Personal Lines

If you own your own property, it is best to have both house and contents insurance in order to ensure everything is protected. Insurance policies usually cover accidental damage, natural disasters and deliberate damage such as a burglary, but you should check your policy wording carefully to make sure you are covered.

Comprehensive Home & Contents Insurance

Home insurance covers the actual property including any outbuildings and outdoor structures like swimming pools. Contents insurance covers your personal belongings and household effects and those belonging to anyone else who lives in the home.

If you plan to rent out your own home while being away for a period of time, or you have a number of rental properties as investments, you may need to arrange rental property insurance or landlords’ insurance which has different terms and conditions to standard house insurance.

Contents Insurance is designed to protect your belongings against disasters, both big and small. This can include events such as loss, theft, water damage, fire and natural disasters amongst other things.

Contents Insurance can cover items like furniture, clothing, electrical items, whiteware and personal effects.

There are some items that will have a limited cover unless you specify them separately, such as jewellery, high value bicycles, artwork etc.  Our brokers can discuss coverage options with you to meet your requirements.

Depending on your budget and circumstances there are a range of insurance types to choose from. Common insurance types for standard vehicles are:

• Comprehensive Insurance: This is the best coverage and includes accidental loss of or damage to your vehicle. It also covers you should damage be caused to another person's vehicle or property and for costs like towing from the scene of an accident.‍
• Third Party, Fire and Theft Insurance: This covers theft of your vehicle, damage caused by fire and third-party property damage.‍
• Third Party Car Insurance: This type of insurance covers you only against any damage caused to someone else's vehicle or property.
• ‍Car Insurance for Young Drivers: Some companies offer special policies for young drivers which may have higher excesses or premiums.

Howden can also advise on classic car insurance, including policies for cars that are currently garaged or under restoration and motorcycle insurance. Additionally if you have a boat or jet ski for recreation, we can also arrange insurance for those too, both on the water and in transit.

Alternatively, if you run a vehicle for work or even a number of vehicles we can advise about commercial vehicle insurance and fleet insurance.

Whether it is jet skiing or going out on boats big and small, boat insurance policies cover your watercraft for damage or theft as well as providing protection for your liability as a boat owner.

We can provide cover for most kinds of watercraft, such as:

• Pleasure craft
• Launches
• Sport fishing boats
• Jet skis
• Dinghies
• Kayak and boat trailers

Comprehensive insurance generally covers loss or liability related to your boat, trailer and fishing gear, water ski equipment, diving equipment, tools and personal effects store aboard.

Similar to motor vehicles, Boat & Watercraft insurance policies are subject to either Agreed Value or Market Value. Agreed Value pays the amount agreed with your insurer at the start of the policy period for your boat in the event of a Total Loss (completely lost or destroyed). Market Value pays the current value of your boat, determined at the time of the loss, up to the Sum Insured in the event of a Total Loss. 

Our experienced brokers can talk you through the options available and arrange a cover to suit your needs.

Your insurance should be as unique as your situation and many New Zealanders have a unique way of life that merges both the city and country lifestyle.

Our lifestyle package can bundle home and contents, rural liability, farm assets and equipment. To eliminate the guess work, give one of our experienced brokers a call so we can discuss your needs and tailor a solution to suit you.