# DP-P10-H-A: Our insurer increased our house premium and excess after we made a claim. Can we move to another insurer without losing cover?

Collected 11 October 2026

[Home and contents insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/home-contents-insurance)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: cbb73fe5-5589-41d1-bf25-b040efad89d4

Yes — in New Zealand, you can generally switch home insurers after making a claim without losing cover, provided another insurer agrees to insure your property and you arrange the changeover carefully.

Your current insurer increasing your premium and excess after a claim doesn't automatically mean you have to stay with them. However, a new insurer may also charge more, impose a higher excess, or decline cover depending on your claims history, the property and the type of claim.

The most important thing is to secure the new policy before cancelling your existing one, so you don't leave your home uninsured, even for a day.

## How to switch without losing cover

1. Get quotes from other insurers. Tell them about your recent claim and ask whether they will insure your house on acceptable terms.
2. Disclose the claim honestly. Answer questions about your claims history, damage and any outstanding repairs fully and accurately. Failure to disclose relevant information can jeopardise a future claim. [Insurance](https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/managing-money/insurance)[Duty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your Insurer](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/consumer-guides/things-you-need-to-tell-your-insurer/)
3. Check the new policy carefully. Compare the premium, standard and special excesses, exclusions, sum insured, natural-disaster cover and any conditions relating to existing damage.
4. Get confirmation that cover has been accepted. Make sure you know the exact start date and time of the new policy before cancelling the old one.
5. Keep your existing insurer handling the original claim. If the claim is still being repaired or settled, ask both insurers how the change affects the claim. Switching insurers doesn't normally transfer responsibility for an existing claim to the new insurer.

## Could the new insurer refuse to cover you?

Yes. Insurers assess risk differently, and your recent claim may affect their decision. Your chances can depend on the type of damage, whether repairs are complete, and whether the property has any unresolved issues.

If your claim involved flooding, a natural disaster, water ingress or structural damage, be particularly careful to check how the new policy treats existing damage and future damage from the same cause.

You can compare New Zealand policies through [Consumer NZ's house insurance comparison](https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/insurance/house-and-contents-insurance/review). [How to get the best house and contents insurance](https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/insurance/house-and-contents-insurance/guide)[An insured’s duty of disclosure for replacement insurance](https://fscl.org.nz/case-studies/an-insureds-duty-of-disclosure-for-replacement-insurance/)

## What if nobody else will insure your house?

Don't cancel your current cover while you investigate alternatives. If you believe your insurer has treated you unfairly, raise a complaint with them first. If it remains unresolved, you can approach their independent dispute-resolution scheme. The [Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme](https://www.ifso.nz/) may be able to help if your insurer is a member. [Home and contents insurance: How to make a claim](https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/insurance/house-and-contents-insurance/house-and-contents-insurance-what-it-covers-and-how-to-claim)[Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme](https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/others-who-can-help/complaints-a-z/insurance-financial-services-ombudsman-scheme)

## One important question

What was your house insurance claim for?

For example, was it for a leak or water damage, a storm or flood, a fire, or something else? And has the damage been fully repaired?

That makes a significant difference to how straightforward it may be to switch insurers without creating gaps or exclusions in your cover.

## Gemini

Answer ID: f483dbcb-703d-468c-b3f7-6d10d7b9031a

**Yes, you can move to another insurer**, but having a recent claim will affect how new insurers assess your application. 

When you apply for a new house insurance policy in New Zealand, you are legally required to disclose your claims history (usually looking back the past 3 to 5 years). How a new insurer handles your application depends on a few key factors:

### What to Expect When Switching
* **Underwriting Assessment:** New insurers will ask about your recent claim. Depending on the nature, cost, and frequency of the claim, they may accept you normally, charge a higher premium (a "loading"), impose a higher excess, or—in rare cases of multiple recent claims—decline coverage.
* **No "Losing Cover" Legally, But Timing is Critical:** You won't lose your existing cover just by shopping around, but **never cancel your current policy until your new policy is fully approved and in writing.** If you cancel first and a new insurer declines you or delays acceptance due to your claims history, you could be left completely uninsured.
* **Pre-existing Damage:** A new insurer will only cover *future* accidental loss or damage. They will not cover any unresolved issues or damage related to your recent claim.

