ASB Car Insurance NZ 2026: Review, Cover, and Claims
ASB is one of New Zealand's biggest banks, serving Kiwis since 1847. Alongside its banking products, ASB offers car, home, contents, and landlord's insurance. What often surprises customers is that ASB does not underwrite these policies itself. ASB arranges its general insurance through IAG New Zealand Limited, New Zealand's largest general insurer.
That arrangement matters. ASB distributes the product, while IAG prices your premium, writes the policy, and handles your claim. IAG holds an AA (Very Strong) financial strength rating from S&P Global Ratings and is the same underwriter behind State, AMI, BNZ, and several other bank-distributed brands. This review covers what's included, how to claim, and whether ASB stacks up on value.
Already have a policy or quote? Run a free Quashed Market Scan to compare it against other NZ insurers in under two minutes.
1. What Does ASB Car Insurance Cover?
ASB offers three levels of car insurance, all underwritten by IAG.
Key benefit | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
Accidental loss or damage to your car (including flood or storm) | Yes | No | No |
Damage to your car caused by fire | Yes | Yes | No |
Theft of your car | Yes | Yes | No |
Accidental damage to another vehicle or property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Repair quality guarantee on your car via AMI MotorHub / preferred repairer | Yes | Yes (fire/theft claims) | Not applicable |
Damage by an uninsured driver (if at fault) | Covered under accidental damage | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 |
Optional Extras
ASB Roadside Rescue: Call-out help for breakdowns, flat batteries, lockouts, and empty fuel tanks. Available on all three cover levels.
Excess-free glass repairs: Accidental windscreen and window glass repairs at no excess when you use ASB's preferred repairers. Available on all three cover levels.
Hire vehicle or alternative transport: A replacement vehicle or help covering transport costs if your car is out of action. Available on Comprehensive and TPFT only.
Trailer cover: Cover for a general-use trailer against sudden and accidental loss or damage. Comprehensive only.
Key Policy Detail: Agreed Value vs Market Value
ASB offers both agreed value and market value on your vehicle. Which applies to your policy is shown on your schedule. Agreed value is the fixed amount ASB agrees to insure your car for during the policy period, paid out (less any excesses and premium still owing) if your car is written off. Market value pays the reasonable cost of replacing your car with one of the same make, model, year, specification, and condition just before the loss or damage, capped at your sum insured.
Agreed value gives certainty on payout. Market value can look cheaper upfront but may leave a shortfall if your car depreciates during the year. It's worth checking your schedule so you know exactly which applies before you ever need to claim.
2. What Can You Expect to Pay?
ASB does not publish standard pricing because premiums depend on your vehicle, location, driving history, age, excess, and cover level. You'll need a personalised quote to see real numbers.
For market context, the Quashed Insurance Index tracks what Kiwis are paying for comprehensive car insurance nationwide. Based on our Q1 2026 data:
Region | Average yearly premium | Monthly equivalent |
National | $1,267 | $106 |
Auckland | $1,478 | $123 |
Canterbury | $1,166 | $97 |
Wellington | $1,115 | $93 |
A free Quashed Market Scan compares your profile against multiple NZ insurers in under two minutes, so you can see exactly where ASB's quote sits against the competition. If you're already an ASB customer, simply upload your current policy and we do the rest.
Discounts That Can Lower Your ASB Premium
Multi-Product discount: Confirmed active on ASB's website as of April 2026. You qualify when you hold two or more eligible car, home, contents, or landlord's policies.
Under-25 driver exclusion: Excluding drivers under 25 reduces your premium. You cannot claim if an excluded driver was using the car.
Higher excess: Choosing a higher vehicle excess generally lowers your premium. Pick an amount you could comfortably pay if you needed to claim.
3. How to Get a Quote
Online: Existing ASB customers can log in to FastNet Classic or the ASB Mobile app and use Insurance Central. ASB says the process takes around 10 minutes.
Phone: Call 0800 200 252 to speak to the ASB Insurance team. ASB directs non-banking customers to this number. Have your vehicle details, address, and driving history ready.
In-branch: Visit any ASB branch. It's worth calling ahead to book a time so someone is available to help.
4. How to Make a Claim
All ASB car insurance claims are handled by IAG's dedicated ASB claims team.
Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured, call emergency services. If a crime has occurred, contact police and get an incident reference number before lodging the claim.
Step 2: Gather information. Swap names, contact details, registrations, and insurance details with anyone involved. Note time, location, conditions, and any witness details. Take photos. Do not admit fault.
