Kiwibank is New Zealand's largest locally owned bank, offering insurance products through partnerships with Tower Insurance (general) and nib (life). We've analysed customer reviews and product data to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Kiwibank Insurance and who's behind it?
Kiwibank is New Zealand's largest locally owned bank, established in 2001 as a subsidiary of New Zealand Post. In August 2022, the NZ Government purchased Kiwibank's holding company Kiwi Group Capital Limited (KGC) for approximately NZ$2.1 billion, giving the Crown full direct ownership. Today Kiwibank supports over one million customers across banking, lending, and insurance.
Kiwibank does not underwrite insurance itself - it operates as a referral and distribution partner. General insurance (car, house, contents, landlord, boat, motorbike, motorhome, caravan, travel, and pet) is underwritten by Tower Insurance Limited, which holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook. Life & Living insurance (life cover, income protection, serious illness trauma, funeral expenses) is provided by nib nz limited, which acquired the former Kiwi Insurance Limited from Kiwi Group Holdings in April 2022 for NZ$45 million.
From 2 September 2024, Kiwibank switched its general insurance provider for all new business from Ando Insurance Group Limited to Tower Insurance Limited, under a five-year partnership arrangement. Travel and pet insurance is managed and administered by Allianz Partners (AWP Services NZ Ltd) on behalf of Tower.
Kiwibank offers a broad range of insurance products through its partners:
Insurance can be arranged through Kiwibank branches, by phone, or online. Car, house, and contents quotes are available online via tower.co.nz. Kiwibank customers may benefit from multi-policy discounts and flexible payment frequency options at no extra cost.
How customers rate Kiwibank Insurance across review platforms
Note on limited data: Kiwibank Insurance's review data is limited because most Trustpilot reviews relate to banking services (verification, phone support) rather than insurance. Google does not have a separate insurance rating for Kiwibank, and Canstar profiles Kiwibank insurance but has not issued a specific star rating or award. The general insurance products are underwritten by Tower, so actual insurance product quality may differ from Kiwibank's overall Trustpilot score. 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 323+ reviews across Trustpilot and KiwiReviews
Having my insurance bundled with my Kiwibank accounts makes everything simpler. One login, one app, one place to manage everything. The multi-policy discount is a nice bonus too.
As a Kiwi, I feel good about banking and insuring with a 100% NZ government-owned company. Profits stay in New Zealand and that matters to me.
When I made a claim I was directed to Tower. It was a bit confusing at first because I thought I was insured with Kiwibank, but Tower handled it well in the end.
The flexible payment options are great. I pay fortnightly to match my pay cycle and there's no extra charge for it. Makes budgeting much easier.
Tried to call about my insurance and was on hold for over 40 minutes. When I finally got through they told me I needed to call Tower instead. Very frustrating experience.
The insurance products are basically Tower's products with Kiwibank branding. Pricing was similar to what Tower quoted me directly. The main benefit is convenience if you already bank with Kiwibank.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of available Trustpilot and KiwiReviews feedback as of March 2026. Note that the majority of Trustpilot reviews relate to Kiwibank's banking services rather than insurance specifically.
Kiwibank offers insurance across 10+ categories through its underwriting partners Tower and nib
Three levels of cover underwritten by Tower Insurance. Standard excess $400. Optional RoadWise roadside assistance with up to 6 call-outs per year. Rental car cover up to 14 days if your car is stolen.
Three levels of dwelling cover underwritten by Tower. Rebuild up to your sum insured. Tower's risk rating tool assesses earthquake, flood, sea surge, and landslide risk for your property.
New-for-old replacement cover underwritten by Tower. Jewellery cover up to $3,000 per item or $15,000 total unspecified. Overseas travel protection up to $5,000 (under 30 days). Legal liability up to $2M. Standard excess $250.
Contents insurance available for renters through Tower - covers your possessions but not the dwelling. Suitable for tenants who need to protect their belongings.
Cover for investment properties through Tower, including building, landlord's contents, loss of rent, and tenant damage.
Motorcycle cover available through Tower specialists. Not available for online self-service - arranged by phone or in-branch.
Cover for motorhomes, caravans, and trailers through Tower specialists. Not available for online self-service - arranged by phone or in-branch.
Life cover, income protection, serious illness trauma, and funeral expenses through nib nz limited. Complimentary $15,000 funeral expenses cover included with any Life & Living policy.
Standalone travel insurance through Tower and Allianz Partners. Complimentary travel insurance included with Kiwibank Platinum Visa credit card (up to 40 days, covers spouse and dependents).
Cover for cats and dogs through Tower and administered by Allianz Partners. Claims handled via dedicated pet insurance phone line.
Cover for boats and watercraft through Tower Insurance. Arranged by phone or in-branch.
