Car Insurance Claims Statistics 2026
Major New Zealand insurers processed 235,000+ private motor vehicle claims in a single year. We break down detailed IAG NZ data to show what's causing crashes, who's crashing, where it's happening, and what it costs.
Updated 6 January 2026
Summary
Important: This data represents one insurer group's portfolio. It's the most detailed car insurance claims data publicly available in New Zealand, but it doesn't capture the entire market (Tower, AA Insurance, and other insurers such as MAS are excluded). To help you understand what's important, our guide covers:
- This guide uses data from the AMI Motor Report (November 2025), which covers IAG New Zealand's private motor vehicle insurance portfolio from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.
- IAG brands include AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley, and Lantern, plus the insurance products of BNZ, ASB, Westpac, and the Co-operative Bank - representing a significant share of New Zealand's car insurance market.
- While the guide is comprehensive, each section is designed to stand on its own - you can read it start-to-finish or jump directly to the parts most relevant to you.
Important: This data represents one insurer group's portfolio. It's the most detailed car insurance claims data publicly available in New Zealand, but it doesn't capture the entire market (Tower, AA Insurance, and other insurers such as MAS are excluded). To help you understand what's important, our guide covers:
- Understanding What's Changing with Car Insurance Claims
- Total Claims Snapshot - Insights from 235,000+ Claims
- What Causes Claims - Understanding the Loss Type Breakdown
- Understanding Collision Claims - 56.5% Of All Claims
- New Zealand's Top 10 Vehicle Collision Hotspots
- Regional Claims Data - Where Vehicle Crashes Happen
- Car Insurance Claims By Generation - Who's Crashing?
- Vehicle Age vs Claims - Newer Cars, More Claims
- Average Vehicle Repair Costs - What Claims Cost
- Roadside Rescue Statistics - 58,000 Callouts
- Young Drivers, Their Risks And The Top 10 Cars Favoured
- Understanding The Impact Of ADAS - Is Car Tech Making Us Safer?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Findings
The Big Numbers
What's Causing Claims
The Collision Picture
Who's Crashing
What It Costs
Roadside Breakdown Causes
Seasonal Patterns
The Big Numbers
- Total private motor vehicle claims: 235,000+ in 12 months
- Total roadside rescues: 58,000+ callouts
- Daily claims volume: ~644 claims processed per day
What's Causing Claims
- Collision-related claims: 56.5% of all claims
- Non-collision claims: 43.5% (windscreens, theft, weather, etc.)
- Windscreen/glass damage: 37.8% - the single largest category
- Multi-vehicle accidents: 21.8%
The Collision Picture
- Collisions are declining: 7% annual drop in collision claims
- Peak crash time: 3-4pm on Fridays
- Top crash location: Great South Road, Auckland
Who's Crashing
- Young drivers (16-28) collision rate: 35.6% of policies had a collision claim - the highest of any generation
- Millennials (29-44): 11.8% - the safest drivers despite being the largest group
- Baby Boomers (61-79): 14.4%
- Gen X (45-60): 14%
What It Costs
- Newer cars (0-15 years): ~$4,500 average repair cost per claim
- Older cars (16-30 years): ~$2,800 average repair cost per claim
- Newer cars have 45% higher collision claim rates
Roadside Breakdown Causes
- Battery failures: 55% of all roadside callouts - hot summer conditions and vehicles sitting idle are the main culprits.
- Tyres: 11%
- Mechanical issues: 10%
Seasonal Patterns
- Christmas/New Year period: 34% increase in fatigue-related collision claims
Know This First - Understanding the Data Source - AMI Motor Report, November 2025 (Issue 1) - the claims data covers IAG New Zealand's private motor vehicle insurance portfolio, which includes:
- AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley, and Lantern
- Insurance products of BNZ, ASB, Westpac, and the Co-operative Bank
- Reporting Period: 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 (labelled as "2025" in this guide)
- Customer Research: AMI's Your Voice Customer Research Panel, October 2025, with a nationwide sample of 369 customers.
- What this means: IAG is New Zealand's largest general insurer. While this data doesn't represent the entire market, it's the most comprehensive publicly available dataset on car insurance claims in New Zealand.
Understanding What's Changing with Car Insurance Claims
1) Collisions are declining - and ADAS is helping
2) Gen Z (16 - 28) drivers are at the highest risk on the roads
3) Auckland dominates the crash hotspots
4) Newer cars crash more but cost more to fix
5) Parking is where it goes wrong
- The 7% annual decline in collision claims coincides with the rise of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking sensors.
