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Cove Car Insurance Review

We analyse Cove Insurance's comprehensive car policy, outlining the cover, pros, cons, optional features and claim process
Updated 29 November 2023

Summary
  • Cove only offers comprehensive policies, and won't insure any car valued above $80,000.
  • Cove is one of many car insurers; what you pay for a policy will depend on many factors, including your driving profile and history. The type of car you insure will also affect individual quotes. 
  • We suggest visiting the Cove website for a quote, and comparing it to other providers, including your current insurer.
  • We believe the average time to arrange 3-5 quotes is around ten minutes, and the differences in price (per our research) can be significant. 

​Our review covers:

Cove Car Insurance vs Alternatives - Our Research has You Covered:

  • We suggest visiting the Cove website for a quote, and comparing it to other providers, including your current insurer.
  • We believe the average time to arrange 3-5 quotes is around ten minutes, and the differences in price (per our research) can be significant. 

Cove only offers comprehensive policies. Policyholders are covered for the following:
  1. ​Collision cover - Cove pays out for any accidental damage caused from an incident.
  2. Full liability - you're covered for accidental damage to someone else’s car or property while driving your car.
  3. Damage by an uninsured vehicle
  4. Repair guarantee - Cove guarantees the repairs for life if you use one of their recommended repairers
  5. Transport costs - Cove pays out your travel and accommodation expenses (up to $1,000) to complete your journey or return home after an accident, or if your vehicle is stolen.
  6. Lost or stolen keys - if your keys are lost or stolen or duplicated, Cove pays up to $1,000 to rekey or fix the issue at a reduced excess of $100.
  7. Trailer Cover - If you are driving with a trailer and it is damaged, Cove will pay up to $1,000 for repairs or replacement of the trailer with a reduced excess of $250.

Want to compare policies by benefits? Our AMI vs AA Insurance vs Cove vs State vs Tower vs Trade Me Insurance review has all the details
Cove Car Insurance offers the following cover options, for an additional premium:​
For an additional monthly cost, Cove offers the following add-on benefits:
  1. Roadside assistance - Cove's 24/7 roadside assistance service covers the car, not the person (unlike AA Membership) and includes two free call-outs per year. Pricing is from $3.75/month.
  2. Windscreen excess buyout - If damage happens to your windscreen and/or window glass, this additional benefit replaces or repairs said glass, and claims are excess-free. Pricing is from $6/month.
  3. Rental car - If your car is stolen or undriveable after an accident, Cove covers the cost of hiring and insuring a similar car. Pricing is $6.75/month.

Cove Car Insurance - What You Need to Know:
  1. Excess Range: $400, $500, $750 and $1,000
  2. Multi-Policy Discount: Not applicable - Cove only offers car insurance
  3. Loyalty Rewards: Cove is one of the only insurance brands that offers discounts to customers when they refer friends and family to Cove; each policyholder referred earns both parties a receive a free month of insurance (valued up to $100).
  4. Claiming Process: Call 0800 268 347. Claims and roadside assistance is 24/7.
  5. Call Centre Location(s): Auckland and Palmerston North
  6. Average Wait Time to Answer: Less than 2 minutes
  7. No Claims Bonus: Not offered
  8. Additional (Optional) Benefits: Excess free windscreen and window claims (around $7.50/month), Rental vehicle ($6.75/month) and Roadside assistance ($3.75/month).
  9. Young Drivers: Not Permitted. Cove's policy only covers drivers who are 21 years or older.
  10. Accessories or modifications cover: Cove does not offer insurance for modified vehicles. Accessories are covered as per their policy working. Examples can be seen here in our uninsurable cars guide.
  11. Switching, Refund and Cancellation Process: Cove customers can cancel their policies online via MyCove at any time, or via live chat and their 0800 number if they would prefer to talk to someone. Cove is the only insurance provider that provides assistance in the form of a “Break up letter” - which can be provided to your current insurance provider via email when switching to Cove.

Our View:​ Cove offers a value-based comprehensive policy that is about protection more than perks. There's no loyalty points (Airpoints Dollars or FlyBuys etc), nor are there multi-policy discounts or No Claims Bonuses. Instead, Cove routinely offers low cost policies. Young drivers are excluded, as are risky drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cove offers competitive pricing, but it may not be the cheapest quote for you. We answer common queries below. 

Is Cove Car Insurance the cheapest option?

It depends on many factors, so there is no yes or no answer. Our How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance guide outlines ways to save, and our compare car insurance review offers sample quotes for different user types. We suggest always comparing a range of quotes before buying car insurance to give yourself the best chance of saving money.

Is a Cove policy cheaper if I pay one year in advance vs monthly?

At the moment, Cove offers only monthly policies, and not annual policies. Per our discussions with Cove, they confirmed their focus was to offer flexibility to the insurance market, enabling their customers to buy and cancel their policies at any time achieves this (much like a Netflix or Spotify subscription). The Cove team also confirmed they they plan to offer annual policies in the future.

What happens if I claim on my Cove policy?

When you contact Cove and claim, you will need to pay the excess stated in your policy (unless you're exempt under the policy). Cove will suggest an approved repairer, or the car will be assessed for write-off if the damage is significant. 

Do I have to pay an excess for third-party damage if I didn't cause the accident?

Yes, unless you can prove exceptions. Our guide to car insurance excess explains your rights and responsibilities in detail.

Can I renew a Cove car insurance policy online?

Yes, your Cove car insurance policy will automatically renew monthly, unless you request to cancel the policy.

Can I claim windscreen damage with a Cove policy?

Yes - this is an additional benefit for any policy. You'll pay an extra amount (based on your address) for such cover, although the exact price will depend on your risk assessment.

​How do I cancel a Cove policy?

You can cancel your policy online via the Cove Portal or call Cove on 0800 268 347

What does Cove's car insurance policy NOT cover?

As is the case with most car insurance policies, Cove excludes the following events:​
  • Mechanical failure - i.e. if your car breaks down and needs to be repaired. Unless you have breakdown assistance (an optional extra to any policy), Cove won't provide any roadside rescue. 
  • Under 21 year old drivers - No one under 21 is covered by a Cove policy
  • Breach of licence terms - i.e. if you drive without the correct licence and have an accident. Examples include learner or restricted licence holders driving in breach of their conditions, or driving while intoxicated. 
  • Using your vehicle for business purposes - ride sharing or courier work is a breach of Cove's standard policy and will void any claim. If you use your car for work (i.e. sales visits or trade services), check to see if you're covered - you may need commercial vehicle insurance.
  • Modifications - Some performance features increase the risk of your car being stolen or damaged, which means Cove won't cover the car altogether. A sample list can be found here; any questions about modifications should be directed to Cove.
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