### Steps to Take Before Switching
1. **Secure the New Policy First:** Apply for quotes with alternative providers and fully disclose the recent claim. Wait until you receive formal written confirmation of acceptance and set the start date to match the exact moment your old policy ends.
2. **Weigh the Cost vs. Benefits:** Keep in mind that insurance premiums have risen across New Zealand. A new provider might still factor your recent claim into their pricing, so compare quotes carefully to ensure switching actually saves you money or offers better terms.
3. **Check for Cancellation Fees:** Review your current policy to see if your insurer charges a fee for cancelling mid-term (though many allow you to switch penalty-free right around your annual renewal date).

Are you currently coming up on your annual policy renewal date, or are you looking to switch mid-term?

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: a6d98261-1593-4802-be66-78aefd192588

**Yes, you can absolutely switch to another insurer without losing cover.** In New Zealand, you are free to change insurance providers at any time, but you must ensure your new policy is fully active _before_ you cancel your existing one to avoid a dangerous gap in coverage.

While switching is straightforward, your recent claim will impact the process. Here is what you need to consider and how to manage the transition smoothly.

📋 Key Steps for a Safe Switch

 * **Secure the new policy first.** Never cancel your current insurance until the new provider has formally accepted your application and confirmed the start date.

 * **Disclose your claim history.** You must legally and honestly answer all questions about past claims. Failing to disclose your recent claim can void your new policy entirely.

 * **Coordinate the dates.** Set the cancellation date of your old policy to match the exact start date of your new policy so you are never left uninsured.

⚠️ Challenges You Might Face

Because you have a recent claim, moving insurers might not automatically result in lower costs. New Zealand insurers assess risk similarly, meaning a new provider may also offer a higher premium or higher excess based on your history.

 * **Underwriting scrutiny:** The new insurer will ask about the nature of the claim (e.g., weather damage, accidental damage, or burglary) to determine if your property is now considered higher risk.

 * **Temporary exclusions:** If the damage from your claim has not been fully repaired yet, a new insurer may refuse to cover that specific issue until repairs are completed by your current insurer.

💡 Alternative Options with Your Current Insurer

Before switching, it may be worth trying to lower your current premium by adjusting your policy structure:

 * **Voluntary Excess:** Ask to increase your excess even further. A higher out-of-pocket cost during a claim will lower your ongoing premium.

 * **Review Sum Insured:** Check if your "sum insured" (the total cost to rebuild your home) is accurate. If it is set too high, you are paying for cover you do not need.

 * **Policy Bundling:** See if your current insurer offers multi-policy discounts if you move your car or contents insurance to them.

* * *

To help find the best strategy for your situation, could you tell me:

 * What **type of event** caused the claim (e.g., natural disaster, water leak, accident)?

 * Have the **repairs been fully completed** yet?

 * Approximately **how much** did the premium increase?

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 10486146-3fc4-4387-b3d3-26c9786e79f0

Yes, you can move to another insurer, but **you must secure and confirm your new policy before cancelling your current one** to avoid any gap in cover.

When shopping around after making a claim, keep these key factors in mind:

 * * **Duty of Disclosure:** Under New Zealand insurance law, you have a legal duty to disclose all material information when applying for a new policy. This includes your recent claims history. Do not hide the previous claim, as failing to disclose it can lead to the new insurer declining future claims or voiding the policy entirely.

 * **Impact on New Quotes:** New insurers will ask about your claims history over the past 3 to 5 years. Having a recent claim may affect your new quotes or result in a higher premium or excess with a different provider as well, as insurers move toward risk-based pricing.

 * **Unresolved Claims:** If your recent claim is still active (i.e., repairs are not yet fully completed or settled), moving insurers can be complex. You generally need to keep the claim with your current insurer until it is fully resolved, or clarify with the new insurer how they handle properties with ongoing or recent damage/repairs.

 * **Timing the Switch:** Make sure your new policy's start date aligns precisely with the cancellation or expiry date of your old policy so your home is never unprotected. Check your current policy for any cancellation fees before pulling the trigger.

 *

You can check guidance on consumer rights and insurance trends through [Consumer NZ](https://www.consumer.org.nz/money/insurance/house-and-contents-insurance/what-s-going-on-with-home-insurance) or review disclosure guidelines via the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ).

If you'd like, let me know:

 * Is your previous claim **fully settled and repaired** , or still in progress?
 * **How long** have you had the current policy?

I can help you figure out the best timing and what details you'll need ready when approaching a new provider.