- Research from Waka Kotahi shows AEB alone can reduce front-to-rear crashes by up to 43%.
2) Gen Z (16 - 28) drivers are at the highest risk on the roads
- With a 35.6% collision rate, Gen Z drivers are three times more likely to have a collision claim than Millennials (11.8%).
- Many Gen Z drivers are in older vehicles without modern safety tech, and accident rates peak around 5pm - coinciding with school, university, and part-time job commutes.
3) Auckland dominates the crash hotspots
- Nine of the top 10 collision locations are Auckland streets.
- Only Moorhouse Avenue in Christchurch breaks Auckland's dominance.
- High-traffic arterial roads with complex intersections and busy parking areas see the most incidents.
4) Newer cars crash more but cost more to fix
- Vehicles under 15 years old have a 45% higher collision claim rate than older cars.
- But they also cost ~60% more to repair (~$4,500 vs ~$2,800) due to ADAS recalibration requirements, complex sensors, and expensive parts.
5) Parking is where it goes wrong
- Analysis of collision claim descriptions shows many accidents happen while parking - hitting concrete pillars, clipping other vehicles, or misjudging tight spaces.
- Even with reverse cameras and parking sensors, human judgment in busy environments remains critical.
Total Claims Snapshot - Insights from 235,000+ Claims
Over the last 12 months, IAG New Zealand processed more than 235,000 private motor vehicle claims across its brands.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total claims processed | 235,000+ | 12-month period |
| Average claims per day | ~644 | 235,000 ÷ 365 |
| Collision-related claims | 56.5% | ~133,000 claims |
| Non-collision claims | 43.5% | ~102,000 claims |
| Roadside rescues | 58,000+ | AMI Roadside Rescue callouts |
| AMI MotorHub repairs | 30,000+ | Repairs through AMI MotorHub sites |
Our View: 235,000 claims in a year is substantial - that's one claim every 2.2 minutes, around the clock. Add 58,000 roadside rescues and 30,000 repairs through AMI MotorHub, and you see the scale of vehicle incidents New Zealanders face annually.
What Causes Claims - Understanding the Loss Type Breakdown
Windscreen and glass damage is the single largest claim category at 37.8%, followed by multi-vehicle accidents (21.8%) and damage while parked (14.1%).
| Loss Cause Type | Share (%) | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen/window glass | 37.8% | Chips, cracks, replacements |
| Multiple vehicle accident | 21.8% | Crashes involving 2+ vehicles |
| Damage while parked | 14.1% | Hit while stationary, car park dings |
| Single vehicle accident | 13.8% | Lost control, hit object, ran off road |
| Third party damage only | 5.8% | Damage to other vehicles/property |
| Theft/Malicious damage | 4.0% | Vehicle theft, vandalism, break-ins |
| Damage to parts/accessories | 1.7% | Mirrors, bumpers, trims |
| Natural/weather damage | 0.7% | Storms, floods, hail |
| Keys & locks | 0.7% | Lost keys, lock damage |
| Hit livestock/animal | 0.4% | Rural road hazards |
| Mechanical breakdown/failure | 0.2% | Engine, transmission failures |
| Fire | 0.1% | Vehicle fires |
| Water damage (non-weather) | <0.1% | Flooding not from storms |
| Hit pedestrian | <0.1% | Pedestrian incidents |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Know This: Almost 4 in 10 claims (37.8%) are for windscreen damage alone. If you're weighing up whether to add glass cover to your policy, this data suggests it's worth considering, especially if you regularly drive on rural roads or behind trucks.
Our View: The 14.1% of claims from "damage while parked" is notable. You can be the safest driver in New Zealand, and your car can still be damaged in a supermarket car park by someone who drives off without leaving a note.
Our View: The 14.1% of claims from "damage while parked" is notable. You can be the safest driver in New Zealand, and your car can still be damaged in a supermarket car park by someone who drives off without leaving a note.
Understanding Collision Claims - 56.5% Of All Claims
Collisions account for 56.5% of all private motor vehicle claims - and they're the most expensive to resolve.
What counts as a collision?