Lifestyle block insurance and contract works (renovation) cover through Tower. Suitable for rural property owners and those undertaking building work.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Kiwibank car insurance cost? Indicative examples based on Tower underwriter pricing
Kiwibank car insurance premiums are set by Tower Insurance, the underwriting partner. Pricing varies based on cover level, vehicle type, location, excess, and driver profile. Multi-policy discounts may be available when bundling with house or contents insurance. Standard car insurance excess is $400. Here are indicative monthly premiums for common driver profiles:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported customer experiences and Tower underwriter market comparisons, not official Kiwibank or Tower quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances. Get an accurate quote at kiwibank.co.nz or tower.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. Tower's risk rating tool assesses location-specific risks.
Higher-value vehicles cost more to insure. SUVs and performance cars attract higher premiums than sedans.
No claims in the past 3-5 years significantly reduces your premium. Recent at-fault claims increase it.
Garage parking is cheapest. Off-street parking costs moderately more. Street parking attracts the highest premiums.
Standard excess is $400. Choosing a higher voluntary excess can reduce your monthly premium. Younger or inexperienced drivers may face higher excesses.
Bundling house + contents or multiple policies through Kiwibank may qualify for a multi-policy discount on your premiums.
Kiwibank Insurance vs. other popular NZ car insurers
| Feature | Kiwibank | Tower | AA Insurance | AMI | Cove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 2.5/5 323 reviews | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 3,131 reviews | 3.9/5 | 4.7/5 2,381 reviews |
| Cover Types | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comprehensive only |
| Online Quotes | Via Tower | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant |
| Billing | Fortnightly, Monthly, Annual | Monthly or Annual | Monthly or Annual | Monthly or Annual | Monthly only |
| Min Driver Age | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) | 21+ |
| Max Vehicle Value | No stated limit | No stated limit | No stated limit | No stated limit | $80,000 |
| Roadside Assist | RoadWise add-on | Add-on | AA Members | Add-on | Add-on |
| Windscreen Cover | Included | Included | Included | Included | Add-on |
| Product Range | 10+ categories | 8 categories | 13+ categories | 10 categories | 3 categories |
| Price Range | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Google, Trustpilot, Reviews.io, and Canstar where available. Kiwibank's rating is based on Trustpilot only (most reviews relate to banking). 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
Tower is the actual underwriter of Kiwibank's general insurance products. Going direct to Tower may provide a more streamlined experience, especially for claims. NZ-owned and listed on the NZX with a strong digital platform.
One of NZ's largest general insurers with all 13 major product categories. AA Members receive loyalty discounts based on membership duration. Named NZ's Most Trusted General Insurer for 15 consecutive years.
Part of the IAG group (NZ's largest insurance group). Full range of personal insurance with a strong regional branch network. Multi-policy discounts available for bundling home + car + contents.
Digital-first insurance brand offering car, pet, and phone insurance at competitive prices. Monthly billing with no lock-in contracts. May suit drivers aged 21+ who prioritise value and a fully online experience.
Kiwibank Insurance may suit some customers more than others
The biggest benefit is convenience - managing banking and insurance in one place. Multi-policy discounts and flexible payment options make it especially practical for existing Kiwibank customers.
As a 100% NZ government-owned bank, Kiwibank appeals to customers who want to keep their insurance spend local. Profits stay in New Zealand rather than flowing offshore.
Kiwibank offers car, house, contents, life, travel, pet, and more through its partners. Customers wanting to consolidate banking, lending, and insurance under one brand may find this convenient.
Those who want a direct relationship with their insurer rather than a referral channel, or price-focused customers who want to compare underwriter pricing directly.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Kiwibank Insurance
As New Zealand's largest locally owned bank with 100% Crown ownership, Kiwibank offers a convenient way to bundle insurance alongside banking, home loans, and credit cards. The general insurance is underwritten by Tower Insurance (A- AM Best rating), giving customers confidence that claims will be backed by a financially strong underwriter.
However, Kiwibank is a distribution partner rather than a direct insurer. Claims are handled by Tower (general insurance) or nib (life insurance), which some customers find disconnected. The 1.6/5 Trustpilot rating - while heavily influenced by banking complaints rather than insurance - raises questions about the overall customer service experience. No specific insurance awards have been identified for Kiwibank's insurance products.
For existing Kiwibank customers who value convenience and NZ ownership, the insurance offering provides a practical one-stop solution with multi-policy discounts and flexible payment options. Those prioritising the lowest premiums or wanting a direct insurer relationship may find going to Tower directly or exploring the insurance brand Cove more suitable for their needs.
Common questions about Kiwibank 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. Kiwibank is a distribution partner, not an insurer - insurance products are underwritten by Tower Insurance Limited (general) and nib nz limited (life). 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.
See how Kiwibank Insurance stacks up against other NZ providers. Compare quotes in minutes.
Compare Now →