Mechanical Breakdown
Insurance NZ
Car Owners Love
Mechanical
Breakdown
Insurance NZ
Car Owners Love
Know you’re covered for unexpected costs with
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
Know you’re covered for unexpected costs with Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
Peace of mind for your car and wallet
What happens when mechanical issues pop up right after your car warranty ends? Autolife’s Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) has you covered!
As a leading MBI provider in NZ, we help cover costly repairs like engine issues, steering faults, battery replacements, and more.
Plus, enjoy benefits like towing, rental car coverage, and 24/7 roadside assistance—so you're never stranded!
Who is breakdown insurance for?
Mechanical breakdown insurance (sometimes known as engine breakdown insurance) is literally for anyone who owns a vehicle. Breakdown insurance is not required, but can have many benefits:
24/7 roadside assistance
Our Autolife Mechanical Breakdown Insurance policies include Roadside Assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cover is provided through the award-winning team at NZ Roadside Assist which can help with minor roadside repairs, technical advice, battery jumpstarts, flat tyre fitting and roadside breakdown recovery.
Your policy can also cover associated costsincluding towing and rental car coverage.
Exclusive offer for Pit Stop customers
Save 10% on Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Get a Quote today and save 10% on your MBI insurance with Autolife and Pit Stop.
Why Kiwis choose Autolife?
Discover why more Kiwis are choosing Autolife’s NZ wide mechanical repair insurance to keep
their cars on the road
100% NZ owned
As part of long-established Beneficial Insurance Ltd we’re 100% locally owned & managed.
Fast claims payments
96.5% of our claim payments are made within 14 days, and 99.5% within 21 days.
Here for you 24/7
We understand that accidents can happen any time. That’s why we’re here for you day or night.
No third parties
We underwrite our policies, so there’s nobody to complicate your application or claims.
Exclusive offer for Pit Stop customers
Save 10% on Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Get a Quote today and save 10% on your MBI insurance with Autolife and Pit Stop.
Why Kiwis choose Autolife?
Discover why more Kiwis are choosing Autolife’s NZ wide mechanical repair insurance to keep
their cars on the road
100% NZ owned
As part of long-established Beneficial Insurance Ltd we’re 100% locally owned & managed.
Fast claims payments
96.5% of our claim payments are made within 14 days, and 99.5% within 21 days.
Here for you 24/7
We understand that accidents can happen any time. That’s why we’re here for you day or night.
No third parties
We underwrite our policies, so there’s nobody to complicate your application or claims.
FAQS
Check out common questions we’re asked about Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance differs from Comprehensive Car Insurance. Comprehensive Car Insurance covers external damages from accidents, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. In contrast, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance covers internal mechanical components like the engine, transmission, and electrical systems when they fail due to faults (not fair wear and tear). To find out more read our blog post.
Regular servicing is vital to keep your MBI policy valid and ensure your car remains in good condition. You must service your car within the first three months or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Missing this initial service will invalidate your policy. After the initial service, you need to service your car at least once every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, to maintain your policy’s validity. You can find out more here.
There is a 21 day stand down period before you are eligible to make claims. However, as a matter of good faith if you do have a breakdown and need NZRA service please call our friendly staff and we can assist on a case by case basis.
Please visit our website and download the claim form. There is a section for you to describe the faults / symptoms, a section for the mechanic to Complete the details of the problem and an estimate to fix the same. This information is then assessed by our claims team who will respond to you and the garage. Once the claim has been approved, the Garage is given the go ahead and you are kept informed. When the job is completed, you pay the excess directly to the Garage and the balance of the Invoice is paid by Autolife NZ in accordance with our guidelines.
The insured has a 7 day “free look” period during which you can read the terms and conditions of the policy and decide if you wish to continue with it. If you decide not to continue with the policy, you will need to advise us in writing within 7 days of receipt.
It depends on the vehicle and the usage / mileage. For single owner–driver cars our Standard mechanical breakdown cover of $4,000 ($5,000 if your car is travelled less than 100,000 kms) will certainly provide peace-of-mind.
Yes, we do multiple policies. We will offer a discount on an individual basis.
We accept most vehicles that are NZ registered after 2000 and have travelled less than 200,000 kms.
If your car is just outside this criteria, please talk to one of our friendly staff and we can advise you better on a case by case basis.
We have a payment plan which a majority of our customers utilise. Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly. If you can and would like the best price yearly is a good option. You normally save a month’s premium when you pay annually.
Autolife is owned and operated by Beneficial Insurance Limited. Beneficial is regulated by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and has had an Insurance license since 2002. Beneficial is also one of the largest pet insurance companies in New Zealand.
All licensed insurers are required to have a financial strength rating (“FSR”) from a rating agency authorised for this purpose by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Beneficial Insurance Limited has been rated B++ Outlook Stable by AM Best Company. The AM Best company financial strength rating scale is as follows:
Secure
A++, A+ (Superior)
A, A- (Excellent)
B++, B+ (Good)
Vulnerable
B, B- (Fair)
C++, C+ (Marginal)
C, C- (Weak)
D (Poor)
E (Under Regulatory Supervision)
At present, no one offers MBI with an Instalment plan direct to public. There are other Insurance companies that do offer this but through a Dealer network. All payments are upfront and non–refundable via this mode. Autolife MBI payments can be made over the course of the policy term.
