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The more you do to look after your car, the more we can do to look after you. We
have some extremely attractive premium discounts available if:
- You hold a full New Zealand driver licence
- Your car has a recognised working alarm or immobiliser system installed (rated
3-star or higher by the NZSA – click here to link to their website)
- You are able to securely garage your car at night
- You don't drive one of the well known 'risky' vehicles – ask us for more info
on this
- You opt to have a voluntary excess. If you choose a higher excess than is standard, you’ll pay a lower premium in return – click here for our excess options.
- Your car won't be driven by anyone under the age of 21. It’s even cheaper
if you exclude drivers under 25, and cheaper again if you insure just yourself and
your partner or spouse.
- You have had three years or more claim-free with another insurer
- You don’t have any aftermarket modifications or accessories on your car
Chopping and changing
We understand the attraction of adding a big bore exhaust, lowering the car or putting
in a sound system that will wake the dead. But before you make a start, take some
time to consider a couple of things:
Do it once. Do it right.
If you're doing it yourself, know what you're doing. If it goes pear-shaped it could
invalidate your insurance policy.
Getting the work done by a professional will cost more, but not as much as being
off the road with a pink sticker on the windscreen!
Depending on the extent of your modifications, you may have to get your vehicle
checked by a Low Volume Vehicle Certifier (LVVC) www.lvvta.org.nz. Some of the common problem areas are:
- Modified suspensions. Lowering your car looks good but it can alter its handling.
There are rules around how far you can go so before you go too far, check out the
suspension threshold on your car here www.ltsa.govt.nz/certifiers/virm-in-service/index. If the
modification exceeds that threshold it will need to be seen by a LVVC www.lvvta.org.nz.
- Engine conversions. These could result in your
braking system being inadequate for the performance potential of your car. So to
make sure that everything stops when you put the anchors on, a LVVC will have to
check to make sure your braking system complies.
- Exhaust systems. The end of the exhaust must not
be directly underneath, or forward of, the passenger compartment. That's just to
protect you and your passengers from carbon monoxide fumes.
- Racing seats are sharp looking accessories but
they also run the risk of not adequately protecting you in a crash if they are not
attached or positioned properly.
You should be aware of a couple of other things not allowed in or on your car:
- Any TV/DVD screen within the reach or sight of the driver that operates whilst
the vehicle is underway. It's better in the back anyway!
- There are some strict guidelines on what sort of additional outside lighting
you're allowed on your car. It would pay to see this site before you see the auto
electrician (get your lights right)
- Fat tyres or rims that stick out from the body of the vehicle (they overload
and put strain on the axle).
Adding modifications or accessories?
Make sure you tell us about any changes to your car, no matter how small they might
seem. This will ensure you stay covered. Pioneer also recommends retaining any receipts
of any work done or accessories added, and taking photos of the gear once installed
in your car will help you if you need to claim.