To discuss an insurance placement, please feel free to contact our broking team directly.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 09 888 0573

CIX was founded in 2023 by Ryan Mulder and Nicholas Robertson with a mission to make insurance simple for property owners in New Zealand.

Ryan is the Commercial Director at CIX and his key focus is on building relationships with Key Accounts and Insurers. Prior to starting CIX, Ryan was awarded the Insurance Business's "Young Gun 2021" award.

Nick is the Technical Director at CIX and aside from insurance broking, his key focus is on delivering a great client experience through technology. Prior to this, he held a Product Management position at a large multinational insurance broker with an Asia-Pacific remit.

At CIX we like to think we do things a little differently. We believe that providing insurers an exceptional amount of data leads to better premiums in return.

We acknowledge that this burden is typically placed on property owners and managers. When you request a quotation, we prefer it if you just to attach any documentation about the property and insurance, and let us do the parsing, rather than answer 200 questions.

For each site that we quote, we also prefer to visit in person and complete a detailed risk survey. Back in the office, we research the property and what the key exposure risks are. If we have specific questions at that point, we might bother you for a 5-min phone conversation to confirm any of our assumptions.

Once we hear back from the insurers, we'll send you a quotation with multiple options and our recommendations. It's all online at that point and once you accept we get a ping to organise the cover with the option you selected.

We have iterated our process over the last couple of years, and we have seen some great results from it, and it works best when clients trust us to execute on it.

Body Corporate properties can be challenging to insure due to shared ownership and complex building features.

A common issue is underinsurance, often caused by overlooked structural elements such as retaining walls, underground carparks, or foundations. Engaging a Quantity Surveyor to assess rebuild costs can help ensure these elements are properly accounted for, and the sum insured is more accurate.

Buildings with aluminium composite panels (ACP) may also face insurer scrutiny, as some materials are non-compliant or hard to insure.

Committees can face liability if their decisions lead to financial loss or inadequate cover. Older or previously remediated buildings may also have hidden defects that create uninsured risks if not properly disclosed.

Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) spark worry after Grenfell. Real risk in New Zealand?

ACP explained: Two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core material.

• Plastic (polyethylene) core: burns easily, melts, and drives fire straight up the building.

• Mineral-filled core: resists fire, slows or stops spread.

Old “fire-rated” labels ignored gaps behind panels and outside ignition sources. 2025 NZ Building Code changes (via C/VM2 and Practice Advisory 18) now require safer external walls.

How to check: Remove a small panel section and test the core, looks alone won’t confirm.

Most NZ city apartments aren’t Grenfell-style risks: concrete walls contain fires, sprinklers stop nearly all internal blazes, many buildings are spaced over 10 metres apart, and fire crews reach central business districts in about 7 minutes on average.

Smart checks beat panic.

Residential body corporates in New Zealand typically hold a package of insurance covers to protect the building, common property, unit owners, and the committee. These are the common covers and what each one does.

Material Damage (MD)

This is the core cover for the physical property — i.e. your buildings. The Unit Titles Act specifies that the body corporate is responsible for organising replacement insurance for the buildings to their full insurable value.

It covers accidental damage to the buildings — that is, damage that is sudden, unintended and unforeseen. There are also a range of important automatic coverages that should be considered, such as natural disaster, hidden gradual damage, contract works, landslip and subsidence, and illegal substances.

It will cover the buildings and sometimes common contents, up to a sum insured value. It is best that this is determined by a registered valuer or quantity surveyor, and quite often insurers require a valuation for larger properties completed in the last two years.

When it is needed
Every residential body corporate must insure the buildings and improvements to their full insurable value under the Unit Titles Act. MD is the foundation cover that meets this legal requirement.

Business Interruption (BI)

This covers the financial flow-on effects when units cannot be lived in after an insured event.
It typically includes loss of rents (for tenanted units) and alternative accommodation costs (for owner-occupiers) for a set period, plus additional increased costs of working and claims preparation expenses.

When it is needed
When residential units become uninhabitable due to damage covered under the Material Damage policy. It helps keep owners financially stable while repairs are carried out.

General Liability (GL)

Also called public liability.
It covers the body corporate’s legal liability for accidental personal injury or property damage suffered by third parties (visitors, contractors, neighbours, etc.) that arises from the ownership or management of the common property. Limits are usually standard and are typically $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 depending on the size of the property.

When it is needed
Any time people can access common areas. It protects the body corporate from claims for injury or damage that occurs on the property.

Statutory Liability (SL)

This covers fines, penalties and legal defence costs that arise from unintentional breaches of certain New Zealand statutes (for example health and safety, building, or resource management legislation).
The typical sum insured is $1,000,000.

When it is needed
Body corporates have ongoing legal obligations. SL protects against the financial consequences of an unintentional breach of those laws and is recommended on every residential body corporate.

Employers Liability (EL)

This covers the body corporate’s liability for personal injury to employees that is not covered by ACC, together with related defence costs.

When it is needed
Only if the body corporate employs staff (for example a building manager, caretaker or cleaner). If there are no employees, this cover is usually not required.

Officers & Board Liability (OBL)

Sometimes called Office Bearers or Committee Liability.
It protects committee members and office bearers against civil claims arising from their decisions or actions while managing the body corporate, and includes defence costs.
Typical sums insured are upwards of $1,000,000, sometimes more, particularly when the fee amount increases.

When it is needed
Recommended for every body corporate that has a committee. It safeguards the volunteers who serve on the committee from personal financial risk.

These six covers form the standard package for most residential body corporates. Exact limits, excesses and wordings vary between policies, so the body corporate should review the schedule and full policy wording each year.

The sum insured is the maximum amount your insurer will pay to reinstate the buildings and improvements after a major loss. Under the Unit Titles Act, every residential body corporate must insure the buildings and other improvements on the land to their full insurable value. Getting this figure right is one of the most important decisions a body corporate makes each year.

