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⭐ In-Depth Review | Updated September 2026

Janssen Insurance Reviews

Janssen Insurance is an Auckland company that has sold mechanical breakdown insurance for more than 25 years, mostly through car dealers and finance companies. Its products are underwritten by Quest Insurance. We have read its policy booklets, its public reviews and what regulators and Consumer NZ have said about dealer-sold cover to give you the full picture.

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Last reviewed: 28 September 2026 • Sources: Google, Janssen policy booklets, AM Best, Consumer NZ, FSPR
4.3/5
Poor Average Excellent
2,004
total reviews
"The transmission on a car bought with a Janssen policy failed soon after purchase. Janssen, the repairer and the dealer sorted the claim between them with very little input needed from the owner."
Google review (date not shown)
"Fuel injectors failed on a low-kilometre BMW a few months after it was bought with EliteCover. The claim was approved quickly and the car was back on the road without fuss."
Google review (date not shown)
"The claim was picked up quickly, but the policy limit was $3,000 against an $8,500 repair, and the repairer had no courtesy car, leaving the owner without a vehicle for four weeks."
Google review (date not shown)
"The $10,000 limit paid for most of an engine replacement, but because the customer care benefits sit inside the same limit, most of a six-week rental was not reimbursed."
Google review (date not shown)
"Premiums come out quietly and you barely notice the cover is there. Value for money is worth checking at the next purchase."
Google review (date not shown) ★★★★☆
"A $3,200 all-wheel-drive repair on a ten-year-old towing vehicle was approved after a couple of questions about servicing and the caravan weight."
Google review (date not shown)
91%
Positive
8%
Mixed
1%
Negative

In This Review

Company Overview Ratings Breakdown Customer Review Highlights Products Offered Pricing Deep-Dive Pros & Cons How Janssen Compares Alternatives to Janssen Who Is Janssen Best For? Our Verdict Frequently Asked Questions Our Methodology

Company Overview

What is Janssen Insurance and who is behind it?

Janssen Insurance says it has been providing mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) to New Zealand drivers for more than 25 years. The current trading company, Janssen Insurance Limited, was incorporated on 17 September 2014 and is based in Mount Wellington, Auckland. It is registered on the Financial Service Providers Register as FSP1002521 and is a member of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme.

Janssen is not the insurer itself. Its policy booklets state that every product is underwritten by Quest Insurance Group Limited, a Reserve Bank licensed insurer that holds a B (Fair) financial strength rating from AM Best, affirmed with a stable outlook in October 2025. Janssen sells, administers and handles claims, and Quest carries the risk.

Most Janssen customers never visit its website. The MBI booklet says a policy is only available when it is issued at the same time as the vehicle is bought from an approved Janssen agent, which in practice means a car dealer or finance company. Janssen's current range includes:

Claims and policy enquiries go to 0800 526 7736 (0800 JANSSEN), Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and Roadside Assist is on 0508 476 237. Janssen states that it does not hold a licence to give financial advice, so its staff and the dealer's staff can explain what a policy covers but cannot tell you whether it suits you. The dealer-offered vs standalone MBI section of our MBI guide explains what changes when cover is bought at the car yard.

Ratings Breakdown

How customers and rating agencies rate Janssen Insurance

Google Reviews
4.3
★★★★☆
2,004 reviews
Trustpilot
N/A
No profile found
We could not find a Trustpilot page for Janssen Insurance
AM Best (Quest, underwriter)
B
Financial strength, Fair, stable outlook
IFSO Scheme
Member
Free dispute resolution

Note on ratings: the Google figure of 4.3 from 2,004 reviews is the Google Business Profile total as shown on a financial services directory that mirrors Google data (synced February 2026). The roughly 160 review texts we could read in full, mostly from 2020 to 2022, were far more positive than a 4.3 average suggests, so the sentiment split on this page is likely to overstate satisfaction. Many reviews are written straight after a claim, and some are from dealers or workshops rather than policyholders. The AM Best rating belongs to the underwriter, Quest Insurance Group Limited, not to Janssen. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.

