This guide will help you understand the information required when using the House Insurance Calculator at to work out a sum insured estimate for your home. It is designed for the average New Zealand stand alone home. It may not be accurate for very large or high value homes and does not take into account special features or situations. It is based on, and taken directly from, the help and guidance information available in the Home Insurance Calculator itself, but presented in this convenient form. You can print this guide, so you can write your answers to the questions as you walk around your house, then input those answers into the calculator at to get your estimate. 1. Description of your property What is the post code? What is the style of your house? Contemporary Group style (1970 present) Contemporary Architect designed (1970 present) A group home is a standard design chosen from a range of plans from, and built by, a building company. Designs can be modern or reflect an earlier era. Mid century (1940 1969) A custom-built or architect designed home is a unique one-off design, created by an architect or building designer. These homes will usually have individual layouts and unique design elements. Bungalow (1920 1939) State houses were commonly built during the 40 to 60 s. Houses were small and simple, with minimal decoration and steep pitched plain roofs. Most houses were built of timber weatherboard or brick veneer with a metal or tile roof. Stucco and asbestos cement were also used to clad houses. The majority of homes had timber floor boards and only minimal hallways. Bungalows typically used timber frames clad in timber weatherboards, with timber floorboards and a low to medium pitched metal roof. Often more than one cladding type was used to give decorative emphasis e.g. shingles. Common features include wide eaves, bay windows, leadlight windows and gable ventilation grilles. During this era a number of art deco houses were also constructed. Villa (1880 1919) Early housing (1840 1879) Villas are typically constructed of timber, with timber weatherboards outside and timber floorboards inside, covered with a steep metal roof. Villas usually have a verandah or porch with decorative woodwork details, high ceilings, sash windows and bay windows. Most were built with a central corridor with rooms off to either side, though many have had extensive alterations. Early houses are typically made from timber frames, with timber weatherboards and floorboards, with a very steep metal roof. Houses are predominately single storey with a verandah across the front of the house. The floor plan was usually simple and plain, with an average size of around 80m 2. Due to their age these houses often have extensive alterations and lean to extensions. House Insurance Calculator Guide 1 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 1
To what standard is your home designed and built? See lists below for examples of features. Average Is your home built on flat, unstable or sloping land? If your section has both flat and sloping areas, choose the option that is closest to the slope of the land where your house is positioned. Flat / Gentle slope Flat / Gentle slope (unstable) Standard design Laminated kitchen bench tops & cupboard doors Basic appliances & tapware Framed shower screens Basic aluminium windows Flush faced doors Steel door handles Simple architraves & skirtings Plain ceilings & cornices Average ceramic tiling Minimal electrical facilities Moderate slope (15 degrees) Severe slope (35 degrees) Quality Architectural design Granite or laminated timber kitchen bench tops Vinyl or polyurethane kitchen cupboard doors European appliances & tapware Semi framed or frameless shower screens Timber or improved aluminium windows Feature doors European door furniture or handles Larger architraves & skirtings Decorative ceilings & cornices Porcelain tiling (floor to ceiling) Average electrical facilities Prestigious Complex architectural design Granite kitchen bench tops Polyurethane or solid timber kitchen cupboard doors European appliances & tapware Frameless shower screens Timber or improved aluminium windows Custom doors European door furniture or handles Larger architraves & skirtings Decorative ceilings & cornices Stone tiling (floor to ceiling) Extensive electrical facilities House Insurance Calculator Guide 2 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 2
2. Construction of your property How many levels are there in your home? 1 2 3 If your home has stairs or split levels, each level is considered separate. For example if you have a single storey split level home, you should enter it as two levels. If your home is 1 level is it elevated? Yes No Elevated homes are those raised above ground level on stilts/poles, columns, piers, posts or stumps (usually by about 1200mm or more). The space under an elevated home is usually empty, however sometimes this area is filled in to create an extra liveable area. If this is the case then that area is considered an extra level. If your home is 2 or 3 levels what percentage of the ground floor is covered by the upstairs roof? % For example: What are the walls of your home made of? Blockwork A wall type composed of concrete blocks laid in cement mortar. Double brick Known as either double brick or cavity brick, this wall type is composed of bricks laid in cement or lime mortar in two separate rows with a space between, such that, exterior and interior walls are brick. Solid brickwork A wall type composed of bricks laid in cement or lime mortar. If there are two rows of bricks, there is no space in between. Brick veneer A wall type composed of a structural internal timber or steel frame, lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and externally with brickwork. Stonework solid A wall type constructed of solid stone blocks laid in cement or lime mortar. Do you know the area of your home? (Don t include