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Such as a bedroom or a self-contained unit/area? 

If you have a part of your property that you sometimes rent out short-term whilst you are not using it yourself, renting out part of your home means you need the right insurance to protect your entire property, rental income, and liability to any guests.

What counts as short-term renting, for insurance?

Short-term renting is lets of up to 90 days per guest stay. This could be via platforms like Airbnb or other short-term rental arrangements. When the space isn’t being rented, you or your friends and family use it. If a guest books in for a stay longer than 90 days, it is classed as long term and the property should then be insured under our Landlord Insurance product.

Does this match your situation?

• The area (unit/bedroom) is used for short-term lets between your own use.
• This could be an occasional Airbnb, but;
  • You must use the area yourself (or friends and family do) between paying guests

What insurance do you need?

For this setup, you’ll only need one insurance policy that covers your home and the short-term rental use. This is called an own home, partially rented policy, and it provides cover for both your personal use and rental activities.

Own Home, Partially Rented insurance

What does this policy cover?

Having the right policy means you’re covered for:

• Your home – Protection for your home including the area sometimes let.
• Short-term rental risks – Cover for things like accidental damage caused by guests, loss of rents and your liability to guests 
• Loss of rent – If a guest cancels or you’re unable to rent the space due to an insured event, you’ll be covered for lost income.

Get covered today

With initio, you can get a quick quote and buy insurance online in minutes, making it easy to ensure your property is fully protected. Getting a quote and buying insurance online with us is easy, but our cover is anything but basic. We offer comprehensive protection to ensure you’re fully covered.

Own Home, Partially Rented insurance

Why is this policy important?

Standard home insurance might not cover short-term renting, leaving you exposed to potential financial risks. A policy designed for partial rental use ensures you’re protected, whether you’re welcoming guests or enjoying the space yourself.

Need help? If you’re unsure about what policies are right for your situation, contact us to make sure you’re fully protected.

Get covered today with initio – Quick quotes, easy online cover.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Maybe some of these other scenarios suit you better:

• Do you have a second dwelling on your property that you rent out?
• Renting out a second dwelling solely for short-term stays
• Insurance for a non-rented second home on your property
• Second dwelling on your property that your family lives in
• Renting out two dwellings on your property

Hosting short-term guests introduces unique risks. Most insurance companies are cautious about rented holiday homes so before letting out your home or listing your property on platforms like Airbnb or Bachcare, it’s important that you confirm your policy covers holiday bookings.

Effects on insurance costs

If you host paying guests, and you tell your insurer, they will likely adjust your coverage. Be sure to inform your insurer about your hosting activities and understand the implications for your policy. Many insurers, including initio, may increase premiums or excesses due to the additional guest-related risk. Some insurers may exclude coverage for guests entirely, leaving you at risk of being uninsured. It’s best to review your policy or contact your insurer if you’re unsure.  Make sure your insurer is aware that you rent out your holiday home.

What qualifies as a holiday home, for insurance purposes?

To qualify as a holiday home, the owner must;

• Use the property themselves as a holiday home, and;
• Have the right to occupy the property at will, and;
• Store personal belongings at the home.   

A holiday home can be used by:

• The owner, at any time.
• Friends and family.
• Tenants on a periodic basis, including short-term paying guests (stays with durations of less than 90 days).  

These criteria ensure the property remains under your control and qualifies as a holiday home with your insurance provider and meets the requirements for cover provided by the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC, previously EQC).  

How property management can affect your insurance

Using a property management company under a full management contract can impact your insurance. If the property manager has full control, you may lose the right to occupy the property, which can disqualify it from being considered a holiday home, and makes it ineligible for Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) coverage.  You must check your agreement with your property management provider as it may mean that you have assigned control cover to the manager and you no longer have the ability to occupy it when you wish.  

An insurer cannot provide domestic house insurance cover for a holiday home that does not meet the conditions of cover for the NHC. 

Understanding NHC cover: The Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) provides special insurance protection for the home against natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, and unlike your house insurance policy, it also extends to cover land damage.  To qualify, your property must meet specific criteria, including being under your control as a holiday home. For detailed information, refer to the NHC guidelines.

What if your property does not qualify as a holiday home under the NHC legislation?

If your home does not meet the NHC definition of a holiday home, to obtain cover you will likely need a commercial property insurance provider to structure insurance that covers the building, loss of income and liability risk.  

Does landlord insurance cover short-term rentals like Airbnb?

No, our landlord insurance is designed for standard long-term residential tenancies only. It doesn’t cover properties used for short-term rental activity such as Airbnb or Bookabach.

If you rent out your own home (where you live) occasionally on Airbnb, you may be eligible for cover under our Own Home, Sometimes Rented policy. Similarly, if you have a family bach or holiday home that you occasionally let to paying guests, it may be suitable for our Holiday Home insurance – sometimes rented – just make sure to select the option for short-stay rentals when quoting.

Short-term rental properties that operate like a business typically require commercial insurance, which isn’t available through initio. Learn more about the things we don’t cover at initio.

Doesn’t Airbnb’s ‘Host Guarantee’ cover me?

