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In New Zealand, house insurance (also called home or building insurance) usually covers sudden, accidental damage to the physical house, but it generally doesn't cover every unexpected thing that goes wrong.

The key distinction is whether something has been damaged by a sudden event or has simply broken down through wear and tear, age, or a maintenance problem.

What house insurance in NZ usually covers

1. Storms and natural events

Damage caused by events such as storms, wind, hail, and certain natural disasters, subject to your policy terms and any applicable exclusions or excesses.

2. Sudden water damage

For example, a pipe suddenly bursts and damages your walls, ceilings, floors, or fixed fittings. Gradual leaks, leaking showers, and damage caused by poor maintenance may be excluded.

3. Accidental damage

Depending on your policy, this can include a vehicle hitting the house, a tree falling onto it, or accidental damage to parts of the building. Some accidental damage is only covered under particular policy options.

4. Fire and smoke damage

Fire damage to the building and associated smoke damage are generally covered insured events, subject to the policy wording.

5. Damage from other insured events

Depending on the policy, this may include vandalism, impact damage, or damage caused by certain sudden accidents.

These are typical examples, not a guarantee that every insurer or policy covers each event.

What usually isn't covered?

The most important exclusions to know about are:

• Wear and tear: old fittings, worn flooring, ageing materials and parts that deteriorate over time.
• Mechanical or electrical breakdown: a heat pump, oven, hot-water cylinder or other appliance simply stops working due to an internal fault or age.
• Maintenance problems: rotten timber, mould, corrosion, deteriorating sealant or damage caused by neglected repairs.
• Gradual leaks: water slowly leaking from a shower, pipe or roof, even if you only notice the damage recently.
• Faulty workmanship or design: damage related to construction defects may be excluded, depending on the policy and circumstances. Consumer Guide 2025 –Gradual damageWhat Home, Contents & Car Insurance Don't Cover (NZ)Houseowners

Some policies include limited cover for hidden gradual water damage, so it's worth checking rather than assuming it's always excluded.

Common examples: would insurance pay?

What happened?	Likely outcome
A pipe suddenly bursts and floods a room	The resulting building damage may be covered
A pipe has leaked behind a wall for months	Usually excluded, but hidden-damage cover may help
Your oven suddenly stops working	Usually not covered under standard house insurance
A storm suddenly damages your roof	Usually covered, subject to policy terms
Your hot-water cylinder bursts and damages the floor	Resulting damage may be covered; the cylinder itself may not be
You accidentally put a hole in a wall	Depends on whether your policy includes accidental damage
Your shower leaks slowly and rots the floor	Usually excluded or subject to limited hidden-damage cover

These are general indications, not guaranteed claim decisions. InsuranceConsumer Guide 2025 –Gradual damageWhat your house and contents insurance actually covers

Three other things worth knowing

• Your excess: You normally pay the excess stated in your policy for an accepted claim. If repairs cost less than the excess, claiming may not be worthwhile.
• Contents versus building cover: House insurance generally covers the building and fixed structures. Furniture, televisions and other belongings generally fall under contents insurance.
• Natural disasters: New Zealand has a separate natural-hazards insurance scheme, administered by the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC), which can provide first-layer cover for eligible residential land and certain building damage. Your private insurer and policy determine how the rest is handled. How to get the best house and contents insuranceHouse & Contents Insurance: Sum Insured ExplainedWhat your house and contents insurance actually covers

For further guidance, see Consumer NZ's house insurance guide and the Insurance Council of NZ's guide to gradual damage.

If something has just broken at your house

What has broken or been damaged? For example, a hot-water cylinder, pipe, roof, window, wall, shower, or electrical fitting.

Tell me what happened and whether it happened suddenly or developed over time. I can explain whether it would typically fall under NZ house insurance, contents insurance, a product warranty, or your own repair costs.