Inspections, paperwork and claim readiness:
Smart moves, part III
In this third instalment, we shift gears from payment strategies to practical protection. Graeme Fowler shares the habits that help landlords avoid disputes, speed up claims, and stay on top of their obligations, starting with inspections.
How important are regular inspections?
“Very. You should be inspecting every three months, no excuses. If something goes wrong and you can’t show a pattern of regular checks, you could run into problems during a claim.”
Graeme says inspections aren’t just about identifying damage, they’re also about proving you’ve taken reasonable steps to manage risk. This becomes especially important if a claim is disputed or complex.
What kind of documentation helps at claim time?
“Keep your paperwork tidy – inspection reports, tenancy agreements, anything that proves what’s happening at the property. When you do need to make a claim, it makes life much easier.”
Graeme has seen how missing or disorganised documents can cause claim delays – or worse, denials. His approach: prepare like you’ll need it, even if you never do.
From initio: Quarterly inspections are a requirement under our landlord policy. We recommend keeping clear records and photos. While we don’t currently offer a document upload feature, we suggest using a service like myRent to store these securely. As well as acting as a digital filing cabinet, myRent also helps with tenant communication, rent collection, inspection reminders, and more – making it a handy tool for busy NZ landlords. They also offer helpful guidance on how to handle your first routine inspection. Learn more about your obligations as a landlord here.
Any other overlooked mistakes landlords should avoid?
“Choosing a really low excess thinking it’s safer. But it often just means you’re paying more in premiums – and if you’re unlikely to claim, it doesn’t make sense.”
Graeme says newer landlords sometimes prioritise a lower excess out of caution, but over time that strategy can backfire.
From initio: You can update your excess at any time through your online policy dashboard. We’ll show you the premium difference in real time so you can make an informed choice.
What about monthly payments?
“They’re convenient, but they tend to cost more. If you can pay annually, do it.”
While this topic was covered earlier in the series, it’s worth reinforcing: consistent cost-saving habits (like paying annually) make a difference when you own multiple properties.
From initio: Annual payments are the most cost-effective option. We clearly show the difference between monthly and annual payment on our quick quote tool, so you can choose what works for you.
Coming up next in the Smart Moves Series:
How to think about risk – why location isn’t everything when it comes to insurance.
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
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