What is car insurance?

Car insurance falls into a few different categories - Comprehensive, Third party fire and theft, and Third party cover. You choose how much cover you need. When you’re comparing policies, make sure you check the policy wordings for more details.

We’ve put together some general information to help you choose what policy is right for your needs. It’s important to do your own research so that you can choose the right policy for you.

Comprehensive

Covers your car and the damage you may do to others. Additionally, it covers damage done to your car by uninsured vehicles.

If you have an accident and you want your car repaired, comprehensive is the only policy that covers this. Most of our customers choose comprehensive cover.

Third party fire and theft

Covers your car if it's stolen or damaged in a fire. It also covers you for damage you may cause to other people's car or property.

There is limited coverage if your car is damaged by an uninsured vehicle, and no cover for your car for accidental loss or damage if you are at fault. It's a lower level of cover which means the cost of this insurance will be less than Comprehensive cover.

Third party

This is the minimum (and also cheapest) level of cover available. It covers damage your car causes to other people's car or property.

Often mistaken for low value vehicle insurance, it's important to remember that if an accident occurs this covers the costs for other people's repairs which can be expensive.

Things to consider

Agreed value

Agreed value is a sum you choose to insure your car for at the time you buy your policy. Your agreed value is typically locked in for 12 months but it's not fixed for life. As the value of your car will change over time, at each renewal your insurer may change the agreed value of your insurance to reflect this.

Market value

Market value is insuring your car for the amount it is worth at the time you claim, in the event of total loss. It is worked out by a registered valuer, based on factors like type of car, mileage, and condition. Market value is often slightly cheaper than agreed value but it's a personal preference. Some insurers may not offer both covers.

Where do you drive your car?

Do you drive around the city or are you driving on unsealed roads? Consider taking out windscreen excess buyout cover as you may be more prone to getting chips in your windscreen.

Using you car for business?

Our private car policies cover you for driving to work, but won't cover using your car for work. Our Commercial vehicle insurance might be right for you if you're an on-road salesperson or tradesperson.

Your excess

The excess is the amount you'll pay if you make a claim. The higher your excess, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. It's important to choose an excess amount that you can pay should an event happen that requires a claim.

Keeping your cover up to date

It's important to let your insurer know if your circumstances change to keep your cover up to date, for example:

  • If you move to a new house
  • If you want to change the main driver of your vehicle or your level of cover
  • If you modify the appearance or performance of your car

Check with your insurer if you're unsure and make sure you read your policy wording for full details.

Tower's car insurance policies

Choose from one of our policies:

Comprehensive cover: This option covers accidental damage, as well as any damage your car causes to someone else’s vehicle or property.

Third party, fire and theft cover: This option also covers your vehicle against fire and being stolen, as well as damage your car causes to someone else’s vehicle or property.

Third party cover: This option pays for damage you cause to other people's car and property, but not your own.

This is a summary only. For all terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, please read the policy wording.

