MAS (Medical Assurance Society) is New Zealand's member-owned mutual insurer for professionals, founded in 1921. We've analysed ratings from Consumer NZ, Canstar, and community feedback to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is MAS and who's behind it?
MAS (Medical Assurance Society) is a member-owned mutual insurance provider founded in 1921 by doctors, for professionals. The full legal name is Medical Assurance Society New Zealand Limited. Unlike corporate insurers, MAS has no external shareholders - it is owned entirely by its Members, with profits reinvested into member value and community initiatives through the MAS Foundation.
Headquartered in Wellington, MAS serves over 50,000 professionals and their families across New Zealand. General insurance is underwritten by Medical Insurance Society Limited (MIS), while life insurance is underwritten by Medical Life Assurance Society Limited (MLA). Both entities hold an A (Strong) financial strength rating from S&P Global Ratings.
MAS has won the Consumer NZ People's Choice Award for House, Contents, and Car Insurance for 10 consecutive years - a record unmatched by any other NZ insurer. In 2019, Members voted (88% in favour) to grant MAS charitable status, establishing the MAS Foundation to fund health and wellbeing initiatives.
MAS offers a focused range of insurance and financial products for professionals:
MAS membership is available to New Zealand professionals and their families. Holding an active MAS product qualifies you as a Member. Quoting is available online for house, contents, and car insurance, though life and income cover typically requires a dedicated MAS adviser. Visit mas.co.nz for more information.
How customers rate MAS across major review platforms and surveys
Note on review availability: MAS does not have a dedicated Google Business listing or Trustpilot profile, which is common for member-based mutual insurers. Instead, MAS's customer satisfaction is measured through industry surveys by Consumer NZ and Canstar, where MAS consistently earns top ratings. Reddit community feedback is generally positive, with members praising fast claims handling and compassionate support. 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 Consumer NZ surveys, Canstar data, and community feedback
MAS handled my car claim quickly and without fuss. The assessor was in touch the next day and everything was sorted within a week. Genuinely impressed with how smooth it was.
Been a MAS member since I qualified as a dentist. The adviser service is excellent - they actually understand my situation and don't just try to upsell. Renewed for the twelfth year.
The online quoting is fine for house and car but you still need to talk to an adviser for life cover. Not a dealbreaker but would prefer a fully digital option.
Area replacement cover on our house insurance gave us peace of mind. After hearing stories of people being underinsured after the Christchurch earthquakes, this was a big factor for us.
Limited product range is the main downside. Had to go elsewhere for travel and pet insurance. Would be great if MAS offered everything under one roof.
The mutual model really does feel different. Knowing profits go back to members and the MAS Foundation rather than shareholders makes a difference to me when choosing an insurer.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback from Consumer NZ surveys, Canstar data, and community forums. Theme percentages are based on Consumer NZ satisfaction data and our analysis of community feedback as of March 2026.
MAS offers a focused range of insurance products tailored for NZ professionals
Three levels of motor vehicle cover for MAS Members. Winner of Consumer NZ People's Choice for 10 consecutive years and Canstar 5-star Most Satisfied Customers 2025.
Cover for residential, rental, and lifestyle properties. Includes area replacement cover to reduce underinsurance risk.
Comprehensive contents cover including specialist cover for art collections. Part of the Consumer NZ People's Choice winning range.
Cover for boats owned by existing MAS Members who hold a general insurance policy. Not available as a standalone product.
Life cover underwritten by Medical Life Assurance Society Limited (MLA). MAS pays 98% of life and income claims.
Insurance for over 5,000 Kiwi businesses, including Business Risk and Business Life products tailored for professional practices.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer surveys and our analysis
How much does MAS insurance actually cost? Indicative examples based on market analysis
MAS does not publicly list standard premium rates. Pricing varies based on cover level, property value, vehicle type, location, and member profile. Multi-policy discounts are available when bundling home and contents. Here are indicative premiums based on third-party market data:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported market data and third-party comparisons, not official MAS quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances, profession, and membership status. Get a quote at mas.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.