If you manage your property using Airbnb, you’re likely familiar with their Host Guarantee.

It’s important to understand that this guarantee isn’t a substitute for proper insurance. The Host Guarantee comes with limitations and might not cover everything you anticipate. It’s not equivalent to regular insurance and some hosts have discovered it doesn’t provide comparable protection. To ensure your property is fully covered against any damages or issues, having your own insurance policy is essential.

Airbnb’s Host Guarantee is not a traditional insurance policy but a conditional promise. It’s not regulated like insurance. Key requirements include:

• Report damage and file a claim within 14 days.
• Provide proof of ownership and, in some cases, a certified police report.

House Guarantee conditions can include:

• Only covers damage during the booking period.
• Coverage is limited to listed areas in your profile.
• Exclusions include damage from excessive utility use, animals, or pets.
• Rent loss cover only applies to confirmed bookings cancelled due to damage.

Given these limitations, Airbnb themselves recommends having a specialist insurance policy in addition to the Host Guarantee.

Everything’s in order, how do I get the right cover?

If you manage your holiday home yourself and meet the necessary NHC criteria, initio offers specialised cover for your holiday home  that is also used for short-term rentals. As the first in New Zealand to provide a house insurance policy specifically designed for holiday homes, Initio offers a hybrid house, contents, and guest insurance policy tailored for short-term rentals, without the strict conditions of a Host Guarantee.

Initio’s holiday home (with the additional short stay option) policy covers:

• The home itself for damage from things like flood, fire and storm (whether rented or not) 
• Accidental damage to the home by guests.
• Intentional damage by guests, up to $25,000 (e.g., if guests decide to damage walls deliberately) .
• Loss of rent for confirmed bookings cancelled due to the home becoming uninhabitable following insured damage, and also for loss of rent from unconfirmed bookings based on seasonal, area or your previous year’s use data) 
• Meth contamination from manufacturing, ie. contamination damage caused by an accidental incident in connection with the manufacture, distribution or storage (but only where the storage is in connection with supply or distribution) of methamphetamine at the home.
• Your legal liability to your guests for accidental damage and bodily injury.

These are the sort of protections you need when renting your home out to short-term guests.

Key takeaways

• Check your insurance: Ensure your policy covers holiday rentals before using platforms like Airbnb.
• Higher costs: Be prepared for higher premiums or excesses if your insurance covers guests.
• Host guarantee limits: Airbnb’s Host Guarantee has strict rules and limited coverage.
• Property Management impact: A property manager’s control might disqualify your home from holiday home insurance, check your agreement with the property manager and that you still comply with the NHC definition of a holiday home.
• Holiday Home rules: You must retain occupancy rights and keep belongings there to maintain holiday home status.
• Get the right insurance: Choose insurance designed for short-term rentals for better protection.
• Comprehensive coverage: Seek policies that cover guest damage, lost rent, meth contamination, and liability.

By managing your property with these factors in mind, you can better protect your holiday home and maintain your insurance coverage.

Holiday Home Insurance
Holiday Home vs Own Home

Related articles

• How to claim for intentional vandalism by tenants
• Should I get a property manager?
• Second dwelling on your property that you rent out?
• Help when your quote isn’t ‘straightforward’
• Should you rely on the Airbnb host guarantee?

If you own a property with two dwellings and rent them both out long-term (90 days or more per tenant), it’s important to have the right insurance to protect your investment. Whether the dwellings are separate or physically connected will determine the type of insurance you need.

What type of rental arrangement is this?

• Two homes, same site
• Both rented on long-term residential leases

What insurance do you need?

The right insurance depends on whether the dwellings are physically connected or separate:

If the dwellings are NOT physically connected (e.g., separate buildings on the same section):

• You’ll need two landlord insurance policies, one for each self-contained dwelling. Each policy will cover the specific rental risks of that property, including tenant-related damage, liability, and loss of rent.

Start by buying one landlord insurance policy, then add a second through your dashboard (instructions below)

Buy Landlord Insurance

If the dwellings ARE physically connected (e.g., one upstairs and one downstairs, or connected by a wall, roof, or garage):

• You can use our Multi-Unit Rental policy, which provides coverage for both units under a single policy. you’ll need to state the number of self-contained dwellings at the address. This helps ensure you get the right level of cover for your property setup. 

Buy Multi-unit Insurance

How to add a policy for a second dwelling on the same title:

1. Login to your dashboard and click on the ‘house insurance +’ button

2. Search for your home address & ‘see full quote’

   

3. On the full quote screen, click ‘back’ to edit the second dwelling’s details if needed.

   

   • If both properties are the same size or the details are already correct, no changes needed.

4. Once you go back, edit the property details, then click ‘continue’

   • This will adjust the quote to reflect the correct figures for the property.

Finish the quoting process from here per the usual process – Easy!

