This app works best with JavaScript enabled.
Our Insurance
Car & Vehicle
Get a car quote
Compare all products
Start your research here
Comprehensive
Third Party, Fire & Theft
Third Party
Caravan Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Motorhome Insurance
Classic Vehicle Insurance
Trailer Insurance
Home
Get a home quote
Home & Contents
Home Insurance
Landlord Insurance
Contents
Get a contents quote
Compare contents cover
Start your research here
Contents
Limited Contents
Home & Contents
Renters Insurance
Small Business Insurance
Small Business Insurance
More Insurance
Health Insurance
Partner product
Pet Insurance
Partner product
Travel Insurance
Partner product
Life Insurance
Partner product
Manage Policy
Login / register
My AA Insurance
Pay / renew policy
Policy documents
Change your details
Claim
Start a claim
Comprehensive Car
Third Party Car
/ Third Party Fire & Theft
Home / Contents
Landlord
Caravan / Trailer
Motorcycle
Motorhome
Classic Vehicle
Small Business
Windscreen claim
Save time, claim online
Comprehensive Car
Third Party Fire & Theft
Claim FAQs
More about claims
Get a quote
Home Insurance
Contents Insurance
Home and Contents Insurance
Car Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Landlord Insurance
Help & Contact
Login / register
Help & Contact
Home
/
Blog
/
Simplifying Insurance
Simplifying insurance
What is insurance and how does it work? We’re here to make things easier, with guides to help you navigate your insurance, understand key terms, and let you know what you can expect at claim time.
Understanding agreed and market value
When researching motor insurance options, you may come across the terms ‘agreed value’ and ‘market value’. It’s important to understand the difference between these terms before you take out insurance.
Understanding replacement cover
If you’re a customer with AA Insurance, you may come across the term ‘Replacement cover’ in your home insurance documentation. This is a benefit we offer and refers to a way in which we may settle home insurance claims when they’re not related to a natural hazard.
Understanding like-for-like replacement
There are a number of ways in which your contents claim can be settled, including like-for-like replacement. Let’s take a closer look at what is meant by this in insurance.
Understanding your sum insured
It's important to understand what ‘sum insured’ means in the context of insurance. Correctly estimating your sum insured and reviewing it regularly will help ensure you have enough cover for your needs. Here's some useful information on the subject.
Understanding an insurance event
The word ‘event’ is commonly used in insurance to describe a sudden, accidental and unforeseen situation that may have caused damage to your property. Here’s some information and a few examples to help you understand what is considered an event in insurance.
Understanding 'one event, one excess'
‘One event, one excess’ is a benefit some insurance providers offer their customers. Here’s some information and a few examples to help explain what the benefit means in practice.
Contents insurance: what to expect at claim time
Making a contents insurance claim can be daunting. We’ve laid out each step of the journey so you know what to expect from the process.
Understanding proof of ownership
‘Proof of ownership’ is a term commonly found in insurance documents, particularly in relation to making a claim. Let’s take a closer look at what is meant by it.
Understanding total loss
If your insurer tells you that your property is a 'total loss' - commonly known as 'totalled' or 'written off' - your claim will be processed and settled differently, so it’s useful to understand what the term means. We’re here to help.
Home insurance: what to expect at claim time
What happens when you make a home insurance claim? We’ve outlined each step so you know what to expect if you need to make a claim.
Understanding matching appearances
We‘re often asked whether undamaged areas of the home are covered by insurance, specifically when two areas - say the carpet downstairs compared to upstairs - no longer match in appearance. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding gradual damage
Insurance policies are designed to cover you for sudden, accidental and unforeseen damage or loss. Gradual damage is deterioration that happens over time and may not be covered by your insurance.
Understanding your premium
‘Premium’ is a common term that you might come across when you take out insurance, at renewal and at claim time. We’ll explain what an insurance premium is and give you a breakdown of a few key factors that influence the amount of premium you’re charged.
Understanding your excess
‘Excess’ is a term you will come across when looking into insurance and it’s important to understand what it means so that you can plan accordingly and ensure there aren’t any surprises at claim time.
How will my contents insurance claim be settled?
When you make a claim on your contents insurance, there are several ways a claim may be settled, depending on your policy wording and the circumstances of the loss. Here’s a general overview.
Understanding reinstatement condition
Commonly, a home insurance policy won’t pay for work on any part of your home that hasn’t suffered loss, or cover costs related to enhancing your home beyond the condition it was in before the loss. Here's some useful information on 'reinstatement condition'.
Understanding reinsurance
Did you know that reinsurance has an effect on how much your insurance costs? Here’s some information to help you understand what is meant by the term.
What is legal liability?
Being covered for the unexpected is one of the reasons we have insurance. But it isn’t just about protecting your property; it’s also about protecting yourself from unforeseen costs if you accidently cause damage to someone else’s property. That’s where your insurance, and specifically your legal liability cover, comes in.
Car insurance for beginners
Car insurance isn’t mandatory in New Zealand, but there are reasons you may want to consider having it. Let’s take a look at the benefits of car insurance, how it works, and what you should think about before choosing your cover.
What to expect at renewal
What happens when your insurance policy comes up for renewal? Here’s some information on what to expect from the process.
Car insurance: what to expect at claim time
It's good to know what to expect should you need to make a claim on your car insurance policy. Here's a breakdown of the claims process for AA Insurance customers.
Understanding indemnity cover
There are many ways in which a home insurance claim can be settled, and the option your insurance provider chooses will largely depend on the nature of your claim, your personal circumstances and the type cover you have purchased.
How to switch your insurance: a step-by-step guide
Thinking about switching your insurer? It may be easier than you think. Here’s a breakdown of key steps in the process so you can feel confident in making the switch.
How to review your insurance
Life can change and so can your insurance needs. It’s a good idea to regularly review your insurance to make sure your details are up to date and your cover is still right for your situation. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Home insurance for beginners
Your home may be your most valuable asset, so it makes sense to protect it from the cost of unexpected damage or loss. Let's take a look at the benefits of home insurance, how it works and a few things to consider before choosing your cover.
Contents insurance for beginners
Contents insurance is a great way to protect yourself and your property against the unexpected. Here's a breakdown of its benefits, how it works and the things you should consider before choosing your cover.
Understanding your settlement amount
‘Settlement amount’ is a common term that comes up in insurance documents and during the claims process. Understanding the term and how a settlement amount is determined will help you avoid surprises in the event of a claim. Here’s the breakdown.
3 common questions about your insurance premium
A premium is the dollar amount that you pay for an insurance policy each year. Many factors go into calculating your insurance premium and can influence the cost of your premium changing year on year. Here are answers to three common questions about premiums.
How to make a claim
Insurance is here to help when the unexpected happens. Here are a few actions you can take after an event, along with information on how to make a claim with AA Insurance.
Small Business Insurance for beginners
Wrapping your head around small business insurance may feel like a challenge and just another thing to add to your to-do list. So to give you a hand, we’ve spoken to our Small Business team to get their best tips on how to get started and what to consider.