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NHCover Insurers' Guide

NHCover is the Natural Hazard Commission Toka Tū Ake natural hazards insurance for residential buildings and land.

The NHCover Insurers' Guide outlines:  

  • what is and isn't covered
  • the NHCover cap
  • the NHCover levy (incl. offshore placements)
  • Direct NHCover
  • NHCover claims and excesses
  • Title notifications affecting NHCover.

This guide has been written for the NHC and insurers who may provide fire insurance for an eligible building or are legally required to pay a Natural Hazards Insurance levy (NHI levy) to us.

The provisions for NHCover are outlined in the relevant legislation – the Natural Hazards Insurance Act 2023(external link) (NHI Act) and the Natural Hazards Insurance Regulations 2024(external link).

NHCover Insurers' Guide

This version (2.0, published March 2025) reflects the provisions that apply with the commencement of the NHI Act on 1 July 2024.

This guide provides a general summary of NHCover. Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake is required to apply and act in accordance with the detailed provisions of the NHI Act. In case of any conflict between the information in the guide and the provisions of the Act, the provisions of the Act will prevail.

EQCover Insurers’ Guide

This version (2.0, published January 2023) reflects the provisions of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993(external link) (EQC Act) (prior to the 1 July 2024 commencement of the NHI Act), that are phased into effect for policies that have commenced or renewed after 1 October 2022.

EQC Insurers' Guide - October 2022 [PDF, 1.5 MB]

This guide (and all previous versions) provides a general summary of EQCover. We are required to apply, and act in accordance with, the detailed provisions of the EQC Act. If there is any conflict between the information in the guide and the provisions of the Act, the provisions of the Act prevail.

Help

If you have a question about NHCover (or EQCover) or have difficulty accessing these documents, please use the contact information below: