Future-proofing your portfolio:
Smart moves insight VI
In this final chapter of our Smart Moves series, Graeme Fowler reflects on the future of property insurance and what landlords can do now to stay ahead, no matter what the market throws their way.
Do you spend much time thinking about where insurance is heading?
“Not really—but I do make sure I’m ready to adapt when things change. You can’t control the market, but you can make sure your foundations are solid.”
Graeme’s approach is simple: focus on what you can control. That means keeping your policies current, reviewing your cover annually, and ensuring your paperwork is in order—especially as your portfolio grows or changes.
What do you think landlords should be doing to future-proof their portfolios?
“Keep your policies up to date. Review your sum insured. Don’t let cover lapse just because you’ve had a quiet run. Disasters don’t check your calendar.”
Graeme recommends making policy reviews a yearly habit, particularly after renovations or new purchases. He also stresses the importance of maintaining enough cover to reflect today’s rebuild costs—not the prices from five years ago.
Managing this doesn’t have to be hard. With initio, you can renew your policy, adjust your excess, update cover, or add new properties—all in just a few clicks. You can check and update your sum insured anytime using our digital tools and calculators, with helpful articles to guide you through.
- Tips on calculating your sum insured
- Why does my rebuild cost change?
- Use the Cordell Sum insured calculator
Are there trends landlords should be watching?
“The cost of insurance is likely to keep rising. That’s just the reality. So work it into your numbers—don’t treat it like a surprise.”
Graeme points out that premiums, like everything else, are being affected by inflation, labour shortages, and increased risk exposure. And while you can’t change these external forces, you can plan for them.
Any final advice for new or growing landlords?
“Don’t treat insurance like a checkbox. It’s not something you do once and forget about. Make it part of your overall strategy—protect what you’re building.”
That mindset is key. Insurance isn’t just a cost—it’s a tool to protect your investment, preserve your cashflow, and reduce uncertainty. Whether you’re insuring one property or a large portfolio, the goal should be the same: stay covered, stay compliant, and stay in control.
Final thoughts from initio
Managing your insurance is designed to be easy and on your terms. No paperwork, no phone calls, no waiting around. Just fast, flexible, and fully online insurance that fits the way you work.
We’ve built a platform for property investors who value control, speed, and transparency – because we’re investors too, and we know the frustrations of traditional insurance. Whether you’re updating your cover, adding a new property, or making a claim, everything is in your hands, 24/7.
You get real-time quotes that reflect up-to-date risk and levy data, automated policy updates, instant documentation, and built-in tools to help you manage rebuild costs and risk exposure.
Complex insurance, made simple (finally!). That’s the initio way.
Thanks for following the Smart Moves Series.
Want more insights from experienced investors? Keep an eye on our blog for upcoming interviews, case studies, and landlord resources.
Want the quick version?
We’ve pulled together the key takeaways from this series into our Landlord Insurance Fundamentals Guide—including a bite-sized version of our interview with Graeme Fowler. It’s a great place to start if you’re after a practical overview of insurance essentials for NZ landlords. Read it here
Related support articles:
- Calculate your sum insured
- Cordell Sum insured calculator
- Why insurance is non-negotiable. Smart moves, part I
- Smart strategies for premium, excess and payment timing. Smart moves, part II
- Inspections, paperwork and claim readiness: Smart moves, part III
- How to think about risk (and why location isn’t everything): Smart moves, part IV
- Is self-insurance ever worth it? Smart moves, part V