Are your car's safety features putting you at risk?

From the moment you get in the driver’s seat, today’s cars are already busy thinking. Scanning your surroundings, connecting to networks and running diagnostics — all before you’ve even turned the key (or hit the start button). It’s so automated, it’s easy to take for granted the level of safety tech that’s found its way into even the most modest of daily-drivers: 

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) 
• Forward-collision warning 
• Lane-keeping assist 
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• 360° cameras and auto-park 
• Driver-fatigue alerts 
• Traffic-sign recognition / speed assist 

And with all new vehicles sold in New Zealand soon likely to require advanced safety features to align with Australian and European standards, there’ll be even more smart tech beeping and buzzing away on our dashboards. 

But for every piece of technology that keeps us safe, there’s another that frustrates or distracts us. 

When clever gets confusing and costly 

As with any new tech, there’s always a few kinks to work out. Reversing sensors that panic at nothing. Weight sensors that don’t like your gym bag sitting unbuckled on the passenger seat. Auto high-beams that selectively blind the occasional passing car. 

Some drivers are even turning these features off entirely — often because they’re “too annoying,” “too sensitive,” or “I don’t know what it does.” And when those systems do misfire, causing accidental damage, the cost of putting things right can sting. Sensors in bumpers. Cameras in mirrors. Radars in windscreens. The smarter the tech, the pricier the repairs. 

Smart cars still need reliable car insurance 

Sure, your car might be able to park, steer, and even brake for you — but it’s not accident-proof. 

That’s why MAS offers comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance that covers you from the realities of modern driving. MAS even covers things that other insurers may exclude or add excesses to: 

• No-excess windscreen replacement
• Free replacement up to $1,000 for lost or damaged keys 
• Your choice of trusted local repairer after a collision

And as we’ve been voted Consumer People’s Choice for house, car and contents insurance for 9 years in a row, you can rest assured you’re in good hands. 
 
Because even when your car’s doing the thinking, it pays to have cover that’s thought of everything else. 

Is your policy as up to date as your car? 

If you’ve upgraded your car and are now enjoying all the benefits — and occasional annoyances — of smart safety technology, it’s worth making sure your insurance is keeping pace. 

Get in touch with MAS to check you’re properly covered if something happens to your car, your windscreen, or your warning alerts end up causing more distraction than protection. 

Because even smart cars can have their dumb moments.