You can get a quick quote and buy insurance online in just a few minutes with initio. Make sure you choose the right policy based on whether your dwellings are separate or connected. Getting a quote and buying insurance online with us is easy, but our cover is anything but basic. We offer comprehensive protection to ensure you’re fully covered.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Maybe some of these other scenarios suit you better:

• Do you have a second dwelling on your property that you rent out?
• Renting out part of your home short-term
• Renting out a second dwelling solely for short-term stays
• Insurance for a non-rented second home on your property
• Second dwelling on your property that your family lives in

Most of the time, getting a quote with initio is fast and simple. But every now and then, something pops up that needs a closer look – whether it’s a map that doesn’t match your house, a question about flood zones, or a message saying your quote needs review. This guide covers the common situations that can make things a bit less straightforward, and what to do next if that happens.

Can’t find your address in the quote tool?

If your address doesn’t come up with the details you have entered, please use the blue option below the address box that then comes up showing as “I can’t find my address”.  Clicking on that option will let you enter both the house number and street manually.

If your property is a new build in a particularly new street, potentially our database may not be able to locate the street, if so, please give our team a call to obtain a quote.

Your website says my home is in an RMS flood zone. I called the council and they said I’m not?

It’s quite common for there to be differences between the flood risk assessments provided by initio (using RMS data) and those from your local council. RMS (Risk Management Solutions) uses advanced modelling techniques, recent data, and a national standardised approach, while councils may focus on specific local concerns and use different methodologies or older data. This means that RMS might identify risks not yet reflected in council maps, or vice versa. If you have concerns about these discrepancies, we encourage you to get in touch with our team for further clarification. You can reach the initio team through our contact page — it’s the best way to connect with the right person quickly. 

I don’t need flood cover, I live on a hill

Initio’s home insurance policies automatically include flood cover as part of the standard protection, and it cannot be removed or excluded, even if you live on a hill or believe your property is not at risk. This is because the policy is designed to provide comprehensive cover for all insured events, including those that may be unexpected.

Can you do risk-based pricing for my property specifically?

Initio uses risk-based pricing for its property insurance policies, which means your premium is calculated based on specific factors related to your property, such as location, construction type, and exposure to risks like flood or earthquake. However, the risk assessment is determined by initio’s underwriting and data models, and individual requests for manual risk adjustments or exclusions are not available. If you believe there is a significant error in how your property’s risk has been assessed, you can contact the initio team to discuss your situation further.

Why does the water supply matter?

The water supply matters because it affects the risk of significant damage in the event of a fire. Properties that are closer to a fire station and have better access to water are less likely to suffer extensive fire damage, which can result in lower insurance premiums. For example, a house next to a fire station will generally have a lower premium than one that is far from town and relies solely on rainwater tanks. This is one of several factors used by initio to calculate your house insurance premium. Learn more about how premiums are calculated

The map image above the quote is not my house

The map image shown above your quote on the initio website is generated automatically based on the address information you provide, and sometimes it may not display the exact property, especially for new builds or properties in recently developed areas. This image is for reference only and does not affect your insurance cover or the details of your policy. If you have concerns about your address or need to ensure your property is correctly identified, please get in touch with the initio team through our contact page 

Your website gave me a quote. Now it says you need to review it before you can provide cover. What do I do now?

If your quote shows that a review is required, it means our team needs to check some details about your property or situation before we can offer terms. This can happen for a few reasons, such as unique property features, location, or other risk factors.

To proceed:

1. From your quote, select either the annual or monthly option

2. Complete the online application form and submit it

Once submitted, a member of the initio team will review your application and contact you directly. There’s no obligation to purchase once the review is complete.

If you’d like to follow up or have any questions while you wait, get in touch with the Initio team through our contact page .

If you’re insuring more than one property with initio, please wait until the first application has been reviewed and the policy purchased before submitting the next. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to submit your next property directly from your new initio account, which keeps your portfolio together in one place.

Start a new quote or check your address

If you’re unsure about the details in your original quote, or just want to double-check your address and start fresh, it’s easy to get a new quote online. Our quote tool is quick, and you’ll be guided through the process in just a few steps. 

Get a quote

Related articles

• How to buy your first policy
• How to navigate your initio dashboard
• How to claim with initio
• How to get a quote with initio
• Insuring old homes

Wondering how to get your first policy with initio started?  This guide outlines the entire process from getting a quote to paying for your policy.

It takes you through the basic steps of quoting, customising and changing your cover, disclosing other information and making payment.

Once you have purchased your first policy with initio,  you get access to a personal dashboard where you can modify and manage all your policies online.

Get an instant quote – enter property address

If your address doesn’t come up with the details you have entered, please use the blue option below the address box that then comes up showing as “I can’t find my address”.  Clicking on that option will let you enter both the house number and street manually.

If your home is a new build in a particularly new street, potentially our database may not be able to locate the street, if so, please give our team a call to obtain a quote.

Select property use

If you’re uncertain about the type of property insurance that best suits your needs, visit our ‘Choosing Your Insurance‘ support page.  There, you’ll find detailed information and guidance to help you make an informed decision tailored to your unique circumstances.

Customise quote

From here you can edit the details of the quote and customise as required.  This can also be done from a home quote you have previously emailed yourself using the “restore” button.

