Every question, every answer, every source

If you’re buying contents insurance in Canterbury, New Zealand, there are a few important things to check beyond the premium. The biggest issues are earthquake damage, flood and land damage, excesses, and whether your sum insured would actually replace everything you own.

Canterbury has specific considerations because of the Canterbury earthquakes and the region’s exposure to different types of natural hazards. The key is to understand exactly what your policy covers, what it excludes, and how much you would have to pay yourself if you made a claim.

1. The main things to check

1. Earthquake cover and the excess

Check that your contents policy explicitly covers earthquake damage, and find out whether a special earthquake excess applies. Ask whether the excess is a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the claim.

Don't assume the government natural-hazards scheme automatically insures your furniture, electronics and other belongings. NHCover primarily covers eligible residential buildings and certain land; your private policy's terms determine your contents cover. About natural hazards cover :: Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū AkeHouse & Contents Insurance: Sum Insured Explained

2. Flooding, surface water and liquefaction

Check how the policy treats flooding, stormwater entering the house, groundwater, and damage associated with land movement or liquefaction. These are not necessarily treated identically.

If you're in an area with known flood or earthquake-related ground risks, ask the insurer specifically about your property's address and whether any exclusions, restrictions or special excesses apply. About natural hazards cover :: Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū AkeCover for storm, flood, and landslide damage :: Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake

3. Set a realistic contents sum insured

Estimate what it would cost to replace all your belongings with new equivalents, not what you could sell them for second-hand.

Include clothing, furniture, appliances, kitchenware, bedding, computers, phones, tools and items stored in the garage. Check limits for jewellery, watches, bicycles, collections and other expensive possessions. You may need to list or separately insure particular items. House & Contents Insurance: Sum Insured ExplainedInsurance Health Check: Review Your Cover

4. Accidental damage versus named events

A policy covering specified events may cover fire or theft but not every accidental mishap. Check whether you are covered for accidentally breaking a TV, spilling liquid on a laptop or damaging belongings away from home.

Also look for exclusions for gradual leaks, mould, wear and tear, poor maintenance and damage caused by defective items. Insurance Basics: How Policies, Premiums & Excess WorkInsurance Health Check: Review Your Cover

5. Temporary accommodation and additional costs

If a major event makes your home uninhabitable, check whether your contents policy pays for temporary accommodation, moving and storage costs, and for how long.

Don't assume these costs are included just because you have contents insurance or your home has natural-hazards cover. About natural hazards cover :: Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū AkeInsurance Health Check: Review Your Cover

2. Other policy details that can catch you out

Check	What to look for
Excesses	Standard, earthquake, flood and other special excesses. Check if more than one excess can apply to a claim.
Replacement value	Whether belongings are replaced new-for-old, and whether depreciation or specific limits apply to some items.
Theft and security	Requirements for locks, alarms, evidence of forced entry, and limits on belongings kept in sheds or garages.
Items outside the home	Whether phones, laptops, jewellery and bicycles are covered while travelling or away from home.
Unoccupied property	How long the home can be left empty before cover changes, and whether you must notify the insurer.
Renting or flatting	Whether the policy suits a tenant, owner-occupier, flatmate or landlord, and who owns the insured contents.

The Insurance Council of New Zealand recommends checking both the policy schedule and the full policy wording, rather than comparing premiums alone. Insurance Health Check: Review Your CoverInsurance Basics: How Policies, Premiums & Excess Work

3. Canterbury-specific checks before you buy

If you live in an area with a history of earthquake damage, I would take these extra steps:

• Ask about previous damage and repairs. If your property has known unrepaired damage or a history of claims, disclose what the insurer asks you about and obtain written confirmation of any relevant restrictions.
• Check the exact address. Ask whether the insurer has any special terms for the property's location, including earthquake, flood or land-instability risks. Don't assume every property in Canterbury is assessed the same way.
• Keep evidence of your belongings. Photograph each room, retain receipts for expensive purchases, and keep a list of serial numbers. Store a copy somewhere other than your home.
• Check claim limits before a disaster. Your total contents sum insured may be adequate while a per-item limit leaves you underinsured for a particularly valuable possession.

You can read the official guidance from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake and the Insurance Council of New Zealand.

4. Let’s narrow this down to your situation

The most relevant exclusions and cover options depend on whether you're renting or own the property, and where your belongings are kept.