Helping you feel right at home
Whether you're a first home buyer, in your forever home or looking for your next one, we're here to help. Proud sponsor of AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ on TVNZ+
We’re here to make things easier!
Your first home
We know there’s a lot to think about when buying your first home.
Our policies are in plain language and hold the WriteMark Plus award. We’ve also got resources to help you understand key insurance terms.
When you take out home insurance, you’ll need to set a sum insured, which should reflect the total amount it would cost to rebuild your home. There are several ways you can calculate your sum insured, including contacting an expert such as a builder, architect or quantity surveyor. You can also use the online Cordell Sum Sure Calculator which estimates typical building costs for standard residential homes.
Before you put an offer in, contact your insurance provider to ensure you can get insurance to suit your needs and that you understand the cost of insuring the property so you can budget accordingly for those ongoing costs. A premium is the ongoing dollar amount that you pay for an insurance policy each year. There are many factors that can impact the amount of premium that insurers charge. What you’re insuring, its location, the sum insured, the policy you’ve chosen and government levies and taxes all influence a home’s premium.
In your home
When you settle into your home
It’s common to invest in new appliances and furniture over time, increasing the overall value of your contents. Your contents sum insured is the total amount your contents are covered for. It’s important to regularly review your sum insured so you have enough cover to replace your belongings if you come to make a claim. This handy contents calculator can help you calculate the value of your contents.
When it comes to making a claim on your contents insurance, having proof of ownership can make the process easier and faster. Proof of ownership refers to documentation that proves you have owned the item(s) you’re claiming for and can provide specific details about your lost or damaged item so we can properly compensate you for the loss. Proof of ownership may include valuations, receipts, financial statements and photos.
If you’re looking to make enhancements to your home, it may be a good idea to review the security of your property. You could look to strengthen it by adding a deadbolt to your front door, installing cameras, sensors and security alarms. Taking preventative measures can help keep your home and contents secure.
Your next home
Buying an investment property or moving house?
Buying an investment property? If you’re thinking about renting out some or all of your property, get in touch with your insurer to talk them through your plans. Renting out your property for short-term or long-term rentals may have implications for your insurance cover.
If you’re moving house, don’t forget to update the postal and residential address listed on your policies. It’s also a good time to ensure your other contact details, like your phone number and email address, are up to date. If you have contents insurance, take a look at the policy wording to understand how your belongings will be covered while you’re in transit.
For those selling their house, if you choose to put your contents in a commercial storage facility they will be covered under our contents insurance policy. Make sure to read the policy wording as some limits apply.
Wherever you are on your journey
These are a few things you should be thinking about:
Doing your due diligence: before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to thoroughly research the property you’re interested in and the surrounding land. Here are a few things to think about:
Pre-purchase inspection
A pre-purchase inspection like a builder’s report can help you understand how the property is built and what materials were used.
Land Information Memorandum (LIM)
The Land Information Memorandum (LIM) provides a summary of the information the local council holds about the land, such as natural hazard risks, issued consents, water services and drainage.
Record of title
The record of title is a legal document that is specific to the address and tells you what type of land you’re buying and if there are any restrictions against the property.
Natural hazards and weather
Natural hazards and weather are important considerations when you’re looking to buy a house. On top of the LIM, you might want to look at the Natural Hazards portal, which will give you area and property specific information and tell you if there's been any Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake settled claims at that property. Some councils have also made flood data available to the public which can help you make an informed decision.
A property lawyer can help you review documentation, fill in the paperwork and spot any potential hazards and issues with the property before you commit to it.
Your insurance: make time on a regular basis to read through your insurance policy wording, check that your details are up to date and that the cover you’ve chosen still meets your needs. For AA Insurance customers, you can do on your online account, My AA Insurance.
Regular maintenance: gradual damage is a common exclusion in home insurance cover, so it’s important to make sure you’re properly maintaining your home or investment property. Keeping your property in good nick is part of the conditions of your insurance, and it really can save you time and money in the long run. If you notice something broken, a funny smell, the sound of a drip or something unusual like a stain or patch of mould on the ceiling, it’s usually a good idea to get it sorted quickly before it causes any further damage.
Renovation projects: if you’re thinking about renovating, it’s important to consider having insurance to cover your home and its contents before you start the project. Insurance can help protect your property from accidental damage, theft and weather events, and most home insurance providers will cover you for minor building work up to a certain value. You may need additional insurance cover if you are planning major renovation work, like building an extension or knocking down a wall.
One event, one excess - If you ever have to claim on more than one AA Insurance policy for the same event, you only have to pay one excess - the highest applicable one.
Replacement cover so in any event other than a natural hazard, we'll fully repair or rebuild your home even if it costs more than you insured it for.
Temporary accommodation for you and your family (and even your pets) if you can't live in your home because of an event that's covered by your policy.
New for old replacement for most of your items that are stolen or damaged beyond repair. So if someone did take off with your definitely-seen-better-days-couch, we'd replace it with a new one.
Nationwide cover for your contents at home and on the road within New Zealand.