Protecta Insurance New Zealand Limited's classic vehicle insurance Frequently Asked Questions, covering classic cars and classic motorcycles. If you have a query that isn't answered here, or if you'd like more information about any of these topics, please contact us and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
A. If your classic car or classic motorcycle is involved in a total loss claim (for example, if it is stolen or if it is written off in an accident) and you have a Protecta Policy with an Agreed Value Sum Insured, then the Sum Insured amount that is noted on your current Policy Certificate is the figure that will form the basis of your payout.
To check if your policy is Agreed Value, refer to your Policy Certificate (which you would have received in the post shortly after taking the policy out with Protecta) or your latest Renewal Notice (which is sent to you each year when your policy comes up for renewal). Or, you can contact us and we can advise you on any aspect of your policy.
Please note that there may be additional amounts deducted from your pay out. For example, your excess may be deducted if the claim is deemed to be an “At-Fault” accident where your actions contributed to the cause of the crash. Also, if you have been paying for your insurance premium by instalments, then the remaining instalments for that year’s premium will also be deducted from your pay out.
Please also be aware that you have certain responsibilities in order for the Sum Insured to become Agreed Value for your insurance policy. Please see the separate FAQ titled "How does my classic vehicle insurance policy become Agreed Value?".
A. When you take out an insurance policy on your classic car or classic motorcycle, we will ask you the value that you wish to insure it for. As you will be aware, the true value of a classic vehicle can vary considerably based on it's condition, mileage, history, and any special features or modifications it may have. So in order for us to agree to the value you wish to insure the vehicle for, we need to determine it's value.
In most cases, we can do this using photos you provide (either via email or post ) as part of your application process, and from these we will be able to determine if we can agree to your requested Sum Insured or if further investigation is required. For more details on this, see the separate FAQ titled "How do I determine the correct value for the Sum Insured on my classic vehicle insurance policy?".
We understand that sometimes organising the photos can take some time, and that you want to get insured as quickly as possible so that you can get out and enjoy your car or motorcycle. So, Protecta's classic vehicle insurance can cover you immediately, but your cover is based on Market Value until we receive your photos and we agree to the Sum Insured you requested. This temporary Market Value cover works in a very similar manner to the Market Value on our normal Car Insurance policy, but we will use classic vehicle specialists (including independent vehicle valuers) to determine the vehicle's value if it is written off or stolen during this period.
A. The value of your classic car or classic motorcycle that you specify for your Sum Insured must be realistic for a vehicle of that age, mileage, condition and history, taking into account any special features or modifications. It needs to be the value of the vehicle as it currently stands, and may not be the same figure that the vehicle was purchased for or that has been spent on restoring or modifying it, as either of these two figures could be significantly higher or significantly lower than the vehicle's true value.
If the requested Sum Insured value doesn't match what we expect the car's current true value to be, we may request more information or photos, or we may request an independent valuation to be provided that validates the value of the vehicle.
In order to protect against insurance fraud, the Agreed Value Sum Insured on your vehicle must be within 20% of the vehicle's market value. And the policy's Sum Insured has a large impact on the premium that you will pay and what you would receive if your vehicle was ever written off or stolen, so it is very important to make sure that we all agree to the correct value for your vehicle.
Please note that if your vehicle's current value changes, you can adjust your insurance policy's Sum Insured at any time by calling us. We will also send you a reminder when your car insurance policy comes up for renewal, and this is a good time to review the Sum Insured value you have listed. If it is a significant change (such as when you finish a restoration or modification), then we may request updated photos before we can agree to the new Sum Insured.
A. When we receive your claim, there are a few steps to work through, but rest assured one of our experienced claim handlers will guide you through the process. First off, we will ask you to download a classic vehicle insurance claim form, complete it, then send it in to us, which is the start of the claims process.
Each claim is different, and depending on the circumstances that lead to you making a claim, you will be able to take advantage of some or all of the benefits of our Full Cover classic car or motorcycle insurance. These include:
You can discuss how to claim on any of these policy benefits when you talk with one of our claim handlers.
