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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

Check the current car policy wording and change summary. AMI lists different versions for new policies and existing renewals. AMI Policy Documents

MAS

Motor vehicle policy details

Review its feature summary alongside the full policy wording and the applicable version date. Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Details

NZI

Vehicle insurance and policy wording

Check the motor vehicle policy and any relevant addenda or separate assistance terms. Distinction Vehicle Insurance

Financial Markets Authority (FMA)

Official insurance consumer guidance

Use this for general guidance on comparing insurance, fair treatment, complaints, and dispute resolution. 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

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.