How am I protected?
Earthquakes and natural disasters
If your contents are insured for loss caused by natural disaster, the Earthquake Commission provides cover of up to $20,000 plus GST against certain natural disasters such as earthquake and landslip.
Areas not covered by EQC
Your policy is automatically extended to include cover for those contents not covered by EQC (such as jewellery, precious stones, money and works of art). Where your contents are insured for more than $20,000 plus GST, that cover is for the difference between the amount paid by EQC and the sum you have insured for under the policy.
Temporary accommodation expenses
If your contents suffer loss or damage for which a claim is accepted under this policy or which is covered under EQ cover and your house becomes uninhabitable as a direct result, the additional reasonable cost of temporary accommodation will be paid from the date of the house becoming uninhabitable, to a maximum of $25,000. This includes kennel or cattery fees for your domestic pets. (If you have this benefit with TOWER under any other policy then the maximum amount payable is $25,000).
Tenants’ liability
Under liability protection the policy is extended to cover your legal liability as a tenant for some accidents by specific causes which cause damage to specific items at the property you are renting.
Liability protection
You are covered up to $2,000,000 for your legal liability for accidents in New Zealand which cause damage to other people’s property.
Gradual damage
You are covered for up to $5,000 to repair resulting damage (but not the cost of locating and repairing the leak) for gradual damage to your contents caused by a permanent and hidden internal water supply or waste disposal pipe or an internal water supply tank provided the leak first occurred during the policy period.
Keys and locks
If your house keys, or remote door opener to your house are stolen or believed to have been illegally duplicated, or it is reasonable to believe that the combination number of an electronic keypad for external doors may have become known to someone else without your permission, you are covered up to $1,000 free of any excess or excess refund for the cost of replacing those keys and locks.
Stress benefit
If you suffer a total loss of your contents for which a claim is accepted, an additional $1,000 will be paid for the inconvenience this may cause you.
Credit or debit card fraud
You have cover of up to $1,000 if your credit or debit cards are lost or stolen and then fraudulently used.
HomeWise
You have access to the HomeWise programme a handy, home maintenance and advice referral services.
Find out more about HomeWise (PDF 125.3 KB) including separate Terms and Conditions.
Fatal injury
If you die as a result of injury caused by fire at your house, your estate will be paid up to $5,000 per person or $10,000 in total, during any one period of insurance.
Boats and outboards
Your boat and outboard motor will be covered if their total value is under $1,000.
