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Complicated is out

Your current policy compared with your new WriteMark™ Plain Language Standard approved policy, plus answers to some questions you may have.

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FAQs
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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?

What we pay

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

Moving house - cover for your contents in transit

Your current contents policy

Optional

Your new Contents Plus policy

Includes 14 days of cover at both houses

What's changed?

Improved

Children's contents (left at your house when children have moved out)

Your current contents policy

Optional

Your new Contents Plus policy

What's changed?

Improved

Contents in temporary storage

Your current contents policy

Optional

Your new Contents Plus policy

$20,000

What's changed?

Improved

Home office equipment

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

Jewellery replacement

Your current contents policy

Present day value

Your new Contents Plus policy

Replacement value

What's changed?

Improved

Keys and locks lost or stolen

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

Liability protection

Your current contents policy

$1 million

Your new Contents Plus policy

$20 million

What's changed?

Improved

No excess for spectacles (prescription glasses), contact lenses, hearing aids and dentures

Your current contents policy

Optional

Your new Contents Plus policy

What's changed?

Improved

Unoccupied houses

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

One event - one excess

Your current contents policy

Your new Contents Plus policy

What's changed?

Same

No claims bonus

Your current contents policy

Your new Contents Plus policy

What's changed?

Same

Temporary accommodation

Your current contents policy

$25,000

Your new Contents Plus policy

$25,000

What's changed?

Same

Unspecified jewellery, per item

Your current contents policy

$2,500

Your new Contents Plus policy

$2,500. Higher values can be specified

What's changed?

Same

Jewellery (including watches), total value from any one event if not specified

Your current contents policy

$15,000

Your new Contents Plus policy

$15,000. Higher values can be specified

What's changed?

Same

Limit for any one item or set, that hasn’t been specified

Your current contents policy

$10,000

Your new Contents Plus policy

$5,000. Higher values can be specified

What's changed?

Reduced

Business tools

Your current contents policy

Optional. $2,000

Your new Contents Plus policy

No cover

What's changed?

Reduced

Gradual damage to your contents

Your current contents policy

$2,500

Your new Contents Plus policy

$2,000

What's changed?

Reduced

Mobile phone

Your current contents policy

Your new Contents Plus policy

Covered up to $1,000. A higher value can be specified

What's changed?

Reduced

Domestic pet damage

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.

FAQs

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.

No, this policy will no longer be available as we’re phasing out old policies and moving customers to our latest cover. We’re recommending you move to our Contents Plus Cover as this is our closest match to your current policy. However, we also have other options that may suit you better. Compare our latest contents policies.
See our policy comparison table to see what these key changes are, and what’s staying the same. The Contents Plus Cover is similar to your current policy but there are some differences to note, such as these new benefits:
  • 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.
How much you can claim for certain things will be reduced, for example:
  • 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.

Please make sure you read it carefully and check;

Find out more about our journey to better.