New Zealand · Insurance guide
Applying for insurance: getting disclosure right
At the 28 September 2026 information check, current New Zealand consumer guidance says to give honest, complete and up-to-date relevant information when applying, renewing, making a claim or when circumstances change. A different consumer disclosure duty is scheduled to begin on 15 November 2027, but it is not yet in force.
Where to start
For the current position, answer every question carefully, tell the insurer about relevant information, ask for written clarification when unsure, and keep the final application and any corrections. Do not rely on the future law before it starts.
Key points
Use the current position
The guidance applying at this review date still expects relevant information to be disclosed as well as insurer questions to be answered honestly and completely.
The 2027 change is not current yet
From 15 November 2027, the Contracts of Insurance Act 2024 is scheduled to replace the consumer duty with reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation.
Clarify and correct
Ask the insurer or adviser what an unclear question means, and use their process to correct an answer that is wrong or incomplete.
Keep the record
Save the submitted application, written clarifications, corrections, acceptance terms and final policy documents.
The position at this review date
Consumer Protection currently says to provide honest, complete, up-to-date and relevant information when applying for insurance, renewing a policy, making a claim and when circumstances change. It also says to answer all application questions and contact the insurer if something was left out.
This is general public guidance, not a decision about a particular application or dispute. The actual questions, policy, communications and applicable law need to be considered together.
A different consumer duty starts in 2027
The Contracts of Insurance Act 2024 is scheduled to come into force on 15 November 2027. Under its consumer model, a policyholder must take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation, and insurers carry greater responsibility for asking clear and specific questions.
That future model should not be presented as the rule already operating in September 2026. Recheck the commencement and transitional position before relying on this guide after the change date.
Clarify before submitting
Read every question and follow-up request carefully. If the meaning or level of detail is unclear, ask the insurer or adviser for written clarification rather than guessing.
Correct an incomplete or wrong answer
Contact the insurer or adviser through their stated process if an answer needs correcting. Keep the corrected information and the insurer's response with the application record.
Keep the complete record
Save the submitted application, adviser notes, written clarifications, correction messages, acceptance terms, schedule and policy wording. Those records show what was asked, answered and agreed if a later question arises.
What to check next
- Use this to prepare questions, not as legal advice about a disclosure dispute.
- Different products can ask different questions.
- Ask the insurer or adviser if a question is unclear.
A useful next step
Understand the policy documents
For advice about your personal circumstances: Finding licensed financial advice.
These links are official information about finding advice. You can also send a minimal enquiry to Ralenvo for owner review below. Submission does not send information to an adviser.
Sources and dates
Information was checked on 28 September 2026. Open the current official page before relying on a rate, threshold, eligibility setting or process that may have changed.
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