Uncertain about the proper amount to insure your property for? We’ve designed a support page that walks you through the essential factors you need to consider regarding the sum insured.

Choosing the right amount of insurance for rebuilding your home is important. This amount should be what it costs to build your home again, not what your home is worth on the market. Don’t forget to include things like fences and swimming pools, and remember that building costs might go up over time. For example, if two neighbors with the same houses insure for too little or too much, they could lose money if their houses are destroyed. The right amount saves worry and money. Tools like the Cordel Sum Sure Calculator can help you figure out how much it might cost to rebuild your house.

If you’re wondering about how much excess you should have on your insurance policy, this support page covers some of the basics.  Many property owners choose to cover minor losses themselves, avoiding insurance claims for low-value damages. If this applies to you, consider raising your excess to $1,000 or $2,000 to save on premiums. Think about what you’re comfortable claiming for and your financial risk tolerance when selecting house insurance. Under initio’s landlord insurance, tenants only cover the excess on careless damage, so assess your comfort level with potential out-of-pocket expenses, and set your excess to match your ability to absorb those costs.

Insurance Start Date? Enter the date that you would like the cover to start from should you proceed with purchasing.  If it’s a new home, that should represent the sale’s settlement date.  If you’re changing from another insurer, use your existing expiry date.  Please note that we are only able to provide confirmed quotes for policies with effective dates of up to 30 days in advance.  If the effective date you need is more than 30 days ahead, please wait till you are closer to that time to quote/apply.

Once you are happy with your customised quote, you can either;

1. Email yourself a copy to save a copy of the quote
2. Proceed to purchase the policy by selecting either the “annual” or “monthly” payment option at the bottom of the quote.  Then follow the steps below.

Enter property details

A note about selecting start date of cover; ensure its the same date as the expiry/renewal date of your current policy to ensure cover continuity (or the settlement date if purchasing a new house)

Confirm your details

Complete online proposal form

Unsure if something may affect your cover? Disclose it

How to sign your application form

Use the device keyboard to type your name in full (as the person completing the form) in the space provided.

Review and make payment OR Application requires a review?

If the payment option isn’t offered it’s because a human will need to review the application for you.  Please continue to submit the application for review and we will aim to come back to you within one business day to let you know the status of the request.

Otherwise, if the payment option is available, you can either

• proceed to purchase the policy OR
• if you’re not ready to commit or haven’t yet bought the property, you can choose to download a “letter of intent” on this page.  The letter of intent simply outlines that based on the information provided we are able to insure the property when you’re ready.

ALL DONE! We will instantly email you confirmation documents

Want to add another property? Click “Add insurance”

Need to make a change to your policy?

Refer to our guide here.  Our website is informative and the go to for accessing your account.  No need for an app, our site is available in a user friendly format on all your devices.

Looking for more information? Our top five mistakes to avoid when insuring property article might help.

If you would like to see how initio compares to other popular New Zealand insurance companies, start here.

Adding or changing your policy

• Adding additional property
• Make changes to your policy

Looking to buy a Motor Vehicle Policy?

Our vehicle insurance is exclusive to our home policy holders.  Once you become a home policy holder with initio you can easily add car insurance from your initio dashboard using the “vehicle insurance +” option.

Ready to begin your journey with initio?

Get a quote

Useful articles

• Five fundamentals of house insurance
• Getting started with initio
• Why do you need house insurance
• Technology you can trust
• Can I pre-purchase a new policy?

It’s common for your mortgage provider or bank to want confirmation that you can secure insurance on any house you are looking to purchase (before they approve your loan).

This is known as a ‘Letter of Intent’.  In simple words, it’s a document that confirms an insurer is able to provide cover on a house.  This is usually what you would require if you are yet to purchase the home, but instead you want to make an offer or head to auction.  This is different to a “Certificate of Insurance” which you would provide upon purchase of the home and, therefore, the insurance policy.

In summary, in looking to make sure you can get cover on a home, you would obtain a “Letter of Intent” prior to any purchase and a “Certificate of Insurance” upon purchase of the property.

With initio, obtaining a letter of intent is fast and straightforward. After completing a few straightforward steps, you can email a copy to yourself as soon as you’ve filled out the form.

Where can you request a Letter of Intent?

Begin by requesting a quote and completing our online application.

1. Get a quote

Visit our 30 second quote calculator here.  You’ll need to enter an effective date, don’t be too concerned with this date (for a letter of intent) as it’s likely you won’t have a confirmed settlement date.  At this point, it’s for quoting purposes only, choose a date as close as possible to a potential settlement date.

Get an Instant Quote

2. Complete an application

If you’re happy with the quote, you can continue by scrolling to the bottom and selecting a preferred payment interval (either monthly, or annually). But don’t worry, you won’t have to make a payment if you are only looking for a “letter of intent”.

You’ll then need to fill out our three online application pages. These include information about the property, your details, and completing the disclosure and claims history page.

Fill in these pages as if you will be the successful bidder/purchaser.  This means putting your name as the property owner, etc.

