Press Releases

Chief People Officer at AA Insurance shares her defining career lessons centred on the power of visibility, the strength of diversity & inclusion, and the impact of authenticity. Early in her career, seeing women and LGBTTQIAP+ leaders thrive at the top shattered limitations and fuelled her own drive to elevate others.

In partnership with Drive Group, AA Insurance is excited to announce the opening of a new motor vehicle collision repair centre in West Auckland - Drive Group Avondale. The West Auckland location will be the insurer’s first co-location site with Drive Group, bringing together its West Auckland Customer Service Centre (CSC) and Drive Group repair facility under one roof.

New research from AA Insurance reveals more than a quarter of Kiwi drivers don’t pay attention to wildlife road signs – increasing their chances of a dangerous, distressing and potentially costly collision.

AA Insurance’s latest motor survey found a whopping 82% of Kiwis admit to being a backseat driver, with almost half (45%) saying they do it regularly. A third of motorists felt that having an overzealous backseat driver negatively affected their driving.

AA Insurance is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Ryland as an Independent Director of the Board, effective immediately. 

Striving to do right by its customers and people has proven to be a successful formula for AA Insurance, after winning Claims Team of the Year at the 2024 New Zealand Insurance Industry awards.

The annual Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Clubs Conference, sponsored by AA Insurance, brought together around 30 SVA club executive students for a three-day event focused on crisis response, supporting vulnerable communities, and volunteering in the Napier area.

AA Insurance is set to roll out their first Gender Affirmation Policy as a part of their ongoing Pride Pledge commitment.

AA Insurance media statement regarding the historical misapplication of the Multi Policy Discount, AA Membership discount and No Claims Bonus Benefit.

AA Insurance is pleased to announce the appointment of Vanessa Leishman to the role of Chief Risk Officer, effective Tuesday 29 October.

In a first for New Zealand general insurers, AA Insurance is delighted to announce it has taken the Pride Pledge.

Primary schools across Aotearoa rallied their communities to shoot for a share in $26,000 of sports funding offered by AA Insurance’s Big Little Sponsorship. With a record-breaking 5,500 Big Little nominations this year, Kawerau South School in Bay of Plenty and Birchwood School in Nelson have each brought home a $10,000 sports grant.

AA Insurance is pleased to announce the appointment of Paula Williams to the new role of Chief People Officer, effective Monday 22 April.

AA Insurance is pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Shaun Rees to the role of Chief Product and Marketing Officer.

The AA Insurance Big Little Sponsorship is back with two primary schools set to win $10,000 towards school sports – helping our littlest athletes reach their sporting dreams.

AA Insurance is reminding Kiwis to lock up before they leave this summer, after the insurer’s recent survey revealed more than half of Kiwis (52%) are concerned about break-ins.

AA Insurance has announced it is partnering with Student Volunteer Army to help prepare and build more resilient communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Striving to do right by its customers and people has proven to be a successful formula for AA Insurance, after winning Claims Team of the Year at the 2023 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

AA Insurance’s latest motor survey estimates 267,000 Kiwis have been in a car accident in the past year, with our youngest drivers – those aged 18-29 years old – most likely to have had a collision.

The tradition of Guy Fawkes may be losing its appeal, with new research commissioned by AA Insurance revealing the majority of Kiwis think fireworks should be banned in our backyards.

AA Insurance has today announced two changes to its Board of Directors.

Along with street appeal and school zones, there’s a lot to consider when you’re looking to buy a house, so AA Insurance has released top tips for buyers to check off before signing on the dotted line.

Six months on from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, a local Gisborne family has had their spirits lifted, thanks to the generosity of Phil and Maria Wilkens – owners of the local panel beaters, DJ Mac Panel & Paint, with support from AA Insurance.

Playground equipment to support neurodiverse children and additional goal post to make a full game of rugby possible, The Big Little Sponsorship is making sporting dreams come true.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has filed proceedings against AA Insurance in relation to historical issues concerning its Multi Policy Discount, AA Membership discount and No Claims Bonus Benefit.

AA Insurance is pleased to announce the appointment of Angela Nash to the role of General Manager – Digital, Data and Technology, effective August 2023.

The AA Insurance Big Little Sponsorship is back with two primary schools set to win $10,000 towards school sports – helping tamariki have fun, dream big and play a little freer in 2023 and beyond.

AA Insurance will be basing its Hawke’s Bay cyclone support teams out of the Napier and Hastings AA Centres from Monday through Friday next week (27 February – 3 March).

As the tragic and devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle become clearer AA Insurance is reassuring customers it is standing by to assist, as power and telecommunications services gradually return to communities across the North Island.

