Generally, sudden and accidental damage to your home (the dwelling and fixtures) is covered. Land is not usually covered, except for limited natural-disaster land cover. Each policy has specific inclusions and exclusions.

In NZ, most policies use a ‘sum insured’. Estimate your full rebuild cost (including demolition, professional fees, compliance costs, and inflation). Use your insurer’s calculator or get advice from a builder/quantity surveyor if unsure.

Weather events like wind, storm, and flood are generally covered by private insurers (subject to your policy wording and excesses). High-risk locations may have higher excesses or underwriting conditions. Check your policy for any specific exclusions.

An excess is the amount you pay toward a claim. It usually applies per event and may differ by peril (e.g., earthquake vs. escape of water).

Yes. You must notify material changes, such as consented renovations, periods of unoccupancy, or short-term/holiday letting. You may need a landlord or holiday-home policy or special conditions to remain covered.

Wear and tear, corrosion, and maintenance are generally excluded. Many NZ policies include limited ‘hidden gradual damage’ (e.g., from a leaking pipe) if the leak is hidden and discovered during the policy period, but limits and conditions apply.

House insurance covers the structure and fixtures (e.g., walls, roof, built-in cabinetry). Contents insurance covers your personal belongings. Owners often need both; tenants usually need contents cover (including liability) rather than house cover.

Body corporates typically insure the building. As an apartment owner, you may still need contents cover and to insure improvements within your unit as defined by the body corporate rules and your policy.

Premiums are shaped by your rebuild cost estimate, location risks (like flood or seismic zones), age and construction type of the house, plus government levies and inflation-driven changes in the building market.

Common options include basic building insurance (covering core risks like fire), comprehensive building insurance (including accidental damage and temporary accommodation), contents insurance (for belongings), and combined home-and-contents policies.