3. Submit a referral, or request a Letter of Intent

If we need to review your application, the next option will submit your info for a review.  In some cases,  a review will require us coming back to you wanting some more information or detail, we aim to do so within one business day.

If no review is needed, you’ll go through to a summary page where there is an option below the make payment section to send a ‘Letter of Intent’ to your email.  No payment is required to download the ‘Letter of Intent’ option which will give you a pre-approval document for your peace of mind and any finance.  Select this option and enter your email address.

A confirmation document will be automatically sent to your email, and that’s it! You can then easily forward this to your bank or mortgage provider to finalise the process.  Note that the Letter of Intent is not a Certificate of Insurance so won’t show a start date or confirm cover is in place.  What it will show is that you are able to obtain cover with initio, should your purchase be successful.

If you need a Letter of Intent, start by getting a quote:

Get an Instant Quote

Other articles of interest

• Can I pre-purchase a new policy?
• How do I buy my first policy with initio?
• Cancel your old insurance

If you have two dwellings/units on your property and the second one is permanently occupied by a family member or friend who lives separately to you, it’s important to have the right insurance in place to cover both homes properly.

What counts as permanent family use?

If your second dwelling—such as a granny flat, unit, or cottage—is lived in independently by a family member or a friend, then it’s considered a separate household. Even though they are part of your extended family or close circle, the fact that they live there permanently and independently means the second home/unit needs to be insured separately as another home/unit.

What insurance do you need?

For this setup, you’ll need two separate home (Own Home) insurance policies, one for each dwelling. This ensures that:

• Each home/unit is covered.

Begin by getting a home insurance policy for your first property and then proceed to obtain another quote for the second home/unit.

Buy house insurance

If you rely on rent from your family member for the second home/unit, we would recommend considering the Landlord policy for the second home/unit. 

Own Home, Partially Rented insurance

To ensure both dwellings are protected with the right level of insurance you’ll need to set up one policy first, then start a new quote for the other. The good news? Getting covered online only takes a few minutes, so setting up two policies is quick and easy. If you already have house insurance with us and need to add a second policy, login to your dashboard and click on the + add house policy to begin the process. While getting a quote and buying insurance online with us might be easy, our cover is anything but basic. We offer comprehensive protection to ensure you’re fully covered.

How to add a policy for a second dwelling on the same title:

1. Login to your dashboard and click on the ‘house insurance +’ button

2. Search for your home address & ‘see full quote’

3. On the full quote screen, click ‘back’ to edit the second dwelling’s details if needed.

   .

    

   • If both properties are the same size or the details are already correct, no changes are needed.

4. Once you go back, edit the property details, then click ‘continue’

1. • This will adjust the quote to reflect the correct figures for the property.

Finish the quoting process from here per the usual process – Easy!

Not quite what you’re looking for? Maybe some of these other scenarios suit you better:

• Do you have a second dwelling on your property that you rent out?
• Renting out part of your home short-term
• Renting out a second dwelling solely for short-term stays
• Insurance for a non-rented second home on your property
• Renting out two dwellings on your property

Instant, reliable quotes you can count on

They say AI might take over the world someday, but for now, we’ve put it to work making your life easier – one insurance quote at a time. At initio, we’ve spent countless hours perfecting our technology so you can get a home insurance quote faster than you can say, “robot overlords.”

Simply type in your address, and our advanced system gets to work, drawing on resources like flood mapping tools, council records, and the latest data to deliver a reliable, competitive quote instantly. We can quote most New Zealand properties on the spot, there’s just the occasional scenario where the property might get referred. For more information, you might like to check out our support articles: insuring old houses and five tips to insuring in a flood zone.

Other insurance providers might claim they can give you a fast quote, but none are as quick or accurate as initio. After extensive research, we’re confident no other provider matches the speed and precision of our platform, but that’s just our opinion, feel free to try it for yourself. 

No tricks or gimmicks

With initio, what you see is what you get. When you use our platform, the price displayed is the price you’ll pay – no surprises. Whether you’re insuring a house, rental property, or holiday home, our quotes are consistent and accurate.

While some providers might adjust their pricing based on how you contact them or bundle other policies, initio does things differently. We focus on transparency and simplicity so you can trust that the quote you’re receiving is fair and final.

How does our technology work?

Our system leverages multiple reliable data sources to assess your property’s risks and deliver a personalised quote within seconds. From flood zones to natural hazards, our advanced platform ensures you’re getting a quote that reflects the latest information.

Even if your property requires a referral for further review, we’ll ensure it’s assessed promptly. This guarantees your policy is built on a thorough, expert evaluation—giving you the confidence to move forward with certainty.

Why initio doesn’t offer multi-policy discounts

We’re often asked if bundling insurance can save you money. The answer is simple: initio doesn’t do multi-policy discounts because we offer you the best price for every policy right from the start. We provide a fair and straightforward process where every quote is designed to be competitive and accurate.

A fast, modern insurance experience

Initio isn’t just about speed; it’s about trust. Our platform ensures you can quote, compare and get cover in minutes – backed by a system designed to simplify your experience. No upselling, no misleading information – just an honest, reliable service powered by the best technology in the industry.