garages, carports, verandahs or sleepouts) If you know the area of your home, the calculator will estimate the size of the rooms. If you don t know the area of your home, the calculator will estimate the total area based on the room sizes you select. No, I do not know the area Yes, the area in m 2 is: m 2 What is the ground floor of your home made of? Concrete on ground A concrete floor laid directly on the ground commonly known as a concrete slab. Concrete suspended A raised concrete floor with a space between it and the ground e.g. you have crawl space under your house. Timber frame timber floor boards A raised solid timber floor (e.g pine or hardwood) composed of timber floor boards fixed to a series of load supporting horizontal timber beams. Timber frame particle board flooring A raised floor composed of reconstituted timber sometimes known as particle or chipboard, fixed to a series of load supporting horizontal timber beams, often covered in carpet, vinyl or timber veneer flooring. What are the upper floors of your home made of? Concrete suspended Timber frame timber floor boards Timber frame particle board flooring Sheet cladding internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and externally with fibre cement sheeting. Weatherboard / plank cladding internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and clad externally with weatherboards or planks. Artificial weatherboard / plank cladding internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and clad externally with artificial weatherboards or planks composed of fibre cement, reconstituted timber, vinyl or other non timber materials. Stucco internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and clad externally with solid render over board. Stonework veneer A wall type composed of a structural internal timber or steel frame, lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and lined externally with stone bricks/blocks. How high are your home s ceilings? (Choose the most common height of the rooms in your house) 2.4 metres (8 feet) 2.7 metres (9 feet) 3.0 metres (10 feet) 3.3 metres (11 feet) 3.6 metres (12 feet) House Insurance Calculator Guide 3 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 3
What type of roof does your home have? A pitched roof type is pitched at an angle between 15 and 35. Pitched metal sheeting such as galvanised iron, zinc aluminium or colour coated steel covering Pitched asbestos cement sheeting or fibre cement sheeting covering Pitched concrete roof tiles Pitched terracotta (fired clay) roof tiles A flat roof type is pitched at a very low angle (less than 15 ). Flat metal sheeting such as galvanised iron, zinc aluminium or colour coated steel covering Flat manufactured waterproof membrane covering Flat asbestos cement sheeting or fibre cement sheeting covering Pitched slate roof shingles Pitched timber shingles 3. Rooms in your property How many bathrooms / ensuites are in your home? A bathroom is a room usually containing a toilet, vanity or wall basin, shower and bath. An ensuite is a bathroom accessed via a bedroom and should be counted as a separate bathroom. Rooms combining a bathroom and laundry should be treated as two separate rooms dividing the area appropriately. Bathroom 1 Small (3m 2m) Medium (3m 3m) Large (4m 3m) Bathroom 2 Small (3m 2m) Medium (3m 3m) Large (4m 3m) Bathroom 3 Small (3m 2m) Medium (3m 3m) Large (4m 3m) How many separate toilets are in your home? If you have a room containing only a toilet, vanity or wall basin and no bath or shower, it is considered a separate toilet. If you have stated the floor area of your house, the calculator will estimate the size of your other rooms. So you may now skip to section 4. If you haven t stated the floor area of your home, please answer the following questions: How many bedrooms are in your home? Count only the rooms in which people sleep. The following questions will allow you to select other rooms, such as a study or rumpus room. Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom 5 Bedroom 6 Does your home have any of the rooms listed below? Entry / Foyer An enlarged hallway that affords entrance inside via an exterior door. Small (3m 2m) Medium (4m 3m) Large (5m 4m) Living / Lounge A formal room or area used to entertain visitors, usually containing audio visual equipment, books and furniture. Small (4m 3m) Medium (5m 4m) Large (7m 5m) Dining room A formal room or area used to serve meals and entertain visitors. Small (4m 3m) Medium (5m 4m) Large (7m 5m) Family room A casual room or area used for relaxation and recreation purposes, usually containing audio visual and computer equipment and furniture. Small (4m 3m) Medium (5m 4m) Large (7m 5m) Rumpus room A casual room or area used for relaxation and recreation purposes, usually containing audio visual and computer equipment and furniture. Small (4m 3m) Medium (5m 3m) Large (7m 5m) Study A room used for reading, writing, studying or business purposes, usually containing office equipment and supplies. House Insurance Calculator Guide 4 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 4