Know This: Collisions Are Declining - Here's Why
IAG data shows a steady 7% annual drop in collision claims since the post-COVID peak in 2022-2023. Several factors are contributing:
Know This: The 3pm-4pm Friday peak makes sense - it's when school pickup traffic, early weekend commuters, and tired workers all converge. If you can avoid driving during this window, your collision risk drops.
What counts as a collision?
- Multiple vehicle accidents (21.8%)
- Damage while parked (14.1%)
- Single vehicle accidents (13.8%)
- Third-party damage only (5.8%)
- • Hit livestock/animal (0.4%)
- • Hit pedestrian (<0.1%)
Know This: Collisions Are Declining - Here's Why
IAG data shows a steady 7% annual drop in collision claims since the post-COVID peak in 2022-2023. Several factors are contributing:
- ADAS adoption: More vehicles now have automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring
- Fuel prices: Higher fuel costs have reduced discretionary driving
- Remote work: Fewer commuters on the road during peak times
Know This: The 3pm-4pm Friday peak makes sense - it's when school pickup traffic, early weekend commuters, and tired workers all converge. If you can avoid driving during this window, your collision risk drops.
| Collision Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Collision share of claims | 56.5% | ~133,000 collision claims |
| Non-collision share | 43.5% | Glass, theft, weather, etc. |
| Peak collision day | Friday | End-of-week fatigue and rush |
| Peak collision time | 3pm - 4pm | School pickup, early commute |
| Annual trend | -7% per year | Collisions declining steadily |
New Zealand's Top 10 Vehicle Collision Hotspots
For the first time, IAG has mapped New Zealand's top 10 collision hotspots down to the exact street location. Auckland dominates - 9 of the top 10 collision hotspots are Auckland streets. Christchurch's Moorhouse Avenue is the only location outside Auckland to make the list.
What These Streets Have in Common:
Our View: If you regularly drive these streets, you're statistically more likely to be involved in a collision. Extra caution is warranted during peak hours (3pm-4pm, especially on Friday).
What These Streets Have in Common:
- High traffic volumes
- Multiple lane changes and turning movements
- Retail areas with busy parking
- Mix of through-traffic and local access
- Complex intersections
Our View: If you regularly drive these streets, you're statistically more likely to be involved in a collision. Extra caution is warranted during peak hours (3pm-4pm, especially on Friday).
| Rank | City | Street | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | Great South Road | Long arterial, heavy traffic, multiple intersections |
| 2 | Auckland | Ti Rakau Drive | East Auckland arterial, retail areas |
| 3 | Auckland | Great North Road | West Auckland link, busy intersections |
| 4 | Auckland | Manukau Road | Central/South link, parked cars, retail |
| 5 | Auckland | Lincoln Road | West Auckland retail strip, parking |
| 6 | Auckland | Dominion Road | Central arterial, buses, parked cars |
| 7 | Auckland | Don McKinnon Drive | Albany business area |
| 8 | Auckland | Mt Wellington Highway | Industrial/retail, truck traffic |
| 9 | Christchurch | Moorhouse Avenue | Only non-Auckland entry - retail strip |
| 10 | Auckland | New North Road | Central/West link, complex intersections |
Regional Claims Data - Where Vehicle Crashes Happen
Auckland accounts for the most collision claims by volume, which is unsurprising given the population size - but the regional breakdown reveals where New Zealand's crashes are concentrated.
- Note: Collision claims without an address or geographic coordinates are not included in regional totals.
- Our View: Auckland's 37% share of collision claims is roughly proportional to its population share (~34%). Canterbury at 16% is slightly over-represented. Regional differences likely reflect driving patterns, road conditions, and vehicle fleet age rather than driver skill.
| Region | Collision Claims | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau | 43,292 | 37.3% |
| Canterbury / Waitaha | 18,967 | 16.3% |
| Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara | 11,433 | 9.8% |
| Waikato | 10,897 | 9.4% |
| Bay of Plenty / Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi | 6,969 | 6.0% |
| Otago / Ōtākou | 5,476 | 4.7% |
| Manawatū-Whanganui | 4,525 | 3.9% |
| Northland / Te Tai Tokerau | 3,679 | 3.2% |
| Hawke's Bay / Te Matau-a-Māui | 3,377 | 2.9% |
| Taranaki | 2,116 | 1.8% |
| Nelson / Whakatū | 1,332 | 1.1% |
| Southland / Murihiku | 1,332 | 1.1% |
| Tasman / Te Tai-o-Aorere | 1,179 | 1.0% |
| Marlborough / Te Tauihu-o-te-waka | 1,011 | 0.9% |
| Gisborne / Tairāwhiti | 860 | 0.7% |
| West Coast / Te Tai Poutini | 677 | 0.6% |
| TOTAL | ~116,000 | 100% |
Car Insurance Claims By Generation - Who's Crashing?