If you have questions, our team is here to help. But when it comes to finding a better deal, you won’t need to look anywhere else. With initio, you’re already getting the fastest, most accurate quote possible.

Hear from the team behind the tech

Take a look under the hood to see the tech that drives our insurance and how it’s evolved into what it is today.

Other articles of interest

• Awards we’ve won
• How do I buy my first policy?
• Essential guide to house insurance
• Understanding landlord insurance
• Explore our video library
• How to switch from your current insurance provider to initio

Try it for yourself

Get a quote

If you have two dwellings on your property and one is used exclusively for short-term stays – such as an Airbnb or similar short-term rental arrangement – it’s important to understand your insurance options.

What insurance do you need?

Homes used this way are no longer classified as residential, as they are considered to function more like motels. Because of this you will require a commercial product to insure the home/unit.

What are your options?

Unfortunately, initio does not currently offer an insurance product that fits this type of use.  Please contact a provider who offers commercial solutions, such as a broker.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Maybe some of these other scenarios suit you better:

• Renting out part of your home short-term
• Do you have a second dwelling on your property that you rent out?
• Insurance for a non-rented second home on your property
• Second dwelling on your property that your family lives in
• Renting out two dwellings on your property

How do I get a quote with initio?

Getting a house insurance quote with initio is quick and simple. Just pop your property address into our quick quote tool and we’ll do the heavy lifting for you. You’ll see your premium instantly and can customise your cover to suit your needs.

When you’re ready, choose either annual or monthly payments and follow the prompts to buy online – no paperwork, no waiting.

For more details, check out our step-by-step guide to buying your first house insurance policy.

What information do I need to get a house insurance quote?

Most of the time, all you need is your property address, and our quick quote tool will pull in the important details. You might just need to answer a few simple questions, including:

• Approximate house size (no exact measurements needed)
• Estimated rebuild cost (your “sum insured”)
• Age of the home
• The date you want cover to start

Not sure about your rebuild cost? Our quote tool links to the Cordell SumSure Calculator, which helps you estimate it. You can also read our guide to choosing your sum insured for more details.

How fast can you really get a quote?

This short demo puts our quote tool through its paces to show how fast and easy it is to use.

How do I log in?

If you already have a policy with initio, you’ll have access to your dashboard to manage your insurance. Login details are emailed to you when you buy your policy. Login here

To log in:

1. Enter the email address you used when purchasing your policy.
2. Enter your password.
3. If you’ve forgotten your password, click Forgot my password and follow the steps.

If you’re not sure which email you used, contact our team, we can help.

Logins are only provided once you’ve purchased a home policy with initio.

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• What is initio and how does it work?
• Common queries
• Navigating your initio dashboard
• How to make changes to your policy
• Code of compliance
• Explore our video library

Here’s what you need to know to insure your main home if it’s also rented to short-term guests.

What can be covered? A shared primary residence

If the house is your primary residence, we can cover your own home that’s also rented with our Own Home Rented product. However, it’s required that you share the use of the property with guests.

The two most common scenarios for renting your own home are:

1.  You rent out part of your home to short stay guests while you still live in the property (e.g. a room or downstairs).
2.  You rent out you whole house to short stay guests when you’re not living there (e.g. you go overseas or stay in your holiday home).

If your house is not your primary residence, it may be able to be insured as a Holiday Home also Rented. Learn more about insuring holiday home rentals here.

Essentially, our guest rental cover only applies to properties that have shared use (at-least occasionally) by the owner. We’ll explain why next.

What can’t be covered? A dedicated short-stay accommodation

We can’t insure a dedicated short-stay living unit that’s only used for guest accommodation. When a unit is used solely for guests it becomes a commercial property – similar to a motel.

The EQC’s $150,000 of natural disaster cover will not apply to a ‘dedicated short stay’ as they are considered commercial risks. Our domestic house insurance policy assumes part of the natural disaster risk is covered by the EQC. A dedicated short stay rental therefore needs to be covered under a commercial material damage policy, where the insurer covers 100% of the natural disaster risk.

Please note the definition of a dedicated short stay property is any living unit that is set up purely as a commercial enterprise and the owners don’t use it or intend to use it for their own purposes (or for somebody else to use it as their home).  

Is a secondary unit at my house covered under my house insurance policy?

Yes, as long as it’s not a dedicated short stay unit – and it’s used by yourself (at least occasionally) as part of your own home.

It’s common for people to have an additional self contained living units at their houses. It’s common to have a separate unit at the back of the house, or a downstairs living unit with its own access. Often these are rented to short term guests (via Airbnb or BookaBach), or longer term boarders for additional income.

If you don’t use this unit yourself (at least occasionally) then we can’t insure it together with the main house.

If the unit is used purely for short terms guests a commercial policy is required. If the unit is simply rented to tenants you’ll need a separate landlord insurance policy for it.

Short Stay Airbnb Unit Example

If the additional unit is used by both the owner and short-term guests we can provide cover under our own home rented.

If the additional unit’s use is shared by the owner (themselves or family) as well as short-stay guests, it can be covered under our Own Home Rented product.