What Customers Are Saying

Common themes from the Janssen Google reviews we could read in full

Bought a used Volvo with a Janssen policy and the gearbox failed soon after. The repairer, the dealer and Janssen worked it out between them, and all I really had to do was wait.

Google review (date not shown)

Had a mechanical claim in the third year of the warranty. The dealership dealt with Janssen directly, and once the car was fixed I paid the excess and drove away.

Google review (date not shown)

The claim itself was handled well, but I had to show invoices proving the car had been maintained, and the repair took more than a month.

Google review (date not shown)

The customer care package and the claim limit are not separate. When the repair uses the whole limit, there is little left for the rental car you needed while waiting.

Google review (date not shown)

Very quick once the claim was accepted, although getting it accepted took about four weeks.

Google review (date not shown)

Everything else was fine, but I would have given five stars if lodging the claim had gone more smoothly. The dealer and Janssen sorted the rest.

Google review (date not shown) ★★★★☆
42%
Mention a fast claim or response
38%
Describe the process as easy or hassle-free
22%
Say the dealer or mechanic dealt with Janssen directly
8%
Raise claim limits, delays or paperwork

Reviews are paraphrased summaries of real customer feedback, not verbatim extracts. Theme percentages are based on our reading of about 160 Janssen Google reviews shown in full on a directory that mirrors the Google listing, as at September 2026. Star ratings are shown only where the reviewer stated one. Review content is the opinion of the reviewer, not of Compare.org.nz.

Products Offered

What you can buy from Janssen Insurance, usually at the car yard

🔧 Janssen EliteCover Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Via dealers

Janssen's main MBI product. It pays the reasonable cost of repairing sudden and unforeseen mechanical or electrical failures, and lists items such as airbag sensors, air conditioning, suspension and oxygen sensors. The website lists a claim entitlement of up to $10,000, and EliteCoverplus up to $5,000. Your actual limit is the one on your policy certificate.

Claim limit per failure shown on your certificate
Unlimited roadside call-outs
Car hire and accommodation if 150 km or more from home
Transferable once on a private sale
Excludes batteries, tyres, exhaust, keys and wear and tear
Servicing every 15,000 km required
Priced by the dealer at sale
Visit Website Compare Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

⚡ Janssen EcoCover and Elite EcoCover

Via dealers

MBI for hybrids and EVs. The product page lists the battery current sensor, battery modules, inverter, traction motor and regenerative braking among covered parts. The booklet covers the electric drive battery only for sudden and unforeseen failure, not for gradual loss of capacity.

Hybrid and EV components listed
Drive battery covered for sudden failure only
Roadside assistance included
Transferable once on a private sale
Priced by the dealer at sale
Visit Website Compare Ev Insurance

🚗 Janssen Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance (CVI)

Available

Cover for loss or damage from accidents, fire and theft, with $5 million legal liability for damage to others. Total losses are paid at market value up to the sum insured. The policy covers commercial and rideshare use, and a customer care package worth over $5,000 includes trailer, child restraint, towing, accessories and accommodation benefits of up to $1,000 each.

$5 million legal liability
Market value up to the sum insured
Rideshare and business use
No excess on windscreen claims (not commercial vehicles)
14-day cooling-off period
Quote required
Visit Website Compare Car Insurance

💰 Janssen GAP Insurance

Via finance

If your car is written off and your comprehensive insurer's payout is less than what you still owe on the loan, GAP covers the shortfall up to the limit on your certificate. The loan must have been used only to buy the vehicle.

