Contents Insurance for Seniors 🇳🇿

Protect your belongings with comprehensive contents insurance. Compare policies from New Zealand's leading providers with new-for-old replacement, away-from-home cover, and senior discounts from $22/month.

New-for-Old Replacement

Most providers offer new-for-old replacement - your items are replaced with new ones, regardless of age. Plus away-from-home cover for items you take with you. From just $22/month.

Compare Contents Insurance Providers - 2025

Compare New Zealand's leading contents insurance providers. All offer comprehensive cover for your belongings with competitive rates for seniors.

AMI Insurance

🌐 ami.co.nz | 📞 0800 100 200
(1,734 reviews)
BEST VALUE
$22
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

Replacement cover options
Security system discounts
Portable item protection
Credit card fraud cover
Fast online claims

Pros & Cons:

✓ Affordable premium rates
✓ Security system discounts
✓ Quick claims processing
✗ Limited additional benefits
✗ Regional service variations

Tower Insurance

🌐 tower.co.nz | 📞 0800 808 808
(1,923 reviews)
$24
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

Flexible excess options
Temporary accommodation
Garden and outdoor items
Food spoilage coverage
Online claims management

Pros & Cons:

✓ Competitive rates for seniors
✓ Flexible policy customization
✓ Good online claims platform
✗ Basic standard coverage
✗ Some pre-existing damage exclusions

AA Insurance

🌐 aainsurance.co.nz | 📞 0800 500 213
(2,456 reviews)
AA MEMBERS
$26
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

AA member benefits
High-value item cover
No excess glass claims
Lock replacement service
Multi-policy discounts

Pros & Cons:

✓ Excellent AA member benefits
✓ Comprehensive specialty item cover
✓ No excess for glass claims
✗ Best rates require AA membership
✗ Geographic restrictions (some areas)

State Insurance

🌐 state.co.nz | 📞 0800 80 24 24
(2,847 reviews)
$28
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

New for old replacement
Accidental damage cover
Away from home protection
Natural disaster coverage
24/7 claims support

Pros & Cons:

✓ Comprehensive NZ coverage
✓ New-for-old replacement
✓ 24/7 emergency support
✗ Premium pricing (high-risk areas)
✗ Higher excesses for natural disasters

💡 Choosing Contents Insurance

  • Calculate total value: Walk through your home room by room - most people underestimate contents value ($50,000-100,000 typical)
  • New-for-old vs indemnity: New-for-old replaces with new items (better) vs indemnity which deducts depreciation
  • Specify valuable items: Jewelry, art, electronics over $2,000-5,000 usually need individual listing
  • Bundle and save: Combining home + contents insurance typically saves 10-15%

What Does Contents Insurance Cover?

Contents insurance protects your personal belongings inside (and sometimes outside) your home. Here's what typical NZ contents insurance covers:

✓ Household Items Covered

  • Furniture: Sofas, beds, tables, chairs, wardrobes
  • Appliances: Fridge, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher
  • Electronics: TV, computer, laptop, tablets, phones
  • Clothing: Clothes, shoes, accessories
  • Kitchenware: Pots, pans, crockery, cutlery
  • Carpets & curtains: Soft furnishings

✓ Valuable Items

  • Jewelry: Rings, necklaces, watches (may need individual listing)
  • Art & collectibles: Paintings, sculptures, antiques
  • Musical instruments: Guitars, pianos, etc.
  • Sports equipment: Bikes, golf clubs, fishing gear
  • Photography equipment: Cameras, lenses
  • Tools: Power tools, equipment

✓ Events & Perils

  • Theft & burglary: Stolen items from break-ins
  • Fire & smoke: Fire damage to belongings
  • Water damage: Burst pipes, flooding
  • Storm damage: Wind, hail, lightning
  • Accidental damage: Accidental breakage (if covered)
  • Vandalism: Malicious damage

✓ Additional Benefits

  • Away from home: Items you take with you (up to limit)
  • Temporary accommodation: If home uninhabitable
  • Food spoilage: Freezer breakdown
  • Credit card fraud: Unauthorized card use
  • Keys & locks: Replacement if stolen
  • Garden items: Outdoor furniture, BBQs

⚠️ What's NOT Usually Covered

  • • Wear and tear: Gradual deterioration, fading, rust
  • • Motor vehicles: Cars, motorcycles (need separate insurance)
  • • Items for business: Stock, equipment used for income
  • • Cash: Usually limited to $200-500
  • • Structural damage: Building itself (that's home insurance)
  • • Pests: Damage by rodents, insects

How to Calculate Your Contents Value

Most people significantly underestimate the value of their contents. Use this room-by-room guide to calculate the right coverage:

