# DP-P04-M-K: My car was damaged at our old flat just before we moved. Which address matters when I tell the insurer about the claim? Collected 11 October 2026 [Car insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/car-insurance) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 5c08a9ae-1abe-43ef-90e8-db44f8a01668 In New Zealand, the address where your car was damaged is the most important address to give your insurer for the claim, even though you've since moved. There are usually two different addresses to distinguish: - Address where the damage happened: Give the address of your old flat, where the car was parked when it was damaged. Include the date and circumstances of the incident. - Your current residential address: Tell the insurer your new address as well, so they can update your policy and contact details. The fact that you moved just before making the claim doesn't necessarily affect whether you're covered. What matters can include the circumstances of the damage, the terms of your policy, and whether any relevant change of address or parking location needs to be disclosed. One important point: if you had already moved your car's usual overnight parking location or changed your address before the damage happened, tell your insurer when that change occurred. New Zealand insurers may consider changes to your circumstances or where the car is normally kept relevant to your cover. [Insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/managing-money/insurance)[Duty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your Insurer](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/consumer-guides/things-you-need-to-tell-your-insurer/)[Car Insurance](https://www.state.co.nz/content/dam/insurance-brands-nz/state/nz/en/documents/car/state-vehicle-car-insurance-policy-wording-si6737-5-1124.pdf) You could explain it like this: > My car was damaged at my previous address on [date], just before I moved to [new address]. The damage occurred while the car was at the old address. Please update my current contact address and let me know if you need any further information. If you tell me which insurer you're with, I can help you check its specific requirements for reporting the damage after moving. ## Gemini Answer ID: 5be1965b-c86c-429c-bfc1-a850d00ec76e When filing your insurance claim, **the old flat’s address** is the critical address for the incident itself, but you will need to handle your overall policy details carefully. Here is how the two addresses matter for your claim: * **The Incident Location (Old Flat):** When filling out the claim form, you must state that the damage occurred at your old address. Insurers need the exact location where the damage happened to verify the timeline and circumstances of the event. * **The Policy/Garaging Address:** Because the damage happened *just before* you moved—meaning while the car was still officially parked under your old policy terms—the risk profile tied to that old address applies to the incident. ### What you should do next: 1. **Report the accurate timeline:** Clearly state the date and time the damage occurred, making it evident that it happened while you were still residing at (or in the process of moving from) the old flat. 2. **Update your address separately:** If you have now completed your move, you still need to notify your insurer of your new permanent address and where the car will now be overnight, as this affects your ongoing policy. Keeping these timelines clear prevents any confusion about whether the incident falls under your old risk profile or your new one. Are you currently going through the process of lodging the claim online, or is there another part of the move causing complications with the insurer? ## AI Overviews Answer ID: f4e46f38-8b96-4c18-beec-76633a9cf7b0 When you lodge a car insurance claim in New Zealand, **both addresses matter, but they serve completely different purposes** for your insurer. Here is exactly how you need to handle each address to ensure your claim is processed smoothly and your policy remains valid: 1\. The Incident Address (Where the damage happened) * **What it is:** This is your **old flat's address**. * **Why it matters for the claim:** When filling out the claim form, you must accurately state exactly where the vehicle was located when the damage occurred. Insurance companies assess risk and validate claims based on the specific location of the incident. Providing the old address for the event ensures your claim is factual and truthful. 2\. The Risk/Garaging Address (Where the car lives now) * **What it is:** This is your **new flat's address**. * **Why it matters for your policy:** Insurers calculate your ongoing premiums based on where your car is parked overnight (the risk address). Because you have moved, you must update your permanent address on your policy. ⚠️ A Critical Warning on Timing If you have not already done so, you need to **notify your insurer of your change of address immediately**. Most New Zealand insurance policies require you to disclose a change of address within a specific timeframe (often 14 days) or before your move. Failing to update your permanent address could complicate future claims or risk voiding your policy entirely, as a new suburb can change your premium rate. How to proceed right now When you contact your insurer (or log into your online portal): 1. **Update your policy address first:** Tell them your permanent address has changed to the new flat as of your move date. 2. **Lodge the claim second:** Specify that the damage occurred on [Date] while the car was parked at your previous address. * * * To help you get this sorted, would you like me to **draft a message** you can send to your insurer, or do you need help finding the **contact details** for your specific insurance provider? ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: f5deddc3-43e2-4ee8-bfdb-9480f4846095 When talking to your insurer, **both addresses matter** , but they serve two completely different purposes in your claim: * * **The old flat's address (The Incident Location):** This is where you tell the insurer the damage actually happened. When they ask "where did the incident/damage occur?", you must provide the old address and the specific details of how it happened there. Insurers need an accurate location of the event to verify the timeline and context of the claim. * **Your new address (The Policy/Contact Address):** This is where you currently live and where your policy details, correspondence, or updated risk profile should be registered. If you haven't updated your residential address on your policy yet, you need to let them know you've moved so they have your correct current contact details. * _Note on premiums and risk:_ Insurers calculate your car insurance risk and premium partly based on where the car is normally parked overnight. Because the damage happened while you were still at the old address (and presumably parked there), the risk profile of the old address applies to the actual incident. However, you should still update your address with them moving forward if you haven't already. [State Insurance NZ] If you want, tell me: * **Have you already updated your address** on your insurance policy, or are you doing both at the same time? * **How long ago** did the damage happen compared to when you moved? I can help you make sure you have all the right details ready for your insurer.