Insurance Approved Car Alarms NZ
If you do a quick Google search for Insurance Approved Car Alarms NZ, you’ll be pointed at a stack of websites talking about 5 star car alarms, and even more quoting AS/NZS 3749.1:2003
Quoted car security standards for insurance approved car alarms void!
With so many websites mentioning these standards you’d probably trust them as being authentic. Well let me expose the truth which could potentially make your motor vehicle insurance invalid!
AS/NZS 3749.1:2003 No Longer Valid
AS/NZS 3749.1:2003 was withdrawn on the 26/11/2020
5 Star Car Alarm Rating System
Dropped by the New Zealand Security Association in April 2012
Here is blog post from 2012 explaining that the 5 Star Alarm rating system was dead.
What was AS/NZS 3749.1:2003?
AS/NZS 3749.1:2003 – Intruder alarm systems – Road vehicles – was the joint Australian/New Zealand standard that specified design, performance, and installation requirements for vehicle alarm and immobiliser systems.
For years, “5 Star” alarms in NZ were based on this standard, and insurers used it as their reference point when approving security systems for policy compliance.
The car security standard is officially dead
Withdrawal date: 26 November 2020.
It’s no longer maintained, and it’s not valid in either Australia or NZ.
Once withdrawn, it means it’s no longer recognised as an official benchmark for compliance, although nothing physically prevents people from building to that old spec.
Why it’s still plastered all over websites
Marketing momentum: Installers and manufacturers have spent years building branding around “5 Star” or “meets AS/NZS 3749.1” and they don’t want to lose that instant trust signal.
Lack of replacement: There’s no newer NZ-specific standard to take its place. The insurance industry never rolled out a new benchmark, so many companies keep referencing the old one.
Consumer assumption: Customers still Google for “5 Star alarm” and expect to see it mentioned — so businesses keep using the term to appear competitive and credible.
Copy-paste SEO: Many websites have just cloned old text without realising (or caring) that the standard is no longer valid.
Invalid car security standards are an insurance risk
If your insurer’s policy wording says your vehicle must have a “compliant” or “insurance-approved” alarm, and they define that based on AS/NZS 3749.1:2003 without clarifying that it’s withdrawn, you could be in a grey area.
In theory, they could argue the system doesn’t meet current recognised standards.
In practice, many insurers still accept alarms sold as “5 Star” because there’s no updated national standard, but this is an area where policy wording matters should you have to make a claim.
Brands to avoid
Both AVS and Mongoose make false claims about their “insurance approved car alarms”.
AS/NZS 4601:1999 Immobiliser standard – No longer valid
AS/NZS 4601:1999 immobiliser standard has also been with drawn. As of 18/06/2021 it is no longer valid,
Did you know?
The AS/NZS 4601:1999 immobiliser standard was officially withdrawn on 18 June 2021.
This means it’s no longer recognised as a current benchmark in New Zealand or Australia.
Why this matters
If your car alarm or immobiliser is marketed as “Insurance Approved” based on this withdrawn standard, your insurer could dispute a claim, especially if your policy wording requires compliance with a current standard.
What you can do
Ask your installer if they know the standard has been withdrawn.
Call out car audio shops claiming to be NZSA members – It’s not been a thing since 2012 and they all know this as they used to pay for membership!
Check with your insurer – make sure they accept your alarm or immobiliser as valid for cover.
Push for honesty – wholesalers and installers should clearly state if the standard is no longer valid.
Share this info – most vehicle owners aren’t aware of the change.
Are there any insurance approved car alarm standards you can trust?
Yes; Thatcham Standards (UK-based) are still valid and respected internationally.
Products with a current Thatcham certificate are a safe bet.
You can check directly on the Thatcham website for approved devices.
Note: Thatcham only certifies products, not installation quality, outside the UK.
Choose an honest installer with proven experience and good reviews. I’ll let you decide if claiming to be a member of the NZSA, or quoting for 5 Star alarms is being honest!
Bottom line:
Don’t assume “insurance approved” means up-to-date.
Always confirm with your insurer and installer, or you could be paying for protection that doesn’t count when it matters most. Don’t settle for outdated or misleading car security standards.
