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Initio House Insurance

Updated
  • Comprehensive Cover
  • Quote in Seconds
  • Full House Replacement

Table of Contents


Initio homepage
Author Initio. Screenshot of Initio website.
[Accessed August 22, 2023]

About Initio

Initio Insurance, a prominent house and landlord insurance provider in New Zealand, has transformed the insurance sector with its innovative and customer-centric approach.

Established in 2011 by Rene Swindley and Sam Brook, it aimed to simplify insurance acquisition and expedite claim settlements. They formed a highly compatible team by combining Rene's insurance and commercial expertise with Sam's software engineering skills.

Pioneering online house insurance: Simplifying the process and saving time

Initio made an immediate impact by introducing New Zealand's inaugural fully online house insurance policy. Collaborating with Lumley General Insurance, they allow you to receive instant online quotes and purchase insurance policies within minutes.

This eliminates the need for cumbersome paperwork and lengthy processing times, delivering a quick, modernised insurance experience.

Initio and Bookabach partnership

Recognising the distinct requirements of holiday homeowners, Initio partnered with Bookabach to offer specialised insurance policies tailored to Kiwi bach owners. This collaboration facilitated the spread of information and catered to the specific insurance needs of this niche market.

Going above and beyond: Initio's commitment to customer support and claim settlements

A defining moment for Initio arose when they facilitated the $ 255,000 reconstruction of an Auckland property that suffered a total loss due to a house fire. This event showcased their commitment to supporting customers in times of need and reinforced their mission to expedite claim settlements.

As Initio gained momentum, it expanded its offerings by introducing landlord insurance with added features such as loss of rent, contents, and malicious damage cover.

Beyond house insurance: Initio's expansion into instant online motor vehicle insurance

The company's commitment to technological advancement was evident with the introduction of Instant Claims v1, streamlining the claims process and resulting in the fastest settlement time of non-complex claims in just 28 minutes.

They further advanced with smart claims, aiming to expedite claims processing and provide you with real-time advice. Responding to your demands, they expanded beyond house insurance by introducing instant online motor vehicle insurance, complementing their existing home and contents covers.

Initio Services

Initio provides a convenient and efficient solution to safeguard your property.

Obtaining a quote is quick and effortless, taking just a few seconds to provide immediate peace of mind.

This may be one of the primary reasons that they’ve earned a five-star rating based on over 905 customer reviews, something that’s clearly a testament to their dedication to customer satisfaction.

Comprehensive house cover: Complete protection for your home and structures

When it comes to coverage, Initio's house cover ensures that your house is entirely replaced or repaired up to its replacement value. In the unfortunate event that your house becomes uninhabitable due to damage, they offer $ 20,000 of alternative housing.

They also provide lowered excess for glass damage claims, with only $250 to be paid. Initio also takes care of your keys and locks, covering almost $ 1,000 in case of loss, theft, or unauthorised copying, without any excess.

They provide $ 3,000 in coverage for slow water destruction from hidden pipes to further safeguard you against hidden gradual damage.

They also offer almost $500 in coverage for unclogging subterranean sewage or water lines without assessing an excess. Their inflation protection guarantees coverage to 10% over the total insured in the event that building expenses increase as a result of disasters.

Peace of mind in unfortunate events: Initio's single excess and personal liability coverage

When it comes to content coverage, Initio makes sure that your possessions are restored to brand-new condition without considering depreciation.

The majority of the goods are replaced with brand-new equivalents thanks to their new-for-old replacement policy.

Whether you’re moving or temporarily storing items far from home, the company provides coverage for contents in transit or storage.

In the unfortunate event of damage to both your contents and house, such as a flood, you’ll only need to pay one excess.

Initio also offers up to $1 million in coverage for accidental damage caused to others' property in NZ, ensuring that your personal liability is taken care of.

Initio – Home insurance

  • Product Home Insurance
  • Cost Savings
    Cost savings with single excess for combined damage
  • Customer Support
    Commitment to customer support and claim settlements
  • Cover
    Coverage for alternative housing, glass damage, and security. Protection against slow water destruction and unclogging

Benefits of Initio

  • Simplified insurance acquisition and claim settlement
  • Time-saving fully online insurance policy
  • Specialised insurance tailored for unique needs
  • Financial support for unforeseen property damage
  • Peace of mind with reduced excess and security coverage
  • Inflation protection for building expenses
  • Personal liability coverage for property damage to others
  • Flexibility in coverage amount selection

Secure a trusty Initio home insurance policy in just minutes

To obtain home insurance coverage from Initio, you must choose an adequate insured amount to cover the complete demolition and rebuilding of your house at its current size, considering present-day building expenses.

If you're uncertain about the exact rebuilding expenses, Initio suggests utilising the Cordell unsure calculator to accurately estimate the required insured amount.

The smooth process for transitioning to Initio home insurance

Transitioning your policy at Initio is a straightforward process. Start by ensuring that your new Initio policy is in force at least a month before you transition.

Once your new policy is active, contact your current insurance company to request the cancellation of your policy starting from the same date.

Coverage limits and specific items: Understand Initio's contents policy

Initio's contents policy imposes restrictions on certain items, such as bicycles and jewellery. To receive full coverage for these items, you need to specify whether their values exceed the specified limits.

High-value items like furniture or laptops do not require specific specifications as they are covered within the overall contents insured amount you select. 

Time and cost savings with Initio's technology

Upon insuring your house with Initio, they will quickly deliver a duplicate of the insurance certificate to your email.

Initio Contact

Physical Address


Postal Address

  • PO Box 19497, Hamilton, 3244, New Zealand

Opening Hours

  • not available