Average Contents Values by Room

🛋️ Living Room $15,000-25,000

Sofas, TV, entertainment unit, coffee tables, lamps, artwork, electronics

🍳 Kitchen $10,000-15,000

Appliances, cookware, crockery, cutlery, small appliances, food storage

🛏️ Bedroom (Each) $8,000-12,000

Bed, mattress, wardrobe, dresser, bedding, clothing, personal items

🚿 Bathroom $2,000-4,000

Towels, toiletries, storage units, mirrors, scales, hairdryers

🏠 Garage/Shed $5,000-10,000

Tools, lawn mower, bikes, sports equipment, storage items

💻 Office/Study $5,000-8,000

Computer, desk, chair, printer, books, office supplies

Typical 3-Bedroom Home Contents Value
$60,000 - $100,000
Add Valuables (Jewelry, Art)
+$10,000-30,000

💡 Contents Value Checklist

  • 1. Document everything: Take photos of each room and valuable items
  • 2. Keep receipts: Store receipts for expensive items (jewelry, electronics, appliances)
  • 3. Get valuations: Have jewelry and art professionally valued every 2-3 years
  • 4. Don't forget hidden items: Clothing, linens, kitchen items add up quickly
  • 5. Review annually: Update coverage as you buy new items

Frequently Asked Questions

What items should I include in my contents insurance?

You should include all personal belongings that you would need to replace if your home was destroyed. Most people underestimate their contents value by 30-50%.

Complete Room-by-Room Inventory:
Living Areas:
  • • Sofas, chairs, coffee tables
  • • TV, sound system, entertainment unit
  • • Artwork, mirrors, ornaments
  • • Lamps, rugs, curtains
  • • Books, DVDs, games
Bedrooms:
  • • Beds, mattresses, bedding
  • • Wardrobes, dressers
  • • ALL clothing and shoes
  • • Jewelry and watches
  • • Personal care items
Kitchen:
  • • Fridge, oven, microwave
  • • Pots, pans, cookware
  • • Crockery, cutlery, glassware
  • • Small appliances (toaster, kettle)
  • • Food in pantry/freezer
Other Areas:
  • • Washing machine, dryer
  • • Tools, lawn mower
  • • Sports equipment, bikes
  • • Computers, tablets, phones
  • • Outdoor furniture, BBQ
💡 Pro Tip for Seniors:

Create a detailed inventory with photos and values. Store this digitally (cloud) and give a copy to family. This makes claims faster and ensures nothing is forgotten. Update it annually when you review your policy.

How does 'new for old' replacement work?

"New for old" (also called replacement cover) means your items are replaced with new ones of similar quality, regardless of their age or condition. This is significantly better than "indemnity" cover which deducts depreciation.

✓ New-for-Old Example

Your 5-year-old TV worth $2,000 new is stolen:

  • • Insurer replaces with new TV of similar spec
  • • You get current equivalent ($2,000-2,200)
  • Payout: Full replacement value
  • • No deduction for age or wear

✗ Indemnity Example

Same 5-year-old TV under indemnity policy:

  • • Insurer deducts depreciation (10-20%/year)
  • • 5 years = 50-70% depreciation
  • Payout: $600-1,000 only
  • • You pay the difference for replacement
How It Works in Practice:
  1. 1. Make claim: Report theft/damage to insurer
  2. 2. Assessment: Insurer assesses item and determines replacement
  3. 3. Options offered:
    • • Cash settlement for equivalent new item
    • • Insurer arranges replacement through suppliers
    • • You buy replacement and claim reimbursement
  4. 4. Payment: Receive full cost of new equivalent item
⚠️ Important Conditions:
  • • Items must be in reasonable condition (not already broken)
  • • Replacement is "similar quality" not identical (if discontinued)
  • • May need to pay excess first
  • • Some items have age limits (e.g., mattresses over 10 years may be limited)
Are valuable items automatically covered?

Not always - it depends on the value. Most policies have automatic coverage for individual items up to a certain limit (typically $2,000-5,000), but high-value items need specific listing.

Standard Coverage Limits:
  • Single item limit: Usually $2,000-5,000 per item
  • Category limits: Jewelry might have $10,000 total limit
  • Portable electronics: Often $5,000-10,000 total
  • Cash: Typically $200-500 maximum
Items That Usually Need Specific Listing:
Jewelry & Watches:
  • • Engagement rings over $5,000
  • • Luxury watches (Rolex, Omega, etc.)
  • • Heirloom jewelry
  • • Gold/silver collections
Art & Collectibles:
  • • Paintings over $5,000
  • • Sculptures and statues
  • • Antique furniture
  • • Rare books, coins, stamps
Electronics:
  • • Professional camera equipment
  • • High-end audio systems
  • • Designer laptops/computers
Other Valuables:
  • • Musical instruments (pianos, guitars)
  • • Wine collections
  • • Sports memorabilia
How to List Valuable Items:
  1. 1. Get professional valuation: Use certified appraiser (jeweler, art expert)
  2. 2. Provide documentation: Receipts, certificates, photos
  3. 3. List each item: Description, value, serial numbers
  4. 4. Additional premium: Pay extra for specified items (typically 1-2% of value annually)
  5. 5. Update valuations: Review every 2-3 years as values change

Cost Example: $10,000 diamond ring costs ~$100-200/year to specifically insure. This gives full coverage anywhere in the world, including accidental loss.