How to Come Up With a Building Value

The sum insured is not the market value of the units or what the complex would sell for. It is the estimated cost to fully rebuild or reinstate the buildings after a total loss.

A proper reinstatement valuation usually includes:

• Demolition and debris removal
• Current construction costs
• Professional fees (architects, engineers, consents)
• Compliance with today’s building standards
• An allowance for cost escalation during the rebuild period

The most reliable way to arrive at this figure is to engage a registered valuer or quantity surveyor experienced in insurance reinstatement valuations. Many body corporates update this valuation every one to two years, or whenever significant work or changes have occurred.

Why Most Insurers Require a Valuation

Insurers need a clear, independent figure so they can set the limit of their risk. For larger or more complex properties they almost always insist on a recent professional valuation (typically completed within the last two years).

Without a current valuation, insurers may decline to quote, apply higher excesses, or impose special conditions. A proper valuation also gives the body corporate confidence that the figure used is realistic and defensible if a claim arises.

The Importance of Getting the Value Right

If the sum insured is too low (underinsurance), the body corporate may not have enough money to fully rebuild after a major event. Owners could face significant shortfalls or difficult decisions about partial reinstatement.

If the sum insured is set too high, the body corporate simply pays more premium than necessary.

Getting the value right protects the body corporate’s legal obligation under the Unit Titles Act, reduces the risk of shortfalls, and gives unit owners greater certainty that the complex can be properly reinstated if the worst happens.

Review the sum insured carefully at each renewal and keep the valuation current. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect the long-term interests of all owners.

An excess is the amount the body corporate must pay towards each claim before the insurer pays the balance. Excesses appear on almost every body corporate policy and can vary significantly depending on the type of claim and the risks present at the property.

How Excess Levels Affect Premiums

There is a direct relationship between the excess and the premium.

A higher excess means the body corporate takes on more of the cost of smaller claims. This reduces the insurer’s exposure, so the premium is usually lower.

A lower excess means the insurer pays more of every claim, which generally results in a higher premium.

Body corporates can sometimes choose a voluntary excess on top of the insurer’s standard excess to reduce the premium further. The key is finding a level the body corporate can realistically afford if a claim arises.

Why an Insurer May Impose an Excess

Insurers set excesses to manage risk and control the number of small claims.

Most policies have a standard excess that applies to general claims. In addition, insurers commonly apply higher specific excesses for certain types of loss or higher-risk situations. Common examples include:

• Water damage (often $2,500–$25,000 or more) — especially where there is a history of water ingress, weathertightness issues, or ongoing leaks
• Malicious damage — especially if there has been a history of theft or vandalism
• Unoccupied units
• Short-term tenancies
• Illegal substances damage
• Landslip or subsidence
• Natural disaster (frequently calculated as a percentage of the site value)

In the case of water damage, a higher excess is frequently imposed once an insurer becomes aware of existing water-related problems. This is a standard underwriting response to the increased likelihood of claims.

What to Do About Higher Excesses

Understand the reason
Ask your broker or insurer why a particular excess (especially a higher water damage excess) has been applied. Full disclosure of any known issues is essential — failure to disclose can lead to claims being declined.

Address the underlying risk
If a higher excess has been applied because of water ingress or maintenance issues, fixing the problem and providing evidence to the insurer can sometimes lead to a reduction in the excess at the next renewal.

Review options at renewal
Different insurers take different approaches to excesses. Comparing a few options can reveal more favourable terms, particularly on water damage excesses.

Check affordability
Higher excesses (such as $10,000 for water damage) need to be workable for the body corporate’s cash reserves. Factor this into budgeting and contingency planning.

Keep records
Maintain clear records of any risk improvements (repairs, inspections, maintenance) so these can be presented to underwriters when seeking better terms.

Excess levels are a normal part of body corporate insurance. Understanding why they are set at certain levels, and actively managing the risks that drive them, helps keep both premiums and claim costs under better control. Review the excess schedule carefully at every renewal.

Business Interruption for residential body corporates mainly responds when units become uninhabitable due to damage covered under the Material Damage policy. It covers the financial consequences for owners while the buildings are being repaired or rebuilt.

Alternative Accommodation

This cover is for owner-occupiers.

It pays the reasonable additional cost of temporary accommodation of a similar standard to the unit (for the owner and usually permanent family members living with them). Many policies also include boarding of domestic pets.

Cover applies while the unit remains uninhabitable because of insured damage.

Loss of Rental Cover (Loss of Rent)

This cover is for landlords of tenanted residential units.

It pays the rent the owner would have received if the unit had remained habitable. Calculation is normally based on the average rent received, or the amount in a signed tenancy agreement in place (or about to start) at the time of the damage.

For the same unit you generally claim either Alternative Accommodation or Loss of Rent — not both.

Why These Covers Are Important

Material Damage only pays to reinstate the physical building. It does not pay mortgages, body corporate levies, rates, or living costs while owners are displaced.

Without adequate BI cover:

• Owner-occupiers face large out-of-pocket housing costs.
• Landlords lose rental income but still have ongoing expenses.
• Financial pressure on owners can delay decisions or create disputes within the body corporate.

After a significant event (especially natural disaster), repair and rebuild timelines in New Zealand are often long. These covers protect cash flow and stability during that period.

What Is an Indemnity Period?

The indemnity period is the maximum length of time the insurer will pay Alternative Accommodation or Loss of Rent after the damage occurs.

It is selected at placement or renewal and is usually expressed in months (commonly 12, 24 or 36 months). Once the indemnity period ends, payments stop — even if the unit is still uninhabitable.

For natural disaster claims, the ideal indemnity period is 24 months. This provides a more realistic timeframe for demolition, redesign, consents and reconstruction following a major event.