As Cyclone Gabrielle continues its destructive path across the North Island – AA Insurance is reminding customers of the support available to them if their property is impacted by high winds, flooding and power outages.

As the North Island continues the clean-up from recent flooding, and with Auckland and Coromandel's State of Emergency extended as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle approaches New Zealand, AA Insurance is reassuring customers it is here to help.

Just over one week after the devastating rainfall and flooding event wreaked havoc across the North Island, AA Insurance can report it has either settled – or made an offer to settle – close to 60% of the record 1500 vehicle claims it has received from its customers.

As the Auckland Anniversary storm continues to wreak havoc across the North Island, AA Insurance is reminding customers that all damage incurred by this weather event will be covered under the same claim.

As the wild weather system continues to make its way across the country, AA Insurance is reassuring customers its claims teams are here to help. To date, AA Insurance has received close to 2,000 claims relating to storm damage across home, contents and motor. The full extent of the damage is expected to become clearer over the coming days and the insurer has extra team members on deck to support all customers who need help.

As Auckland wakes up to a state of emergency caused by the wild weather of the past 24 hours, AA Insurance is reassuring customers its claims teams are here to help.

The weather patterns of the last week have not been what many were anticipating for the summer holidays and now, with more bad weather approaching in the form of ex-Cyclone Hale, AA Insurance is reminding those in the North Island to check their properties and prepare for heavy rain and severe gales.

Wrapping paper woes, accidents caused by new Christmas gifts, and valuables being lost or damaged in a flurry of festivity have led to some of the most memorable Christmas Day insurance claims, according to AA Insurance.

Leaving a significant imprint on the industry after 28 years leading AA Insurance, outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Chris Curtin, was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards last Wednesday.

AA Insurance has released data showing road rage is on the rise and highlighting the country's worst driving distractions in a bid to help holidaymakers arrive safely at their destinations.

AA Insurance’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle James to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2023.

In light of the Orange Civil Defence warning for Westland and Buller for heavy rain on Friday and into the weekend, AA Insurance is advising customers in the area to prepare their properties in case of flooding.

AA Insurance is welcoming calls for Kiwi homeowners to check their sum insured after survey data from CoreLogic revealed almost 30% of respondents are not confident their property has enough cover.

AA Insurance has been announced as lead partner of Variety’s Beds for Kids programme, which provides beds and bedding to thousands of New Zealand children with inadequate, mouldy bedding, or no bed of their own. Beds for Kids was established to support children who are suffering from preventable illnesses caused by consistently sleeping in cold, damp, mouldy conditions.

AA Insurance has today released data showing motor vehicle theft and attempted theft has increased by more than a third (36.5%) nationally and by 43% in Auckland for the year ending 30 June 2022, compared with the previous year.

After 28 years at the helm of AA Insurance, Chief Executive Chris Curtin is set to retire at the end of 2022, concluding nearly three decades of exceptional service.

AA Insurance has maintained its position in the top 10 of most trusted brands in New Zealand in June 2022, proving once again the customer comes first.

Kiwi consumers have voted AA Insurance the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for the 12th consecutive year.

While heavy rain continues to batter the West Coast and many Westport residents prepare to evacuate, the claims team at AA Insurance is on stand-by for affected customers over the long weekend, with additional staff on-call.

After a three-month delay, over 100 of AA Insurance’s Hamilton staff moved into new offices at the Union Square development last month.

AA Insurance has been named Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice award winner for car insurance for the third year running.

Don’t be tempted to drop your guard during December and January, warns AA Insurance. They’re the busiest months in the year for thieves, regardless of lockdown levels.

Charities and organisations important to staff at AA Insurance were surprised with a $70k pre-Christmas donation this year.

AA Insurance is delighted to announce its new partnership with Variety - the Children’s Charity, to help more children and young people enjoy a happy and healthy childhood.

Outstanding customer service has helped AA Insurance secure two golds in the 2022 Reader's Digest Quality Service Awards (QSA).

Doing the right thing by customers and staff has paid off two-fold for AA Insurance, after winning General Insurance Company of the Year and Insurance Learning Program of the Year at the 2021 New Zealand Insurance Industry awards.

Following the success of AA Insurance’s ‘Live a Little Freer’ campaign last year’s the APAC and New Zealand Effie Awards, the insurer’s winning streak continues.

Christchurch’s Bromley School was today named South Island winner of a second $10,000 sports grant in AA Insurance’s Big Little Sponsorship.

Kirsty Cameron was named as the winner of the TVNZ 1’s Seven Sharp competition, ‘Kiwis Take a Break’, for their interpretation of AA Insurance’s Dinosaur vs Unicorn television commercial.

