Cove is a digital-first NZ insurance brand offering car and pet insurance at competitive prices. We've aggregated ratings from Google, Feefo, Trustpilot, and editorial sources to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Cove Insurance and who's behind it?
Cove Insurance is a digital-first New Zealand insurance brand founded in 2017 by Andy Coon, Brett Wilson, and Rob Coon. The company launched to the public in 2018 with a focus on making insurance simple, transparent, and affordable through an entirely online experience.
Cove's team brings experience from some of New Zealand's biggest insurers including Suncorp, AA Insurance, QBE, Tower, and Sovereign. This blend of insurance industry expertise and tech-forward thinking has allowed Cove to undercut traditional providers on price while maintaining a strong customer satisfaction record.
Based in Auckland, Cove currently offers:
Cove's approach is 100% online: you can get a quote, buy a policy, and manage claims without speaking to anyone. Policies are billed monthly with no lock-in contracts, making it easy to switch or cancel at any time.
How customers rate Cove across major review platforms
Note on Trustpilot: Cove's Trustpilot rating (3.0) is based on just 6 reviews, making it statistically unreliable. Their Google and Feefo ratings, based on 2,381+ combined reviews, provide a much more accurate picture of customer satisfaction. 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.
Common themes from 2,381+ verified reviews across Google and Feefo
Switched from AA and saved over $40 a month on my 2019 Mazda CX-5. The whole process took about five minutes online. No phone calls, no hassle.
Had a fender bender and the claim was sorted within three days. They assigned me a claims manager who kept me updated the whole way. Really impressed.
Love the monthly billing with no lock-in. Makes it easy to budget. Only downside is no third-party option if you just want basic cover.
Pet insurance claim was super easy. Our dog needed surgery and Cove paid out within a week. The vet bills would have been over $3,000 without cover.
Great price and easy to use, but I wish they covered drivers under 21. Had to go elsewhere for my daughter's car insurance.
Been with Cove for two years now. Renewed automatically each month and the price has barely changed. Much more transparent than my old insurer.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of the most recent 500 Google and Feefo reviews as of March 2026.
What you can (and can't) insure with Cove
Comprehensive cover for vehicles valued under $80,000. Cove's flagship product, fully managed online with monthly billing and no lock-in contracts.
Cover for cats and dogs, helping with vet bills for accidents, illness, and routine care. Launched in 2022 with the same simple online experience.
Cover for smartphones against accidental damage, loss, and theft. Quick online sign-up with monthly billing.
Dwelling cover for NZ homeowners with the same digital-first approach. Expected to launch later in 2026.
Cover for belongings inside the home. Expected to follow the house insurance launch.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Cove car insurance actually cost? Indicative examples based on customer reports
Cove doesn't publicly list fixed pricing. Like all insurers, premiums are calculated based on your individual risk profile. However, based on customer reviews, community reports, and our market analysis, 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 Cove quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your specific circumstances. Get an accurate quote at coveinsurance.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.
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.
Drivers aged 30-60 with 5+ years' experience typically get the best rates. Younger drivers (21-25) pay more.
Choosing a higher voluntary excess ($500-$1,000) can reduce your monthly premium by 10-20%.
Cove vs. other popular NZ car insurers
| Feature | Cove | AA Insurance | Tower | AMI | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.7/5 2,381 reviews | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Cover Types | Comprehensive only | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT | Comp, TP, TPFT |
| Online Quotes | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant |
| Billing | Monthly only | Monthly or Annual | Monthly or Annual | Monthly or Annual | Monthly or Annual |
| Min Driver Age | 21+ | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) | Any (with excess) |
| Max Vehicle Value | $80,000 | No stated limit | No stated limit | No stated limit | No stated limit |
| Roadside Assist | Add-on | Included | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Windscreen Cover | Add-on | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Price Range | $$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Google, Feefo, Trustpilot, and Canstar where available. Pricing is indicative based on market comparisons and customer reports. 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, especially if Cove doesn't fit your needs
Cove isn't the right fit for everyone. If you need third-party cover, are under 21, drive a high-value vehicle, or want a single insurer for all your policies, these alternatives are worth exploring:
New Zealand's largest general insurer. Offers car, home, contents, and travel insurance with a strong branch network. Best for customers who want face-to-face service and AA Membership benefits. Covers all driver ages and vehicle values.
NZ-owned insurer with a strong digital platform. Offers comp, third-party, and TPFT cover. Known for innovative features like SmartDriver discounts. Good middle-ground between digital-first and traditional service.
Part of the IAG group (NZ's largest insurance group). Offers a full range of personal insurance. Strong in regional NZ with a large branch network. Good for bundling home + car + contents policies.
One of NZ's oldest insurers (est. 1905). Also part of IAG. Known for reliable claims handling and multi-policy discounts. Good option for customers who want an established, trusted brand with comprehensive product range.
While these traditional insurers typically cost more than Cove, they offer broader product ranges, more cover options (including third-party), and cater to drivers of all ages. If you're eligible for Cove and price is your priority, Cove remains one of the most competitive options in the NZ market. Use our free comparison tool to see personalised quotes side-by-side.
Cove is a great fit for some drivers, but not everyone
If you want competitive pricing and don't mind comprehensive-only cover, Cove's 10-30% savings can make a real difference.
If you prefer managing everything online without phone calls or branch visits, Cove's digital-first approach is ideal.
Monthly billing with no lock-in means you can cancel or switch at any time. Great if you want to try before committing long-term.
Drivers under 21, vehicles worth $80k+, anyone needing third-party only cover, commercial drivers, or those who want one insurer for everything.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Cove Insurance
Cove Insurance has earned its strong reputation through competitive pricing, a genuinely easy online experience, and a claims process that customers rate highly. With a 4.7/5 average across 2,381+ reviews, Cove is one of the highest-rated insurance brands in New Zealand, a notable achievement for a company founded just eight years ago.
The tradeoffs are clear and well-defined: you get comprehensive-only cover, monthly billing only, and must meet eligibility requirements (21+, vehicles under $80k, no commercial use). For drivers who fit that profile and prioritise value, Cove is hard to beat. For everyone else, traditional insurers like AA Insurance or Tower offer broader coverage options.
Looking ahead, Cove's planned expansion into house and contents insurance could make them a serious full-service contender. For now, they're a specialist that excels in their niche.
Common questions about Cove 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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