What Should the Sums Insured Be?

For residential body corporates, both Alternative Accommodation and Loss of Rent should be set at upwards of $75,000 per unit per year.

This level of cover better reflects current temporary accommodation costs and rental values, and reduces the risk of owners facing significant shortfalls during a prolonged displacement.

Claims Preparation Costs

This cover pays for the professional costs of preparing and presenting a claim (for example accountants, quantity surveyors, loss adjusters or other specialists engaged by the body corporate).

Recommended limit: $10,000–$50,000.

It ensures the body corporate can properly document and support complex claims without the cost coming out of owners’ pockets.

Additional Costs (Increased Cost of Working)

This cover pays for extra expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred to minimise the interruption or to continue essential operations after damage (for example temporary facilities, expediting costs, or additional project management).

Recommended limit: $100,000–$200,000.

It gives the body corporate flexibility to take practical steps that reduce the overall length or severity of the interruption.

NHI Cover (Natural Hazards Insurance / NHCover)

What Is NHI Cover?

NHI Cover (also called NHCover) is the government-backed first layer of insurance for residential buildings and associated residential land in New Zealand. It is provided by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly the Earthquake Commission / EQC).

It covers damage caused by:

• Earthquake
• Landslide
• Volcanic activity
• Hydrothermal activity
• Tsunami
• Natural hazard fire (fire resulting from any of the above)

It also provides limited cover for residential land damage from storms and floods.

Key points for body corporates:

• Cover applies on a per dwelling basis.
• The maximum building cover is generally $300,000 + GST per dwelling per natural hazard event.
• The private insurer (under the body corporate Material Damage policy) responds above this NHI limit, up to the full sum insured.
• The building excess is $500 per insured dwelling. The land excess is also $500 per insured dwelling, capped at $5,000 for buildings with more than 10 insured dwellings.

NHI Cover is automatic when a residential building has fire insurance. Body corporates do not need to arrange it separately.

How Much Does It Cost?

NHI Cover is funded by the Natural Hazards Insurance (NHI) levy, which is collected by the private insurer as part of the overall premium and passed to the Natural Hazards Commission.

Current levy rate:

• 16 cents per $100 of the building cover cap
• Maximum of $480 + GST per dwelling per year

For a body corporate, the total NHI levy is calculated by multiplying the applicable per-dwelling levy by the number of insured dwellings in the complex.

This levy appears as a separate line item (or is clearly identifiable) within the body corporate insurance premium.

Why Insurers Consider This a Material Fact

Insurers treat social housing (or community housing) occupancy as a material fact because it changes the risk profile of the building compared with standard private residential tenancies or owner-occupied units.

Key reasons include higher perceived frequency of claims for malicious or intentional damage, vandalism, theft and water damage, more complex tenancy management arrangements, and greater difficulty meeting standard policy conditions (particularly around inspections and illegal substances cover).

This occupancy should always be fully disclosed. Failure to disclose social housing can affect claim entitlement or allow the insurer other remedies, including avoidance of the policy in some circumstances.

Risk Spectrum

Not all social housing is viewed the same way:

Higher risk — Transitional or emergency housing, short-term placements, high-turnover tenancies, or arrangements with limited on-site management and poor inspection regimes.

Lower risk — Longer-term social housing managed by a professional, registered Community Housing Provider (CHP) with clear tenant selection processes, regular inspections, active property management, and a demonstrated commitment to maintaining the building.

How to Make Insurers More Comfortable With the Risk

Insurers respond far more favourably when the body corporate can demonstrate that the social housing is professionally managed rather than unmanaged or high-risk.

Practical steps that improve the risk profile include:

• Engage directly with the Community Housing Provider — visit the site, interview the on-site manager, and obtain clear information about their operations, tenant selection, inspection frequency, and approach to behavioural issues.
• Document and present the management practices in the underwriting submission (inspection schedules, maintenance processes, incident reporting, and CHP credentials).
• Offer a higher excess specifically on the social housing units (commonly $5,000).
• Maintain high standards of building maintenance, security, and common-area upkeep.
• Be completely transparent about the number of social housing units, the nature of the tenancies, and the claims history.

A well-managed, longer-term community housing arrangement with a professional CHP can usually be underwritten successfully. Poorly managed, high-turnover, or undisclosed social housing is significantly harder (and often more expensive) to place.

Typical Underwriting Conditions

It is common for insurers to apply underwriting conditions where social housing is present. Typical conditions include:

• A higher excess specifically on social housing units (commonly $5,000, compared with a standard $1,000 excess on other units).
• An elevated excess for malicious or intentional damage (often $10,000).
• Strict requirements around regular unit inspections, particularly if illegal substances (meth) cover is to remain available.
• Conditions relating to unoccupied units (for example fortnightly checks, securing the property, and a separate higher excess).
• Restrictions or higher excesses if any units are used for short-term or transitional housing.
• Warranties requiring the Community Housing Provider to maintain certain management standards (inspections, tenant referencing, and prompt reporting of issues).

These conditions are designed to reflect the increased risk while still allowing cover to be offered. The more professionally the social housing is managed and the more transparent the disclosure, the more flexible insurers tend to be with the severity of these conditions.

Accidental Damage is the primary cover under a body corporate Material Damage policy. It responds when the buildings and improvements suffer physical damage caused by an accident.

Explanation of “Sudden”

Most policies define an accident as something that is sudden, unexpected and unforeseen.

“Sudden” is critical. The damage must occur at a clear point in time rather than developing slowly over weeks, months or years. If the cause is ongoing or progressive, it will usually fall outside the accidental damage definition.

