Drivers Under 25 — NZ Motor Insurance Rules
Under-25 excess loading, listed-driver requirements, restricted-licence considerations across NZ insurers.
Last refreshed 2026-05-20
What this topic covers
Most NZ insurers apply an additional excess for drivers under 25, on top of the standard excess. Specific thresholds, open-driver rules and learner/restricted-licence conditions vary — declare all drivers.
How each NZ motor insurer handles drivers under 25
19 of 48 cells populated from ingested policy wordings. Cells marked Not on file mean the wording PDF didn't address that specific fact, or extraction couldn't isolate it with confidence. Authoritative answer is always the source PDF (linked from each provider profile).
| Provider | Under-25 additional excess (NZD) | Open-driver under 25 covered | Restricted-licence excess | Learner-driver listed-required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 AA Insurance 3 tier wordings · 2025-04-28 | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file |
 AMI Insurance 1 wording · 2024-11-01 · +1 variant | Not on file | If your policy schedule shows that drivers under 25 years of age are excluded, these driver restrictions do not apply if we would otherwise pay a claim for loss caused by fire, theft or attempted theft, or another person using your vehicle for motor trade repair/service, Dial a driver service, valet parking, or a medical emergency. | Not on file | Not on file |
 Cove Insurance 1 wording · 2021-01-01 | Not stated in extracted wording | no — Your car is not covered when it is being driven by any driver under 21 years of age. | Not stated in extracted wording | Not stated in extracted wording |
 FMG 1 wording · 2024-07-01 · +1 variant | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file |
 Initio 1 wording · 2021-05-01 | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file |
 NZI 1 wording · 2026-04-01 · +1 variant | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file |
 Protecta Insurance 1 wording · 2024-12-01 | additional $400 if the driver is 21 years of age and over but under 25 years of age; additional $600 if the driver is under 21 years of age | Yes — any permitted driver is covered subject to the applicable age excess, unless the 'Excluding under 25-year Driver Discount' option is selected, in which case 'We will not cover any accidental loss, damage or liability, which results in a claim, when the driver of Your Vehicle was a person under 25 years of age.' | Not separately specified beyond the age-based excess loadings | No — learner drivers are covered provided 'they are being taught to drive and are complying with all the requirements of the law and are of an age to obtain a licence to drive the Vehicle.' |
 Star Insure 1 wording · 2022-07-01 | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file | Not on file |
 State Insurance 1 wording · 2024-11-01 | Not on file | Driver restrictions (including exclusion of under-25 drivers) do not apply if the loss is caused by fire, theft or attempted theft, or use by motor trade, dial-a-driver, valet parking or medical emergency. Otherwise, if policy schedule shows drivers under 25 are excluded, they are not covered. | Not on file | Not on file |
 Tower Insurance 3 tier wordings · 2024-09-01 | Comp As shown on your certificate of insurance (additional underwriting excess may apply) TPFT Additional excess applies when the car is being driven or in the control of an inexperienced driver — amount detailed on your certificate of insurance TP Additional excess applies when the car is being driven or in the control of an inexperienced driver — amount shown on certificate of insurance | Comp We provide cover for anyone driving your car with your permission, unless you've chosen the optional benefit No cover for drivers under 25 years old TPFT yes TP yes | Comp Additional excesses apply when the car is being driven or in the control of an inexperienced driver — amount detailed on certificate of insurance TPFT Additional underwriting excess may be applied as detailed on your certificate of insurance | You must tell us if anyone becomes a new regular driver of your car |
 Trade Me Insurance 3 tier wordings · 2024-09-01 | Comp If you've chosen this optional benefit [No cover for drivers under 25 years old], there is no cover under this policy while your car is being driven by or under the care of anyone under 25 years old. TPFT Additional excess applies when the car is being driven or in the control of an inexperienced driver — amount shown on your certificate of insurance | Comp Yes — by default we provide cover for anyone driving your car with your permission. Cover for under-25 drivers can be excluded by choosing the optional benefit 'No cover for drivers under 25 years old'. TPFT yes TP yes | Comp Not specified separately; additional excesses may apply for inexperienced drivers as shown on certificate of insurance. TPFT Additional underwriting excess may be applied as shown on your certificate of insurance | Not on file |
 Vero Insurance 1 wording · 2025-12-01 · +2 variant | Not on file | yes — under the 'Open driver' option, age-based driver restrictions do not apply | The unnamed driver excess on your schedule will apply in addition to any other applicable excesses if your vehicle is driven by anyone not listed on the schedule at the time of a claim (under Voluntary named drivers options) | Not on file |
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