Moving between Wellington and Auckland isn’t just about swapping your wind jacket for a raincoat. These days, it’s also about understanding why your contents insurance might suddenly cost more—or less. As more Kiwis relocate between our two biggest cities, many are noticing surprising shifts in their insurance premiums. While both cities present unique challenges—Wellington’s fault lines and Auckland’s unpredictable weather—insurers assess these risks differently. This guide unpacks why your postcode matters when it comes to protecting your belongings and explores the factors driving the cost differences between these two cities. Whether you’re planning a move or just curious about why your premium differs from your cousin’s across the Strait, we’ll break down what’s influencing the market right now.
Why does location matter for contents insurance?
When it comes to contents insurance premiums, the biggest factor is risk—the higher the risk, the higher the premium. Your location plays a major role in how insurers calculate your premiums. Both Wellington and Auckland present unique challenges, meaning the cost of protecting your belongings can vary significantly based on where you live.
Want to understand more about contents insurance? Check out our further reading section below.
Average contents insurance premiums: Wellington vs. Auckland
According to recent data from the Quashed Index, the average contents insurance premium in New Zealand is $844 per year as of Q3 2024. The chart below illustrates how location impacts these costs.
Where you live can significantly affect your premium, as insurers assess risks differently across regions:
Wellington: The average contents insurance premium in Wellington is $1,054 per year, according to the Quashed Index. This higher cost is primarily due to earthquake risk, which increases insurers' perceived exposure to potential damage.
Auckland: In contrast, Auckland’s average contents insurance premium is $755 per year. While the city faces weather-related risks, such as storms and flooding, the absence of major earthquake exposure generally keeps premiums lower.
Curious about how to save on contents insurance? Check out our further reading section below.
Key factors affecting premiums
So why do premiums vary between Wellington and Auckland? Let’s break it down:
Natural Disasters
Wellington: One of the primary reasons for Wellington's higher premiums is the risk of earthquakes. Located on a fault line, Wellington is prone to seismic activity, which insurers factor into premiums.
Auckland: While Auckland isn’t at risk for earthquakes like Wellington, it’s still vulnerable to severe weather events, such as storms and occasional flooding. While these can still cause damage, the risk of catastrophic loss is generally lower than in Wellington.
Crime rates
Auckland: According to recent data from PoliceData.nz, Auckland recorded 118,046 total reported crimes in 2024, with 85,277 theft incidents and 19,829 burglaries. In contrast, Wellington had 12,072 total reported crimes, including 8,584 thefts and 1,799 burglaries. These crime rate differences contribute to variations in insurance premiums as insurers assess burglary risk when pricing policies.
Wellington: Wellington’s lower crime rate helps offset the higher premiums associated with earthquake risk, making burglary-related premiums more affordable.
Population density and property type
Auckland: With a higher population density, many people in Auckland live in apartments or rental properties. These can sometimes reduce premiums thanks to added security features, like controlled entry or security cameras. However, shared walls and neighbouring tenants can increase the risk of accidental damage, which insurers take into account.
Wellington: Wellington has more older homes, especially in central areas like Mount Victoria or Aro Valley. Older homes can result in higher premiums due to the risk of damage during natural disasters, like earthquakes, and potential structural weaknesses.
How can I lower my contents insurance costs?
Whether you're in Auckland or Wellington, here are some tips to help lower your contents insurance premiums:
Increase your excess: Choosing a higher excess can lower your premiums. Just ensure it’s an amount you’re comfortable paying if you need to make a claim.
Improve security: Installing security features like deadbolts, window locks, or security cameras can help reduce your premiums. Auckland renters, in particular, may benefit from these upgrades in higher-crime areas.
Shop around: Different insurers weigh risk factors differently. Using Quashed to compare contents insurance prices in real time.
Review your coverage: Make sure you're not overinsuring. Check that your contents insurance reflects the actual value of your belongings, and make adjustments as needed.
How Quashed can help
When it comes to contents insurance, Quashed makes it easy. Here’s how:
Real-time comparisons: Quashed lets you compare real-time contents insurance quotes from multiple insurers, giving you up-to-date pricing to help you make an informed decision.
Personalisation: Quashed helps you tailor your search based on your location and needs.
Clear & easy-to-understand: No more complex jargon. Quashed breaks down your options in simple terms, making it easy to understand exactly what’s included in each policy.
Save time: Forget spending hours searching for quotes. Quashed makes insurance easier by allowing you to see multiple quotes in one place.
Wondering if you're overpaying for insurance?
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Further reading
Here are some helpful reads:
Complete Guide to Contents Insurance: A 101 explainer guide for Kiwis.
Key Considerations with Contents Insurance: A how-to guide for those wanting more.
Contents Insurance Costs: Learn more about the costs.
Lower your Contents Insurance Costs: Useful tips on reducing those costs!
FAQs
Can moving house affect my contents insurance premium?
Yes, moving can affect your premium since insurers assess risks differently based on location. For instance, moving from Wellington to Auckland might lower your premium due to a reduced earthquake risk, while relocating to a high-crime area could increase it. Always update your insurer when you move to ensure continuous coverage.
Are theft and burglary covered by contents insurance?
Yes, contents insurance typically covers theft and burglary in both Wellington and Auckland. However, premiums may be higher in Auckland because of the increased risk of break-ins.
How can I reduce my premiums?
You can lower premiums by raising your excess, improving security measures, and bundling policies. Consider the earthquake risk carefully and ensure your coverage is sufficient.
Should I get additional coverage for natural disasters in Wellington?
It’s wise to ensure your contents insurance includes adequate coverage for earthquake damage. Speak with your insurer about specific add-ons for additional protection.
What makes Quashed different from other comparison sites?
Quashed offers a unique experience by allowing you to compare insurance quotes in real time across multiple insurers. This gives you an up-to-date and transparent view of all available options, so you can make the most informed decision. To find out more, read our blog.