What Kind of Events Are Typically Covered

Subject to the policy wording and any excesses, Accidental Damage generally responds to sudden events such as:

• Fire and explosion
• Storm, wind and rainwater
• Flood
• Earthquake and volcanic activity (above the NHI limit)
• Impact (vehicles, trees, aircraft)
• Malicious damage by third parties
• Escape of water from pipes, tanks or appliances (when sudden)
• Accidental impact or collision

What Is Typically Excluded — Gradual Damage and Maintenance

Insurance policies do not cover everything. They are not designed to pay for normal maintenance, wear and tear, or problems that develop over time.

Damage that occurs gradually is almost always excluded. Common examples include:

• Mould and fungal growth arising from ongoing moisture or long-term leaks
• Deterioration, wear and tear, corrosion, rust or gradual weathering
• Subsidence, landslip or ground movement (unless specifically extended)
• Progressive structural movement or settlement
• Damage caused by poor or deferred maintenance

These exclusions exist because insurers expect body corporates to maintain the buildings properly. Issues that should have been addressed through regular maintenance will not be covered.

Important Extensions That Can Make a Difference

A basic Accidental Damage wording can leave significant gaps. The following extensions are particularly valuable for body corporates:

• Hidden gradual damage — Limited cover for water damage that has been occurring unseen (subject to strict conditions and often a lower sub-limit)
• Landslip and subsidence — Extension that can bring limited cover for ground movement that would otherwise be excluded
• Contract works — Cover for alterations or renovations being carried out on the complex
• Illegal substances / meth contamination — Cover for decontamination costs (usually subject to inspection warranties)

These extensions can significantly improve the practical protection available after a claim and should be reviewed carefully at each renewal.

What Does It Cover?

Hidden Gradual Damage is an important extension to the main Accidental Damage cover.

It provides limited protection for water damage that has been occurring gradually and out of sight (for example, a slow leak inside a wall, under a floor, or in a ceiling cavity) that would otherwise be excluded because it is not “sudden”.

This is one of the most common types of claim in residential body corporates. Slow leaks from bathrooms, kitchens, roofs or plumbing often go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.

The cover is designed to respond when the damage is discovered and is still relatively contained. It does not turn the policy into a maintenance or long-term leak policy — the damage must still meet the policy’s definition of hidden gradual damage, and strict conditions usually apply (including prompt notification once the damage is found).

Typical Insured Limits

Most standard body corporate policies only offer very modest limits for this extension — often around $10,000 per year.

For residential body corporates, more appropriate limits are:

• $25,000–$50,000 per event
• An annual aggregate limit of $50,000–$100,000

These higher limits give the body corporate more realistic protection when a hidden leak is discovered, while still recognising that this remains a restricted form of cover rather than full gradual damage insurance.

It is worth checking the exact sub-limit and any conditions (such as discovery requirements or exclusions for mould) at each renewal, as wordings and limits vary between insurers.

At CIX, we design purpose-built policies specifically for Body Corporate entities, ensuring that coverage aligns precisely with the ownership and governance structures defined under the Unit Titles Act.

Our approach leverages council property data and cladding assessments to accurately identify and evaluate any ACP or non-compliant materials, helping insurers price and underwrite these risks with confidence.

We include liability protection for committee members and decision makers, safeguarding them against potential claims arising from management or insurance decisions.

To maintain accuracy and avoid underinsurance, we coordinate independent rebuild valuations and review long-term maintenance plans (LTMPs) to identify and mitigate defect-related risks.

Finally, CIX places a strong emphasis on transparency and communication, providing clear premium breakdowns and digital tools that help committees explain coverage and renewal changes effectively to all unit owners.

Industrial buildings present a range of significant risks due to their size, construction, and tenant activities. Fire and water damage are key exposures, particularly in large open-span structures where heat or smoke can spread rapidly and sprinkler coverage may be limited by height or layout. Roof leaks and storm damage are also common issues, especially in older warehouses or properties with expansive roof areas that can deteriorate over time.

In many cases, tenant-caused damage, from machinery, vehicle impact, or operational negligence, can lead to structural or utility-related losses, requiring careful lease management and insurance oversight. When major damage occurs, industrial operations often face prolonged shutdowns, leading to significant business interruption and loss of rent. These risks make proactive maintenance, tenant vetting, and appropriate coverage structure critical to protecting both property owners and their tenants.

Industrial properties come with their own insurance challenges, from large buildings to complex operations and what tenants are doing inside them.

At CIX, we visit sites in person. We inspect each unit to understand who’s there, what they do, and what materials they store. We look for things like hot works or hazardous and flammable substances that can affect how the property should be insured.

Our goal is to make sure there are no gaps in cover. We raise all relevant details with insurers so nothing is missed or left out.

We also understand that landlords want to keep operating costs low to support stronger rental income and long-term asset value. Our approach helps strike that balance good risk information for insurers, fair pricing and practical protection for owners.

Accommodation properties face a different set of risks, driven by constant guest turnover and how each unit is managed. Guest-related fire or water damage is common, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, or where appliances are used without supervision. On-site housekeeping and laundromat services can also create extra fire risks if dryers or cleaning equipment aren’t properly maintained.

Because guests change frequently, prevention and accountability can be difficult, increasing the chance of claims. When something does go wrong, owners can lose income while units are being repaired, putting pressure on cash flow if cover isn’t set up properly.

There’s also the risk of liability from accidents in shared areas such as lobbies, stairwells, or car parks. Insurers pay close attention to how these properties are run, including safety procedures, maintenance routines, and guest management, especially when short-term or mixed-use accommodation is involved.

At CIX, we take a proactive and specialist approach to insuring accommodation assets, recognising the operational and financial pressures that come with managing guest-based properties.

Our cover is tailored to the specific risk profile of hotels, motels, serviced apartments, and short-stay accommodation, with attention given to sprinkler system condition, flow test results, and overall fire safety compliance. This ensures insurers have confidence in the property’s protection measures and can offer the most competitive terms.

