A recent residential fire in Remuera has prompted the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) to highlight a significant gap in insurance coverage among migrant households.
The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 30, resulted in the complete loss of personal belongings for an Indian family and their two flatmates.
According to RNZ’s report, none of the residents had contents insurance, leaving them to absorb the full financial impact of the disaster.
The ICNZ has observed that many migrants in New Zealand are less likely to hold contents insurance compared to the general population.
According to an ICNZ spokesperson, this trend is often due to limited familiarity with New Zealand’s insurance system, language barriers, and differing insurance experiences in their countries of origin.
“It means you won’t have to replace everything out of your own pocket. Whether you rent or own your home, it’s about protecting what’s important to you and being prepared for risks you can’t control,” the spokesperson said, as reported by RNZ.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported that the property was already engulfed in flames when crews arrived, requiring nine units to bring the blaze under control.
Sanjay Veerwal, who lived in the house with his family, said they narrowly escaped.
“If we were one or two minutes later, I wouldn’t be talking to you now,” he said, as reported by RNZ.
The family, who have lived in New Zealand for over three years after moving from Rajasthan, lost nearly all their possessions except for a car and a mobile phone. "All our furniture, clothes, important documents like passports, certificates – everything is gone,” Veerwal said.
He estimated the cost to replace their belongings at approximately $50,000. With no insurance to cover their losses, the family has depended on support from the local community. “The Indian community and the wider community have been incredibly supportive, helping us with clothes, finding housing, and connecting us with people who can assist. We are truly grateful,” Veerwal said.
The family has been temporarily housed by their son’s school while searching for new accommodation. The Consulate General of India is assisting with the replacement of lost passports.
Flatmate Lakshay Gulati, who has lived in New Zealand for nine years, also lost most of his possessions, including documents and items for a planned trip to India.
“I wasn’t even aware of such insurance,” Gulati told RNZ, estimating his losses at $8,000.
Another flatmate, Akul Layal, lost all his belongings and a car just two days after moving in. Layal planned to stay with family in Christchurch to recover.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has completed its investigation, but the cause of the fire remains undetermined due to the extent of structural damage. Community members have established fundraising pages to assist those affected.
In a separate advisory, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has urged property owners in Otago and Southland to exercise caution when burning storm debris.
District managers Craig Geddes and Julian Tohiariki advised that careful planning is essential to prevent accidental fires, particularly during windy conditions.
Guidance on safe burning practices is available at www.checkitsalright.nz, which includes recommendations on burn pile placement, creating fire breaks, and ensuring materials are dry.
Residents are also reminded to check local council and regional air quality regulations before lighting outdoor fires.
