AMI Insurance is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most recognised insurers, offering nine major product categories. We’ve aggregated ratings from Google, Trustpilot, Canstar, and the Google Play Store to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is AMI Insurance and who's behind it?
AMI Insurance is one of New Zealand's oldest and most recognised insurers, founded in 1926 in Christchurch as the South Island Motor Union. Now almost 100 years old, AMI has grown from a regional motor insurer into a nationwide provider covering car, home, contents, travel, and more. AMI is owned by IAG New Zealand Limited, a subsidiary of Insurance Australia Group (IAG) - one of Australasia's largest general insurance groups.
Headquartered at 1 Fanshawe Street, Auckland 1010, AMI serves over 700,000 customers across New Zealand. The company maintains a nationwide branch network - one of the few insurers still offering face-to-face service in towns throughout the country. AMI holds an AA (Very Strong) financial strength rating from Standard & Poor's, backed by the financial resources of its parent group IAG.
AMI has won multiple industry awards, including Canstar Outstanding Value Home & Contents 2025, Canstar Car Insurer of the Year, and the ANZIIF Claims Team of the Year 2025. The company also offers unique features like AMI Roadside Rescue, AMI MotorHub, and AMI HomeHub.
AMI offers a solid range of personal insurance products:
AMI sells policies both online and through its nationwide branch network. Most products can be quoted and purchased online at ami.co.nz, or customers can visit a local branch for face-to-face assistance. AMI also offers a $100 incentive for new customers and has a dedicated Mandarin-speaking team.
How customers rate AMI Insurance across major review platforms
Note on rating discrepancy: AMI shows a significant gap between its Google branch rating (4.4/5) and its Trustpilot score (1.5/5, with 90% one-star reviews). Google branch reviews tend to reflect in-person service experiences, while Trustpilot attracts a higher proportion of claims-related complaints. Canstar's 5-star award and the Google Play app rating (4.1/5) provide additional data points. We weight ratings by review volume in our overall assessment. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
What customers are saying about AMI Insurance
Had a car accident and AMI sorted everything out within a week. The claims handler was really helpful and kept me updated the whole time. Very impressed with the service.
Been with AMI for over 25 years. House, car, and contents all insured with them. The branch staff are always friendly and the pricing stays competitive at renewal.
Tried to make a claim for water damage and it took months to get any movement. Phone wait times were terrible. Felt like they were looking for reasons to decline.
The AMI app is really good for managing policies and making payments. Easy to use and everything is in one place. Renewed my car insurance in about five minutes.
My claim was denied without a proper explanation. When I asked for more information they just pointed me to the policy wording. Awful experience.
AMI Roadside Rescue has saved me twice now. Quick response both times and very professional. It is a genuine value-add that makes the policy worth it.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of the most recent 250+ Google, Trustpilot, and Google Play reviews as of March 2026.
AMI Insurance product range at a glance
Five levels of cover including Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft, Third Party, Young Driver, and EV options. Winner of Canstar Car Insurer of the Year.
Home Plus cover protecting your home and its fixtures against fire, storm, flood, earthquake, and other sudden events. Winner of Canstar Outstanding Value Home & Contents 2025.
Cover for personal belongings inside your home against theft, fire, flood, and other sudden events.
Contents cover designed for tenants, protecting personal belongings without needing to insure the building.
Cover for rental property owners, protecting the building and optionally the landlord's contents and liability.
Cover for motorcycles including comprehensive, third party fire & theft, and third party options.
Cover for caravans and trailers, protecting against damage, theft, and liability while on the road or in storage.
Cover for domestic and international travel, including medical expenses, cancellation, and baggage.
Cover for boats and marine craft, including hull damage, liability, and in-transit protection.
Specialist cover for lifestyle block properties, including the home, outbuildings, fencing, and livestock.
AMI does not offer a dedicated classic car insurance product. Consider specialist providers for vintage or classic vehicles.
AMI does not currently offer dedicated motorhome insurance. Check specialist providers or other insurers for motorhome cover.
AMI Insurance strengths and weaknesses based on our research
How much does AMI Insurance cost?