Northland’s Oromahoe School was today named as the first winner of a $10,000 sports grant in AA Insurance’s Big Little Sponsorship.

AA Insurance has been shortlisted in two categories of the 2021 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards; General Insurance Company of the Year, and Insurance Learning Program of the Year.

AA Insurance has taken the top spot in Canstar’s 2021 Award for Most Satisfied Customers in Home & Contents Insurance, recording a 5-star rating in five of seven categories.

AA Insurance continues to feel the love of Kiwis for the seventh consecutive year according to the 2021 Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index, once more ranking fifth among 50 of New Zealand’s most successful consumer facing companies.

Kiwis have voted AA Insurance the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for the 11th year in a row.

AA Insurance has won twice at the prestigious industry Research Association Effectiveness Awards (RAEAWARDS) for its effective use of insights in decision making, including initiatives in response to Covid-19.

Last year there were 320 claims involving uninsured drivers who caused car accidents worth more than a year of tertiary study, according to AA Insurance claims data.

AA Insurance has just announced the publication of its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.

AA Insurance has been named Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice award winner for car, home and contents for the second year running.

Road rage, break ins and stolen vehicles can all contribute to a stressful Christmas, so it’s time to exercise some kindness, courtesy and caution, says AA Insurance.

Two golds for AA Insurance in 2021 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards

Contents insurance has just become more affordable with the introduction of AA Insurance’s new Limited Contents product.

AA Insurance has been recognised as New Zealand’s top brand for customer experience, according to the annual Kantar Customer Leadership Index. The insurer ranked number one over more than 50 of the country’s strongest brands.

Flooding in Napier from Monday’s deluge is keeping AA Insurance’s claims team busy with a wide range of home, contents and car claims.

Four New Zealand charities have each received a $10k early Christmas gift from AA Insurance.

AA Insurance has taken gold at the 2020 APAC Effie Awards in the David vs Goliath category for the incredible results achieved in the first year of its Live A Little Freer campaign.

AA Insurance has taken gold at the 2020 APAC Effie Awards in the David vs Goliath category for the incredible results achieved in the first year of its Live A Little Freer campaign.

Having a culture that allows people to bring their whole selves to work has paid off for AA Insurance, after being highly commended for the Emerging Diversity and Inclusion Award at last night’s Diversity Awards.

AA Insurance has won twice for learning development at the 2020 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards, scoring gold for its Sales Training Program and bronze for its Claims Assist Inductions.

AA Insurance has begun issuing $19.5 million in rebates to customers because of the reduced likelihood of motor insurance claims during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Flooding in Northland over the weekend has kept AA Insurance’s claims team busier than normal. A 46 per cent increase in claims from the previous weekend including four large property claims, meant calling in more staff to handle the influx.

AA Insurance has been shortlisted for this year’s Diversity Awards with its first-time entry.

Advances in automotive technology and high-tech extras are making car repairs a lot trickier – and more expensive.

AA Insurance customers will be able to see what they paid for last year’s cover on premium renewal notices issued from early 2021, making it far easier to compare premiums from year to year.

Over 100 of AA Insurance’s Hamilton staff are set to move into the new Union Square development next year, which is located within the Anglesea, Hood and Alexandra Street blocks at the south end of the city’s CBD.

AA Insurance has donated $30,000 to the Women’s Refuge in Auckland, North Shore and Waikato, following the recent International Shimmy Mob where staff danced to help raise awareness of domestic violence and support victims of abuse.

AA Insurance continues to feel the love of Kiwis for the sixth consecutive year according to the 2020 Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index, once more ranking fifth among 50 of New Zealand’s most successful companies.

AA Insurance has been voted the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted General Insurance Brand by New Zealanders for the 10th consecutive year.

AA Insurance believes that in extraordinary times such as these during COVID-19, we need to do more to support our customers, many of whom are feeling more financially vulnerable as they deal with job losses, reduced incomes and businesses with uncertain futures.

AA Insurance is urging Southland customers requiring emergency repairs from this week’s flood to call as soon as possible.

AA Insurance was a top performer in Consumer NZ’s annual insurance provider customer satisfaction survey and has been named its 2019 People’s Choice award winner for car, home and contents.

Beware the shopping centre car park this holiday season, when dents, dings and scratches increase because of higher volumes of trolleys and traffic.

We’ve got you covered should the worst happen, but no one wants the added stress if your car is broken into and your Christmas presents are stolen.

