Tower Insurance

Tower Insurance, a New Zealand general insurer with more than 150 years of history

Tower Limited is a New Zealand general insurer that sells and manages its policies primarily online. The company presents itself as the only New Zealand-owned and New Zealand-operated general insurer, and states it has more than 300,000 customers across New Zealand and the Pacific.

Its origins date back to 1869, when the Government Life Insurance Office was established in New Zealand with capital provided by the country's government. In 1953 it became an independent statutory body, in 1987 it adopted the name Tower Corporation, and in 1990 ownership was transferred to its policyholders, making it a mutual. In 1999, with the approval of policyholders and the High Court, it demutualised and became a limited liability company, listing that same year on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges. In November 2006 the New Zealand and Australian businesses were separated. The company notes that 2024 marked 150 years of operation in the Pacific, since the sale of its first policy in Fiji in 1874.

Insurance range

The insurer's offering covers policies for individuals and businesses. The range includes:

• Car insurance and electric vehicle insurance.
• House insurance and contents insurance, with the option to buy them together.
• Contract works cover for renovations.
• Landlord insurance.
• Boat insurance.
• Business insurance.
• Travel insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Renters' insurance.
• Motorbike and motorcycle insurance.
• Lifestyle block insurance.
• Caravan or trailer insurance.
• Motorhome, campervan and RV insurance.

The company offers a multi-policy discount and provides house insurance and contents insurance calculators.

Digital management and self-service

Tower operates on a single technology platform that allows its teams to work seamlessly across its different markets. Customers can buy, claim and manage their policies online through My Tower, its digital self-service platform. The company states that making a claim this way saves an average of five minutes. Its policies are written in plain language and are plain language certified.

Presence in New Zealand and the Pacific

In addition to New Zealand, the insurer operates in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa and the Cook Islands, where it offers cover for houses, cars, contents, businesses and other needs. Its head office is in the office building at 136 Fanshawe Street, in Auckland's business district, a property with a six-star Green Star rating designed and built with energy efficiency and waste reduction in mind.

Awards and financial strength

The company highlights that it has been recognised by Canstar as Insurer of the Year in the home and contents categories for three years running, in the 2024-2026 period, along with an outstanding value award. Its financial strength rating is A- (Excellent). Tower is a member of the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and abides by the ICNZ Fair Insurance Code.

Employment commitment and sustainability

The company states it is a Living Wage Employer and holds the Domestic Violence Free Tick and Rainbow Tick certifications. It was one of the first 50 companies to join New Zealand's Mind the Gap register to publicly report pay equity data, and one of the first to sign up to the national parental leave register. On sustainability, it states that its activities aim to help New Zealand and the Pacific move towards a more sustainable future.

Current promotions on the site

The site showed a promotion with the code EASYSAVE offering $200 off new house or landlord policies, $100 off new contents policies and $100 off new comprehensive car insurance policies, valid until 30 January 2027 and subject to terms and conditions. It also indicated a draw for ten $1,000 travel gift cards each among those who took out a new travel insurance policy, with a deadline of 30 September 2026.