House insurance

House Insurance helps protect you from financial loss if your home is destroyed or damaged by a sudden and unforeseen accidental event such as a fire, accident, storm or natural disaster.

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Special benefits

Here are just some of the great benefits you’ll receive with House insurance:

  • No claims bonus

    If you haven’t had any claims with us or with your previous insurer for the last year, you're entitled to a no claims bonus. If you don't make any claims over the next two years, you’ll qualify for an extra no claims bonus.

  • Temporary accommodation – up to $25,000

    Cover if your house suffers loss or damage to the extent that you can't live in it (and we’ve accepted your claim).

  • Keys and locks – up to $1,000 (excess free)

    Cover if your house keys or remote door opener(s) are stolen, illegally copied or the combination number of an electronic keypad for external doors becomes known to someone else without your permission.

  • Natural disaster damage

    If your house is damaged by a natural disaster, we'll pay the difference between the amount paid under EQCover and the sum insured. To find out more about EQCover, call the Earthquake Commission on freephone 0800 508 765.

As well as insuring the structure of your home, the policy also covers internal fixtures and fittings for accidental damage such as baths, showers, basins, stoves, windows, wallpaper/vinyl, decks, garages, gates, fences, sheds, paths and driveways.

Optional special benefits

  • House under construction or alteration – up to $1 million

    Cover if your house is damaged while being built or having structural alterations (conditions apply).

  • Loss of rent – up to $20,000 or six months’ rent

    Cover if your house is let, lent, leased, rented or tenanted and suffers loss or damage for which a claim is accepted.

  • Landlord's fixtures and fittings – up to $10,000

    Cover to the current value for accidental loss or damage to your rental property's appliances, furniture and chattels, including carpets and drapes.

For full benefit details, read the pdfHouse, Contents and Vehicle Insurance policy (PDF 1.3 MB).

Choice of excesses

The excess is the amount that you pay for each claim. The standard excess for House Insurance is $250, but you can choose an amount that suits you. A higher excess will save you money by reducing your premium, while a lower excess will increase the premium.

Additional features

  • Choice of payment options – direct debit, credit card or Internet banking transfer
  • Pay your premiums monthly, quarterly or save with yearly premiums
  • 24 hour, 7 day, freephone service for emergency claim situations
  • Quick response claims handling – in most cases you’ll have answers within 48 hours, so you’ll know where you stand as soon as possible.

Discounts

  • No claims discounts – up to 25%
  • Up to 20% package discount for taking more than one type of insurance (House, Contents or Vehicle)
  • Lower premiums on house insurance if you’re over 55.

Note: The discounts don’t apply to the levies (e.g. Fire Service and Earthquake Commission) that are included in all premiums, nor to GST, administration fees, and some Optional Special Benefits. Discount varies depending on the number/type of policies taken out.

Eligibility

If your home was built before 1950 and hasn’t been fully rewired, relined and reroofed, you won’t be able to get full replacement cover. But we may be able to arrange insurance for its current value, excluding the value of the land.

Apply now

Call us on 0800 222 491 and get your house insurance sorted over the phone. Or, email us and let us know when you’d like us to call you.

Make a claim

To make a claim, call us on 0800 222 491. If it’s an emergency, we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Conditions

Important conditions and exclusions are set out in the pdfHouse policy wording (PDF 1.3 MB). House, Contents and Vehicle Insurance is arranged by Kiwibank and issued by TOWER Insurance Limited.

TOWER Insurance is responsible for all claims under the insurance and in no circumstances will Kiwibank be liable. TOWER Insurance has a credit rating from A M Best Company of A- (Excellent).

Rating

A++ Superior
A+ Superior
A Excellent
A- Excellent
B++ Very Good

B+ Very Good
B Adequate
B- Adequate
C++ Fair
C+ Fair

C Marginal
C- Marginal
D Very Vulnerable
E Under Supervision
F In Liquidation