When looking at collision claims by generation, Baby Boomers lodged the most claims by volume - but Gen Z (aged 16-28) has the highest collision rate relative to policies held.
Claims by Generation (Volume)
| Generation | Birth Years | Ages (2025) | Share of Claims | Policy Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers | 1946-1964 | 61-79 | 25.8% | 3rd |
| Millennials | 1981-1996 | 29-44 | 25.25% | 1st (most policies) |
| Generation X | 1965-1980 | 45-60 | 25.14% | 2nd |
| Gen Z | 1997-2012 | 13-28 | 17.14% | 4th |
| Silent Generation | 1928-1945 | 80-97 | 6.67% | 5th |
Collision Rate by Generation (The Real Story)
The collision-to-policy ratio shows the percentage of policies in each generation that had at least one collision claim. This is the more meaningful measure.
| Generation | Collision Rate | Risk Level | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 35.6% | HIGHEST | 1 in 3 policies had a collision claim |
| Silent Generation | 16.0% | Elevated | Age-related factors |
| Baby Boomers | 14.4% | Moderate | Drive newer, safer vehicles |
| Generation X | 14.0% | Moderate | Experienced drivers |
| Millennials | 11.8% | LOWEST | Safest generation despite most policies |
Know This: Gen Z drivers are THREE TIMES more likely to have a collision claim than Millennials. At 35.6%, more than 1 in 3 Gen Z policies resulted in a collision claim.
Why Gen Z Has Higher Collision Rates:• Less driving experience
Why Millennials Are the Safest:• Strong foundational driving experience (learned before ADAS)
Our View: This data challenges the assumption that older drivers are the safest drivers. Millennials - the largest driving group - have the lowest collision rate. The combination of experience and technology awareness appears to be the sweet spot for safe driving.
Why Gen Z Has Higher Collision Rates:• Less driving experience
- Older vehicles with fewer safety features
- Peak accident time (5pm) coincides with school/university/work schedules
- Higher exposure to theft due to outdated vehicle security
Why Millennials Are the Safest:• Strong foundational driving experience (learned before ADAS)
- Drive vehicles with early ADAS features
- Understand how to use technology effectively
- Peak earning/family years = more cautious driving
Our View: This data challenges the assumption that older drivers are the safest drivers. Millennials - the largest driving group - have the lowest collision rate. The combination of experience and technology awareness appears to be the sweet spot for safe driving.
Vehicle Age vs Claims - Newer Cars, More Claims
Counter-intuitively, newer vehicles have higher collision claim rates than older cars. But there's more to the story.
| Vehicle Age Group | Claims per 1,000 Policies | vs Older Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 years | ~160 | +45% higher |
| 16-30 years | ~110 | Baseline |
| Over 30 years | ~40 | -64% lower |
Why Newer Cars Have More Claims (It's Not What You Think):
Know This: ADAS is working - research shows autonomous emergency braking reduces front-to-rear crashes by up to 43% and serious injuries by 55% (per the IAG report). The higher claim rate for newer cars reflects exposure and usage, not technology failure.
- Exposure: Newer vehicles dominate the fleet and are driven more often
- Usage patterns: Newer cars are daily drivers; older cars are often weekend/hobby vehicles
- Claim lodgement: Owners of newer cars are more likely to lodge claims (higher values, full insurance)
- Environment: Many collisions occur in car parks and busy streets, where ADAS can't prevent all incidents
Know This: ADAS is working - research shows autonomous emergency braking reduces front-to-rear crashes by up to 43% and serious injuries by 55% (per the IAG report). The higher claim rate for newer cars reflects exposure and usage, not technology failure.
Average Vehicle Repair Costs - What Claims Cost
Newer cars cost significantly more to repair than older vehicles - largely due to ADAS recalibration requirements.
| Vehicle Age Group | Average Repair Cost | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 years | ~$4,500 | +60% more expensive |
| 16-30 years | ~$2,800 | Baseline |
Note: Average claim costs for vehicles over 30 years old are not included due to limited data - repair costs often fall below excess thresholds, resulting in fewer lodged claims.