Comprehensive

Third party, fire and theft

Third party

Learn more
Learn more
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Damage to your car 
Damage to your car
Damage to your car
Damage to your car
Damage by an uninsured vehicle 
We'll repair your car if it's damaged by an uninsured vehicle for comprehensive covers. For third party fire and theft and third party covers we'll repair your car if you can identify the person at fault and the fault was more than 50% theirs.
Damage by an uninsured vehicle
We'll repair your car if it's damaged by an uninsured vehicle for comprehensive covers. For third party fire and theft and third party covers we'll repair your car if you can identify the person at fault and the fault was more than 50% theirs.
Damage by an uninsured vehicle
We'll repair your car if it's damaged by an uninsured vehicle for comprehensive covers. For third party fire and theft and third party covers we'll repair your car if you can identify the person at fault and the fault was more than 50% theirs.
Up to $4,000
Damage by an uninsured vehicle
We'll repair your car if it's damaged by an uninsured vehicle for comprehensive covers. For third party fire and theft and third party covers we'll repair your car if you can identify the person at fault and the fault was more than 50% theirs.
Up to $4,000
Damaging someone else’s car or other property 
If you're in an accident and you cause damage to someone else's car or property, we'll cover you for your legal liability to repair it.
Damaging someone else’s car or other property
If you're in an accident and you cause damage to someone else's car or property, we'll cover you for your legal liability to repair it.
Damaging someone else’s car or other property
If you're in an accident and you cause damage to someone else's car or property, we'll cover you for your legal liability to repair it.
Damaging someone else’s car or other property
If you're in an accident and you cause damage to someone else's car or property, we'll cover you for your legal liability to repair it.
Claims that were not your fault 
You’ll keep your no claims bonus and you won’t pay an excess if you’vebeen involved in an accident during the period of insurance, and 1. you’ve identified the party at fault (name, phone number, and registration number of that other party’s vehicle), and 2. we’re satisfied that the other party was more than 50% at fault.
Claims that were not your fault
You’ll keep your no claims bonus and you won’t pay an excess if you’vebeen involved in an accident during the period of insurance, and 1. you’ve identified the party at fault (name, phone number, and registration number of that other party’s vehicle), and 2. we’re satisfied that the other party was more than 50% at fault.
Claims that were not your fault
You’ll keep your no claims bonus and you won’t pay an excess if you’vebeen involved in an accident during the period of insurance, and 1. you’ve identified the party at fault (name, phone number, and registration number of that other party’s vehicle), and 2. we’re satisfied that the other party was more than 50% at fault.
Claims that were not your fault
You’ll keep your no claims bonus and you won’t pay an excess if you’vebeen involved in an accident during the period of insurance, and 1. you’ve identified the party at fault (name, phone number, and registration number of that other party’s vehicle), and 2. we’re satisfied that the other party was more than 50% at fault.
Towing 
We’ll pay for removing your car to the nearest repairer or place of safety if it can’t be driven after a loss covered under this policy.
Towing
We’ll pay for removing your car to the nearest repairer or place of safety if it can’t be driven after a loss covered under this policy.
Towing
We’ll pay for removing your car to the nearest repairer or place of safety if it can’t be driven after a loss covered under this policy.
Towing
We’ll pay for removing your car to the nearest repairer or place of safety if it can’t be driven after a loss covered under this policy.
Fire damage and theft 
We’ll cover your car if it’s damaged by fire, stolen or someone attempted to steal it.
Fire damage and theft
We’ll cover your car if it’s damaged by fire, stolen or someone attempted to steal it.
Fire damage and theft
We’ll cover your car if it’s damaged by fire, stolen or someone attempted to steal it.
Fire damage and theft
We’ll cover your car if it’s damaged by fire, stolen or someone attempted to steal it.
Two year replacement from new 
We'll replace your car with a new car of the same make, model and variant, (for example a Toyota Corolla GX) subject to current availability if your car becomes a total loss.
Two year replacement from new
We'll replace your car with a new car of the same make, model and variant, (for example a Toyota Corolla GX) subject to current availability if your car becomes a total loss.
Two year replacement from new
We'll replace your car with a new car of the same make, model and variant, (for example a Toyota Corolla GX) subject to current availability if your car becomes a total loss.
Two year replacement from new
We'll replace your car with a new car of the same make, model and variant, (for example a Toyota Corolla GX) subject to current availability if your car becomes a total loss.
Repair guarantee 
If you use one of our Tower Repair Partners for your car claim, we’ll guarantee the repairs for as long as you own the car.
Repair guarantee
If you use one of our Tower Repair Partners for your car claim, we’ll guarantee the repairs for as long as you own the car.
Repair guarantee
If you use one of our Tower Repair Partners for your car claim, we’ll guarantee the repairs for as long as you own the car.
Repair guarantee
If you use one of our Tower Repair Partners for your car claim, we’ll guarantee the repairs for as long as you own the car.
Replacement and additional cars 
