FMG Insurance (Farmers' Mutual Group) is New Zealand's largest 100% Kiwi-owned general insurer, serving rural communities for over 120 years. We've aggregated ratings from Canstar, Consumer NZ, Trustpilot, and Facebook to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is FMG Insurance and who's behind it?
FMG Insurance (Farmers' Mutual Group) is New Zealand's largest 100% Kiwi-owned general insurer, founded in 1905 when groups of farmers in Otago, Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay formed mutual insurance associations because English-owned tariff companies didn't understand rural NZ risks. FMG is a mutual insurer - owned by its rural members, not external shareholders - with all profits reinvested back into the business.
Headquartered in Palmerston North, FMG serves over 96,000 customers from 30 local offices across regional New Zealand. The company employs over 800 staff and is incorporated under the Farmers' Mutual Group Act 2007. FMG is licensed by the RBNZ under the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010 and is registered with the FMA.
FMG is New Zealand's first B Corp certified general insurer (score: 81.6), reflecting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The company has won Canstar Most Satisfied Customers awards and the Consumer NZ People's Choice Award for 9 consecutive years.
FMG offers a broad product range with particular strength in rural and farming insurance:
FMG distributes policies through its network of 30 local offices staffed by advisers who understand rural risks. Most products require a conversation with an FMG adviser rather than online self-service. Customers can manage policies and claims through the FMG Connect online portal.
How customers rate FMG Insurance across major review and award platforms
Note on review availability: FMG has very limited online customer reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and Google, as the company primarily operates through 30 local offices across regional NZ rather than driving online engagement. However, FMG's strong performance in structured surveys - winning Canstar Most Satisfied Customers and the Consumer NZ People's Choice Award for 9 consecutive years - provides a more reliable picture of customer satisfaction. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Common themes from customer surveys and online reviews
FMG really understands rural risks. Our adviser knew exactly what cover we needed for the farm and sorted everything quickly. The claim on our damaged fencing was paid within a week.
Having a local office in our town makes such a difference. Our FMG adviser has been out to the property and understands what we need. That personal service is why we've stayed for years.
The policy documents are easy to understand and the pricing is competitive compared to the big city insurers. Being a mutual means they're not chasing shareholder profits.
Solid cover for the farm but the online experience is very basic. You can't get quotes online for most products - have to ring or visit an office. Would like to see that modernised.
Got shafted twice on claims and left. Communication was poor during both claims and the process dragged on. Ended up going to a larger insurer.
Great for rural properties and livestock cover that you simply can't get elsewhere. The B Corp certification shows they care about more than just profits.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of customer feedback from surveys and online platforms. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of Canstar and Consumer NZ survey data as of March 2026.
FMG offers a unique mix of standard and specialist rural insurance products
Five levels of private vehicle cover. Winner of Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Car Insurance 2024 and Outstanding Value 4 consecutive years.
Home cover for houses, garages, gates, fences, pools, tennis courts, and additional structures. Natural disaster cover included.
Household contents cover for personal items at home and while out. Winner of Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Home & Contents 2024 (3rd consecutive year).
Rental house cover with specific landlord benefits including loss of rent and tenant-related cover.
Cover for horse floats, trailers, and caravans under the Private Vehicles policy.
Life and health policies covering death, serious illness, injury, and loss of income.
Travel insurance provided through FMG's partnership with Cover-More.
Specialist cover for dairy cows, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, farm dogs, and horses - unavailable from mainstream insurers.
Cover for kiwifruit, wine grapes, maize, barley, and farm forestry. A product category unique to FMG.
Cover for farm buildings, farm contents, stock, feed, tools, fencing, and farming equipment.
Cover for recreational boats, jet skis, dinghies, and inflatable watercraft.
