2 Dec 2021

Warnings house and contents insurance overpriced

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 2 December 2021

New Zealanders are paying too much for house and contents insurance, according to a new survey.  Consumer NZ's price comparison survey shows climate and natural hazard risk is being factored in, and is more expensive than ever. Quotes for a large house differed by more than $3,000 across Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and there's a more than $2,000 difference between the cheapest and most expensive policies on offer for a standard-sized house. 

If you live somewhere with a higher chance of earthquakes - such as Wellington or Christchurch - you'll be charged more for insurance.  The cost of house and contents insurance has risen by 5.6% this year, over the past ten years it's gone up 150%.  Kathryn is joined by Consumer NZ's Gemma Rasmussen and Katrina Shanks Chief Executive of Financial Advice New Zealand, which represents independent and professional financial advisors.

Sandbagged house at Sponge Bay, Gisborne

Photo: LDR / Alice Angeloni