If you replace your car or buy a new one, we’ll automatically cover it for 14 days. If you paid more than $125,000 for the car, this benefit doesn’t apply, so please call us to arrange insurance before you purchase the replacement car.
Replacement and additional cars
If you replace your car or buy a new one, we’ll automatically cover it for 14 days. If you paid more than $125,000 for the car, this benefit doesn’t apply, so please call us to arrange insurance before you purchase the replacement car.
Replacement and additional cars
If you replace your car or buy a new one, we’ll automatically cover it for 14 days. If you paid more than $125,000 for the car, this benefit doesn’t apply, so please call us to arrange insurance before you purchase the replacement car.
Replacement and additional cars
If you replace your car or buy a new one, we’ll automatically cover it for 14 days. If you paid more than $125,000 for the car, this benefit doesn’t apply, so please call us to arrange insurance before you purchase the replacement car.
Lost or stolen keys 
We’ll replace your keys or remotes if they’re lost, stolen or you think they’ve been illegally duplicated, and you won’t have to pay any excess for the first claim.
Lost or stolen keys
We’ll replace your keys or remotes if they’re lost, stolen or you think they’ve been illegally duplicated, and you won’t have to pay any excess for the first claim.
Up to $1,000, excess free
Lost or stolen keys
We’ll replace your keys or remotes if they’re lost, stolen or you think they’ve been illegally duplicated, and you won’t have to pay any excess for the first claim.
Lost or stolen keys
We’ll replace your keys or remotes if they’re lost, stolen or you think they’ve been illegally duplicated, and you won’t have to pay any excess for the first claim.
Child car seats 
Cover for child car seats if they’re damaged in a car accident, or while they’re stored at home.
Child car seats
Cover for child car seats if they’re damaged in a car accident, or while they’re stored at home.
Up to $750
Child car seats
Cover for child car seats if they’re damaged in a car accident, or while they’re stored at home.
Up to $500
Child car seats
Cover for child car seats if they’re damaged in a car accident, or while they’re stored at home.
Transport costs 
We’ll cover your travel and accommodation expenses to complete your journey or return home after an accident, or if your vehicle is stolen.
Transport costs
We’ll cover your travel and accommodation expenses to complete your journey or return home after an accident, or if your vehicle is stolen.
Up to $500
Transport costs
We’ll cover your travel and accommodation expenses to complete your journey or return home after an accident, or if your vehicle is stolen.
Up to $250
Transport costs
We’ll cover your travel and accommodation expenses to complete your journey or return home after an accident, or if your vehicle is stolen.
Natural disaster damage 
We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to your car during the period of insurance.
Natural disaster damage
We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to your car during the period of insurance.
Natural disaster damage
We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to your car during the period of insurance.
Natural disaster damage
We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to your car during the period of insurance.
Pay only one excess 
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
Pay only one excess
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
Pay only one excess
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
Pay only one excess
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS 
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
RoadWise® roadside assistance 
Our 24/7 roadside assistance service covers the car, not the person, so anyone driving the car can use it across NZ. It includes three free call-outs per year. Learn more
RoadWise® roadside assistance
Our 24/7 roadside assistance service covers the car, not the person, so anyone driving the car can use it across NZ. It includes three free call-outs per year. Learn more
RoadWise® roadside assistance
Our 24/7 roadside assistance service covers the car, not the person, so anyone driving the car can use it across NZ. It includes three free call-outs per year. Learn more
RoadWise® roadside assistance
Our 24/7 roadside assistance service covers the car, not the person, so anyone driving the car can use it across NZ. It includes three free call-outs per year. Learn more
Windscreen excess buyout 
Windscreen and window glass are automatically covered, but if you choose this benefit, you won’t have to pay any excess for any windscreen claims.
Windscreen excess buyout
Windscreen and window glass are automatically covered, but if you choose this benefit, you won’t have to pay any excess for any windscreen claims.
Windscreen excess buyout
Windscreen and window glass are automatically covered, but if you choose this benefit, you won’t have to pay any excess for any windscreen claims.
Windscreen excess buyout
Windscreen and window glass are automatically covered, but if you choose this benefit, you won’t have to pay any excess for any windscreen claims.
Rental car 
If your car is stolen or undriveable after an accident, we’ll cover the cost of hiring and insuring a similar car.
Rental car
If your car is stolen or undriveable after an accident, we’ll cover the cost of hiring and insuring a similar car.
Up to $1,000
Rental car
If your car is stolen or undriveable after an accident, we’ll cover the cost of hiring and insuring a similar car.
Up to $750
Rental car
If your car is stolen or undriveable after an accident, we’ll cover the cost of hiring and insuring a similar car.
Get a quote
Get a quote
Get a quote

Need roadside assistance?

If you're a RoadWise® member, call 0800 24 24 02 to speak to a skilled operator and simply quote your vehicle registration number.

RoadWise roadside assistance 

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