Complicated is out
Your current policy compared with your new WriteMark™ Plain Language Standard approved policy, plus answers to some questions you may have.
Policy comparison table
This table shows the key changes between the base version of the Contents Maxi Policy (version 12-16) and your new Contents Plus Cover.
Your current contents policy
Your new Contents Plus policy
What's changed?
Your current contents policy
70% of contents at replacement value
Your new Contents Plus policy
100% of contents at replacement value
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Optional
Your new Contents Plus policy
Includes 14 days of cover at both houses
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Optional
Your new Contents Plus policy
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Optional
Your new Contents Plus policy
$20,000
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
No cover
Your new Contents Plus policy
$5,000 at your house, $750 away from your house
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Present day value
Your new Contents Plus policy
Replacement value
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
$1,000. Cover for stolen only
Your new Contents Plus policy
$1,000. Cover for lost or stolen
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
$1 million
Your new Contents Plus policy
$20 million
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Optional
Your new Contents Plus policy
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Cover ceases after 60 days unless you contact us
Your new Contents Plus policy
Cover continues automatically after 60 days ($1,000 excess applies)
What's changed?
Improved
Your current contents policy
Your new Contents Plus policy
What's changed?
Same
Your current contents policy
Your new Contents Plus policy
What's changed?
Same
Your current contents policy
$25,000
Your new Contents Plus policy
$25,000
What's changed?
Same
Your current contents policy
$2,500
Your new Contents Plus policy
$2,500. Higher values can be specified
What's changed?
Same
Your current contents policy
$15,000
Your new Contents Plus policy
$15,000. Higher values can be specified
What's changed?
Same
Your current contents policy
$10,000
Your new Contents Plus policy
$5,000. Higher values can be specified
What's changed?
Reduced
Your current contents policy
Optional. $2,000
Your new Contents Plus policy
No cover
What's changed?
Reduced
Your current contents policy
$2,500
Your new Contents Plus policy
$2,000
What's changed?
Reduced
Your current contents policy
Your new Contents Plus policy
Covered up to $1,000. A higher value can be specified
What's changed?
Reduced
Your current contents policy
Your new Contents Plus policy
Limited cover
What's changed?
Reduced
The table is a summary only and you should refer to the policy wordings for full details, in particular as the Contents Maxi Policy shown in this table may not be the same version as your current policy. Unless stated otherwise, the sums in the table are the limits of cover per event.
Frequently asked questions
Our customers deserve to have up-to-date insurance cover that’s easy to understand. Our latest policies have been awarded the WriteMark™ Plain Language Standard so you can easily understand what you’re covered for if you need to make a claim. Simplifying complicated insurance terms with plain language is just the start of how we’re starting to challenge and change insurance in New Zealand.
- Excess-free cover for glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures.
- Cover for your home office equipment, at home and away from home.
- ‘Moving home cover’. We’ll cover you for up to 14 days at both addresses while you move.
- Up to $20,000 of cover for your contents if they’re temporarily stored elsewhere.
- All your contents will now be covered for replacement value, regardless of age. This means if any of your contents are damaged and can’t be repaired, we’ll replace them with new ones.
- Cover for your mobile phone is now limited to $1,000, unless otherwise specified.
- You can now claim a maximum of $2,000 for gradual damage (down from $2,500).
As in any other year, your premium may change depending on several factors. For example, on 1 July 2019, the Earthquake Commission made some changes that may have affected your premium.
You’ll see your premium in your renewal email which you’ll receive shortly. Find out more about how your premium is calculated.
The excess is the amount you need to pay toward any loss when you make a claim and it’s approved. Tower then ‘tops up’ your contribution, up to your policy limit.
When you move to your new policy, your excess may change and it’s important to check it and make sure it’s right for you. If excess refund is part of your current policy, you'll notice that it's not offered on your new policy. This means that you'll now pay an excess if you make a claim. Our latest house policies give you a choice of excesses, ranging from $400 to $2,500.
The amount of excess you choose for your policy will affect the premium you pay - the higher your excess, the cheaper your premium. As well as considering the premium, it’s also important to think about whether you will be able to afford to pay the excess if you happen to have a claim.
As you move to our latest cover at renewal you’ll also have a new unique policy number for each of your policies. Remember to use this policy number as your reference when you contact us or make a payment for this policy. You’ll find your policy number on the top right hand corner of your new insurance documents.
We’re phasing out older house, contents and car policies and moving customers to our latest policies ensuring they have the most up-to-date cover. If you have other Tower policies, we’ll let you know of any changes to each of your policies in another ‘heads up’ email, or in your renewal email. We’re sending an individual email for each policy so you may receive more than one.
Nothing for now. But in the next week you’ll receive your Tower renewal email with your Certificate of Insurance showing your premium, excess and other important details.
- your excess, as it may have changed,
- your contents sum insured, to make sure it’s right for you. Estimate the value of your contents.
Find out more about our journey to better.