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General Insurance in New Zealand - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Ryan Tan Ryan Tan Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: May 2024 ANZSIC K6322NZ

Revenue

$8.7bn

2024-25

$8.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

8,546

Businesses

100

Wages

$X.Xbn

General Insurance in New Zealand industry analysis

General insurers have found themselves in a changing economy that benefits them. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and technological advancement have resulted in drastic changes in business needs, boosting demand for comprehensive insurance coverage like business interruption and cybersecurity insurance. The global chip shortage in recent years propelled the price of new and used cars, fuelling car insurance rates. Amid premium hikes and inflationary pressures, price-comparison platforms like Canstar have gained prominence, enabling customers to identify economical and suitable plans. On the other hand, cost of living pressures and interest rates have led to individuals and families cutting back on non-essential insurance coverages, limiting revenue growth. Overall, revenue is expected to climb at an annualised 2.0% over the five years through 2024-25, including an anticipated increase of 1.5% in 2024-25, to total $8.7 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • The global chip shortage has elevated the prices of new and used cars, making it costly for insurers to replace vehicles. This, combined with higher vehicle prices, is driving more repair requests, inflating car insurance premiums and bolstering industry revenue.
  • Surging house and contents insurance costs are driving people away from domestic insurance. Factors like reinsurance costs, severe weather events and risk-based pricing for properties compound this issue, leaving many homeowners unable to afford policies.
  • Insurance providers favour major cities to harness higher customer traffic. By strategically placing their branches, companies can generate a large policyholder base and establish dominance in the market.
  • Online comparison sites are increasing consumer empowerment in the insurance market. These platforms allow consumers to compare policies and pricing, pushing insurance providers to maintain competitive rates and comprehensive coverage.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $8.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Surge in motor vehicle premiums have bolstered industry revenue streams

  • Higher claim frequencies have justified repeated premium rises among general insurers. The significant increase in motor vehicle insurance premiums is particularly prevalent because of cyclone-related damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, escalating inflation and the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
General Insurance in New Zealand
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Navigating the digital landscape: a double-edged sword for general insurers

  • The evolving digital landscape is posing new challenges for general insurers. As society becomes increasingly reliant on digital infrastructures, organisations face greater exposure to cyber risks. The widespread adoption of digital technology raises the risks associated with data breaches and cyber-attacks and introduces underwriting, pricing and claims management complexities.

Biggest companies in the General Insurance in New Zealand

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($m)
2025
IAG (NZ) Holdings
3,743.6
Suncorp Group Holdings (NZ)
2,653.7
QBE New Zealand Branch
707.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

General Insurance in New Zealand
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Domestic insurance, Motor vehicle insurance and Commercial insurance. Domestic insurance is the largest segment of the General Insurance in New Zealand.

Trends and Insights

Motor vehicle insurers hike premiums amid global chip shortage

  • Motor vehicle insurance policies cover private and commercial vehicles against accidental loss or damage.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

General insurers underwrite insurance policies to protect individuals and businesses from financial loss associated with property damage, motor vehicle damage, liability and other risks. Underwriting involves assuming risks and assigning premiums. Reinsurers take all or part of the risk associated with existing insurance policies that other insurers underwrite.

What's included in this industry?

Domestic insuranceMotor vehicle insurance Commercial insuranceLiability insurance Marine insuranceEarthquake insurance

Companies

IAG (NZ) HoldingsSuncorp Group Holdings (NZ)QBE New Zealand Branch

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

UNDERWRITINGCHATBOTCREDIT RATING

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 6322 - General Insurance in New Zealand

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The global chip shortage has elevated the prices of new and used cars, making it costly for insurers to replace vehicles. This, combined with higher vehicle prices, is drivin...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Surging house and contents insurance costs are driving people away from domestic insurance. Factors like reinsurance costs, severe weather events and risk-based pricing for p...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Insurance providers favour major cities to harness higher customer traffic. By strategically placing their branches, companies can generate a large policyholder base and esta...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Online comparison sites are increasing consumer empowerment in the insurance market. These platforms allow consumers to compare policies and pricing, pushing insurance provid...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The General Insurance industry is highly fragmented aside from the three major players. Smaller insurers include domestic insurers like Tower Insurance and branches of intern...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of IAG (NZ) Holdings's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Suncorp Group Holdings (NZ)'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of QBE New Zealand Branch's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for IAG (NZ) Holdings, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Suncorp Group Holdings (NZ), and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for QBE New Zealand Branch, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

As climate change amplifies the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, insurance claims rise, driving operational costs for insurance providers. This situation also fo...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Cost pass-through has driven revenue growth for insurers. The ability of insurers to transfer cost hikes to downstream markets has bolstered general insurers' profit margins.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the General Insurance industry in New Zealand in 2024?

The market size of the General Insurance industry in New Zealand is $8.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the General Insurance in New Zealand industry in 2024?

There are 100 businesses in the General Insurance industry in New Zealand, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the General Insurance industry in New Zealand grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the General Insurance industry in New Zealand has been growing at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the General Insurance industry in New Zealand over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the General Insurance industry in New Zealand is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the General Insurance market in New Zealand?

The biggest companies operating in the General Insurance market in New Zealand are IAG (NZ) Holdings, Suncorp Group Holdings (NZ) and QBE New Zealand Branch

What does the General Insurance in New Zealand include?

Domestic insurance and Motor vehicle insurance are part of the General Insurance industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the General Insurance in New Zealand?

The company holding the most market share in New Zealand is IAG (NZ) Holdings.

How competitive is the General Insurance industry in New Zealand?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the General Insurance industry in New Zealand.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Life Insurance in New Zealand
  • Health Insurance in New Zealand

Complementors

  • Superannuation Funds in New Zealand
  • Insurance Brokerage in New Zealand

International industries

  • Global Direct General Insurance Carriers
  • Global Reinsurance Carriers
  • Property, Casualty and Direct Insurance in the US
  • Reinsurance Carriers in the US
  • Pet Insurance in the US

View all industries in New Zealand

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in New Zealand include:

  • Statistics New Zealand
  • New Zealand Company Register
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.