AA Insurance has been recognised for providing a customer experience that lives up to its brand promise, according to research by Kantar New Zealand. The insurer ranked eighth equal from among 100 of New Zealand’s strongest brands.

Having integrity and doing the right thing by customers and staff has paid off two-fold for AA Insurance, after winning Direct General Insurance Company of the Year and Innovation of the Year at the 2019 New Zealand Insurance Industry awards last night.

AA Insurance has won twice for customer service at the 2019 Reader's Digest Quality Service Awards (QSA), scoring gold for its car insurance and silver for home and contents insurance.

Kids may do the darndest things, but occasionally they accidentally bump, drop or smash darned expensive things, which can result in some significant insurance claims.

Doing something different continues to pay off for AA Insurance. Last night the company scored a win at the Commercial Communications Council Effie Awards, this time for its ‘Live a Little Freer’ campaign.

One quarter of Kiwis have cut back on the throttle and are driving less than they did a year ago, according to a new AA Insurance survey.

AA Insurance has been shortlisted in two categories of the 2019 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards; Direct General Insurance Company of the Year, and Innovation of the Year.

Tenants saving money by not being insured are living in a false economy, according to the 2019 AA Insurance Lifestyle Survey.

Honda Torneo tops the list for the fourth consecutive year Auckland, 6 July, 2015 – The Honda Torneo could be considered the unluckiest car in the country, after topping the most frequently stolen car list for the fourth consecutive year, according to AA Insurance.

AA Insurance maintains its top reputation for the fifth consecutive year according to the latest Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index, ranking fifth among 100 of New Zealand’s most successful companies.

Santa may be welcome in your home, but don’t tempt any ‘uninvited’ guests this Christmas, warns AA Insurance.

A strategy focused on customers, the learning and development of its staff, and company performance has paid off two-fold for AA Insurance after winning Learning Program and Direct General Insurance Company of the Year at the 2018 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

Growth in the building industry is matched only by growth in business tool thefts from vehicles, garages and building sites. Over the last 12 months to the end of September, AA Insurance paid out almost half a million dollars for tool claims, including business tools, with the average claim cost around $1,400.

Doing something different has paid off for AA Insurance. Last night the company won twice at the New Zealand Effie Awards in association with TVNZ, for its ‘Reasons to Care’ campaign.

Homeowners and landlords using their properties as an Airbnb have found some tenants more trouble than they are worth, according to a recent AA Insurance survey, yet most plan to carry on.

Small businesses generally don’t enjoy the same built-in resilience that larger ones do, so when trouble strikes it can hit them harder. To help small businesses be more resilient, they need insurance that’s tailored to fit them, not something cut down, pinned up and tucked in like a hand-me-down suit.

AA Insurance has been named as a finalist in four categories of the 2018 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards; Direct General Insurance Company of the Year, Young Insurance Professionals Employer, Women’s Employer and Insurance Learning Program of the Year.

Collaboration has paid off for AA Insurance and the AA. Last night the partners took the Supreme Award at the annual TVNZ-NZ Marketing Awards for their AA Home Response campaign.

The 650 pupils at Papakura Normal School discovered today they have received a major sporting boost from AA Insurance.

AA Insurance has taken the top spot in customer satisfaction for home and contents insurance for the sixth year running.

Former All Black Keven Mealamu is getting behind a campaign to give a sporting boost to one lucky Auckland primary school – helping to shape some of our sporting heroes of the future.

The majority of claims from Auckland’s recent storm were related to falling trees and branches, says AA Insurance.

AA Insurance maintains its top reputation for the fourth consecutive year according to the latest Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index, ranking fourth among 100 of New Zealand’s most successful companies.

Hurricane force gusts and heavy rain in Auckland overnight has kept AA Insurance’s claims team busy, with over a week’s work of claims in just one evening.

The Honda Torneo remains parked up in the number one spot as the most frequently stolen car, since its debut on the list in 2010, according to AA Insurance.

Pūkekos, ducks and hawks have all made an impact on widescreen claims this summer, but thankfully were only a small percentage of factors responsible for causing damage, according to AA Insurance.

AA Insurance celebrated its tenth consecutive year as a finalist in the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards, this year for the Best Large Workplace category (400-750 employees).

The theft before Christmas could be coming to a doorstep near you, warns AA Insurance.

AA Insurance has won the Ten-Year League Award of the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards, after being named a finalist for the tenth consecutive year.

AA Insurance has taken away two golds for customer service at the 2018 Reader's Digest Quality Service Awards, scoring top ratings in both car, and home and contents insurance.

Reality DIY shows may inspire would-be weekend warriors to get stuck into their own renovations, but shoddy workmanship may not only cost you money to fix, but also invalidate your insurance cover warns AA Insurance.