Does contents insurance cover items outside my home?

Yes, many policies include "away from home" coverage for items you take with you, but there are important limits and conditions to understand.

Typical Away-from-Home Coverage:
  • Coverage limit: Usually 10-20% of total contents value (e.g., $60K contents = $6-12K away from home)
  • Geographic scope: Usually worldwide coverage
  • Duration: No time limit - covered as long as you own the item
  • Item limits: Same single-item limits apply ($2,000-5,000 typically)
What's Covered Away from Home:
✓ Usually Covered:
  • • Laptop/tablet at café
  • • Jewelry while traveling
  • • Camera on holiday
  • • Clothing in suitcase
  • • Phone stolen from person
  • • Glasses or hearing aids
  • • Sports equipment at gym
✗ Usually NOT Covered:
  • • Items left in unattended vehicle
  • • Business equipment/stock
  • • Motor vehicles, boats
  • • Items at second home (need separate policy)
  • • Items you've lent to others
  • • Mysterious disappearance (must show theft)
Important Conditions:
  • Reasonable care: Must take normal precautions (lock car, supervise belongings)
  • Police report: Usually required for theft claims
  • Same excess: Your standard excess applies
  • Proof of ownership: Need receipts or photos
💡 For Frequent Travelers:

If you travel often with expensive items (cameras, jewelry, laptops), consider:

  • • Increasing your away-from-home limit (usually available for small additional premium)
  • • Specifically listing high-value portable items for worldwide cover
  • • Travel insurance with high contents limits for extended trips
  • • Specialty insurance for professional equipment (camera insurance, etc.)

Real Cost Examples for NZ Seniors

Here's what New Zealand seniors typically pay for contents insurance based on different household sizes and contents values:

✓ Jean, 70 - Auckland Apartment

Living situation: 2-bedroom apartment, downsized from family home

Sum insured: $40,000

Excess: $250 standard

Special items: $5,000 jewelry listed separately

Provider: AMI Insurance

$18/month = $216/year

  • ✓ New-for-old replacement
  • ✓ Away-from-home cover included
  • ✓ Multi-policy discount (bundled with house)
  • ✓ Lower premium due to apartment security

Brian, 68 - Wellington Standalone

Living situation: 3-bedroom family home, lived there 35 years

Sum insured: $80,000

Excess: $500 standard

Special items: $12,000 art collection, $3,000 musical instruments

Provider: Tower Insurance

$32/month = $384/year

  • ✓ New-for-old replacement
  • ✓ Specified items listed
  • ✓ Higher excess for lower premium
  • ✓ Lifetime collection well-protected

Patricia, 73 - Christchurch Unit

Living situation: Retirement village unit, recently moved

Sum insured: $50,000

Excess: $250 standard

Special items: $2,000 camera equipment

Provider: AA Insurance (AA member)

$22/month = $264/year

  • ✓ New-for-old replacement
  • ✓ AA member discount (10%)
  • ✓ Village security discount
  • ✓ Away-from-home cover for travel

Robert, 66 - Hamilton Family Home

Living situation: 4-bedroom home, still has kids' belongings stored

Sum insured: $100,000

Excess: $500 standard

Special items: $8,000 electronics, $4,000 power tools

Provider: State Insurance

$42/month = $504/year

  • ✓ New-for-old replacement
  • ✓ High sum insured for large home
  • ✓ Monitored alarm discount
  • ✓ Workshop tools covered

💡 What These Examples Teach Us

  • Sum insured matters: $40k vs $100k = $18/mo vs $42/mo (more than double)
  • Living situation affects price: Apartments and retirement villages cheaper due to better security
  • Excess options: Higher excess ($500 vs $250) can reduce premiums 15-20%
  • Multi-policy discounts: Bundling home + contents saves 10-15%
  • Specified items: Valuable items over $3,000-5,000 typically need to be listed separately
  • Seniors pay less: Empty nesters with fewer belongings = lower premiums

How Much Contents Insurance Do You Need?

