * What **type of cover** you are looking to compare (Comprehensive vs. Third Party)
 * If you want help evaluating **market value vs. agreed value** terms

I can give you a more tailored checklist of what specific exclusions to look for.