Your chosen repairer will organise a quote for the damage, which they will supply to us. Assuming the damage is relatively minor repairs can normally start as soon as the repairer is able. Where the damage is major or there are issues around parts supply for your model of car, an independent assessor (an independent expert who specialises in assessing required repairs) may be called in to determine the best way forward.
Where the cost of the repairs means that your car will be written off, we’ll send you a Discharge Form, which forms the settlement of your claim. When you sign the form and send it back to us, we’ll pay out the settlement figure and the wreck of the car or motorcycle then becomes our property. If you would like to retain ownership of the wreck, then let us know during the claim process and we will adjust the settlement accordingly.
A. Protecta offers you a number of ways to pay your insurance premium. If you wish to pay your full annual premium upfront, you can pay by direct credit or credit card. If you prefer, we can split your annual premium into instalments, which you can pay via direct debit or credit card.
Direct debit is one of the safest and most convenient ways of paying your bills. Payments are made automatically, so bills are never forgotten. Your money is protected in the unlikely event that there is an error in the payment of a direct debit, for instance if a payment is collected on the incorrect date, or the wrong amount is collected.
If you do choose to pay by instalment, please note that Protecta is one of the few motor vehicle insurance providers in New Zealand that don’t penalise you for this. Your instalment amount will simply be the annual price divided by the number of instalments you wish to make – there are no additional charges or penalties added to your premium for these options. We also don’t charge any more for paying by credit card, it’s our belief there should be one price for your insurance policy no matter how you choose to pay.
For more information about the payment methods available on this website, please see our Privacy Notice.
A. Having a crash is never a pleasant experience and it can be a confusing time with a lot going on. It can be hard to remember what to do at the time, but one of the most important things you can do is to remain calm. Take deep breaths, and try to remember the following steps:
Please note that the above list is just a guide, each accident scene is different. If there are any injuries, you must report the accident to the Police, and it’s important to obtain medical assistance if you suspect anyone may have been hurt. In general, the more information you can provide to us on the details of the accident, the faster we can have your claim settled, so try to make notes on everything while it is still fresh in your mind.
A. Yes - Protecta’s Full Cover classic car insurance includes windscreen cover. This benefit covers all glass in your car, including the sunroof if your car has one. Please note that there is no excess if the broken windscreen or window glass is the only damage to your car, and it won’t affect your No Claims Bonus.
If your Protecta classic insurance policy is for a motorcycle that has glass on it (head lights, tail lights, or any screens), then this is covered too. As with our classic car insurance policy, there is no excess if the broken glass is the only damage to your motorcycle, and it won't affect your No Claims Bonus.
To make a claim under this benefit, just call us on 0800 776 832 and one of our experienced claims handlers will step you through the process.
A. Yes - Protecta’s Full Cover classic vehicle insurance includes Transport Cover, which means we’ll cover you for any damage while your car or motorcycle is being transported anywhere within New Zealand. Under New Zealand law, carriers are only liable for $1,500 worth of damage, but Protecta’s classic vehicle insurance automatically protects you beyond that limit.
This is an automatic benefit, you don’t need to advise us ahead of time or select any special options. If you have purchased a car or motorcycle from out of town and are having it shipped to you, take out your insurance with Protecta before getting it shipped and you can relax knowing that your vehicle is covered.
For more information on this benefit, please see Insurance for cars and motorcycles being transported, or refer to your policy wording.
A. Protecta's Full Cover classic car insurance policy does allow other drivers to occasionally drive your vehicle, so long as they are at least 25 years old and have a Full New Zealand Driver Licence. If they will be the driver of your classic car for more than 10% of the time, then you must have them added to your policy. To do this, simply call us on 0508 CLASSIC (0508 2527742) and we can add them over the phone.
A. Protecta's Full Cover classic motorcycle insurance policy does allow other riders to occasionally ride your motorcycle, so long as they are at least 25 years old and have a Full New Zealand Motorcycle Licence. If they will be the rider of your classic motorcycle for more than 10% of the time, then you must have them added to your policy. To do this, simply call us on 0508 CLASSIC (0508 2527742) and we can add them over the phone.
A. Yes – In the event of an accident, when holding a Full Cover classic motorcycle insurance policy, your riding apparel is covered up to a value of $2,500.