Why NZ?

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Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,509 posts

110 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
Been living in NZ for over a year now. Have pretty much adjusted to being here but some things a bit puzzling:

- why isn’t third party car insurance compulsory? Presumably if you don’t have any assets you don’t have any problems because even if you are liable then the innocent party won’t be able to enforce a judgement. Also - surely this must mean that comprehensive insurance is more expensive because people are having to claim against their own insurance when they get hit by uninsured drivers.

- why are people unable or unwilling to drive on the left? Sitting in the outside lane for no reason and undertaking seem the norm here.

- jaywalking - seems endemic. Yesterday’s example was the epitome of it. Broadway in New Market by Westfield. Four lanes of heavy traffic. Old guy of at least 70 wanders across the road, forcing traffic to stop, despite the fact that 50 m to his left or right there were traffic lights with pedestrian crossings.

On the plus side I’ve ridden some of the best roads ever (SH 15 being the best) and drivers are generally courteous (at least outside of Auckland).

I didn’t realise old American cars were such a thing in NZ until we moved here.

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,509 posts

110 months

Thursday 26th November 2020
quotequote all
wisbech said:
Esceptico said:
Been living in NZ for over a year now. Have pretty much adjusted to being here but some things a bit puzzling:

- why isn’t third party car insurance compulsory? Presumably if you don’t have any assets you don’t have any problems because even if you are liable then the innocent party won’t be able to enforce a judgement. Also - surely this must mean that comprehensive insurance is more expensive because people are having to claim against their own insurance when they get hit by uninsured drivers.

.
Ooh - ooh I know this one! Because it is in fuel prices and road tax...


Did you know?

New Zealand already has a form of compulsory 'insurance' that covers the injuries caused by a vehicle accident. This is managed by the ACC and provides no-fault cover, meaning that any person injured as a result of an accident is covered. Motorists pay for this insurance through annual vehicle licence fees and also through a portion of the tax paid on every litre of fuel purchased.
That only covers personal injury. If someone drives into your Ferrari and they are not insured then any hospital costs would be covered but if they don’t have insurance your car won’t be repaired (unless you can sue them or you have comprehensive insurance yourself). At least that is my understanding of the situation.

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,509 posts

110 months

Monday 12th April 2021
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
70s music? Perhaps you are on the South Island. Here in Auckland we are more up to date as it seems to be 80s music everywhere!

Yes I’ve definitely seen some Japanese cars I had never seen in the U.K. I am not sure if that will continue to the same extent. The exchange rate with the Yen used to be a lot better.