Wellington and Auckland typically cost more due to higher risk profiles. Regional areas may attract lower premiums.
Higher-value vehicles cost more to insure. Vehicle age, make, and model all affect your premium.
A clean claims record over the past 3-5 years can significantly reduce your premium.
Garage parking is the cheapest option. Off-street and street parking attract progressively higher premiums.
Choosing a higher voluntary excess can reduce your monthly premium. Consider what you can afford to pay in the event of a claim.
Bundling house and contents insurance together with MAS may qualify you for a multi-policy discount.
MAS vs. other popular NZ insurers
| Feature | MAS | AA Insurance | Tower | AMI | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | 84% Consumer NZ | 3.8/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Structure | Member-owned mutual | Corporate (Vero/NZAA JV) | Corporate (NZX-listed) | Corporate (IAG group) | Corporate (IAG group) |
| Consumer NZ People's Choice | 10 consecutive years | Awarded | Awarded | Awarded | Awarded |
| Online Purchase | Partial (general only) | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Financial Rating | A (Strong) | AA- (Very Strong) | A (Strong) | AA- (Very Strong) | AA- (Very Strong) |
| Membership Required | Yes (professionals) | No | No | No | No |
| Product Range | 6 categories | 13+ categories | 8 categories | 10 categories | 10 categories |
| Canstar 2025 | 5-star (three awards) | Outstanding Value | Rated | Rated | Rated |
| Car Insurance | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT |
| Price Range | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are sourced from Consumer NZ, Canstar, Google, Trustpilot, and Reviews.io 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 if you don't qualify for MAS or want a broader product range
One of NZ's largest general insurers with all 13 major product categories. AA Member discounts, fully online purchasing, and an AA- financial strength rating from S&P. Open to everyone.
NZ-owned and NZX-listed insurer with strong digital capabilities. Risk-based pricing and SmartDriver discounts may suit tech-savvy customers who prefer a fully online experience.
Part of the IAG group with a full range of personal insurance. Strong regional presence with branch offices across NZ. Multi-policy discounts for bundling home, car, and contents.
One of NZ's oldest insurers (est. 1905), part of IAG. Known for reliable claims handling and multi-policy discounts. A solid option for those wanting an established brand.
Digital-first insurance brand offering car and pet insurance at competitive prices. Monthly billing with no lock-in contracts. May suit those aged 21+ who prefer a fully online experience.
MAS may suit some customers more than others
Doctors, dentists, and veterinarians who want a mutual insurer built specifically for their profession, with dedicated advisers who understand their needs.
Qualified professionals and their families who value top-rated customer satisfaction, personalised service, and a mutual model where profits are reinvested into member value.
Customers who prioritise Consumer NZ and Canstar award-winning service over the lowest price or broadest product range.
Non-professionals who don't qualify for membership, those needing travel, pet, or health insurance, or customers who prefer a fully digital self-service experience without adviser involvement.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of MAS Insurance
With 10 consecutive years as Consumer NZ's People's Choice for House, Contents, and Car Insurance, plus triple Canstar 5-star awards in 2025, MAS has the most consistent customer satisfaction track record of any NZ insurer. The mutual model, 98% life and income claims acceptance rate, and A (Strong) financial strength rating from S&P add further weight.
That said, MAS has notable limitations. The product range is narrower than competitors like AA Insurance - there is no travel, health, pet, motorcycle, or motorhome insurance. Not all products can be purchased fully online, and the 2023 FMA fine of $2.1 million for misleading representations is worth noting, though MAS has since addressed the issues.
For NZ professionals - doctors, lawyers, engineers, dentists, vets, and accountants - who value a member-owned insurer with a proven satisfaction record and personalised adviser service, MAS is a strong contender. Those who need a broader product range, fully online purchasing, or who don't qualify for membership may find alternatives like AA Insurance or the insurance brand Cove more suitable.
Common questions about MAS (Medical Assurance Society)
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 guidance 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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