Contents insurance cost 6.8% less in September than a year earlier, while health insurance cost 17.5% more, according to Stats NZ's latest price figures.
The figures come from Stats NZ's consumers price index, published on 22 October. Overall, the index rose 0.7% in the September quarter and 3.7% in the 12 months to September.
Insurance did not move as one block. Health cover sits at the top and contents at the bottom, with three other types in between.
Health insurance had an index reading of 2271, up from 1932 a year earlier. By our sums, that is the 17.5%. It was 2200 in June, so health cover rose another 3.2% in the quarter alone.
Contents insurance went the other way. Its index fell from 1924 to 1793 over the year. It was 1824 in June, so by our sums it dropped about 1.7% in the quarter too.
Vehicle insurance rose from 1699 to 1758, a 3.5% lift over the year. It was 1721 in June.
House insurance barely shifted. The dwelling index was 2107, against 2105 a year earlier, a rise of 0.1%. In June it was 2088.
Life insurance edged down, from 1069 to 1057, a fall of 1.1%. It was 1063 in June.
| Type of cover | Sept 2025 | Sept 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health | 1932 | 2271 | +17.5% |
| Vehicle | 1699 | 1758 | +3.5% |
| House | 2105 | 2107 | +0.1% |
| Life | 1069 | 1057 | -1.1% |
| Contents | 1924 | 1793 | -6.8% |
The figures are index readings, not dollar premiums, so they show the direction and size of price moves rather than what any one household pays.
Stats NZ's release does not say why contents prices fell or health prices rose. The data only shows that the five types of cover are heading in different directions.
Headline inflation of 3.7% sits between the extremes. Health cover is running well ahead of it, vehicle cover is a touch below it, and house, life and contents cover are well below it.
Anyone renewing both house and contents cover with the same insurer is looking at two quite different price trends. More on health insurance.
