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⭐ In-Depth Review | Updated September 2026

Quest Insurance Reviews

Quest Insurance is a New Zealand licensed insurer, founded in 2004 and owned by NZX-listed Geneva Finance, that writes mechanical breakdown, vehicle and loan protection cover sold mainly through car dealers, finance companies and partner brands such as Janssen Insurance. We have checked its ratings, regulatory record, policy terms and the small number of public reviews to give you the full picture.

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Last reviewed: 28 September 2026 • Sources: Google, Trustpilot, AM Best, Reserve Bank, FMA, Consumer NZ
1.9/5
Poor Average Excellent
26
total reviews
"A total loss claim took more than two months to settle, and the policy ended up paying out less than the customer had expected."
Google review, 2023 ★☆☆☆☆
"A staff member handled the enquiry efficiently and was genuinely helpful from start to finish."
Google review, 2023 ★★★★★
"The mechanical breakdown policy turned out to exclude most of the parts that actually failed, so the cover was worth far less than it seemed at purchase."
Google review, 2022 ★☆☆☆☆
"Friendly staff who came back quickly on a claim."
Google review, 2022 ★★★★★
"As a third party waiting on Quest, the claim was still not approved after three and a half months, with the same documents requested more than once."
Trustpilot, 2026 ★☆☆☆☆
"The car took about a month to come back and different staff gave different instructions along the way."
Google review, 2021 ★☆☆☆☆
13%
Positive
4%
Mixed
83%
Negative

In This Review

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

Company Overview

What is Quest Insurance and who is behind it?

Quest Insurance Group Limited was set up in 2004 and is based in Mount Wellington, Auckland. It describes itself as 100% New Zealand owned and operated, and it is a subsidiary of Geneva Finance, a finance company listed on the NZX. Quest is a licensed insurer supervised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and since 31 March 2025 it has also held a Financial Institutions conduct licence from the FMA (FSP12861).

Quest is a wholesale-style insurer. AM Best reported that more than two-thirds of its premiums in the year to March 2025 came through third-party distributors, which means car dealers, finance companies and brands such as Janssen Insurance, whose products Quest underwrites. Geneva Finance reported about 140,000 active Quest policies and $55.8 million of gross written premium for that year. So if you bought cover at a car yard, Quest may be the insurer even if its name is not on the brochure.

Quest's range includes:

Quest is a member of the Financial Services Federation, supports the Credit-Related Insurance Code, and is a participant in the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme. Enquiries go to 0800 783 781 and claims to 0800 800 783. Quest states that it does not hold a licence to give financial advice. Because most of its policies are sold at the point of vehicle purchase, the dealer-offered vs standalone MBI section of our MBI guide is worth reading alongside this review.

Ratings Breakdown

How customers and regulators rate Quest Insurance

Google Reviews
1.9
★★☆☆☆
22 reviews
Small sample, mostly 2021 to 2023
Trustpilot
2.6
★★★☆☆
4 reviews
All four reviews are 1-star
AM Best
B
Financial strength, Fair, stable outlook
Reserve Bank
Warning
Formal warning, November 2024

Note on ratings: Quest has very few public reviews for an insurer with about 140,000 policies, because most customers deal with the dealer or the brand that sold them the policy. For example, Janssen Insurance holds 4.3/5 from 2,004 Google reviews for products Quest underwrites. The Google figure of 1.9 from 22 reviews is as shown on a business directory that mirrors the Google listing, and Trustpilot's 2.6 TrustScore is a weighted score across four 1-star reviews. With so few reviews, we treat Quest's customer scores as low confidence. 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 across the 24 Quest reviews we could read

I was told the hybrid battery was covered, then found out it was not, and follow-up communication was poor.

Google review, 2023

The claim was not treated seriously when it came to recovering costs from the other party.

Google review, 2023

A tow took a long time to arrive, the costs were unclear and nobody could say who was liable.

Google review, 2023

The policy itself was simple, but only being able to cancel by email needs improving.

Google review, 2022

Staff were supportive and helped at a difficult time.

Google review, 2022

Claims take weeks to sort out and the outcome was worse than expected.