Covers the loan shortfall after a total loss
Claim limit set by the option chosen
Customer care benefits when replacing the vehicle
Refund rules follow the CCCFA if the loan is repaid early
Usually added to the car loan
Visit Website

🛡️ Janssen Lifestyle Protection and Credit Contract Insurance

Via finance

Loan protection sold alongside vehicle finance. Lifestyle Protection pays $100 to $5,000 a month for up to 60 months, plus a lump sum on death or terminal illness. Credit Contract Insurance pays a lump sum of up to $200,000 on death or terminal illness. Consumer NZ noted in 2022 that Janssen's life, terminal illness and serious medical trauma cover stops at age 65.

Monthly benefit of $100 to $5,000
Up to 60 months of payments
Lump sum of up to $200,000 (CCI)
Age limits apply
Usually added to the car loan
Visit Website Compare Income Protection Insurance

Pros & Cons

The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews, policy wording and our analysis

👍 Pros

  • 4.3/5 from 2,004 Google reviews, with most readable reviews praising quick, low-effort claims
  • Claims are often arranged directly between the dealer or workshop and Janssen, so the customer does little
  • Unlimited roadside call-outs, where Consumer NZ found some rivals limit this to three a year
  • Specific MBI products for hybrids and EVs
  • Policy can be transferred once on a private sale if the servicing record is complete
  • 14-day cooling-off period on MBI, CVI and GAP, and pro-rata refunds after that
  • Member of the IFSO Scheme, so unresolved complaints can go to a free dispute service

👎 Cons

  • Underwriter Quest holds a B (Fair) AM Best rating, lower than the A-range ratings of large NZ insurers
  • MBI can only be bought with a vehicle from an approved Janssen agent, so you cannot easily shop around first
  • Cancellations and refunds go through the selling agent, and admin fees can apply
  • Claim limits vary by policy and customer care benefits sit inside the same limit
  • You pay diagnostic costs and must keep proof of servicing every 15,000 km
  • No published prices, and Consumer NZ has criticised the value of dealer add-on insurance in general

Pricing Deep-Dive

How much does Janssen Insurance cost? Indicative market ranges, not Janssen prices

Janssen does not publish prices. Its MBI is priced and sold by the dealer at the time you buy the car, often for a one to three year term, and the cost is frequently added to the car loan, where it also attracts interest. The figures below are indicative annual MBI ranges from our MBI cost guide, shown so you have something to measure a dealer's figure against. They are not Janssen quotes.

🚗

Sedan or Hatch

Used Japanese hatchback
Comprehensive MBI
Bought through a dealer
$500-1,200
/year (market range)
Multiply by the term if paid upfront
Ask the dealer for the per-year cost
🛻

SUV or Ute

Used SUV or double cab
Comprehensive MBI
Bought through a dealer
$700-1,500
/year (market range)
Financed cover adds loan interest
Check the claim limit on the certificate
🏎️

European Vehicle

Used European car
Comprehensive MBI
Bought through a dealer
$900-1,800
/year (market range)
Parts and labour cost more
Compare with standalone MBI first

Disclaimer: These are indicative market ranges taken from the Compare.org.nz MBI cost guide, not Janssen prices or quotes. Janssen's actual premium is set at the point of sale and depends on the vehicle, its age and kilometres, the cover level, the term and the dealer. The Commerce Commission's 2021 review of motor vehicle finance found dealers earned on average between $304 and $636 in commission for each add-on insurance sale in 2020. Ask for the premium, the claim limit and the cancellation terms in writing before you sign. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.

What Affects Your Janssen Premium?

📅

Vehicle Age & Kilometres

Older and higher-kilometre vehicles are more likely to break down, so cover costs more and claim limits may be lower.

🔧

Cover Level

EliteCover, EliteCoverplus and the EcoCover range carry different claim entitlements and component lists.

⏳

Policy Term

Dealer-sold MBI usually runs for a fixed term chosen at purchase. A longer term means a larger upfront or financed premium.

🏷️

The Dealer

The dealer sells the policy and earns commission on it, so the retail price can vary between car yards for similar cover.

🏦

Finance

If the premium is added to your car loan, you also pay interest on it for the life of the loan.

