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For mainstream car insurance in New Zealand, I’d generally pay extra for cover that prevents a manageable accident from turning into a major financial headache — rather than every add-on offered at checkout.

The best value usually comes from the right level of cover, a sensible excess, and protection for the situations where you’d struggle to pay out of pocket.

What’s worth paying extra for?

1. Excess-free windscreen and glass cover

Often worth it

Windscreen damage from road debris is a practical risk, and modern windscreens with cameras or sensors can be expensive to replace.

Pay extra if glass claims would otherwise attract your normal excess. Check whether windscreen repairs and replacements are already excess-free, and whether sensor recalibration is covered.

For context, AA Insurance lists this as an optional benefit for $69 a year, although the price and terms can change. Can I include excess-free glass cover on my car policy?Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy

2. Rental car or alternative transport

Worth it if you rely on your car

This is particularly valuable if you commute by car, have children to transport, or live somewhere with limited public transport.

Check whether the cover applies when your car is stolen as well as damaged, the daily or total dollar limit, and how long it lasts. A policy might cover only a limited hire-car allowance rather than the full cost of a replacement vehicle. Car & vehicle insuranceComprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover

3. Roadside assistance

Worth it if you don't already have it

Useful for flat batteries, flat tyres, lockouts and breakdowns. It can be especially worthwhile for an older car or frequent long-distance driving.

But compare it with existing manufacturer assistance, a separate breakdown plan, or membership benefits. Check towing distances and call-out limits before paying twice for the same service. Car & vehicle insuranceComprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover

4. New-car replacement cover

High value for a recently purchased new car

If your car is written off, qualifying replacement cover may provide a new vehicle rather than a payout based on depreciated value.

This is most attractive while the vehicle is relatively new and expensive to replace. Check the eligibility period, vehicle availability requirements, and whether the benefit is already included. For example, Tower advertises two-year replacement-from-new cover, subject to its policy terms. Comprehensive Car Insurance QuoteCar insurance buying guide

5. Agreed value instead of market value

Important for some cars, not necessarily an add-on

Agreed value sets the insured amount with your insurer, while market value generally reflects what the vehicle was worth immediately before the loss.

Make sure the insured value is realistic and review it at renewal. Agreed value can provide certainty, but it isn't automatically better if the agreed amount is too low or costs substantially more for little benefit. Car insuranceCar insurance buying guide

Where I'd save the money

• Roadside assistance you already have: avoid duplicate cover.
• Key replacement cover: useful, but lower priority unless replacement keys for your car are particularly expensive.
• Excess-protection add-ons: compare the extra premium against the excess you'd otherwise pay and the conditions for reimbursement.
• Very high excesses: don't choose one just to save on premiums if you couldn't comfortably pay it after an accident.
• Over-insuring a low-value car: comprehensive insurance can still make sense, but compare its total annual cost with the car's value and the financial hit you could absorb yourself.

Consumer Protection NZ recommends comparing the actual policy benefits, excesses and exclusions rather than choosing on price alone. Car insuranceCar insurance buying guide

What matters more than the add-ons

Before paying for extras, I'd prioritise these three things:

1. The right base policy. Comprehensive cover is generally worth considering if replacing your own car would be financially difficult. Third-party cover protects against damage you cause to other people's property, but doesn't generally cover damage to your own car.
2. A manageable excess. Compare the premium saving from a higher excess against what you could pay immediately after an accident.
3. Correct driver details and exclusions. Make sure regular and younger drivers are properly disclosed, and check theft excesses, natural-disaster cover and any restrictions on vehicle use. Car insuranceCar insurance buying guide

My practical recommendation

For a typical privately owned car in NZ, I'd first look for comprehensive cover with a sensible excess, then add excess-free glass and a rental car benefit if they're not already included and the additional premium is reasonable. Add roadside assistance only if you need it.

To make that more specific to your situation: what car do you have, roughly what is it worth, and which insurer are you considering? I can help separate the genuinely useful extras from the ones you can probably skip.