We prioritise robust loss-of-rents protection, ensuring income continuity during repair or reinstatement periods, and include liability extensions that address guest-related incidents within both private and common areas.

To further support clients, CIX provides an expedited claims response via the CIX Portal, designed to minimise downtime and speed up claim settlement.

Retail buildings come with a wide mix of risks, depending on the tenants, their fit-outs, and how well the property is looked after. Food and hospitality businesses bring higher fire risk, especially where cooking equipment, extraction systems, or grease build-up are involved.

Retail fit-outs can also include combustible materials or heavy electrical loads, increasing the chance of a fire starting or spreading quickly. In older buildings, or where flammable cladding is still in place, poor maintenance or delayed repairs can make any fire or water damage far worse than it needs to be.

Retail sites are also prone to vandalism, theft, and malicious damage, particularly in busy or urban areas. Tenant issues can add more complexity, from uninsured activities and unapproved alterations to disputes over responsibility when things go wrong. If a serious loss does occur, owners can face long periods without rental income while repairs are carried out.

Our approach focuses on tailoring cover to the unique challenges of multi-tenant retail environments, where varying occupancies and risk profiles sit under one roof.

Policies are structured to protect the building owner’s interests first, ensuring that both landlord fit-outs and shared facilities, such as foyers, car parks, and service areas are fully insured against accidental damage.

We also work closely with owners and property managers to promote tenant compliance with fire safety and maintenance obligations, reducing the likelihood of claims and ensuring insurers have confidence in the overall risk management.

To safeguard the financial stability of the asset, we place strong emphasis on loss or rents cover, ensuring that income remains protected during periods of repair or reinstatement following an insured event.

Healthcare buildings have a unique risk profile because of their critical operations and the vulnerability of the people inside.

Fire or water damage can have serious consequences, not just through property loss, but also the immediate impact on patients or residents who may need to be relocated.

Damage to key building systems such as lifts, fire alarms, medical gas supplies, and HVAC can interrupt care and lead to costly downtime or compliance breaches.

Many critical care facilities have backup power and utility systems in place, but these need regular testing and maintenance to make sure they work when needed most.

At CIX, our approach to healthcare property insurance focuses on maintaining operational continuity and protecting the wellbeing of residents and patients.

We arrange specialist policies designed for healthcare and aged care facilities, covering both the property itself and the essential systems that keep it running, from fire alarms and lifts to medical gas and power infrastructure. This ensures that if something goes wrong, the response and reinstatement process can begin without delay.

When a claim involves a critical care facility, we treat it with the urgency it deserves. Our role is to help keep services running where possible and to get the site safely back to full operation as quickly as conditions allow. We work closely with facility managers, loss adjusters, and insurers to coordinate repairs, and minimise disruption to patient care.

We have benchmarked AIG against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Strong global claims framework, with NZ-based teams supported by AIG’s Asia-Pacific hubs. Known for structured, professional claims management on complex cases.

• Price competitiveness: Often sharp on mid-size commercial property and Body Corporates, especially where risks are well protected. (Capacity limitations for buildings over $35M)

• Property appetite: Broad appetite across commercial property and residential Bodies Corporate where scale and expertise are important.

We've found AIG is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – strong appetite for office, mixed-use, and retail.

• Commercial & Residential Body Corporates – competitive terms for properties under $35M

• Industrial – selective, but strong appetite for quality-managed manufacturing and infrastructure-related assets.

We've found AIG may not be the best fit for:

• Older, quake-exposed buildings.

• Selective on high NatCat zones (Wellington Region etc)

• Less competitive on high-hazard occupancies (e.g. flammable goods, Freight Forwarders, Night Clubs, Wood product manufacturing)

• Warehousing Risks

• Vape Store, Bottle Shops, Laundromats (unless it is a small portion of the total building)

We have benchmarked Ando against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Highly regarded for responsiveness and flexibility. Known for quick decision-making and practical outcomes compared to larger incumbents.

• Price competitiveness: Frequently one of the most competitive insurers on commercial property and Body Corporates, with sharper pricing than long-established insurers.

• Property appetite: Strong focus on commercial property and Body Corporates, offering wide cover and comparable sub-limits to its peers.

We've found Ando is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – strong appetite for SME to mid-market offices and retail.

• Commercial Body Corporates – competitive structures and flexible wordings.

• Warehousing – appetite for low-to-moderate hazard storage risks

We've found Ando may not be the best fit for:

• High NatCat zones such as Wellington.

• Residential Body Corporates

• Buildings over $25M

• Very large property portfolios.

We have benchmarked BSHI against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Market-leading claims philosophy “claims is our product.” BHSI focuses on direct communication, quick decisions, and fair settlements backed by its strong capital position.

• Price competitiveness: Typically competitive on large, well-managed commercial property where quality risk information is provided. Not driven by volume, but by long-term partnership pricing.

• Property appetite: Prefers high-quality commercial and Body Corporate assets with strong risk management and maintenance standards. Particularly strong on larger, complex schedules and high-value portfolios.

We have found Berkshire is a great fit for:

• Large commercial property portfolios – strong appetite for high-value, well-managed buildings.

• Commercial Body Corporates – competitive for premium, modern, or low-risk schemes.

• Industrial and warehousing – selective, but strong capacity for clean, low-hazard occupancies.

We have found that Berkshire may not be the best fit for:

• Small or standard SME property risks – not focused on small-scale business.

• Older or high-risk buildings – conservative approach to ageing or quake-exposed properties.

• High-hazard industrial occupancies – limited appetite for heavy manufacturing or flammable goods.

• Price-sensitive clients – may not compete on premium where the lowest price is the priority.

We have benchmarked Chubb against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Globally recognised for fair and consistent outcomes; NZ-based claims team supported by strong regional resources.

• Price competitiveness: Often competitive on mid-to-large commercial property and Body Corporates, especially where risks are well managed.