Trustpilot, 2025 ★☆☆☆☆
33%
Criticise communication or inconsistent information
29%
Report slow claims or long waits
29%
Say the cover was narrower than expected
13%
Praise helpful staff

Reviews are paraphrased summaries of real customer feedback, not verbatim extracts. Theme percentages are based on 20 Google reviews shown on a business directory that mirrors the Google listing (2021 to 2023) and 4 Trustpilot reviews (2025 to 2026), as at September 2026. This is a very small sample, so treat the percentages as indicative only. Star ratings are shown only where the platform displayed one. Review content is the opinion of the reviewer, not of Compare.org.nz.

Products Offered

What Quest Insurance covers, usually sold through dealers and finance companies

🔧 Quest Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Via dealers

Covers failed mechanical or electrical components, with multiple claims allowed up to the vehicle's value. The claim limit for any one breakdown depends on the odometer reading: $5,000 up to 100,000 km, $4,000 up to 150,000 km, $3,000 up to 225,000 km and $2,000 up to 300,000 km. High-performance marques such as Porsche, Range Rover and BMW M models are excluded.

$2,000 to $5,000 per breakdown
Up to 3 roadside call-outs a year
Rental or accommodation up to $360 if 100 km or more from home
Service every 10,000 km or 12 months
Diesel oil change every 5,000 km
Repairs need Quest's prior approval
Priced by the seller
Visit Website Compare Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

⚡ Quest Hybrid Electric Vehicle Breakdown

Available

A separate breakdown product for hybrid and electric vehicles. Check the wording for how the high-voltage battery is treated, as one reviewer in 2023 said they were misled about battery cover.

Hybrid and EV components
Roadside assistance
Prior approval for repairs
Priced by the seller
Visit Website Compare Ev Insurance

🚗 Quest Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance

Available

Vehicle cover for accidental damage, fire and theft, plus liability to others. AM Best describes comprehensive vehicle insurance and MBI as Quest's two main lines. It is also the insurer behind Janssen's CVI.

Accident, fire and theft cover
Third-party liability
Sold through partners and direct
Quote required
Visit Website Compare Car Insurance

💰 Quest Guaranteed Asset Protection

Via finance

Covers the gap between a comprehensive insurance payout and what is still owed on a car loan if the vehicle is written off. Consumer NZ found in 2022 that only four insurers sold GAP in NZ, Quest among them.

Loan shortfall after a total loss
Requires comprehensive car insurance
Usually added to vehicle finance
Usually added to the car loan
Visit Website

🛡️ Quest Credit Contract Indemnity and Lifestyle Protection

Via finance

Loan protection that helps meet repayments if you cannot work or on death. Consumer NZ reported in 2022 that Quest limits life, terminal illness, disablement and redundancy benefits to people under 65.

Loan repayment protection
Age limits apply
Sold with finance
Usually added to the car loan
Visit Website Compare Income Protection Insurance

Pros & Cons

The good and the not-so-good based on regulatory records, policy terms and customer reviews

👍 Pros

  • Licensed and supervised by the Reserve Bank, with an FMA conduct licence since March 2025
  • Stated total solvency ratio of 159% at 30 June 2026, and AM Best assesses its risk-adjusted capitalisation as very strong
  • Profitable in the year to March 2025, with a combined ratio of 89.5% reported by AM Best
  • Wide range of vehicle and loan products, including hybrid and EV breakdown cover
  • IFSO Scheme participant, so unresolved complaints can go to a free dispute service
  • NZ owned, with claims handled from Auckland

👎 Cons

  • B (Fair) AM Best rating, below the A-range ratings of large NZ insurers
  • Formal Reserve Bank warning in November 2024 for prolonged failures to maintain its minimum solvency margin and a statutory fund in 2021 and 2022
  • Very few public reviews, and most of those are negative
  • MBI claim limits of $2,000 to $5,000 per breakdown are low against the cost of engine or gearbox repairs
  • Only 3 roadside call-outs a year and a $100 towing limit on MBI
  • Mostly sold at the car yard, where there is little time to compare

Pricing Deep-Dive

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

Quest does not publish prices. Its products are priced by the dealer, finance company or partner brand that sells them, usually for a fixed term, and the premium is often added to the car loan. The figures below are indicative annual MBI ranges from our MBI cost guide. They are not Quest quotes, and Quest's per-breakdown limits are lower than many comprehensive MBI plans, so compare cover as well as cost.