Commercial and non-commercial liability cover, including contract works.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer feedback and our analysis
How much does FMG insurance actually cost? What we know from market data
FMG does not publish pricing online - premiums must be obtained through an FMG adviser or by contacting FMG directly. Pricing is determined by what is insured, claims cost history, operational costs, and reinsurance costs. Despite this, FMG has won the Canstar Outstanding Value Award for car insurance 4 consecutive years, indicating competitive pricing. Here are indicative estimates based on market data:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on market comparisons and publicly reported customer experiences, not official FMG quotes. FMG does not publish pricing online. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances. Contact FMG at 0800 366 466 or visit fmg.co.nz for an accurate quote. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Rural location, proximity to fire services, and regional weather patterns all influence premiums. Remote properties may cost more.
Farm properties, lifestyle blocks, and vehicle type all affect pricing. Higher-value assets cost more to insure.
A clean claims record over 3-5 years significantly reduces your premium. Recent at-fault claims increase it.
The scale of farming operations, number of livestock, crop types, and equipment value all factor into farm policy pricing.
Choosing a higher voluntary excess can reduce your monthly premium. Discuss options with your FMG adviser.
Insuring multiple assets (house, vehicle, farm buildings, livestock) through FMG may result in overall cost savings.
FMG Insurance vs. other popular NZ insurers
| Feature | FMG | Tower | AA Insurance | AMI | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | Award Winner Canstar + Consumer NZ | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 3,131 reviews | 3.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Cover Types (Car) | Comp, TP, TPFT, F&T, FO | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT |
| Online Quotes | Adviser only | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant |
| Ownership | 100% NZ Mutual | NZ-listed (NZX) | Suncorp/NZAA JV | IAG Group | IAG Group |
| Rural Specialist | Yes - core focus | No | No | Limited | No |
| Local Offices | 30 nationwide | Limited | Via AA centres | Branch network | Branch network |
| Farm Products | Full range | None | None | Limited | None |
| B Corp Certified | Yes (81.6) | No | No | No | No |
| Product Range | Rural + standard | 8 categories | 13+ categories | 10 categories | 10 categories |
| Price Range | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Canstar, Consumer NZ, Google, Trustpilot, and Facebook 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 NZ insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities
NZ-owned insurer (NZX-listed) with a strong digital platform. Offers comprehensive, third-party, and TPFT cover with innovative features like SmartDriver discounts and risk-based pricing.
One of NZ's largest insurers with all 13 product categories. Strong brand trust (NZ's Most Trusted General Insurer 15 consecutive years) and AA Member discounts.
Part of the IAG group (NZ's largest insurance group). Offers a full range of personal insurance with strong regional presence and multi-policy discounts.
Digital-first insurance brand offering car and pet insurance at competitive prices. Monthly billing with no lock-in contracts. May suit drivers aged 21+ who prioritise value and a fully online experience.
FMG Insurance may suit some customers more than others
FMG was purpose-built for rural NZ and supports over half of all NZ farmers and growers. Specialist products for livestock, crops, farm buildings, and equipment are unavailable from mainstream insurers.
Provincial and lifestyle block owners benefit from FMG's local offices and advisers who understand rural property risks, from septic tanks to retaining walls.
As a mutual insurer, FMG is owned by its members - not shareholders. All profits are reinvested back into the business, aligning the company's interests with its customers.
Urban customers wanting online self-service quotes, a fully digital claims experience, or pet insurance for cats and dogs. FMG's strengths are rural-focused.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of FMG Insurance
With 120+ years of serving rural NZ, B Corp certification, and multiple consecutive Canstar and Consumer NZ awards, FMG has earned its reputation as the go-to insurer for farmers and rural landowners. The mutual ownership structure means profits stay in NZ and are reinvested into the business rather than distributed to overseas shareholders.
FMG's specialist product range - covering livestock, crops, farm buildings, and equipment - is unmatched by any other NZ insurer. The network of 30 local offices with advisers who physically visit properties provides a level of service that digital-first insurers cannot replicate. The Canstar Outstanding Value award for car insurance (4 consecutive years) also indicates competitive pricing.
However, FMG's appeal narrows for urban customers. The lack of online quoting, limited digital self-service, and the FMA compliance issue ($5.3M remediation for contents insurance double-charging) are marks against. For urban customers wanting a broader digital experience, alternatives like Tower or the insurance brand Cove may be more suitable.
Common questions about FMG 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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