Sun room A casual room that contains a high proportion of windows/glass used for relaxation purposes. Billiard room A room used for playing billiards, pool or snooker, usually equipped with a purpose made table and associated equipment. Small (5m 4m) Medium (6m 5m) Large (8m 6m) Open plan room Any room not covered by the set room types may be added as a custom room including multi purpose rooms with few walls. Are there any other rooms? Yes No 4. Structure of your property How many balconies/decks does your home have? A balcony is a platform that protrudes from a building. It is usually protected by a railing or balustrade. A deck is an uncovered platform often attached to or on the roof of a structure and is usually protected by a railing or balustrade. Balcony / Deck 1 Balcony / Deck 2 How many garages does your home have? A fully enclosed roofed shelter for the storage of cars or other vehicles. Can be attached or freestanding. Garage 1 Single Double Triple Garage 2 Single Double Triple How many carports does your home have? A roofed shelter for cars or other vehicles with one or more sides open. Can be attached or freestanding. Single Double Triple How many driveways does your home have? Driveway 1 Driveway 2 How many single storey verandahs does your home have? A single level, covered porch or balcony along the outside of a building. How many double storey verandahs does your home have? A two level, covered porch or balcony along the outside of a building. How many triple storey verandahs does your home have? A three level, covered porch or balcony along the outside of a building. How many upper storey verandahs does your home have? How many pergolas does your home have? An external open air structure consisting of a framework supported on columns or posts. Vines or other plants are often trained over these structures. How many cabins/poolhouses/sleepouts do you have? 5. Features of your property Does your home have any of the features listed below? Central heating Ducted warm air electric A system that distributes warm air, heated by electricity, throughout a home via vents in the floor, wall or ceiling. Ducted warm air gas A system that distributes warm air, heated by gas, throughout a home via vents in the floor, wall or ceiling. Warm water electric A system that distributes warm water, heated by electricity, into radiators throughout the home. Warm water gas A system that distributes warm water, heated by gas, into radiators throughout the home. Warm water wood A system that distributes warm water, heated by a wood burner, into radiators throughout the home. How many standalone electric heaters (e.g. heat pumps)? A self-contained unit built into the house that heats an enclosed area or room, using electricity. How many standalone gas heaters? A self-contained unit built into the house that heats an enclosed area or room, using gas. How many standalone wood heaters? A self-contained unit built into the house that heats an enclosed area or room, by burning wood. A digital home system Smart wiring only Home automation How many linen closets? A small room or enclosed area accessed by door(s) used for storing linen and towels. House Insurance Calculator Guide 5 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 5
How many wardrobes built-in? An enclosed area accessed by door(s), used for storing clothing. How many wardrobes walk-in? A small room accessed by door(s) used for storing clothing. Sauna A room in which a person bathes in steam produced when water is sprayed or poured over heated rocks or another heated surface, sometimes called a steam room. Solar electricity generating system A system designed to generate electricity from the sun. These systems usually comprise a number of solar photo voltaic panels that transform solar radiation into 240 volt AC electricity via an inverter. Solar hot water system System designed to generate and deliver hot water heated by the sun. Systems usually comprise solar collector panels and storage tank. Vacuum system central A cleaning system that utilizes a single vacuum source and distribution system, built in to the house itself. Elevator How many awnings external? A covering projected over a door or window, often retractable, for protection against rain and sun. How many rainwater tanks? Fencing Minimal Perimeter fencing surrounding a small size block of land of approximately 500m 2. Average Perimeter fencing surrounding a medium size block of land of approximately 750m 2. Extensive Perimeter fencing surrounding a large size block of land of approximately 1000m 2. Paving Minimal (approx. 25m 2 ) Average (approx. 50m 2 ) Extensive (approx. 100m 2 ) Retaining walls Minimal (approx. 5m 2 i.e. 10m of wall 0.5m high) Average (approx. 10m 2 i.e. 20m of wall 0.5m high or 10m of wall 1.0m high) Extensive (approx. 20m 2 i.e. 40m of wall 0.5m high or 20m of wall 1.0m high) How many tennis courts? Bitumen Synthetic grass on concrete Concrete Do you have tennis court lighting? Yes No A 5,000 litre water tank above the ground with plumbing and electrical connections. How many sheds small? A small shed is a shed smaller than a single car garage and often used to store gardening tools or bicycles. How many sheds large? A large shed is a shed larger than a single car garage and often used to store a vehicle, boat, equipment or machinery. Swimming pool Concrete (in-ground) Vinyl (above ground) Fibreglass (in-ground) Thank you for completing the House Insurance Calculator Guide. If you have printed this and filled in the answers, you can now input them into the calculator at to get your estimate. This information in this Guide is taken from and based on information in the Home Insurance Calculator provided by Cordell Information Pty Ltd at. The cost of rebuilding your home will depend on the specific details of your home. If you want advice on the cost of rebuilding your home you need to contact a valuation or building professional. Your use of this guide in conjunction with the Cordell calculator is authorised on the condition that Cordell, Vero Insurance NZ Ltd and ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited do not have any liability of any kind for, or arising from the use of, the Cordell calculator. This is general information and is not a recommendation, opinion or guidance on the sum insured that is appropriate for your circumstances. Nor does this information provide any advice or opinion on the extent or adequacy of the cover provided by sum insured insurance. This information is not personalised financial advice and does not take into account your particular situation. You must make your own decision on the sum insured that is appropriate for your circumstances. House Insurance Calculator Guide 6 anz14724 1304 Sum Insured Calculator Worksheet 08.indd 6