• Property appetite: Broad appetite for large commercial property and Body Corporates, with solid capacity for warehousing and industrial where risks are low-to-moderate hazard.

We've found Chubb is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – strong appetite for large office, retail, and mixed-use.

• Commercial Body Corporates – wide cover and competitive sub-limit structures.

• Warehousing – appetite for well-managed modern storage risks.

• Industrial – competitive for light-to-medium hazard occupancies.

We've found Chubb may not be the best fit for:

• Older, quake-exposed buildings – conservative approach with higher deductibles.

• High-hazard warehousing – cautious on flammable or chemical storage.

• Heavy industrial/manufacturing – less competitive for complex or high-risk occupancies.

• Small, straightforward risks – may be priced higher than challenger insurers.

We have benchmarked Delta against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Locally managed, with an in-house NZ claims manager and authority for quick settlements. Focused on fast response and clear communication.

• Price competitiveness: Operating in a softening market, Delta shows strong pricing flexibility, particularly across office, retail, and light-industrial property portfolios.

• Property appetite: Broad underwriting capability from office and retail through to light manufacturing. Particularly strong on childcare, medical/dental, care homes, and modern commercial builds. Offers tailored solutions for schemes and co-insurance portfolios.

We've found Delta is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – up to $25 M per location for standard commercial buildings.

• Commercial & Mixed-Use Body Corporates – flexible terms for properties with older construction or complex configurations.

• Warehousing & light manufacturing – appetite for low-to-moderate hazard occupancies.

• Professional and community buildings – strong interest in offices, medical centres, education, childcare, and aged-care facilities.

We've found Delta may not be the best fit for:

• High-hazard occupancies – dairies, vape or liquor stores, laundromats, dry-cleaning, plastics, woodworking, or heavy industrial.

• High-risk hospitality – rural pubs, taverns, and nightclubs.

• Large-scale manufacturing or heavy industry – exposures beyond Delta’s $25 M line size.

• Low-value residential portfolios – not the focus of Delta’s underwriting appetite.

We have benchmarked DUAL against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Locally managed claims service with Lloyd’s backing. Known for being responsive through their claims arrangement with loss Adjuster group Sedgwick.

• Price competitiveness: Strong in niche segments and general commercial property

• Property appetite: Particularly effective in commercial property up to $50M, with flexibility to tailor terms and sub-limits.

We've found DUAL is a great fit for:

• Commercial Body Corporates – appetite for both residential and mixed-use schemes.

• Commercial property – competitive on risks that fall outside mainstream insurers’ appetite.

• Warehousing – selective but willing to accommodate non-standard occupancies.

• Industrial – flexible on light-to-medium hazard risks where others are restrictive.

• Boutique Hotels / Motels - competitive pricing and ability to add endorsements to enhance coverage

We've found DUAL may not be the best fit for:

• Very large property schedules – limited capacity compared to global direct insurers.

• High NatCat exposures – conservative in quake and flood-prone areas, often applying exclusions instead of high excess structures.

• Clients seeking a direct insurer – as an MGA, DUAL places risk with carriers rather than underwriting directly.

We have benchmarked NZI against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Strong local presence with established claims teams and trusted repairer networks across New Zealand. Known for reliability and solid communication during claim events.

• Price competitiveness: Generally well-positioned for commercial property and Body Corporate risks, offering fair pricing aligned with strong policy coverage.

• Property appetite: Wide appetite across commercial, industrial, and strata property classes, supported by broad policy wordings and consistent underwriting.

We've found NZI is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – stable appetite for office, retail, and light industrial assets.

• Commercial & Residential Body Corporates – competitive structures and proven claims experience.

• Warehousing – appetite for standard, well-managed storage risks.

• Industrial – suitable for light-to-medium hazard manufacturing and trade occupancies.

We've found NZI may not be the best fit for:

• High NatCat zones – conservative on earthquake and flood-prone regions such as Wellington and Hawke’s Bay.

• Older buildings – selective where deferred maintenance, seismic risk, or ACP cladding is present.

• ACP/EPS exposure – limited appetite where Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) materials exceed 15% of the total floor area.

• Capacity constraints – can be conservative on large schedules, often preferring to share or co-insure when sums insured are substantial.

• Highly price-sensitive placements – may be undercut by challenger brands like Ando on smaller portfolios.

We have Benchmarked QBE against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Known for pragmatic, commercially minded claims management. NZ-based claims teams supported by Australia Pacific operations deliver consistency and reliability.

• Price competitiveness: Frequently competitive on mid-market commercial property and Body Corporate risks. Offers good balance between price and cover quality.

• Property appetite: Broad appetite across commercial, retail, warehousing, and light industrial property classes, with flexible underwriting.

We've found QBE is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – competitive for office, retail, and light industrial.

• Commercial & Residential Body Corporates – well-suited for modern or low-risk buildings.

• Warehousing – appetite for clean, low-hazard occupancies.

• Industrial – suitable for light manufacturing or logistics assets with sound risk management.

We've found QBE may not be the best fit for:

• Residential Body Corporates: QBE does not provide capacity to Residential Body Corporates

• Property in Wellington: Conservative on earthquake, with higher deductibles.

• Not always the cheapest: May be undercut by smaller or challenger insurers on simple placements.

We have Benchmarked SPUA against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Offers specialist underwriting support for non-standard risks, enabling placement of complex property and liability scenarios where mainstream markets may decline.

• Price competitiveness: Able to provide tailored structures and terms for harder-to-place risks, often making cover available when standard options are limited.

• Property appetite: Good capability for commercial property, bespoke property risks and complex portfolios that require non-standard wording or capacity.

We've found SPUA is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios with complexity or higher risk features that need tailored cover.

• Commercial & Residential Body Corporates where standard markets struggle with unique exposures or larger sums insured.