When the living unit is solely rented to guests and not utilised by the owner,  it is deemed a dedicated short stay. EQC cover does not apply, and we can’t provide cover.

An example of this is where the unit is used for children when they return home from university and other times the unit is rented to short stay guests. This can be insured under a Own Home Rented policy on the main house.

Renters or Boarders Unit Example

If the rental unit (for example downstairs unit) is only used for a longer term tenants (i.e. more than 90 days) or boarders and not utilised by the owner themselves – this can’t be insured under a single Own Home Rented policy. In this instance, a separate Landlord Insurance policy is required to cover the self-contained rental unit.

If you need help working out which insurance or combination of insurance is best for you, see our home & income insurance page.

What is Covered?

Our Own Home Rented product takes all of the standard owner occupied policy features, and includes extra cover for the risks of renting. You can also choose to add personal household contents cover. You can get the peace of mind that your property and contents itself is covered, while the risks associated with renting your house to guests is insured.

Generally a standard house insurance policy won’t cover guest risks, so it’s important for owners to get the right cover. The extras included in the own home rented cover includes:

• Accidental or intentional damage by guests
• Theft by guests
• Loss of rent following damage
• Owners liability cover

Learn more about what the Own Home Rented policy covers.

What happens if my house is too damaged and can’t be lived in?

If your house is too damaged to be lived in (like a fire or flood) there is cover (up to $20,000) to go towards moving into a temporary house while repairs are completed. If you also get regular rental income from guests there is cover for your lost rents you would otherwise have got if your house wasn’t damaged.

We provide $20,000 of loss of rents cover for free, with options to increase to $40,000 or $80,000. Both loss of rents and alternative accommodation have a payout period of 12 months.

The Loss of Rent calculation will take account of future actual guest bookings that are cancelled, and expected bookings based on the same period in the previous year. If you are new to the home and income game then we will use short-stay occupancy rates in that particular region to estimate the loss. If you have a boarder or tenant with a fixed weekly rent then that amount will be used.

The policy aims to put the owner in the same financial position they were in before the loss, by paying for the repair costs and lost rental income – all while paying for the owners temporary accommodation costs.

Home and Income Insurance

You know some items need to be specified, but what about everything else that might already be covered?

We’ve put together a list of common “am I covered?” questions our customers often ask. It’s not a full list, so it’s always best to check your policy wording for the full details. If you’re still unsure, you can reach out to us directly – or even use an AI chat tool to quickly search your policy for specific items – just remember to always double-check the results.

Please note: the items below relate specifically to our house & contents insurance policy.

Are my solar panels and EV charger covered?

Yes — if they’re permanently installed at your home, your solar panels and EV charger are covered under your initio house insurance as part of the building. They’re insured for sudden and accidental loss or damage, subject to your policy’s standard terms and conditions.

If you have a portable EV charger that isn’t permanently wired in, it may be covered under your contents insurance instead, as long as it’s for personal use. Equipment used for business or income-earning purposes isn’t covered under standard house or contents policies and may require commercial insurance.

Do you cover outdoor sports equipment (like snowboards, skis, or surfboards)?

Yes — outdoor sports equipment such as snowboards, skis, and surfboards is covered under your initio contents insurance for sudden and accidental loss or damage, but payment limits apply. The policy has a maximum of $2,000 for any surfboard, windsurfer, paddleboard, kite surfer, surf ski, dinghy, kayak, or canoe (including their parts and accessories), unless the item is listed as a specified item on your policy.

If you have high-value gear, it’s a good idea to specify it on your policy to make sure you’re covered for its full replacement value.

If you own equipment worth more than the standard policy limit, it’s a good idea to specify it on your policy. This ensures the present value of that item is fully covered, rather than being capped at the policy limit.

Are my lawnmower and gardening equipment covered?

Yes, if you have initio contents insurance, your lawnmower, robotic mower and other domestic gardening equipment are covered as part of your “contents,” as long as they’re for personal use only. The policy specifically includes domestic garden appliances (such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and similar tools) and their parts or accessories. They’re covered for sudden and accidental loss or damage, subject to your policy’s standard terms and conditions.

If your gardening equipment is used for business purposes — for example, if you run a lawnmowing service — it won’t be covered under your standard home contents policy. In that case, you’ll need commercial insurance to make sure you’re protected.

Is my home office equipment covered?

If you use a room in your home (or an outbuilding) solely as a home office for clerical work, our home policy covers that space, and your contents cover will extend to office furniture and equipment used for earning income—up to $10,000 at home and $1,500 while temporarily elsewhere in NZ. Learn more about when you need commercial insurance.

What about my spa pool or outdoor furniture?

Yes — if they’re portable and for personal use, your spa pool and outdoor furniture are covered under your initio contents insurance for sudden and accidental loss or damage, subject to the policy’s standard terms and conditions. Portable spa pools are included in the definition of “contents,” but fixed or built-in spa pools are considered part of the home and covered under your house insurance instead.

Outdoor furniture is also treated as contents, so it’s covered while at your home. However, like all contents, it won’t be covered if it’s used for business or income-earning purposes.

