Insurer Reviews
State Car Insurance Review 2026
Introduction
State is a car insurer to consider if its cover levels, optional benefits and quote suit your vehicle and risk preferences. In our editorial review as at 17 August 2026, State offers Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft, and Third Party Only cover. The right choice depends less on a brand label than on the insured value, excess, policy wording, optional benefits and like-for-like premium you are offered.
For a broader overview of cover types before comparing quotes, see our New Zealand car insurance guide.
State car insurance at a glance
| Area to compare | What our research found | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cover levels | Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft, and Third Party Only are currently available. | Own-car protection differs substantially between these options. |
| Comprehensive cover | Includes accidental loss or damage, theft, fire, flood or storm damage, vandalism, and stated third-party liability limits. | This is the broadest listed option, but claims remain subject to the wording, schedule and circumstances. |
| Standard excess | State advertises a $300 standard car excess for policies and renewals within its published timing rules. | Your applicable excess may differ under the policy and claim-specific rules. |
| Optional benefits | Published Comprehensive options include glass cover, temporary transport, trailer cover and Roadside Rescue. | Options can change both protection and premium. |
| Independent recognition | State received Canstar's latest published Car Insurer of the Year recognition. | This is useful comparison input, not a guarantee of the best quote or claims experience for every driver. |
Cover options and key differences
Comprehensive
State says its Comprehensive cover includes accidental loss or damage to the insured car, theft, fire, flood or storm damage, vandalism, and repair guarantees through preferred repairers for covered claims. It also lists third-party liability limits of up to $20 million for property damage and $1 million for injuries caused while using the car.
State currently publishes the following Comprehensive options: excess-free glass cover; a hire car or alternative transport while the insured vehicle is being repaired, for up to 21 days; trailer cover; and State Roadside Rescue. Check the quote, schedule and current wording to confirm which options are available and selected.
Third Party Fire & Theft
This option provides more limited own-car protection than Comprehensive. State describes cover for events including fire, theft and attempted theft. Read the current wording carefully, particularly if the car would be difficult or expensive for you to replace after an accident.
Third Party Only
Third Party Only is primarily liability cover. State's comparison also lists damage caused by an uninsured driver of another vehicle up to $5,000, subject to the policy terms. That limited benefit should not be mistaken for comprehensive cover for your own car.
Excess, premiums and roadside assistance
State says its $300 standard car excess applies to new policies quoted on or after 17 May 2026, and to existing policies at the next renewal on or after 27 June 2026. This is an advertised standard excess, not a promise that every claim will carry only that excess. Other excess rules and the facts of the claim can matter.
State does not publish one universal car-insurance price. It says premiums can be affected by the vehicle's repair or replacement cost, cover level, sum insured, chosen excess, optional benefits, driver, vehicle and location risk factors, claims trends, weather events, government levies and reinsurance. Our team recommends obtaining comparable quotes with the same cover level, sum insured, excess and options before deciding.
State advertises Roadside Rescue at $39 a year, with up to five callouts a year for anyone driving the insured car. Its document hub distinguishes Roadside Rescue terms by policy start date, including terms for cover beginning on or after 10 June 2026. Confirm the version that applies to your policy.
Current offer to treat cautiously
State advertises a $100 digital Visa card for eligible new Comprehensive policies bought online. The promotion ends at 11:59pm on 30 September 2026. It is a time-limited offer rather than an ongoing premium discount, and eligibility and terms apply. Do not let a short-term incentive replace a comparison of total premium, excess and cover.
Financial strength and independent comparisons
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's licensed-insurer register, updated 14 July 2026, lists IAG New Zealand Limited as licensed and displays an AA Standard & Poor's rating. A financial-strength rating can be relevant when assessing an insurer's claims-paying capacity, but it does not guarantee that an individual claim will be accepted or paid.
Canstar named State its latest published Car Insurer of the Year, and says State achieved five 5-Star Outstanding Value ratings across six driver profiles in that research. Canstar also notes that its assessment covers selected providers and profiles, so the result may not reflect an individual driver's circumstances or quote.
The picture on customer satisfaction is more nuanced. State did not win Canstar's separate latest published Most Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Award; MAS received that award. This distinction is worth keeping in mind when comparing value research with survey-based satisfaction findings.
Public reviews: useful context, not a verdict
When checked for this review on 17 August 2026, Trustpilot displayed State at 1.9/5 from 151 reviews. Public comments included anecdotal concerns about communication, claims delays and online-account issues, alongside some positive claims experiences. Trustpilot says State has not recently invited customers to review, so the reviews may not be representative. We therefore do not treat this snapshot as a measure of claims outcomes or overall service quality.
Who should consider State?
State may be worth shortlisting if you want one of its three cover levels and the available Comprehensive options fit your needs. It may be less suitable if a competing quote offers a better combination of insured value, excess, wording or options for your circumstances. There is no evidence-based basis for calling one insurer the best or cheapest for every New Zealand driver.
Practical Takeaway
- Choose the level of own-car protection you need before comparing prices.
- Compare personalised quotes on a like-for-like basis: vehicle value or sum insured, excess, cover level and selected options should match.
- Check whether glass cover, temporary transport, trailer cover or roadside assistance are included, optional or unnecessary for you.
- Read the current policy wording and your schedule, including exclusions, limits, excesses and eligibility conditions.
- Confirm the applicable Roadside Rescue terms by your policy commencement date and verify any promotion before purchase.
This article is general information, not personalised insurance or financial advice. Cover, pricing, eligibility and claim outcomes depend on the policy documents and individual circumstances.
References
- State Insurance — Car Insurance
- State Insurance — Comprehensive Car Insurance
- State Insurance — Car Insurance Excess
- State Insurance — Car and motorcycle cover costs
- State Insurance — Car and vehicle policies
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand — Register of licensed insurers
- Canstar — Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards
- Canstar — Most Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Award
- Trustpilot — State Insurance reviews
Author / Editorial Team
Produced by Insurspy's internal editorial and research team. In our editorial review, we compare publicly available insurer information, prioritise official New Zealand regulatory and policy sources, and use independent research and public-review platforms with clear limits on how they should be interpreted. We review content for accuracy and practical usefulness, but readers should always check the current policy wording and their personalised quote.