• Industrial and warehousing exposures with non-standard occupancies or specialty risk requirements.

We've found SPUA may not be the best fit for:

• Small, standard property risks – When the risk is straightforward and fits into mainstream insurer appetites, SPUA may not offer the lowest price or simplest option.

• Ultra-large portfolios where extremely high-capacity line is required and where placement might favour global primary insurers rather than specialist agencies.

• Standard construction, low-hazard properties may be better served by insurers focussed exclusively on high volume rather than speciality underwriting.

We have Benchmarked Vero against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Strong local service network and good reputation for responsiveness in the commercial portfolio. However, during surge events (e.g. large NatCat losses), capacity can be stretched, leading to slower resolution times.

• Price competitiveness: Frequently competitive on commercial property and strata/Body Corporate business in the NZ market, benefiting from scale and local brokerage partnerships.

• Property appetite: Broad appetite for commercial property, business insurance and industrial/warehousing where risk profiles are standard and well managed.

We've found Vero is a great fit for:

• Commercial property portfolios – competitive across office, retail, and mixed-use.

• Commercial Body Corporates – wide cover with strong sub-limit structures.

• Residential Body Corporate – appetite for standard residential body Corporates.

• ACP Clad Buildings - Vero takes a proactive approach when it comes to ACP

• Industrial – selective, but competitive for well-managed light-to-medium industrial risks.

We've found Vero may not be the best fit for:

• High NatCat zones – while capable, Vero is more conservative regarding earthquake and flood-prone locations and may impose stricter terms/deductibles in these areas.

• Older / specialised construction – buildings with deferred maintenance, seismic vulnerabilities or non-standard materials may attract restrictive terms or higher premium.

• High-hazard industrial / warehousing – occupancies involving flammable goods, complex manufacturing or heavy hazard exposures may fall outside Vero’s most competitive appetite.

• Large property portfolios / capacity-intensive placements – While Vero has strong backing, properties over $25M Vero tend to obtain re-insurance on a n individual basis, causing potential price increases.

We have Benchmarked Zurich against three main client concerns:

• Claims handling: Backed by a highly regarded regional claims team supported by global expertise. Known for consistency, fairness, and responsiveness on larger or more complex losses. Their policy wording allows for more claims to be accepted compared to their peers.

• Price competitiveness: Competitive on mid-to-large commercial property and Body Corporate portfolios, particularly where risk quality and maintenance standards are strong.

• Property appetite: Broad global appetite across commercial, industrial, and strata property, with well-structured wordings, and ability to tailor limits to meet clients requirements.

We've found Zurich is a great fit for:

• Large commercial property portfolios – strong appetite for office, retail, Hotels and mixed-use buildings.

• Commercial & Residential Body Corporates – well-suited for modern, well-maintained schemes seeking stability and coverage breadth.

• Warehousing & industrial property – appetite for clean, well-managed occupancies with established fire protection and maintenance programs.

We've found Zurich may not be the best fit for:

• High NatCat zones – conservative on earthquake and flood-exposed regions such as Wellington and Hawke’s Bay.

• Older buildings – selective on aged or seismically at-risk structures and those with deferred maintenance.

• ACP / EPS exposure – limited appetite where aluminium composite panels (ACP) or expanded polystyrene (EPS) materials exceed 15 % of total floor area.

If you are an existing customer, you can access our portal at

• app.cix.co.nz

The main function of our portal is to provide property managers with realtime and transparent access to all claims information within their portfolio

For every claim that is reported we surface updates in the portal such as

• Claim status
• Loss Adjuster Contact Details
• Settlement Offers
• Related Documents
• Claims Notes
• Related Documents

We value constant improvement and the following features are under active development

• Owner and Tenant access
• Proactive AI Claims Management

The portal provides property managers with a transparent view of all upcoming renewals within their portfolio

We automated the renewals process to reduce the administrative burden on property managers and ensure that all renewals are completed in a timely manner

For every upcoming renewal, in the portal we

• Notify you 65 days in advance
• Provide you with a renewal declaration form
• Provide you with a renewal quote
• Allow you to accept the renewal online

The portal has automated reminders to ensure that no renewals are missed

We have recently concluded development of automated renewals, and presently we are taking feedback from our customers to improve the renewals process

We appreciate bad feedback!
It is much more helpful to us than just an echo chamber.

If you have an idea for what you'd like to see, or if you're just having a bad time, then we would welcome you to reach out to us directly here

To report a claim, you can lodge this online

• Online Claim Form

To get help on an existing claim, please contact us by

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 09 888 0573

You can access your claim details and documents through the following portal

• Claims Portal

If you have any issues accessing the portal please contact support teams

For general inquiries, please reach out to our support team.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 09 888 0573

To contact us regarding claim issues, please reach out to our claims team

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 09 888 0573

Portal: https://app.cix.co.nz

Where possible, please include your claim number when contacting us.

To discuss an insurance placement, please reach out to our broking team.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 09 888 0573

As an Authorised Body of CBN NZ, we adhere to CBN's Privacy Policy which can be found in the following link

CBN Privacy Policy

The following is our regulatory financial disclosure

Public Disclosure Statement

Last updated

23 April 2026

Licensing Information

CIX Group Limited trading as CIX (Commercial Insurance Exchange) is a registered financial advice provider - Authorised Body - under a full licence, which came into effect on 15th January 2024. Our registration number is (FSP1010967).

We are regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

CIX (we, our, us), are a named entity to provide a financial advice service under the Financial Advice Provider Class 2 Licence, held by Community Broker Network NZ Limited, trading as CBN (previously known as Folio.Insure Limited)(FSP1003687).

Nature and Scope of the Advice

Our advisers are skilled in providing guidance on a variety of insurance products—commercial, domestic, and personal, often grouped as Fire and General Insurance. We’re here to help you protect your income, assets, and liabilities, reducing the financial impact if the unexpected happens. 