No. To cancel the 12 month contract early there is a $75 cancellation fee.
The policy is tied to the Vehicle so irrespective of the Drivers we will cover the vehicle for mechanical breakdown in accordance with your policy terms.
If the garage cannot provide a courtesy car you may be able to arrange a rental car based on the policy terms.
Any MTA workshop. If you are not sure we can recommend garages that have worked with our other customers.
Accident Insurance will only cover you if you have an accident. Accident insurance does not cover mechanical failure. Most Banks offer an Accident Insurance which is typically underwritten by a large Underwriter (e.g. IAG).
The policy term provides cover for 12 months, at the end of which it can be renewed.
We cover your car for any mechanical or electrical failures. Some of the most common claims include Engines, Transmissions, Water Pumps, and Control Units.
The vast majority of Japanese and European Cars are covered. For a full list please see our list of cars.
The maximum cover we offer is for $8000. We offer 2 policies; Autolife Standard and Autolife PLUS.
FAQS
Check out common questions we’re asked about Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and our other policies…
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance differs from Comprehensive Car Insurance. Comprehensive Car Insurance covers external damages from accidents, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. In contrast, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance covers internal mechanical components like the engine, transmission, and electrical systems when they fail due to faults (not fair wear and tear). To find out more read our blog post.
Regular servicing is vital to keep your MBI policy valid and ensure your car remains in good condition. You must service your car within the first three months or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Missing this initial service will invalidate your policy. After the initial service, you need to service your car at least once every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, to maintain your policy’s validity. You can find out more here.
There is a 21 day stand down period before you are eligible to make claims. However, as a matter of good faith if you do have a breakdown and need NZRA service please call our friendly staff and we can assist on a case by case basis.
Please visit our website and download the claim form. There is a section for you to describe the faults / symptoms, a section for the mechanic to Complete the details of the problem and an estimate to fix the same. This information is then assessed by our claims team who will respond to you and the garage. Once the claim has been approved, the Garage is given the go ahead and you are kept informed. When the job is completed, you pay the excess directly to the Garage and the balance of the Invoice is paid by Autolife NZ in accordance with our guidelines.
The insured has a 7 day “free look” period during which you can read the terms and conditions of the policy and decide if you wish to continue with it. If you decide not to continue with the policy, you will need to advise us in writing within 7 days of receipt.
It depends on the vehicle and the usage / mileage. For single owner–driver cars our Standard mechanical breakdown cover of $4,000 ($5,000 if your car is travelled less than 100,000 kms) will certainly provide peace-of-mind.
Yes, we do multiple policies. We will offer a discount on an individual basis.
We accept most vehicles that are NZ registered after 2000 and have travelled less than 200,000 kms.
If your car is just outside this criteria, please talk to one of our friendly staff and we can advise you better on a case by case basis.
We have a payment plan which a majority of our customers utilise. Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly. If you can and would like the best price yearly is a good option. You normally save a month’s premium when you pay annually.
Autolife is owned and operated by Beneficial Insurance Limited. Beneficial is regulated by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and has had an Insurance license since 2002. Beneficial is also one of the largest pet insurance companies in New Zealand.
All licensed insurers are required to have a financial strength rating (“FSR”) from a rating agency authorised for this purpose by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Beneficial Insurance Limited has been rated B++ Outlook Stable by AM Best Company. The AM Best company financial strength rating scale is as follows:
Secure
A++, A+ (Superior)
A, A- (Excellent)
B++, B+ (Good)
Vulnerable
B, B- (Fair)
C++, C+ (Marginal)
C, C- (Weak)
D (Poor)
E (Under Regulatory Supervision)
At present, no one offers MBI with an Instalment plan direct to public. There are other Insurance companies that do offer this but through a Dealer network. All payments are upfront and non–refundable via this mode. Autolife MBI payments can be made over the course of the policy term.
No. To cancel the 12 month contract early there is a $75 cancellation fee.
The policy is tied to the Vehicle so irrespective of the Drivers we will cover the vehicle for mechanical breakdown in accordance with your policy terms.
If the garage cannot provide a courtesy car you may be able to arrange a rental car based on the policy terms.
Any MTA workshop. If you are not sure we can recommend garages that have worked with our other customers.
Accident Insurance will only cover you if you have an accident. Accident insurance does not cover mechanical failure. Most Banks offer an Accident Insurance which is typically underwritten by a large Underwriter (e.g. IAG).
The policy term provides cover for 12 months, at the end of which it can be renewed.
We cover your car for any mechanical or electrical failures. Some of the most common claims include Engines, Transmissions, Water Pumps, and Control Units.
The vast majority of Japanese and European Cars are covered. For a full list please see our list of cars.
The maximum cover we offer is for $8000. We offer 2 policies; Autolife Standard and Autolife PLUS.
Take a look at some of our great reviews
Autolife has a 97% customer satisfaction rating
★★★★Rating : 4.0 · 375+ reviews on Google
Take a look at some of our great reviews
Autolife has a 97% customer satisfaction rating
★★★★Rating : 4.0 · 375+ reviews on Google
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Autolife is a subsidiary of Beneficial Insurance Ltd and is 100% New Zealand owned & operated.