Sum Insured has just released the 2025 New Zealand Residential Contents Index (RCI), revealing critical insights for the insurance industry. The headline figure a 30.8% increase in home contents replacement costs since the index began in 2013.
The Residential Contents Index is a specialised tool designed to track the changing costs of replacing home contents. Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which covers a broad range of goods and services, the RCI focuses specifically on items typically covered by home contents insurance policies.
The RCI is based on a comprehensive model of a typical New Zealand home:
Our team tracks prices across three different standards (average, quality and prestige) for a wide range of household items, including:
Data is collected daily from a diverse range of retailers and suppliers through web research, phone calls, emails, and field visits.
For insurers and brokers, the RCI provides:
This year’s report shows above-average increases in:
These category-specific insights can help insurance professionals tailor their approach to different client segments.
The complete 2025 RCI report contains:
Download the full report here.
The 2025 New Zealand Residential Contents Index offers critical data for addressing underinsurance and ensuring appropriate coverage for New Zealand homeowners. By leveraging these insights, insurance professionals can enhance their service offerings, improve client relationships, and contribute to a more resilient insurance landscape.