Home insurance in NZ: A simple guide

Feature article

Home insurance in NZ: A simple guide

Understand your cover, avoid the pitfalls, and protect your place.

5 November 2025

Hannah Hilliam

What you’ll learn

House vs contents insurance: A quick clarification

What is and isn’t typically covered

Typically covered:

Common exclusions:

How much should you insure your house for?

What is sum insured?

Insurers changed their cover models following the Christchurch earthquakes.

Why insurers switched to the ‘Sum Insured’ model

Alternative models

Where does Natural Hazards Cover fit in?

Comparing home insurance options

Home insurance NZ comparison chart
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Choosing the best house insurance provider

House Insurance NZ – FAQs

What is an excess in house insurance?

What is a financial strength rating?

Why are my house insurance premiums going up?

Does house insurance cover natural disasters in NZ?

Is my house covered while being renovated?

Can I get a discount for bundling policies?

What’s the difference between replacement value and market value?

Author

Hannah Hilliam Hannah Hilliam