Step 3: Lodge your claim. Claim online at iagnz.custhelp.com/app/asb or call 0800 200 242. For urgent after-hours help, call the same number and choose option 1.
Step 4: Work with your claims specialist. If accepted, you'll be directed to an approved repairer, usually AMI MotorHub. ASB notes covered claims at AMI MotorHub take an average of 3.5 days (structural repairs may take longer), with a free courtesy car or rideshare while your car is fixed. You pay your vehicle excess (and any driver excess) towards the claim.
Managing Your Policy
Existing ASB customers can view documents, update details, and start claims through Insurance Central in the ASB Mobile Banking app or FastNet Classic. For changes that can't be made online, call 0800 200 252.
5. Pros and Cons of ASB Car Insurance
Pros
Underwritten by IAG, NZ's largest general insurer, with an AA (Very Strong) S&P rating
Three cover levels, including a Third Party Only option for budget-conscious drivers
Multi-Product discount confirmed active in April 2026 across car, home, contents, and landlord's policies
Repairs quality-guaranteed for as long as you own the car when you use a preferred repairer
AMI MotorHub network with 3.5-day average turnaround and a free courtesy car or rideshare
Choice of agreed value or market value on comprehensive cover
Cons
Non-banking customers are directed to phone or visit a branch rather than completing the quote online
Experience is split: ASB distributes, but claims and most policy changes go through IAG's ASB team
6. Is ASB Car Insurance Worth It?
ASB car insurance is a legitimate product sitting on top of one of the country's most established underwriters. For existing ASB customers who value single-app convenience and qualify for the Multi-Product discount, it's a reasonable default. But convenience is not the same as value. IAG prices differently across its brands (State, AMI, BNZ, and its other bank-distributed partners), so a like-for-like comparison is the only reliable way to know you're not overpaying.
A Quashed Market Scan is the quickest way to check. Based on our latest Q1 2026 data, Kiwis who shopped their comprehensive car insurance through Quashed found a cheaper policy 81% of the time, with average savings of $377 per year. If ASB is already your best price, the scan confirms it. If not, you'll know exactly where to switch.
Related Reading
Comprehensive vs Third Party Fire & Theft vs Third Party (Full NZ Breakdown). A clear breakdown of the three cover tiers.
How to Find the Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in NZ 2026. Balancing price and cover quality.
Average Cost of Car, House, and Contents Insurance in New Zealand. The latest Quashed Index data.
Cheap Car Insurance NZ 2026: Proven Ways to Lower Your Premium. Practical ways to reduce your premium.
Your Guide to Picking an Excess. Balancing premium against out-of-pocket risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who underwrites ASB car insurance?
IAG New Zealand Limited underwrites and administers ASB's car, home, contents, and landlord's insurance. ASB Bank Limited arranges the cover. IAG holds an AA (Very Strong) financial strength rating from S&P Global Ratings.
Can I get an ASB car insurance quote without being an ASB customer?
ASB directs non-banking customers to call 0800 200 252 or visit a branch. Existing customers can quote and manage policies through FastNet Classic or the ASB Mobile app. You can then compare ASB's price against other insurers using the free Quashed Market Scan.
Does ASB car insurance include roadside assistance?
Not by default. ASB Roadside Rescue is an optional extra available on all three cover levels for an additional cost.
How do I make a claim on ASB car insurance?
Claims are straightforward. Lodge online at iagnz.custhelp.com/app/asb or call 0800 200 242, and you'll be assigned a dedicated IAG claims specialist to guide you through the process. For urgent after-hours help, call the same number and choose option 1.
Does ASB still offer a multi-policy discount?
Yes. As of April 2026, ASB's Multi-Product discount is confirmed active on its website, applied when you hold two or more eligible car, home, contents, or landlord's policies. This is notable because most major NZ insurers have recently removed their multi-policy discounts.
What is AMI MotorHub and do I have to use it?
AMI MotorHub is IAG's nationwide repairer network. ASB directs eligible claims there by default for fast turnarounds (an average of 3.5 days for covered claims) and a free courtesy car. Your claims specialist can direct you to another approved repairer if needed.
How much does ASB car insurance cost?
Premiums vary by vehicle, location, driver profile, cover level, and excess. ASB does not publish standard pricing. For context, the national average comprehensive premium in Q1 2026 was $1,267 per year, per Quashed Index data. Run a free Quashed Market Scan to see where your ASB quote sits.