🔩

Powertrain-Level Cover

Any used vehicle
Core engine and transmission cover
Sold through a dealer
$250-700
/year (market range)
Quest limit $2,000 to $5,000 per breakdown
Check the limit against likely repair costs
🚗

Sedan or Hatch

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

SUV or Ute

Used SUV or double cab
Comprehensive MBI
Sold through a dealer
$700-1,500
/year (market range)
Financed cover adds loan interest
Compare with standalone MBI first

Disclaimer: These are indicative market ranges taken from the Compare.org.nz MBI cost guide, not Quest prices or quotes. Your actual premium is set by the seller and depends on the vehicle, its kilometres, the cover and the term. Consumer NZ reported in 2022 that New Zealanders paid about $442 million for car yard add-on insurance between 2018 and 2020, while about $128 million was paid out in claims. 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 Quest Premium?

📏

Odometer Reading

Quest's MBI claim limit steps down from $5,000 to $2,000 as kilometres rise, and vehicles over 300,000 km are not covered.

🚙

Make & Model

High-performance and some luxury marques are excluded from MBI altogether, and parts costs vary widely between models.

⏳

Policy Term

Dealer-sold cover usually runs for a fixed term chosen at purchase, so a longer term means a larger premium.

🏷️

The Seller

The dealer or partner brand sets the retail price and earns commission, so the same cover can cost different amounts.

🏦

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 MBI claims, and customer care benefits are capped at set daily amounts.

How Quest Compares

Quest Insurance vs. other dealer-sold vehicle insurers in NZ

Feature Quest Janssen Provident Standalone MBI
Google Rating 1.9/5 22 reviews 4.3/5 2,004 reviews 4.6/5 503 reviews Varies
Licensed Insurer Yes No, underwritten by Quest Yes Varies by provider
AM Best Rating B (Fair) B (Fair), via Quest B+ (Good) Varies
MBI Claim Limit $2,000 to $5,000 by km Up to $10,000 (EliteCover) Up to $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited by plan Varies by plan
Roadside Call-Outs Up to 3 a year Unlimited Up to 6 a year Varies
Servicing Interval 10,000 km or 12 months 15,000 km 15,000 km or 12 months Per the policy
Regulatory Record RBNZ warning 2024 Relies on Quest None found in our search 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 wording 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 Quest Insurance

Other options worth considering for breakdown and vehicle cover

Provident Insurance
★★★★★

Another NZ licensed insurer selling MBI through authorised dealers, with a higher B+ (Good) AM Best rating, a 21-day cooling-off period with a full refund and plans with claim limits of up to $10,000 or unlimited.

Pinnacle and Classic MBI
EV and Hybrid Shield
Up to 6 roadside call-outs
Direct car insurance online
Read Full Review
Janssen Insurance
★★★★★

Janssen sells MBI, CVI and GAP through dealers and is underwritten by Quest, so the insurer is the same. Janssen's EliteCover lists higher claim entitlements and unlimited roadside call-outs, and its reviews are far stronger.

EliteCover and EcoCover
Unlimited roadside call-outs
Pro-rata refunds after cooling-off
Underwritten by Quest
Read Full Review
AA Insurance logoAA Insurance
★★★★★

For comprehensive car insurance bought direct rather than through a dealer, AA Insurance is one of the largest NZ car insurers and offers home and contents cover too.

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

Quest is mainly an insurer you meet through someone else

🔎

People Checking Who Stands Behind Their Policy

If your MBI, CVI or GAP certificate names Quest as the insurer, this review explains its financial strength, regulatory record and complaint route, whichever brand sold you the policy.

🚗

Buyers of Lower-Value Used Cars

Quest's MBI limits of $2,000 to $5,000 per breakdown may suit cheaper used vehicles where a modest repair would be hard to afford. They may fall well short on a major engine or gearbox failure.