Most people underestimate the value of their belongings. Use this room-by-room guide to calculate how much coverage you need:

Room-by-Room Contents Inventory Guide

Living Room / Lounge

Item Typical Value Your Estimate
3-seater sofa $1,500-$3,000 _____
Armchairs (2) $800-$2,000 _____
TV (55" smart TV) $1,200-$2,500 _____
Coffee & side tables $400-$1,000 _____
Bookshelf + books $300-$800 _____
Rugs & curtains $500-$1,500 _____
Ornaments, photos, art $500-$2,000 _____
Living Room Total $5,200-$12,800 _____

Kitchen

Item Typical Value Your Estimate
Fridge/freezer $1,500-$3,000 _____
Dishwasher $800-$1,500 _____
Microwave $200-$500 _____
Small appliances $300-$800 _____
Pots, pans, utensils $400-$1,000 _____
Plates, glasses, cutlery $400-$1,200 _____
Dining table & chairs $800-$2,500 _____
Kitchen Total $4,400-$10,500 _____

Bedroom (per bedroom)

Item Typical Value Your Estimate
Bed & mattress $1,200-$3,500 _____
Bedding & linen $300-$800 _____
Wardrobe contents $2,000-$8,000 _____
Dresser & bedside tables $500-$1,500 _____
Jewelry & watches $1,000-$10,000+ _____
Bedroom Total $5,000-$23,800 _____

Other Common Items

Item Typical Value
Washing machine & dryer $1,500-$3,000
Computer & laptop $800-$2,500
Tablets & phones $500-$2,000
Vacuum cleaner $300-$800
Garden furniture $500-$2,000
BBQ $300-$1,500
Sports/hobby equipment $500-$5,000
Tools (garage/shed) $1,000-$5,000

Typical Contents Values by Home Type

1-2 Bedroom Apartment

$30-50k

Suitable for:

  • • Downsizers
  • • Retirement village units
  • • Minimal belongings

3 Bedroom Home

$60-80k

Suitable for:

  • • Average household
  • • Established furniture
  • • Standard electronics

4+ Bedroom Home

$90-120k+

Suitable for:

  • • Large family homes
  • • Collections & hobbies
  • • High-value items

⚠️ Don't Underinsure

Most people underestimate by 30-50%. To replace EVERYTHING you own would cost more than you think:

  • Every item of clothing: Shirts, pants, shoes, coats, socks, underwear - adds up fast
  • Every kitchen item: Plates, cups, pots, pans, utensils, appliances
  • All electronics: TVs, computers, phones, tablets, chargers, cables
  • Bathroom items: Towels, toiletries, medicines, electric toothbrushes
  • Books, photos, documents: Irreplaceable memories

Add 20% buffer to your calculation to be safe. Better to be over-insured than under-insured.

Contents Insurance Tips for Seniors 65+

✓ Reduce Your Premium

  • 1
    Bundle with home insurance: Save 10-15% by combining policies
  • 2
    Install security systems: Monitored alarms = 10-15% discount
  • 3
    Increase excess: $500 instead of $250 = 15-20% lower premiums
  • 4
    Pay annually: Annual payment typically 5% cheaper than monthly
  • 5
    Review sum insured: After downsizing, reduce coverage to match lower value

✓ Protect Valuable Items

  • Jewelry over $3,000: Usually needs separate listing with valuation
  • Art & collectibles: Get professional appraisals, keep receipts
  • Antique furniture: Prove value with photos and documentation
  • Musical instruments: Often have sub-limits ($2,000-5,000), list separately if valuable
  • Camera equipment: Professional gear needs specific coverage

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • No home inventory: After fire/theft, can't remember what you owned
  • Assuming jewelry covered: Standard limits often only $3,000-5,000 total
  • Not updating after downsizing: Paying for $80k cover when you only have $40k worth
  • Excess too high: Can you afford $1,000 out-of-pocket for a claim?
  • Not reviewing annually: Contents value changes - review every year

💰 Senior Benefits

  • Away-from-home cover: Essential for seniors who travel - covers items taken on holiday
  • Credit card fraud: Many policies include credit card theft/fraud cover
  • Food spoilage: Power cut? Fridge/freezer contents covered
  • Temporary accommodation: If home uninhabitable, hotel costs covered
  • Lock replacement: Keys stolen? Lock replacement included

Protect Your Belongings Today

Compare contents insurance quotes from New Zealand's leading providers. Get new-for-old replacement and away-from-home cover from $22/month.

$22
Starting from/month
(AMI Insurance)
New
For old replacement
available
Away
From home cover
included

Get Quotes Today:

AMI Insurance
🌐 ami.co.nz
📞 0800 100 200
Tower Insurance
🌐 tower.co.nz
📞 0800 808 808
AA Insurance
🌐 aainsurance.co.nz
📞 0800 500 213
State Insurance
🌐 state.co.nz
📞 0800 80 24 24