Levy is payable on all contracts of insurance against the risk of fire where assets in New Zealand is covered. The transitional levy is currently 10.60c per $100 sum insured.
For contracts commencing on or after 1 July 2024, the levy rate will increase to 11.95c per $100 sum insured.
This is subject to upper limits and special calculations for a number of items such as:
- residential buildings
- domestic contents
- motor vehicles (under 3.5 tonne gross laden weight)
- marine cargo and contract works.
Where the indemnity value of the assets is less than the sum insured, levy may be paid on the indemnity value of the assets insured.
GST is payable in addition to any amount of levy. The current rate of GST is 15%.
Increase in levy rate from 1 July 2024 during transitional period.
Levy payable on motor vehicles
Levy is currently payable at the flat rate of $8.45 per motor vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonne gross laden weight. This rate will increase to $9.53 per vehicle on 1 July 2024. Definitions of the terms are in the Land Transport Act and Road User Charges Act.
Levy on all other vehicles is calculated in the normal way.
Levy payable on residential buildings and residential contents
Residential buildings are calculated at the normal levy rate to a maximum levy payable of $106. The maximum levy payable will increase to $119.50 on 1 July 2024.
Residential contents are calculated at the normal levy rate to a maximum levy payable of $21.20. The maximum levy payable will increase to $23.90 on 1 July 2024.
Please refer to Guide for levy payers for definitions on these items.
Levy payable on marine cargo
Policies that cover deliveries within New Zealand, also known as marine cargo policies, have levy calculated at the normal rate, but can be pro-rated to a minimum of one week, e.g. 1/52 of levy payable.