Cover that keeps up with your renovations

Doing a reno, big or small? Our Contract works – Renovation cover can help protect your project from start to finish. Consider this cover if your renovation costs more than what's covered under your House insurance minor renovation benefit, or if the work needs council consent. From storm damage to stolen materials, our cover helps protect your project against sudden and accidental loss or damage while the work is underway.

  • protect

    One event, one excess

    Pay only the highest excess if one mishap means claims on multiple eligible policies.

  • _house

    On-site cover

    Know that your reno equipment and materials are covered from the moment they arrive.

  • natural disaster damage

    Nature-proof cover

    Relax knowing your reno work is covered from natural disaster damage during the construction period. 

  • policies

    Policies made simple

    No one likes jargon. Our easy-to-understand policies are plain language certified.

Policy terms, excesses, limits and exclusions apply. Cover subject to current underwriting criteria.

Our Contract works - Renovation cover policy includes

This is a summary only. For all of these benefits, please make sure you read the policy wording to understand the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that may apply.

Contract works - Renovation cover

Renovation cover 

Up to your chosen sum insured

Renovation cover
Up to your chosen sum insured
Existing structures cover 

Sum insured value as per existing house policy

We’ll cover loss to your existing house if it’s caused by the renovation project work.
Existing structures cover
We’ll cover loss to your existing house if it’s caused by the renovation project work.
Sum insured value as per existing house policy
Loss during the maintenance period 

Renovation contract amount

We’ll pay for damage discovered up to 12 months after the end of the construction period.
Loss during the maintenance period
We’ll pay for damage discovered up to 12 months after the end of the construction period.
Renovation contract amount
Natural disaster damage 

Renovation contract amount

We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to the renovation work during the construction period.
Natural disaster damage
We’ll pay for natural disaster damage to the renovation work during the construction period.
Renovation contract amount
Principal’s supplied materials 

Amount specified on certificate of insurance

We’ll pay for loss to the goods, materials, or equipment you buy for the renovation, once they’re delivered to your house.
Principal’s supplied materials
We’ll pay for loss to the goods, materials, or equipment you buy for the renovation, once they’re delivered to your house.
Amount specified on certificate of insurance
Increased costs during construction 

Up to 2.5% of renovation contract

After a partial loss covered by the policy, we'll contribute to variations caused by this loss in the insured contract price, including increases in the cost of labour, goods and materials.
Increased costs during construction
After a partial loss covered by the policy, we'll contribute to variations caused by this loss in the insured contract price, including increases in the cost of labour, goods and materials.
Up to 2.5% of renovation contract
Increased costs during re-construction 

Up to 2.5% of renovation contract

After a total loss covered by the policy, we'll contribute to variations caused by this loss in the insured contract price, including increases in the cost of labour, goods and materials. 
Increased costs during re-construction
After a total loss covered by the policy, we'll contribute to variations caused by this loss in the insured contract price, including increases in the cost of labour, goods and materials. 
Up to 2.5% of renovation contract
Professional fees 

Up to 5% of renovation contract

We’ll pay for the professional fees required to rectify a loss – like architects, engineers, or surveyors.
Professional fees
We’ll pay for the professional fees required to rectify a loss – like architects, engineers, or surveyors.
Up to 5% of renovation contract
Removal of debris 

Up to 10% of renovation contract

We’ll pay for any necessary dismantling, demolishing and removal of debris after a loss.
Removal of debris
We’ll pay for any necessary dismantling, demolishing and removal of debris after a loss.
Up to 10% of renovation contract
One event, one excess 
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
One event, one excess
Pay only one excess when claiming on multiple eligible policies for a single event. The highest excess applies.
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Tower translates

We know insurance lingo can be a bit confusing. While our policies are WriteMark™ approved, we've put our heads together to explain some common terms.

Check out our translations

Contract works - Renovation cover FAQs

What's the difference between Renovation cover and Contract works insurance?

There's no difference. Contract works insurance is the common name for cover that protects building projects, including renovations, alterations, extensions, and other construction work. We've simply used the term Renovation cover to make it easier to understand.

When should I consider Contract works - Renovation cover?

If you're renovating or altering your home, consider Contract works - Renovation cover insurance when the project scope and costs exceed your House insurance - House under minor renovation benefit. Check your policy wording or My Tower for your limits.

What do I need to buy Contract works - Renovation cover?

You need to have a current Tower House insurance policy to buy Contract works - Renovation cover at Tower.

To apply for cover, you'll need details about your renovation, including when the work will start and when any pre-purchased materials are expected to be delivered. 

Contract works - Renovation cover needs to be in place before renovation work begins and as soon as materials arrive. 

If you apply for Contract works - Renovation cover after work has started, we may not be able to offer cover, and any damage that's already happened won't be covered. 

Contact us to discuss your options.

Is my renovation insurance covered by my builder or tradesperson?

You'll need to check with your builder about what is included in your contract. 

If your builder is organising your contract works cover, it's important that you check that there's coverage for existing structures (the house) and that the right liability insurance for the project is in place.

How much should I insure my renovation for?

Your Contract works sum insured amount should reflect the total value of your renovation project. This includes the cost of the building work, as well as any material, fixtures, fittings, or appliances that will be used in the project.

If you're supplying any of these items yourself, make sure they're included in your cover. In a Contract works policy, these are called Principal's supplied goods.

Does the policy cover the quality of work completed?

This policy covers sudden and accidental physical loss or damage that happens during your project. It doesn't cover problems with the quality of work completed. If you have concerns about the workmanship, you'll need to discuss them with your tradesperson.

What are Principal's supplied goods?

The policyholder is also known as the Principal. If you buy material, fixtures, fittings, appliances, or other items for your project yourself, rather than have them supplied by your contractors, these are called Principal's supplied goods.

To make sure they're covered, include their value when you apply for your insurance.

If the cost of the work increases during the project, can the sum insured be adjusted?

Yes, but it's important to let us know before any additional costs are incurred, so we can make sure your cover remains appropriate for your project. 

Does the policy cover any increased costs of the project?

No, our Contract works - Renovation cover policy doesn't cover project cost increases unless those extra costs are caused by sudden and accidental loss or damage to the project works. 

For all other project cost increases, you'll need to pay those extra costs yourself.

What if my project takes longer than planned?

Contact us as soon as you know your project won't be completed before your cover ends. If your policy is still active, we may be able to extend your cover until the work is finished.

What if there was damage caused during the project that wasn't discovered until after it was completed?

Your policy includes cover for damage that happened during the renovation but wasn't discovered until after the construction period ended. 

This cover applies during the maintenance period, which runs for 12 months after the end of the construction period.

What happens if work doesn't start, or I decide not to do these renovations?

Call us on 0800 379 372, and we'll cancel the policy from the start date and refund any premium payments you've made.

Is there anything I need to do while work is progressing?

Talk to us if anything changes in the work being done. Sometimes people may extend the work to renovate beyond what they initially planned or discover things that need to be fixed along the way. It's important to let us know so we can help make sure the appropriate insurance cover is in place.