💵

Excess

An excess applies to each separate failure claimed, as shown on your policy certificate.

How Janssen Compares

Janssen Insurance vs. other dealer-sold MBI and standalone cover

Feature Janssen Provident Quest (direct) Standalone MBI
Google Rating 4.3/5 2,004 reviews 4.6/5 503 reviews 1.9/5 22 reviews Varies
Who Carries the Risk Quest Insurance Provident (own licence) Quest (own licence) Varies by provider
AM Best Rating B (Fair) B+ (Good) B (Fair) Varies
How MBI Is Sold With a vehicle from an approved agent Only through authorised dealers Partners and direct Direct, any time
MBI Cooling-Off 14 days, admin fee may apply 21 days, full refund Check your certificate Typically 10 - 14 days
Refund After Cooling-Off Pro-rata, via the agent None Check your certificate Varies
Roadside Call-Outs Unlimited Up to 6 a year Up to 3 a year Varies
Hybrid / EV MBI EcoCover EV and Hybrid Shield Available Varies

Disclaimer: Google ratings are taken from directory listings that mirror Google data and may have changed since. Feature comparisons are based on publicly available policy booklets and product pages as at September 2026, and the standalone column reflects typical terms from our MBI guide. Features may change, so always check the policy wording with the insurer. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.

Alternatives to Janssen Insurance

Other options worth considering for breakdown and vehicle cover

Provident Insurance
★★★★★

A licensed NZ insurer that also sells MBI through authorised dealers. It offers a 21-day cooling-off period with a full refund and holds a B+ (Good) AM Best rating, but gives no refund after the cooling-off period ends.

Pinnacle and Classic MBI
EV and Hybrid Shield
21-day cooling-off
Direct car insurance online
Read Full Review
Quest Insurance
★★★★★

The insurer that underwrites Janssen's policies also sells its own MBI, CVI and GAP products through partners and direct. Worth reading if you want to understand who pays Janssen claims.

MBI with limits by kilometres
Comprehensive vehicle insurance
GAP and loan protection
Owned by Geneva Finance
Read Full Review
AA Insurance logoAA Insurance
★★★★★

If you are weighing Janssen CVI against mainstream car insurance, AA Insurance is one of the largest NZ car insurers and offers comprehensive, third party fire and theft, and third party cover.

Comprehensive car cover
Home and contents too
Multi-policy discounts
Buy direct
Read Full Review
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Who Is Janssen Insurance Best For?

Janssen may suit some car buyers, but dealer-sold cover is worth reading carefully

🚗

Used Car Buyers at a Janssen Dealer

If your dealer offers Janssen MBI and you want protection against a large repair bill soon after buying an older car, it is worth considering. The reviews suggest claims are usually arranged between the workshop and Janssen with little effort from you.

⚡

Hybrid and EV Owners

EcoCover lists hybrid and EV parts such as the inverter and traction motor, which general MBI products may not name. Check how the drive battery is covered before you rely on it.

🚕

Rideshare Drivers

Janssen CVI covers commercial and rideshare use, and several reviewers bought it for Uber vehicles. Compare it with other rideshare cover before choosing.

⚠️

Not Best For

Buyers who want to compare MBI calmly before committing, anyone who wants their insurer to hold an A-range financial strength rating, and drivers who already have a manufacturer's warranty that covers the same risk.

Our Verdict

Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Janssen Insurance

6.8
out of 10
Good
Our editorial score for cover, price and claims. It is separate from the customer rating.

Janssen gets strong feedback for easy claims, but you buy it at the car yard and it is backed by a B-rated insurer.

Janssen Insurance holds 4.3/5 from 2,004 Google reviews, a large review base for a dealer-sold insurance brand. The reviews we could read describe a claims process where the workshop or dealer deals with Janssen directly and the customer pays the excess and collects the car. Unlimited roadside call-outs, hybrid and EV products and a one-time transfer on private sale are real strengths.