Why Newer Cars Cost More to Repair:
Our View: When choosing car insurance, factor in repair costs - not just vehicle value. A $25,000 car with advanced ADAS may cost more to repair after a minor collision than a $35,000 car without these systems.
Why Newer Cars Cost More to Repair:
- ADAS recalibration: After a collision, cameras, sensors, and radar systems must be professionally recalibrated - this can add $500-$1,500+ to repairs
- Complex parts: Modern bumpers contain sensors, cameras, and parking systems
- Specialist equipment: Repairs require manufacturer-specific diagnostic tools
- Labour rates: ADAS-certified technicians command higher rates
Our View: When choosing car insurance, factor in repair costs - not just vehicle value. A $25,000 car with advanced ADAS may cost more to repair after a minor collision than a $35,000 car without these systems.
Roadside Rescue Statistics - 58,000 Callouts
AMI Roadside Rescue responded to more than 58,000 callouts in the 12-month period surveyed by IAG. Battery failures dominate.
Know This: Battery failures account for more than half of all roadside callouts. Hot summer conditions and vehicles sitting idle are the main culprits.
Our View: The 47 EV-related callouts (less than 0.1%) are notable given EV adoption rates. While the sample is small, it suggests EVs are not causing disproportionate roadside issues - range anxiety aside.
Know This: Battery failures account for more than half of all roadside callouts. Hot summer conditions and vehicles sitting idle are the main culprits.
Our View: The 47 EV-related callouts (less than 0.1%) are notable given EV adoption rates. While the sample is small, it suggests EVs are not causing disproportionate roadside issues - range anxiety aside.
| Breakdown Cause | Callouts | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 31,796 | 55% |
| Tyres | 6,517 | 11% |
| Mechanical | 5,804 | 10% |
| Keys | 3,155 | 5% |
| Fuel | 1,159 | 2% |
| Electrical | 771 | 1% |
| Transmission | 567 | 1% |
| Accident | 550 | 1% |
| Cooling System | 545 | 1% |
| Engine | 185 | <1% |
| Suspension | 100 | <1% |
| EV-related | 47 | <1% |
| Security System | 17 | <1% |
| Brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Emergency (uncategorised) | 6,791 | 12% |
| TOTAL | 58,000+ | 100% |
Young Drivers, Their Risks And The Top 10 Cars Favoured
Drivers (ages 16-28) have the highest collision rate of any generation. Here's what the data shows:
| Factor | Finding | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Collision rate | 35.6% of policies | 3× higher than Millennials |
| Peak accident time | 5pm | School/uni/work commute overlap |
| Vehicle age preference | 16-20 years old | Fewer safety features, theft risk |
| ADAS in first car | Only 3% | Most learned without tech assistance |
| Common claim causes | Multi/single vehicle collisions, parking damage, theft | Experience and vehicle security gaps |
Our View: Young drivers face a perfect storm - less experience, older vehicles, and peak driving times that coincide with high-traffic periods. The 35.6% collision rate isn't surprising, but it's a reminder that young driver premiums reflect genuine risk.
Top 10 Cars
Young drivers tend to favour reliable, well-known brands - often manufactured between 2004 and 2009.
Know This: Many of these vehicles are 15-20+ years old, meaning safety features are outdated. Before purchasing, check the vehicle's safety rating on the Waka Kotahi Right Car website.
Our View: The presence of RAV4s, Outlanders, Rangers, and Hiluxes suggests many young drivers are using family hand-me-downs rather than buying specifically for their needs. While this is economical, it may mean driving vehicles not ideally suited to inexperienced drivers.
Know This: Many of these vehicles are 15-20+ years old, meaning safety features are outdated. Before purchasing, check the vehicle's safety rating on the Waka Kotahi Right Car website.
Our View: The presence of RAV4s, Outlanders, Rangers, and Hiluxes suggests many young drivers are using family hand-me-downs rather than buying specifically for their needs. While this is economical, it may mean driving vehicles not ideally suited to inexperienced drivers.
| Rank | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | Reliable, affordable, widely available |
| 2 | Suzuki Swift | Compact, fuel-efficient, low running costs |
| 3 | Mazda Axela | Mazda3 predecessor, good value |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | SUV option, family hand-me-down |
| 5 | Mitsubishi Outlander | SUV, often inherited from parents |
| 6 | Ford Ranger | Ute, tradies and rural youth |
| 7 | Toyota Hilux | Ute, work and recreation |
| 8 | Volkswagen Golf | European option, city driving |
| 9 | Holden Commodore | Larger sedan, older models |
| 10 | Mazda Demio | Small, economical, city-friendly |
Understanding The Impact Of ADAS - Is Car Tech Making Us Safer?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are having a measurable impact on road safety - but they're not a silver bullet.
