An insurance broker, like Clarity Insurance Brokers, works for you, the client, not the insurance company. We assess your unique needs, shop the market for suitable policies from various insurers, and provide expert advice to help you make an informed decision. An insurance company, on the other hand, sells and services its own products exclusively.

Using a broker saves you time and money. We have access to a wide range of products and can negotiate better terms and pricing on your behalf. More importantly, we provide professional, unbiased advice and act as your advocate during the claims process.

We are generally paid a commission by the insurance company for placing your business with them. This is built into the premium you pay, so you don't pay a separate fee for our core services. We will always be transparent about our compensation.

We recommend reviewing your policies at least once a year, or whenever you have a significant life event. This includes moving house, starting a family, purchasing a new vehicle or business assets, or changing jobs.

Personal Lines insurance covers the risks you face in your daily life. This includes things like your home, car, personal belongings, and personal liability.

Sum insured is a fixed amount agreed upon when you take out the policy. This is the maximum you'll be paid if your car is written off. Market value is what your car is worth on the open market at the time of the loss, factoring in its age, condition, and mileage.

Yes, if you own a rental property, it's crucial to have specific landlord insurance. This covers not just the building and its contents, but also risks unique to landlords, such as loss of rent, malicious damage by tenants, or liability claims.

Flood coverage can vary. Most standard New Zealand house insurance policies include some level of flood coverage, but it's essential to check your policy wording for specific details, exclusions, and limitations.

The sum insured for a house is the estimated cost to rebuild your home from the ground up, not its market value. We can help you use online tools and our expertise to calculate a realistic rebuild cost to avoid being underinsured.

Contents insurance covers the personal belongings inside your home, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and appliances. Some policies also offer cover for items temporarily taken out of the home.

Standard contents policies often have limits on high-value items like bicycles. If your bicycle is worth more than the specified limit, you may need to list it separately on your policy to ensure it's fully covered.

Yes, most policies will cover a licensed driver using your car with your permission. However, any accident they cause would be claimed against your policy, potentially impacting your no-claims bonus and future premiums.

An excess is the amount you pay towards a claim. A higher excess typically results in a lower premium, while a lower excess will increase your premium. We can help you find a balance that suits your budget and risk tolerance.

Yes, typically your house policy will cover your in-ground swimming pool and permanently installed spa as part of the total building sum insured. However, a portable spa may need to be covered under your contents policy. We recommend confirming with us to be sure.

Public Liability insurance protects your business from legal costs and compensation claims if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities. It's a fundamental part of a business's risk management strategy.

If your business depends on a physical location or specific equipment to generate revenue, then Business Interruption insurance is essential. It covers your loss of income and extra operating expenses following a major event, such as a fire or flood.

Professional Indemnity insurance is for businesses that provide advice or a professional service. It protects you against legal costs and damages resulting from a claim of negligence or breach of professional duty.

Standard contents insurance often only covers equipment at your business address. You may need to add "portable equipment" or "goods in transit" cover to your policy to ensure your gear is protected when it's away from your premises.

Statutory Liability insurance protects your business against prosecution and fines for unintentional breaches of legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Cyber Liability insurance protects your business from financial losses and expenses related to data breaches and cyber attacks. It can cover costs like forensic investigations, data restoration, and legal fees.

Yes, most commercial motor vehicle policies will cover any licensed employee driving the vehicle for business purposes. However, it's crucial to check your policy for specific terms, conditions, and driver exclusions.

Yes, even if your landlord has building insurance, it won't cover your business's assets or liabilities. You'll need your own policy to protect your contents, stock, and business activities.

In New Zealand, the terms are often used interchangeably. However, some insurers may define Public Liability as covering third-party injury or property damage, while General Liability may also include other coverages like product liability. We can clarify the specific coverage for you.

In New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides comprehensive no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealanders, including employees. Therefore, you do not need separate "Workers' Compensation" insurance. However, you will need Employer's Liability insurance to cover claims not handled by ACC.

Fidelity Guarantee insurance covers your business for financial losses caused by the fraudulent acts of an employee, such as theft of money or goods.

You would require a combination of covers, including Public Liability, which often has a Products Liability extension to cover injuries or damage caused by your manufactured products. Other key covers would include material damage for your assets and business interruption.

The first step is to contact us immediately. We will guide you through the process, help you complete the necessary paperwork, and communicate with the insurer on your behalf. This ensures the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

An excess is the contribution you pay towards a claim. For example, if your claim is for $5,000 and your policy has a $500 excess, the insurer will pay $4,500 and you will pay $500.

A claim may affect your future premiums or no-claims bonus. However, it's why you have insurance in the first place! We will discuss the potential impact with you and help you understand your options.

We would review your policy to ensure that specialized and high-value smart home equipment (e.g., integrated security systems, lighting, and automation) is properly accounted for and covered, both for its value and potential liability risks.

While our primary service is for our own clients, we are often able to provide advice and a second opinion on existing claims, especially if you are considering switching to our services. We believe in providing value and building relationships, even before you become a client.

Probably not. Standard home and contents policies typically have exclusions for business-related property. We would recommend a separate commercial policy to properly cover your business assets.

Yes. Your personal insurance won't cover your business liabilities, assets, or loss of income if something goes wrong. We can help you find a tailored policy that covers you for public liability, professional indemnity, and business property.

As a licensed financial advice provider, we are governed by strict regulations and the Privacy Act 2020. Your information is held securely and is only shared with insurers for the purpose of getting you a quote or placing a policy. We will never sell or misuse your data.

Standard contents policies often have limits on the value of single items. We recommend you get these items professionally valued and have them specified on your policy to ensure they are fully covered.

We continuously monitor the market to find the best value for our clients. We can explore options like increasing your excess, bundling policies with the same insurer, or switching insurers to help you manage premium increases without compromising on cover.

Absolutely. One of our core roles is to translate complex policy wording into plain English. We'll walk you through the key terms, conditions, and exclusions so you know exactly what you're covered for.

The biggest mistake is focusing solely on the price. A cheaper premium often means less coverage, a higher excess, or significant exclusions. We believe in finding the right balance between comprehensive cover and affordability to ensure you're truly protected when you need it most.

Yes, most insurers offer a free-look or cooling-off period, typically 14 days, during which you can review your policy and cancel it for a full refund if you change your mind, provided you haven't made a claim.

We recommend getting a quote for both building and contents insurance as soon as your offer is accepted. You'll need building insurance in place on the day you take possession of the property. We can help guide you through this process to ensure a smooth transaction.

New Zealand has a strong regulatory environment. Most insurers are financially sound and reinsured to protect against such events. In the rare instance this happens, we would work with the regulators and a new insurer to ensure a seamless transfer of your policy.