The limits come from how the product is sold and who stands behind it. Janssen MBI is only available with a vehicle bought from an approved agent, so most people decide on it at the dealer, often with the cost added to their loan. Cancellations and refunds go back through that agent, and admin fees can apply. The insurer carrying the risk, Quest Insurance, holds a B (Fair) AM Best rating and received a formal Reserve Bank warning in 2024 over past solvency breaches, which the Reserve Bank said did not affect its ability to pay claims.

If a dealer offers you Janssen cover, it may suit you, but use the 14-day cooling-off period to read the booklet, check the claim limit on your certificate and compare it with standalone MBI and with Provident. Consumer NZ has been critical of dealer add-on insurance as a category, and the Consumer Guarantees Act already gives you some rights against the dealer for a faulty car.

Customer Satisfaction
8.2
Claims Process
7.8
Financial Strength
5.5
Product Range
7.5
Flexibility & Cancellation
5.5
Value for Money
5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Janssen Insurance

Yes. Janssen Insurance Limited is a registered New Zealand company (incorporated 17 September 2014) and a registered financial service provider (FSP1002521). Its products are underwritten by Quest Insurance Group Limited, a licensed insurer supervised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Janssen is a member of the IFSO Scheme and holds 4.3/5 from 2,004 Google reviews.
All Janssen products are underwritten by Quest Insurance Group Limited, which is owned by NZX-listed Geneva Finance. Quest holds a B (Fair) financial strength rating from AM Best with a stable outlook, affirmed in October 2025. See our Quest Insurance review for more on the underwriter, including the Reserve Bank warning it received in 2024.
Generally no. The MBI booklet says a policy is only available when it is issued at the same time as the vehicle is bought from an approved Janssen agent, unless Janssen agrees otherwise in writing. If you want MBI for a car you already own, look at standalone MBI providers.
Yes. Janssen MBI, CVI and GAP all have a 14-day cooling-off period. For MBI you notify the selling agent, and if you have not claimed you get the premium back less an administration fee shown on your certificate. After 14 days you can still cancel in writing through the selling agent, and the refund is worked out pro rata on the unused days based on the retail price, less any admin fee. No refund is paid if you have made a claim. If the premium was financed, the refund may go to your lender rather than to you.
Call Janssen on 0800 526 7736 before any repair starts. The repairer must also call Janssen with your policy number, registration and odometer reading, and Janssen must authorise the work first. Repairs done without authorisation are not covered. You pay diagnostic costs, you may be asked for service invoices, and you pay the excess to the repairer before collecting the car.
The booklet excludes routine servicing and wear and tear, pre-existing faults, consequential damage, modified vehicles, vehicles without a current WoF or CoF and registration, software and sensor calibration costs, batteries other than an EV drive battery, and items such as tyres, exhaust systems, seat belts, glass, keys and remotes. Missing a 15,000 km service can also put a claim at risk.
Email complaints@janssens.co.nz first. If the complaint is not resolved, it goes to Janssen's internal resolution panel, and after that you can take it to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme free of charge.

Our Review Methodology

How we research and rate insurance companies

Data Sources

This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in September 2026:

How We Calculate Scores

Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:

  • Customer ratings (35%): aggregated review scores weighted by volume, adjusted where the readable sample looks more positive than the overall average.
  • Claims experience (25%): claims process in the policy wording, customer-reported claim outcomes and IFSO access.
  • Terms and flexibility (20%): how the product is sold, cooling-off, cancellation and refund terms, and transferability.
  • Financial strength (20%): the underwriter's AM Best rating and regulatory record.

Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data as at 28 September 2026. Policy terms, limits and prices change, so always read the policy wording and confirm details with the insurer before you buy. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.

Find Out More From Janssen

Go straight to Janssen Insurance for product and claims details, or compare mechanical breakdown insurance from other NZ providers first.

Visit Janssen Insurance