Parking might seem simple, but where you leave your car can make a big difference to its safety, and even your insurance. A few smart choices can save you stress, time and money.

We've answered the most common questions Kiwis ask about secure parking, car theft, and how it all ties into insurance.

What counts as secure parking in New Zealand?

Secure parking means choosing a spot that reduces the risk of theft or damage to your car. Think locked garages or monitored car parks with restricted access.

A secure parking spot should be:

  • Well-lit with good visibility.
  • Busy, with people coming and going.
  • Monitored by CCTV or security.

Why use a secure car park?

Using secure parking helps lower your risk of theft, vandalism, or accidental damage.

Having your car stolen from any secure space is never ideal. If you have Comprehensive or Third party, fire and theft cover with us, and your car's stolen from a locked garage or secure parking building, your claim will be excess free.*

What are the risks of unsecured parking?

Street parking or open spaces leave your car more exposed to theft, break-ins and scrapes. Most insurers require you to:

  • Lock your car.
  • Make sure your alarm or immobiliser is activated when you're not around.

If you don't follow these conditions, your claim could be declined.

If you're a Tower customer, check the 'You have certain responsibilities' section of your policy for the full list of what you need to do.

Parking at home: garage, driveway or carport?

Your home is usually a safe bet, but some spots are better than others.

  • Garage: Your best option. Lock both your car and the garage.
  • Driveway: Good visibility but make sure you follow local parking rules and aren't blocking footpaths or driveways (including your own!).
  • Carport: Offers some shelter but less security. Keep valuables out of sight or take them with you.

Do's and don'ts at home

  • Do lock both your garage and your car.
  • Do keep your keys out of sight.
  • Don't leave your car running unattended.
  • Don't park across footpaths. They're part of the public road and could earn you a ticket.

Can I keep my car at a separate address?

Yes, you can. Just make sure you tell your insurer, so your details stay up to date.

If you're updating your cover, our blog on what you need before buying car insurance in New Zealand can help.

Street parking: what's legal and what's secure?

Street parking is common, but it can increase your risk of theft or damage. Security features like steering-wheel locks, alarms and immobilisers help.

Do's and don'ts on the street

  • Do park in well-lit areas.
  • Do lock up and remove valuables.
  • Do follow NZTA and local council parking rules.
  • Don't park too close to driveways, keep at least one metre clear.
  • Don't park on the wrong side of the road, except in a one-way street.
  • Don't park over lines marking parking bays as it can prevent another car from parking or from getting out.

For a full list of no-parking zones, check NZTA's 'Where not to park' guide.

City parking: secure options in busy areas

City parking can feel safer with more foot traffic around but scrapes and bumps are still common. A monitored or paid parking building can give you extra peace of mind.

Do's and don'ts in the city

  • Do choose monitored or CCTV car parks.
  • Do lock all door and take your keys with you.
  • Do check time limits.
  • Don't park too close to driveways, keep at least one metre clear.
  • Don't leave anything tempting inside your car.
  • Don't park overnight if you can avoid it.

Public parking spaces like supermarkets and malls

These spots are convenient but can be a hotspot for opportunistic theft. Park near entrances, choose well-lit areas, and keep valuables out of sight.

Long-term and overnight parking

Heading away without your car for a few days? A little planning helps.

If you're using long-term or overnight parking:

  • Use a steering-wheel lock if you have an older car.
  • Choose monitored spaces.
  • Remove valuables and lock everything up.
  • Never leave your keys in your car.

Leaving your car at home? The same rules apply. And if you've got a garage, use it.

Why secure parking matters

Where you park really can make a difference. Leaving your car in an unsecured spot can increase the risk of theft, damage, and even denied claims if your policy conditions aren't followed.

Our claims data (1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022) shows that nearly 30% of motor claims were for parking related damage.1

What to do if someone hits your car

Take photos, note the details and contact your insurer. If it's not your fault, your insurer will usually recover costs from the other driver's insurer once you've shared their information.

If the damage is small or you're wondering what's covered, our scratches and dents guide walks you through minor knocks, scrapes and everyday car park mishaps.

Car theft in NZ: what you need to know

The Ministry of Justice's sixth annual Crime and Victimisation Survey (Oct 2022 to Nov 2023) showed:2

  • Vehicle thefts rose from 30,000 in 2021 to 68,000 in 2023.
  • Most thefts happen from the street. Only 10% came from garages, carports or public car parks.
  • As of 2020, NZ had the highest vehicle theft rate worldwide.

At Tower, we saw:3

  • Theft claims spiked in the week after Easter in 2023 and 2024.
  • In 2023, contents and motor theft claims were up 36% and 18%.
  • In 2024, contents and motor theft claims were up 36% and 32%.
  • During the 2023/2024 school holidays, contents and motor theft claims rose 25%, and 16% in January.

Tower car insurance

With Tower, you can choose car insurance cover that fits your needs: Comprehensive, Third party, fire and theft, or Third party only.

Comprehensive gives you our highest level of cover, including accidental damage and theft.*

Third party, fire and theft covers fire and theft up to market value and damage your car causes to other people's car or property.*

Third party only covers damage your car causes to other someone else's car or property.*

Looking for car insurance? Take a look at our cover options.

Optional extras

RoadWise® roadside assistance: Flat battery or out of petrol? If you’ve added RoadWise®, we'll come to you. If we can't fix it on the spot, we'll tow you somewhere safe.

Rental car add-on: If your car's stolen or damaged, we’ll organise and insure a similar car so you can keep moving (up to $750 for Third party, fire and theft, or up to $1,000 with Comprehensive).*

Tower Repair Partners: Our Tower Repair Partners are here to help, making the claims process smoother and your car repairs less stressful. If your claim's accepted and repaired by a Repair Partner, your repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car.*

Not sure what level of cover's right for you? Our blog can help you understand car insurance cover and compare options.

Making a claim with Tower

If something happens, you can start your claim in My Tower. You'll save time and can upload documents or photos that can help us validate your claim twice as fast. Register now.

Here's how it works:

Report it quickly: The sooner you tell us, the sooner we can help. You'll be given a claims manager who'll make arrangement such as referring you to one of our repairers and arranging for an assessor to review your claim.

Not your fault? We'll usually recover the costs from the other driver's insurer if we have their details.

Track your claim online: Log in to My Tower to see your claim status and access your claim manager's direct contact information.

Park securely, wherever you are

Here's your quick checklist:

  • Lock all doors and close all windows.
  • Keep keys safely on you.
  • Remove valuables.
  • Choose well-lit, secure parking spots.
  • Install an alarm or immobiliser.
  • Add GPS tracking for extra security.

For more tips, see our 'how to prevent car theft' blog. A little forward thinking goes a long way.

Need car insurance?

Choose cover that fits your life and gives you extra certainty every day. Get a quote online today.

*This is a summary only. Please read the policy wording to understand the terms, conditions, excesses, limits, sub-limits and exclusions that may apply. Cover is subject to the current underwriting criteria.

The links we provide to third-party websites are for your convenience and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by us. The information provided on this page is general in nature and is not intended to be professional or legal advice. Tower does not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of information on this website that belongs to third parties or on any third-party website.

Looking for car insurance?

Save $100 on new, eligible comprehensive car insurance policies with promo code SWEETDEAL.*

*Ends 28 Feb 2026. Ts&Cs apply.

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