Assurant Car Insurance NZ Review 2026: Cheapest Car Insurance in New Zealand?
Finding affordable car insurance in New Zealand that still delivers great protection is easier than ever with Quashed.
While premiums have climbed 40% from 2022 to 2024 RNZ reporting on Quashed data and notes that some policies have nearly doubled, Kiwi drivers in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are still managing to lock in value.
Quashed’s car insurance comparison makes it simple to find top-rated options — and Assurant car insurance continues to rank among the best for price and coverage.
Since 2021, Quashed has helped over 90,000 Kiwis compare insurance including for vehicles in NZ in under 3 minutes. In our latest 2026 tests, Assurant delivered low car insurance premiums — often beating AA, State, and AMI. Is Assurant the best car insurance NZ for you?
This fully updated Assurant car insurance review 2026 reveals pricing, coverage, claims, pros/cons, and customer ratings.
Compare Assurant with other NZ insurers FREE on Quashed – Save up to $384/year on average in 3 minutes.
Who is Assurant? NZ’s Vehicle Protection Specialist
Assurant NZ, formerly Protecta Insurance, isn’t yet a household name in NZ like AA or AMI—but it’s a powerhouse in vehicle insurance. Now part of global giant Assurant Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), they’ve partnered with dealerships, finance providers, and now Quashed to insure NZ car owners.
Financial Rating: A+ (Superior) – A.M. Best Rating Report
Google reviews: 3.7 / 5 (430+ reviews)
Specialties: Comprehensive car insurance, Third Party car insurance, classic & imported cars
Assurant undercuts big insurers by focusing purely on vehicles—no bloated home/life bundles. That could be why it often ranks highly in Quashed’s cheapest car insurance NZ category in 2026.
Assurant Car Insurance NZ: Coverage Options Explained (2026)
Assurant offers three core policies—perfect for budget drivers, high-mileage commuters, or classic car enthusiasts.
Policy Type | Best For | Key Benefits | Exclusions / Notes |
Third-Party Only | Older or low-value cars | Covers third-party liability for damage or injury (up to $10 million / $1 million) | No cover for your own vehicle’s damage |
Third-Party, Fire & Theft | Mid-value cars needing added protection | Adds cover for loss or damage to your vehicle caused by fire or theft | Does not include accidental damage to your vehicle |
Comprehensive (Full Cover) | Newer or financed cars, or drivers wanting full protection | Covers your own vehicle and third-party. Includes hire vehicle, keys & locks, legal defence, new-for-old in some cases | Higher premiums and excesses apply (including extra for younger drivers) |
Standout Assurant Benefits
Excess-free windscreen cover – Windscreen and window-glass claims are typically excess-free when that’s the only damage to the vehicle.
New-for-old replacement – If your car is written off within 12 months of its first registration, Assurant may replace it with a new, like-for-like model (subject to availability and policy conditions).
Ferry travel protection – Includes limited marine-related cover for vehicles carried between New Zealand ports, such as Cook Strait crossings, under the policy’s Marine General Average extension.
*For full details see the official overview and policy summary.
Assurant Car Insurance Cost NZ — 2026 (Quote snapshot)
Quashed’s Market Scan snapshot shows Assurant as the cheapest option for a sample quote on a 2010 Toyota Corolla. Base sum insured was $6,500. Where sums differ, the provider has a higher minimum threshold. These are quote-level figures:
Cover Type | Insurer | Monthly Premium | Annual Premium | Sum Insured | Excess |
Comprehensive | Assurant | $68.61 | $823.32 | $6,500 | $400 |
Tower | $100.29 | $1,203.48 | $10,500 | $500 | |
Trade Me | $112.48 | $1,349.76 | $10,500 | $500 | |
AMP | $122.63 | $1,471.56 | $6,500 | $500 | |
Third Party, Fire & Theft | Assurant | $36.86 | $442.32 | $6,500 | $400 |
AMP | $51.12 | $613.44 | $12,850 | $500 | |
Tower | $57.72 | $692.64 | $10,500 | $500 | |
Trade Me | $60.51 | $726.12 | $10,500 | $500 | |
Third Party Only | Assurant | $14.58 | $174.96 | $6,500 | $400 |
AMI | $20.38 | $244.56 | $13,400 | $500 | |
Tower | $21.18 | $254.16 | $10,500 | $500 | |
AMP | $21.40 | $256.80 | $6,500 | $500 |
Discounts:
$120 off Full Cover Car Insurance — Assurant Full Cover Car Insurance is offering “SAVE $120* for new policies purchased online between 29 July 2025 and 16 January 2026.
Multi-vehicle discounts — Assurant Classic Vehicle Insurance offers these, however only for Classic Vehicle Insurance policies (not for standard car insurance).
Get Your Personalised Savings Quote
Use Quashed’s car insurance calculator NZ to see your exact premium—enter your rego and get live 2026 rates from Assurant and other providers in seconds.
Assurant Reviews NZ — Verified Data (2026)
Source | Rating / Metric | Verified Information (Summary) |
Google reviews | 3.7 / 5 | Feedback from customers across Assurant’s range of products (known as Protecta Insurance previously). |
Trustpilot NZ | 4.5 / 5 TrustScore | Verified TrustScore on Trustpilot NZ. Reviews consistently mention helpful customer service and efficient claims resolution. |
AM Best for Assurant’s NZ | A+ Financial Strength (AM Best) | Confirmed A+ financial strength rating from AM Best for Assurant’s NZ underwriting entity (VSC). Details available on Assurant NZ’s official site. |
Pros & Cons: Is Assurant Car Insurance Worth It?
Pros
Specialist for cars, imports and classic vehicles.
Includes automatic cover during transport or ferry transit within New Zealand.
Offers accident-management support and access to a trusted repairer network.
Competitive pricing for many everyday drivers based on recent market comparisons.
Cons
No home-and-car bundle or multi-policy discounts. However, many mainstream insurance providers have discontinued this practice, read more.
Limited extras, such as lost keys and lock replacements, incorrect fuel use, and child car seats, are offered compared with some other insurers.
Best for: Drivers who want focused vehicle cover with solid accident and repair support.
Skip if: You want bundled home + car insurance and a wide range of niche add-ons.
Quashed Verdict: Should You Choose Assurant in 2026?
4.5/5 – Cheap Car Insurance NZ
Assurant is a good pick for affordable, no-frills car insurance in New Zealand. Especially good if you:
Drive a $5K–$25K car
Prioritise low premiums over perks
For full-family or high-value vehicles, compare with other insurers via Quashed.
Start your FREE Assurant comparison now – No spam, just savings.
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