🏦

Finance Customers Wanting Loan Protection

Quest offers GAP, credit contract indemnity and lifestyle protection alongside vehicle finance. Read the age limits and exclusions carefully before adding them to a loan.

⚠️

Not Best For

Anyone who wants an insurer with an A-range financial strength rating, high-value or performance vehicle owners, and buyers who want to compare breakdown cover calmly before committing.

Our Verdict

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

5.2
out of 10
Limited
Our editorial score for cover, price and claims. It is separate from the customer rating.

Quest is a profitable, NZ-owned niche insurer, but its B rating, 2024 Reserve Bank warning and weak reviews count against it.

Quest Insurance sits behind a large number of dealer-sold vehicle policies in New Zealand, both under its own name and through brands such as Janssen Insurance. It is licensed, supervised by the Reserve Bank and FMA, and its recent numbers are solid. AM Best reported a combined ratio of 89.5% and a return on equity of 23.6% for the year to March 2025, and Quest states a total solvency ratio of 159% at 30 June 2026.

The concerns are real, though. AM Best rates Quest B (Fair), and in November 2024 the Reserve Bank issued Quest a formal warning for prolonged failures to maintain its minimum non-life solvency margin and a statutory fund for its life business. The Reserve Bank said the breaches did not affect Quest's ability to pay claims, and Quest has acknowledged and remedied them. The small number of public reviews under Quest's own name are mostly negative, citing slow claims and cover that was narrower than expected.

Quest's own MBI has modest per-breakdown limits of $2,000 to $5,000, only three roadside call-outs a year and a strict servicing schedule. It may suit buyers of lower-value used cars, but if you are offered Quest cover at a dealer, compare it with Provident and with standalone MBI before you commit.

Customer Satisfaction
3.5
Claims Process
4.5
Financial Strength
5.5
Regulatory Record
4.0
Product Range
7.0
Value for Money
5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Quest Insurance

Yes. Quest Insurance Group Limited is a New Zealand insurer licensed by the Reserve Bank, holds an FMA Financial Institutions licence (FSP12861) and is an IFSO Scheme participant. It has operated since 2004 and is owned by NZX-listed Geneva Finance.
Quest is a subsidiary of Geneva Finance Limited, a New Zealand finance company listed on the NZX. Quest describes itself as 100% New Zealand owned and operated.
On 12 November 2024 the Reserve Bank issued Quest a formal warning for failing to comply with the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010. The breaches were prolonged failures to maintain its minimum non-life solvency margin and to maintain a statutory fund for its life insurance business, which were reported to have occurred in 2021 and 2022. The Reserve Bank said the breaches did not affect Quest's ability to pay claims, and that Quest had acknowledged and remedied them. AM Best noted no penalties were imposed.
AM Best rates Quest B (Fair) for financial strength and bb+ (Fair) for long-term issuer credit, both with a stable outlook, affirmed on 31 October 2025. The largest NZ general insurers are typically rated in the A range.
Yes. Janssen Insurance states that all of its products are underwritten by Quest Insurance. Janssen sells and administers the policies and handles claims, while Quest carries the insurance risk. See our Janssen Insurance review.
Quest's MBI claim limit for any one breakdown depends on the odometer reading. It is $5,000 up to 100,000 km, $4,000 up to 150,000 km, $3,000 up to 225,000 km and $2,000 up to 300,000 km, less your excess. Multiple claims are allowed up to the vehicle's value. The limit on your policy certificate is the one that applies.
Start with Quest's claims team on 0800 800 783 or through its complaints process at questinsurance.co.nz. If that does not resolve it, you can take the complaint 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 (30%): aggregated review scores, with reduced weight because fewer than 50 reviews were available.
  • Financial strength and regulatory record (30%): AM Best rating, solvency disclosures and Reserve Bank enforcement history.
  • Cover and terms (25%): claim limits, benefits, exclusions and servicing conditions in the published wording.
  • Claims experience (15%): customer-reported claim outcomes and access to the IFSO Scheme.

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 Quest

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

Visit Quest Insurance