The IFSO Scheme receives over 1,000 complaint enquiries a year about vehicle insurance. If you own a vehicle, it’s wise to have insurance. To make it more likely you’ll have insurance cover if you need it, start by checking your policy.

Tips

  1. Check your policy

    Car insurance policies can be third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive. All have different levels of cover. Check your policy for exclusions and limitations. Note that, in most cases, if a claim is accepted, an excess must be paid, regardless of who caused the damage.

  2. Discuss the amount you are insuring your car for

    Comprehensive policies fall into two broad categories: agreed and market value. Discuss the type of cover you have and the amount you are insuring your vehicle for with your insurer. If you disagree with the amount, consider getting an independent valuation.

  3. Check your car, warrant, tyres

    Make sure your car has a warrant and regularly check its general safety and roadworthiness, including the tyres. Claims can be declined after an accident if your car is considered unsafe or un-roadworthy, even if it has a current warrant.

  4. Drive carefully and safely, and comply with your licence conditions

    Drive carefully, don’t speed, be aware of alcohol limits, and stay within your licence conditions or you won’t have cover. Learner or restricted licence holders (or, in some cases, their parents) will have to pay for the damage not only to their own car, but to another car or property, if they are in breach of their licence conditions when the accident occurs.

  5. Tell all, and tell the truth

    When you apply for insurance, renew your policy, or make a claim, answer all questions accurately and truthfully. Update your insurer about modifications, e.g. new sound systems, mag wheels or larger engines. Claims can be are declined, and policies cancelled, because of non-disclosure, or incorrect or false statements. This can affect future insurance.

    Check out the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) Fair Insurance Code that explains the information you may have to provide insurers for vehicle insurance, and what insurers do at claim time and what they expect you to do when you make a vehicle insurance claim.