What the Data Shows:
What the Data Shows:
| Finding | Data | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Collision claims declining | -7% annually | ADAS contributing to safer roads |
| AEB crash reduction (research) | Up to 43% | Front-to-rear crashes |
| AEB injury reduction (research) | 55% | Serious injuries |
| ADAS ownership (customers) | Over 50% | Majority now have these systems |
| Learned to drive with ADAS | Only 3% | Most drivers learned without tech |
Driver Sentiment on ADAS:
Benefits customers identify:
Concerns customers identify:
Know This: 22% of ADAS owners have disabled these features at some point. 38% want more control of their vehicles. The technology helps, but IAG's report suggests drivers have mixed feelings about relying on it.
Our View: ADAS is working - the 7% annual decline in collisions is real. But the data also shows these systems can't prevent parking mishaps, driver distraction, or fatigue-related incidents. Safe driving remains a human responsibility.
Benefits customers identify:
- Improved safety through collision avoidance: 70% (ADAS owners) / 55% (non-owners)
- Lower accident risk: 50% / 42%
- Reduced parking stress: 33% / 36%
- Support for older or less confident drivers: 36% / 28%
Concerns customers identify:
- Over-reliance on technology: 55% (ADAS owners) / 51% (non-owners)
- False sense of security: 42% / 60%
- Driver distraction: 28% / 34%
- Cost of ADAS-equipped vehicles: 16% / 43%
Know This: 22% of ADAS owners have disabled these features at some point. 38% want more control of their vehicles. The technology helps, but IAG's report suggests drivers have mixed feelings about relying on it.
Our View: ADAS is working - the 7% annual decline in collisions is real. But the data also shows these systems can't prevent parking mishaps, driver distraction, or fatigue-related incidents. Safe driving remains a human responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How representative is this data?
This data comes from IAG New Zealand, which includes AMI, State, NZI, and bank insurance products. IAG is New Zealand's largest general insurer, so while it doesn't capture the entire market, it represents a significant and representative sample of New Zealand drivers.
Why do newer cars have more collision claims?
Newer vehicles dominate the fleet and are driven more frequently than older cars (which are often weekend/hobby vehicles). Owners of newer cars are also more likely to lodge claims due to higher vehicle values and comprehensive insurance coverage. ADAS is actually reducing collision severity - the claim rate reflects exposure, not technology failure.
Does my premium increase if I claim?
Unlike car insurance in some countries, most New Zealand insurers don't directly penalise individual claims history through premium increases. However, high claim rates across your demographic group (age, location, vehicle type) can affect premiums for everyone in that category.
What's the most common claim?
Windscreen and glass damage at 37.8% - nearly 4 in 10 claims. If you drive regularly on rural roads or behind trucks, glass cover is worth considering.
Why is Gen Z's collision rate so high?
Three factors combine - less driving experience, older vehicles with fewer safety features, and driving patterns that coincide with high-risk times (5pm school/work commute). The 35.6% collision rate is three times higher than that of Millennials.
Are EVs causing more roadside callouts?
No - only 47 EV-related callouts were recorded (<0.1% of total). While the sample is small, EVs are not causing disproportionate roadside issues.
How can I reduce my car insurance costs?
Our guide to comparing car insurance has helpful tips, which can be summarised:
Understanding this data
All data is sourced from:
AMI Motor Report, November 2025 (Issue 1) - published by AMI, an insurance brand of IAG New Zealand
Important caveats:
AMI Motor Report, November 2025 (Issue 1) - published by AMI, an insurance brand of IAG New Zealand
Important caveats:
- Data represents one insurer group (however, it's the largest in New Zealand)
- Regional totals exclude claims without geographic coordinates
- Customer survey has a margin of error typical of n=369 samples
- Figures should be treated as indicative rather than precise
Related Resources
- Best Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Car Insurance Comparison
- Third Party Car Insurance
- NZ Vehicle Theft Statistics
- How to Save on Car Insurance
- Best Cars for Young Drivers
