Media ReleaseMarch 2014
Consumer Survey Illuminates Problem of Widespread Home Underinsurance
More data about an incipient crisis in the national housing market is emerging, with a survey of 459 older New Zealand
homeowners showing that two-thirds mistakenly believe they are insured for the true cost of rebuild. In fact, a group of
quantity surveyors says, its own assessment of more than 25,000 residential properties has found that nearly all
homeowners are underinsured, most by around 25% of rebuild cost and some by up to 50%.
The responses to a range of questions show that homeowners are largely uncertain about the effects of – and risks posed
by – recent changes to insurance guidelines.
The survey was conducted in December 2013 by the lifestyle website for 50-plus New Zealanders, grownups.co.nz.
Ninety-six percent of respondents reported having home insurance, and 82% own their home freehold. Most – 62% -
indicated that they are confident they are insured for the true cost and value of rebuild, while 9% believe they are
overinsured and 29% underinsured.
The findings follow the recent warning by Construction Cost Consultants about the extent of home underinsurance
following the issuance in July 2013 of new guidelines requiring a ‘sum insured’ to be nominated by homeowners.
The company noted that the majority of homeowners who have cover are at least 25% short of the rebuild cost, having
accepted the default sum provided by banks and insurers. It further estimated that at least $167 billion worth of
residential property is currently not insured for rebuild.
Based on data it has received from its partners in the financial services sector, including many major banks and
insurers, Construction Cost Consultants says 93% of homeowners who have renewed their policies since July 2013 have
accepted the default sum provided by their insurer. Of the remaining 7%, most are using an online calculator to nominate
their own sum, and a small minority are seeking assessments from property valuers or quantity surveyors.
Gary Caulfield, managing director of Construction Cost Consultants Residential, says the survey results show the gap in
understanding that is putting Kiwi homeowners at risk.
“The new guidelines have only been in place for six months, and in our view there has not been a sufficient degree of
education to ensure homeowners are covered for the full cost of rebuild. Insurers and banks are doing their best in
response to new demands from reinsurers, but to put the onus back on homeowners, few of whom have the necessary
expertise to assess their own number correctly, leaves an enormous amount of personal wealth unprotected.”
The survey responses also indicated that there is no first port of call for advice on the new requirements. When asked
who they would talk to in order to understand the new home insurance guidelines, answers ranged from valuation companies
and insurers to friends and family members, builders and architects, real estate agents, financial advisers and online
calculators. And while 83% said they know what a quantity surveyor is and does, only 57% reported knowing the difference
between a QS report and a bank valuer report for their home.
Fact Sheet
Further findings from the grownups.co.nz survey:
• When asked whether they had accepted the default sum option in their last insurance policy renewal package, 11% of survey respondents said yes and 44% no,
and another 44% weren’t sure;
• When asked whether they would accept a ‘default sum’ if it were provided, 9% said yes, 40% said no, and 52% said they weren’t sure;
• Fifty-one percent of survey respondents said knew how to measure their home for a valuation with a tape measure
and calculator, and 49% did not. Overall, they were averse to the online calculators available, with 65% believing
calculators do not provide an accurate cost of rebuild.
Before engaging a quantity surveyor, a homeowner should request evidence of:
• Professional qualifications – NZIQS (New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors) membership, QSI (Quantity
Surveyors Institute), RICS
• Professional indemnity insurance;
• Track record / experience in the field;
• Format of insurance report (ie is it approved by ICNZ);
• Warranty and guarantee of insurance report for a fixed term (Construction Cost Consultants guarantees reports
for two years from date of issue);
• Content of insurance report and what it will provide, ie detail breakdown of costs.
Construction Cost Consultants’ most frequently asked questions:
•Will my insurance premium go up? This depends on whether the insurance report finds that the current level of cover needs to increase to reflect the
cost of rebuild. On average, every additional $50,000 worth of cover costs approximately $75.
•How often am I required to seek an assessment for insurance? Insurance policies must be renewed annually. However, insurance reports by Construction Cost Consultants cover a
two-year period.
•How long does it take to get a report? The time from request for survey to issue of report is approximately 10 days.
•Will my insurance report / increased insurance premium affect my rates? No. The information is solely for the person who orders the report, and is not provided to any third party by
Construction Cost Consultants.
•Does the survey include decks, outbuildings, swimming pools and so on? Yes. Everything except land is assessed for construction cost and included in the report.
ends