Star Modern Hobby is insurance for owners of special cars rarely driven.
High quality motor vehicle insurance for special vehicles.
This is not your everyday car.
The policy for premium owners of special cars rarely driven.
We designed Star Modern Hobby, to join our suite of Star Enthusiast policies, for discerning vehicle owners with a car that they play with on weekends or goes out on special occasions. This policy is prestigious, unparalleled and customisable with all the same benefits of Star Prestige but with a special premium.
To qualify for Star Modern Hobby you must also own a daily driver vehicle (although that car doesn’t have to be insured with us) and let us know what that is, as well as your nominated Modern Hobby vehicle (the one that leaves the garage rarely). We’ll then let you know your best insurance options. Special toys need special insurance, even if they are rarely driven and admired by the public.

With two or more special cars, you’ve got more options.
Get best in class protection for your toys.
Star Modern Hobby was created for owners of a prestige and hobby car where it only leaves the garage occasionally. Choose Star Modern Hobby and enjoy*:
A rating model based on your usage
A new replacement vehicle for up to 3 years if it’s uneconomical to repair your vehicle
Guaranteed purchase price payment if vehicle purchased ‘second hand’
Certified value options available
Contribution for rectifying the damage caused by incorrect refuelling
Genuine parts used in repairs to ensure the integrity of the manufacturer’s warranty
Business and private use included
*Terms and conditions apply. Not all benefits apply to all policies. Please refer to the policy booklet (and your schedule if issued) for further information or call us to discuss your specific needs.

For lovers of high quality cars.
Star Modern Hobby is prestige insurance minus the price tag.
Your prestige car would normally sit under our Star Prestige policy but because you don’t drive it often, Star Modern Hobby is the right policy for you. It has all the benefits of Star Prestige but with a premium that reflects your vehicle’s limited use.
It’s a great feeling when you achieve another dream car ownership goal. Yet you don't want to take your high-gloss artwork out too often so that you maintain its pedigree and value by not adding unnecessary miles.
Our chairman, John Baker, fits this insurance policy perfectly. You might say, we initially created Star Modern Hobby for John because we often write insurance policies that we personally want and that aren’t available on the open market.
As a european car aficionado, John owns several Porsches. One is his everyday car which he drives to zap all over the country. He insures that car using our Star Prestige policy. But one or two others are very special cars that he only drives rarely -- like when he really wants to show off his pride and joy. As a result, he gets a lower premium for his vehicles that leave the garage less often. Oh and we keep a quiet side eye on his mileage to make sure he’s not gaming our system, where he might otherwise be protected by our Star Prestige policy. :-)
Your collection of cars might include 911, Lotus, Z4, GT3, new Mustang or Mercedes, sports tourer, or another prestige model. To qualify for Star Modern Hobby you need to let us know which vehicle(s) are not seen on our roads very often, then we can let you know your best insurance options.
Star Insurance Specialists is NZ’s leading niche insurance specialists because we treat customers like family, not spreadsheet entries or statistics. Looking after family is what Kiwis do, and we’re 100% NZ-owned and operated.
Special toys need special insurance, even if they are rarely driven and admired by the public.
Frequently asked questions.
So what do you think? Got some questions?
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Our preference is to have cars garaged but if your car is not garaged then we can still look at the risk and rate it appropriately. For example, your car may be behind a locked gate. We treat this just like a garage.
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We are happy for you to take your vehicle to a repairer of your choice. If you need help finding a repairer, our assessors have a list of repairers we can suggest which are best suited for the type of vehicle you have.
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It depends. Different insurers may or may not offer track day insurance, and if they do they may have different criteria from each other. Star Insurance Specialists can upon application, extend your insurance policy and provide you insurance for certain approved track days. Every track day and driver is subject to application, and are subject to specific terms and conditions that will be advised to the applicant.
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Yes, photos are very helpful as they can show our assessing team what has been damaged before the vehicle is seen by a repairer. Please obtain accident site photos only if it is safe to do so.
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Upon application, we can extend terms to provide you cover for certain approved track days. Every track day and driver is subject to application, and are monitored and approved on a case by case basis.
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Different insurers use different classifications for vehicle use. Hobby Useage is a way to describe a vehicle that is not used every day, may only travel a small number of kilometres in a 12 month period, and is predominantly driven as a source of enjoyment.
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Yes, you can insure drag race cars, however it is very unlikely that the vehicle will be insured whilst participating in a drag race. It is more common to be able to purchase race car insurance that provides insurance whilst the race car is being transported to motorsport events and being stored between events.
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You should advise your insurance company that you use your car every day. Many insurance companies can still insure classic cars that are used every day. Star Insurance Specialists design their insurance policies specifically tailored for your individual circumstances.
What do I need to get a quote?
- Personal details
Obviously we need to collect some personal details about you, including your driver’s licence info, date of birth, address and more. This helps to paint an overall picture of your policy application.
- Vehicle details
What vehicle do you want insured? What is its registration number? This information will let us see a lot more detail as we tap into the NZTA website. We’ll also ask how the vehicle is being used and how often.
- Your driving history
Have you started a collection of speeding tickets, had previous accidents, and/or any convictions? These are 3 of the 8 questions we’ll ask you as part of this process. Insurance is based on good faith, which is why it’s important to make honest statements about your driving history. Otherwise you may face consequences that were avoidable during a claim.
- We then receive your information
At this stage we have your information and your file is allocated a quote number which is immediately emailed to you. We’ll then personally review your application and prepare your insurance options.
If your application is received within business hours, we normally email your options back to you within 30 minutes. To view your options, click on the link in our email. Next, choose your preference along with any policy add-ons, then choose your policy start date (from the current day to 30-days in the future), choose monthly or annual payments and make payment. Presto, you’re insured.
Insurance is based on good faith. Which is why it’s important to be honest about your history, so that there are no dramas if you make a claim. We’re all about starting and maintaining good relationships. Why? Because trust and honesty are the foundation of lasting relationships.