Mad about man caves, silly about sheds, or wild about workshops? Well, you’re not alone - two thirds of Kiwis use their garage or shed for more interesting things than parking a car.

AA Insurance shares the top honours for providing the ‘most enchanting’ customer experience, according to research by Kantar TNS New Zealand.

AA Insurance has been named as a finalist in three categories of the 2017 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

AA Insurance has scooped the top spot in customer satisfaction for home and contents insurance for the fifth year running.

Installation of the largest in-stadium sign in the Southern Hemisphere has marked the launch of a significant, long-term partnership between Eden Park and AA Insurance.

AA Insurance is warning Kiwis to take care with electrics in garages - especially if they’ve been converted into extra rooms and sleepouts - after a number of significant fires.

AA Insurance says that the two cyclones to hit New Zealand in the last two weeks – Cyclone Debbie and now Cyclone Cook – have caused a big surge in insurance claims.

AA Insurance says that it has received more insurance claims so far for the remnants of Cyclone Debbie than from the last major flooding in March.

AA Insurance has earned a place in Kiwi hearts for the third consecutive year according to the latest Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index, ranking fourth among 100 of New Zealand’s most successful companies.

Young Kiwi drivers are more likely to have a car accident, yet they are less likely to have insurance according to a new AA Insurance Driver Safety Survey.

We handled almost 160 flood-related claims over the weekend, mainly from customers living in low-lying areas, with the most common types of damage being flooded houses, including much of their contents, as well as flooded car claims.

As severe weather hits the country AA Insurance is urging customers with earthquake damaged homes to look after themselves first, and only attempt to secure their properties against the storms if it is safe to do so.

While customers affected in this morning’s earthquake are being advised to look after their own safety first, AA Insurance is ready to help with temporary accommodation and urgent repairs to make homes safe.

A people strategy that focuses on the equality of all employees has paid off for AA Insurance as it was presented with the Women’s Employer and Youth Development Employer of the Year at the 2016 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards last night.

AA Insurance has won, for the first time since 2011, the Large Workplace category (400-750 employees) of the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards.

Auckland, 26 September 2016 – AA Insurance has been named a finalist in the Large Workplace Category (400-750 employees) of the IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Awards for the ninth year running.

Auckland, 19 September 2016 – Ambitious goals set by the Distribution team at AA Insurance have paid off this year as the company was presented with the Supreme Award for customer service at the annual New Zealand CRM Contact Centre Awards on Friday.

Auckland, 15 September 2016 – AA Insurance has been named as a finalist in two categories of the 2016 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

Auckland, 12 September 2016 – AA Insurance is introducing full home replacement cover for damage caused by things like fire, flood or storm. It’s a significant move, and a timely one as recent data shows there has been a leap in fire claims.

AA Insurance is warning Kiwi home owners against the domino effects of a poorly maintained home, where the consequences can get expensive.

AA Insurance has taken away two golds at this year’s Reader's Digest Quality Service Awards, scoring top ratings in both car, and home and contents insurance.

The most common DIY-related home and contents claims from AA Insurance

A damaged jade cabbage sculpture, a stolen horse massager and foldable electric skateboard. They’re just some of the interesting, quirky, and downright unusual claims the team at AA Insurance has covered over the past few years.

A full copy of AA Insurance’s September 2015 submission is available online here. This submission is our response at that time to the Government’s proposed changes to the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 (the EQC Act).

Don’t advertise to thieves - remove valuables from your car

Only one in three Kiwis agree they would investigate a triggered burglar alarm, or call the police when they hear one, says a new AA Insurance survey.

AA Insurance says that claims doubled over the weekend as a result of the flooding in the North Island. The company is ready and waiting to help lower North Island customers with their flood-related claims, and is urging those requiring emergency repairs to call as soon as possible.

Auckland, 29 October 2014 – Most Kiwis don’t leave a note if they damage a parked car, according to AA Insurance.

Auckland, 15 September 2014 – Burglars are nearly four times more likely to break-in to Kiwi homes when people are at work or home than while they are away on holiday, according to AA Insurance.

Auckland, 9 July 2014 – AA Insurance is urging homeowners to tie down their trampolines, and fasten their outdoor furniture to prevent damage or injury as high winds and heavy rain continue to lash the country.

Auckland, 11 June 2014 – AA Insurance is urging customers requiring emergency repairs after last night’s storm to call as soon as possible.

Auckland, 30 October 2013 – Despite being illegal, texting while driving remains the number one distraction for drivers, according to the AA Insurance 2012-2013 Drivers Index survey.