AMI Insurance positions itself in the mid-range to competitive segment of the NZ market. Pricing varies based on cover level, vehicle type, location, excess, and driver profile. AMI offers three car insurance tiers (Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft, Third Party) plus specialist Young Driver and EV options. Here are indicative monthly premiums for common driver profiles:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported customer experiences and market comparisons, not official AMI Insurance quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances. Get an accurate quote at ami.co.nz. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Auckland typically costs more than regional areas due to higher theft and accident rates.
Newer, higher-value vehicles cost more to insure. EVs may attract different pricing through AMI's specialist EV cover.
Choosing a higher excess reduces your premium. AMI offers flexible excess options across all products.
A clean claims record typically results in lower premiums. Past claims may increase your rate at renewal.
Younger drivers pay more, but AMI's dedicated Young Driver product may offer competitive pricing for under-25s.
Vehicles parked in a garage or off-street typically attract lower premiums than on-street parking.
How does AMI Insurance compare to other NZ insurers?
| Feature | AMI | AA Insurance | Tower | State | Cove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 2.8/5 254+ reviews | 3.8/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.7/5 2,381 reviews |
| Google Rating | 4.4/5 (11) | 4.2/5 (2,847) | 3.9/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.8/5 (2,381) |
| Trustpilot | 1.5/5 (243) | 1.9/5 (151) | 4.2/5 | 1.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Canstar Awards | ⭐ Outstanding Value H&C 2025 | ⭐ Car 2025 | ⭐ Multiple | ⭐ Multiple | - |
| Car Insurance | ✅ 5 levels | ✅ 3 levels | ✅ 3 levels | ✅ 3 levels | ✅ 2 levels |
| Home & Contents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Product Range | 9 of 13 | 13 of 13 | 10 of 13 | 9 of 13 | 5 of 13 |
| Financial Strength | AA (S&P) | AA- (S&P) | A (AM Best) | AA (S&P) | AA (S&P) |
| Branch Network | ✅ Nationwide | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Nationwide | ❌ No |
| Pricing | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Google, Trustpilot, Canstar, and Google Play where available. Pricing is indicative based on market comparisons and customer reports. Features may change - verify directly with the insurer. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other insurers to consider alongside AMI
One of NZ's largest general insurers with all 13 product categories. Known for AA Member loyalty discounts, Consumer NZ People's Choice winner, and 15 years as NZ's Most Trusted General Insurer.
NZ-owned insurer with a strong digital platform. Offers comprehensive, third-party, and TPFT cover. Known for innovative features like SmartDriver discounts and risk-based pricing.
Digital-first insurance brand offering competitive premiums and a highly rated claims experience. Popular with younger customers and those comfortable managing everything online.
Fellow IAG-owned insurer with a similar product range and branch network. State and AMI share the same parent company but operate as separate brands with different pricing and positioning.
Who is AMI Insurance most suitable for?
AMI's nationwide branch network is one of the few remaining in NZ insurance. Customers who prefer face-to-face service and local support will find AMI's branch model particularly appealing.
AMI's Canstar Outstanding Value Home & Contents 2025 award recognises strong product quality. Homeowners looking to bundle house, contents, and landlord cover may find AMI competitive.
AMI's dedicated Young Driver product is designed specifically for drivers under 25, offering tailored cover that some other insurers don't provide as a standalone product.
AMI offers specialist electric vehicle cover, reflecting the growing EV market in New Zealand. EV owners may find AMI's tailored cover options worth comparing against other providers.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of AMI Insurance
With nearly 100 years of history, a nationwide branch network, and an AA (Very Strong) financial strength rating from S&P, AMI is a well-established mainstream choice for Kiwi consumers. The company's Canstar Outstanding Value Home & Contents 2025 award and ANZIIF Claims Team of the Year 2025 recognition speak to genuine product quality in key categories.
However, the gap between AMI's industry awards and its Trustpilot rating (1.5/5 from 243 reviews, with 90% one-star) raises concerns about claims handling consistency. While the Google branch rating (4.4/5) and app rating (4.1/5) are more positive, the volume of complaints about slow claims processing, phone wait times, and claims denials cannot be ignored.
For customers who value face-to-face service, a trusted brand with deep NZ roots, and Canstar-recognised home & contents products, AMI is a solid option. Those prioritising the lowest price or a fully digital experience may find alternatives like Cove or Tower more suitable.
Common questions about AMI Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Always verify details directly with your insurer and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
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