Is my medical equipment (including hearing aids) covered?

Personal medical equipment like hearing aids, mobility aids, and insulin pumps are automatically covered under our Own Home Contents policy. Learn more

If you’re ever unsure about whether something is covered under your policy, the safest option is to check your policy wording or get in touch with us. Our team can walk you through the details, explain any limits that might apply, and help make sure you have the right cover in place for your needs.

If you’re ready to start your journey with initio, you can get a quote online in just a few minutes — see your price, choose your cover, and get protected straight away. And if you ever need to make a claim, our simple online process through your customer dashboard means you can get it lodged quickly, without the usual paperwork headaches.

Ready to protect your house and contents? Get a quote in seconds and cover in minutes

Related support articles:

• What content items do I need to specify?
• Are my hearing aids covered?
• Understand the differences between content cover options
• What’s covered under my house contents insurance?
• When do you need commercial insurance?
• Things we don’t cover at initio

Floods are the biggest cause of natural damage to property in New Zealand. Much of our country has a high flood risk, meaning many properties lie in or near flood zones. This makes insurers cautious when it comes to flood-prone houses.

The 2017 Edgecumbe flood was one of New Zealand’s worst in recent history.

If you’re looking at buying a flood zone house, we recommend you follow these five steps.

1. Check the LIM Report

The easiest way to find out if your house is in a flood zone is to read over the LIM [Land Information Memorandum] report for the house.

If the house has been identified by the council as being at risk to any natural hazards (including floods) this will be included in the LIM report. The Certificate of Title will inform you if a Section 36, 73 or 74 of the Building Act has been issued.

In simple terms, this means when getting building consent on the house, a natural hazard risk is declared.

The LIM report should provide you a good overview of the extent of the flood risk to the house.

2. Check online council hazard maps

If you don’t have access to a LIM report or do not want to pay for one, you may be able to find flood risk information online.

Most local councils now release public online Geo Mapping for natural hazard risks on houses. Unfortunately, each regional council has different maps so you will need to find the relevant one for your home.

Try searching the internet for your local council’s name and adding ‘hazard maps’ to your search term.

If you can find your council’s online mapping tool you will then need to filter through the different natural hazard types. Then enter your address and add the flood zone layers and you will be able to see how and if your property lies over a flood zone. There should also be information available about the extent of the flood risk.

3. Be prepared to pay more

If your house is in a flood zone it is likely you will be able to get cover. But it may not be with your first choice as insurers are more likely to decline cover in flood-prone areas.

Depending on the extent of the flood risk at your house, you may either pay more for a premium or have a significantly higher flood damage excess.

If we accept cover on your flood zone property, we may apply an imposed flood endorsement with a higher excess. An example of this endorsement can be seen below.

Example Flood Endorsement

4. Check how extensive the flood zone is

Flood zones cover much of New Zealand. Some are higher risk while others might only be minor, meaning it’s important to get an idea of the extent of the flood risk.

Risk is usually defined by the yearly frequency. The most common are 100-year flood zones. This means research and history predicts there is a 1-in-100 chance of a flood event each year.

If there is a 1-in-50 year, this means a flood is twice as likely to occur in any given year. A lower risk flood zone might only be a 1-in-200 year.

You can generally find this information either on the LIM report or mentioned on the council data.

5. Check the property isn’t at risk to other natural hazards

If you have a LIM report or found information online, it also pays to check the house is not at risk of other natural hazards.

Common natural hazard risks to houses in New Zealand include landslips and subsidence, or coastal erosion if the house is near the ocean.

Places like Whangarei are particularly prone to both landslips and flooding. It’s also common for flood zones to be around coastal erosion areas. Checking this will give you a much better understanding of the overall risk to the home.

How do I get insurance on my home that is within a flood zone or is within another high natural hazard area?

You can apply for insurance on your flood zone property by getting an instant quote via the button below. Please note the flood risk will need to be disclosed to us when you send an application. If you fail to disclose this to us, you risk having a future claim declined for non-disclosure.

Get Instant House Quote

In some cases, we can’t provide cover

As an online insurer we have limited scope to provide custom or bespoke terms.  Properties within some of the higher natural hazard zones often require adjusted premium and terms.  If we are sure that your property is one of several identified zones we will do our best to let you know up front when you check for a quote.  Therefore, in some cases our system will let you know instantly, the hazard zone identified and that we won’t be able to provide terms at this time.

Submitting a referral

If you are able and would like to proceed with your quote, select your preferred payment option at the bottom of the quote. You will then need to disclose the flood risk and any other relevant information during the declaration questions in the application.

This will submit a referral to us which we can then review. You will not have to pay for the policy at this stage.

We may confirm to provide insurance cover on your home, or we will ask for further information if required.

Flood & Landslip Questionnaire

If you still have questions, you can complete our Flood and Landslip Questionnaire and email it to [email protected] along with any supporting documentation. We will then review your application and confirm if we can provide insurance on your home.

If you have suffered a flood and are wanting advice on your claim, please refer to our helpful claim guide.