We focus solely on Fire and General Insurance and do not offer advice on Life and Health Insurance, Investments, Kiwisaver, Medical Insurance, or Mortgages. However, if you need advice on these products, we’re happy to connect you with a trusted specialist. 

Currently, there are no limitations on our advice scope. Should any arise, we will inform you transparently. 

CBN is affiliated with Steadfast NZ Limited (Steadfast), which supports us in delivering high-quality advice through purchasing advantages and enhanced service support. 

Our financial advice spans a variety of products from New Zealand-based and international providers. Here are some key offerings: 

• Domestic Property and Contents Insurance 
• Business and Commercial Packages 
• Liability Insurance 
• Motor and Vehicle Insurance 
• Cyber and Data Protection 
• Specialised Plant and Equipment 
• Travel Insurance 
• Event Insurance 
• Contract and Project Insurance

Through our Providers 

• 360 Underwriting as Underwriting Agents of AIG 
• AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited 
• Ando Insurance Group Limited as Underwriting Agency for The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Limited 
• Ando Insurance Group Ltd on behalf of certain underwriters at Lloyds 
• AWP Services New Zealand Ltd t/as Allianz Partners & underwritten by Hollard Insurance Company Pty 
• Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company 
• Bounce Insurance Limited on behalf of certain underwriters at Lloyds 
• CFC Underwriting Limited 
• Chubb Insurance New Zealand Limited 
• Classic Cover Insurance underwritten by Lumley, a business division of IAG 
• Club Auto Insurance (NZ) Limited 
• Cover-More (NZ) Ltd 
• Delta Insurance New Zealand Limited as Coverholders of Lloyds 
• Dual New Zealand Limited as Underwriting agents for HDI Global 
• Dual New Zealand Limited as Underwriting agents for Lloyds 
• Emergence NZ Ltd 
• IAG New Zealand Ltd 
• Insurance Underwriters (NZ) Limited 
• Market Lane Insurance Group (NZ) Limited 
• Mecon Insurance Limited 
• Nautilus Marine Underwriting Agency Ltd 
• NM Insurance 
• NZ Underwriting Agencies 
• NZI, a division of IAG New Zealand Limited 
• Protecsure Pty Ltd as agents of Chubb Insurance Company of Australia Limited 
• QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited 
• Solution Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd 
• Star Insurance Ltd as Underwriting Agents for Vero Insurance New Zealand Ltd 
• Star Insurance Ltd as Underwriting Agents for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance  
• TAI, a division of Insurance Wholesale Limited on behalf of certain underwriters at Lloyds 
• TLC Insurance Ltd as Underwriting Agent for Vero Liability 
• TLC Insurance Ltd as Underwriting Agents for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance 
• Totara Property Insurance as Underwriting Agents of IAG New Zealand Limited 
• UAA New Zealand as Underwriting Agency of QBE Insurance (International) Limited 
• Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited 
• Vero Liability Insurance Limited 
• Vero Marine Insurance, an operating division of Vero Insurance New Zealand Ltd 
• Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL) 
• And more

Fees, Expenses, or Other Costs

We earn through a combination of fees and commissions. Fees are based on the time and complexity involved in setting up your policy, and any adjustments or cancellations during the policy term may incur a fee as outlined on your invoice. There are no set fixed fees.  CBN retains a portion of these fees for professional support to us. Any additional charges, like credit card fees, will be disclosed in our recommendations. 

Conflicts of Interest and Incentives

We may receive a commission from providers based on your premium. The commission rate is set by the insurers. If your policy is cancelled, this commission may be retained. Any referral fees we pay to partners are based on commission arrangements. If a conflict of interest arises, we will promptly disclose it and prioritise your interests. 

Our advisers are dedicated to acting in your best interests, supported by a conflicts and gifts register to maintain transparency. 

Premium Funding

To make payments easier, we offer premium funding, allowing you to pay in instalments. Please note, premium funders charge interest and can cancel policies for non-payment. In these arrangements, the funding company may pay us a commission on the amount funded, with CBN retaining a portion. 

Complaints Handling & Dispute Resolution

If you have feedback or concerns, first please discuss this with your adviser. Additionally, please refer to CBN NZ Complaints for our full Complaints and Disputes process. We’re here to resolve issues efficiently and transparently.

Our Duties to You

Under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, we, CBN, and anyone advising on their behalf are committed to:

• Giving priority to your interests by taking all reasonable steps to ensure our advice is not materially influenced by our own interests.
• Exercising care, diligence, and skill in providing you with advice.
• Meeting standards of competence, knowledge, and skill as set by the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services.
• Meeting standards of ethical behaviour, conduct, and client care as set by the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services.

For more details on these obligations, feel free to contact us or visit the FMA website.

Contact Information

• Name: CIX Group Limited
• Registration: FSP1010967
• Phone: 09 888 0573
• Email: [email protected]

Please see our Adviser Scope of Service document for more information about our services.

Glossary

For your reference:

• Authorised Body: An authorised and registered entity, named on a provider’s license, enabling them to offer licensed services without needing their own license.
• Financial Adviser: A registered and qualified financial adviser with skill, experience and scope in specific market products and financial services.
• Financial Advice: Recommendations regarding suitable financial advice products for you.
• Financial Markets Authority (FMA): NZ’s regulatory body overseeing financial services and securities markets.

Let us know if you have questions or if there’s any way we can support you!

We are part of the CBN broking network and as such adopt their Terms of Engagement.

To view and full copy of CBN's terms of engagement, please refer to the following link

Terms of Engagement

As an authorised body of CBN we adopt their complaints procedure.

For information on CBN's complaints procedure, or if you need to make a complaint, please refer to the following link.

Complaints Procedure