Chubb is a specialist insurer in New Zealand, targeting the high-value home and life insurance markets. Backed by the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer, Chubb operates two NZ entities covering general and life insurance. We've aggregated ratings from Google and Trustpilot to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Chubb Insurance and who's behind it?
Chubb Insurance New Zealand is a specialist insurer operating two entities in New Zealand: Chubb Insurance New Zealand Limited (general insurance, Company Number 104656, FSP35924) and Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand Limited (life insurance, FSP27625). Both are part of Chubb Limited, the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer, operating in 54 countries.
Headquartered in Takapuna, Auckland, Chubb Life (formerly Cigna New Zealand, founded 13 December 1967) has been paying claims in NZ for over 55 years. Chubb's global parent traces its origins to 1882, giving the group over 140 years of insurance heritage. On 1 July 2022, Chubb acquired Cigna's life and non-life insurance companies in six Asia-Pacific markets including NZ. On 6 March 2023, Cigna NZ rebranded to Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand Limited. Chubb also previously acquired OnePath Life from ANZ for $700 million in 2018 (under Cigna).
Chubb is licensed by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and is a signatory to the Fair Insurance Code. The general insurance arm holds an AA- (Very Strong) rating from S&P Global, while the life insurance arm holds an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.
Unlike mass-market NZ insurers, Chubb focuses on specialist and high-value segments:
Chubb general insurance products are primarily distributed through brokers rather than directly to consumers. Life insurance is available through financial advisers, while travel insurance can be purchased online at chubbtravelinsurance.co.nz.
How customers rate Chubb Insurance across major review platforms
Note on review data: Chubb's general insurance is distributed through brokers, resulting in limited direct consumer reviews. The Google rating (2.7/5) reflects Google reviews for Chubb Life NZ, while Trustpilot reviews (4.1/5) are for Chubb globally. NZ-specific consumer feedback is limited compared to mass-market insurers.
Common themes from customer reviews across Google and Trustpilot
White-glove claims service on our Masterpiece policy. Chubb appointed specialist craftsmen and the rebuild quality exceeded our expectations. Truly premium service.
Friendly and helpful staff throughout the life insurance process. The adviser explained everything clearly and we felt well looked after.
Travel insurance claim was a nightmare. Took over a month to get any response and required multiple follow-up calls. Would not use again for travel cover.
Strong financial backing and the 93% claims approval rate for life insurance gave us real confidence. Settled our income protection claim within two weeks.
Struggled to get through on the phone for a simple query. Emails went unanswered for days. The product itself is good but the communication needs work.
Chubb replaced our damaged contents without any depreciation deduction. The no-depreciation policy is genuinely valuable for high-end items.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are editorial estimates based on available review data and may not be statistically representative due to limited NZ-specific review volume.
Chubb focuses on specialist and high-value insurance - not a full-range mass-market insurer
Masterpiece prestige home insurance for homes with $2M+ replacement cost. Extended replacement cost coverage pays full rebuild even if exceeding sum insured.
Masterpiece worldwide contents cover for accidental loss or damage. No depreciation on cash settlements. Covers fine art, jewellery, antiques, and collections.
Two product tiers: Assurance Extra (flagship with 9 customisable covers) and LifeOne (streamlined, up to $1M cover). Terminal illness benefit and children's bereavement support ($15K).
Single trip, annual, and multi-trip plans available online. 24-hour Chubb Assistance hotline included. Maximum trip duration 180 days, age limit 69.
Chubb offers critical illness cover (trauma), income protection, and specific injury coverage - but not traditional health insurance policies. Cover is part of the life insurance product suite.
Chubb does not offer car insurance in New Zealand. For car insurance options, see our car insurance comparison page.
Chubb does not offer motorcycle insurance in New Zealand. See our motorcycle insurance comparison page for alternatives.
Chubb does not offer pet insurance in New Zealand. See our pet insurance comparison page for alternatives.
Chubb does not offer standalone renters insurance in New Zealand. See our renters insurance comparison page.
Chubb does not offer standalone landlord insurance in New Zealand. See our landlord insurance comparison page.
Chubb does not offer classic car, motorhome, or caravan insurance in New Zealand. See our classic car or motorhome pages.
A major part of Chubb's NZ business. Includes property, casualty, cyber, marine, construction, energy, financial lines, management liability, and group personal accident & sickness insurance.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Chubb insurance cost? Indicative positioning based on market data
Chubb positions itself at the premium end of the NZ insurance market. General insurance (Masterpiece) is broker-quoted for high-net-worth clients, while life insurance is adviser-quoted. Travel insurance is available online with transparent pricing.
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly available information and market positioning. Actual premiums depend on individual circumstances, risk profile, and broker or adviser assessment. Contact a Chubb broker or adviser for a personalised quote. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Masterpiece is designed for homes with $2M+ replacement cost. Preferred locations include Auckland, Northland, Hamilton, Nelson, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Wanaka.
Fine art, jewellery, antiques, and collections require individual valuation. Higher-value collections attract higher premiums but benefit from worldwide cover.
Previous claims history affects premium pricing across all Chubb products. A clean claims record typically results in more favourable terms.
Life insurance premiums depend on age, health status, smoking status, and the level of cover selected. LifeOne offers streamlined underwriting.
Travel insurance pricing varies by destination, trip duration (max 180 days), traveller age (max 69), and cover level selected.
Home security systems, monitored alarms, and risk mitigation measures can influence Masterpiece premium pricing through your broker.
Chubb vs. other NZ insurers offering similar products
| Feature | Chubb | Tower | AIA NZ | Partners Life | Vero |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.4/5 2,282 reviews | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Home Insurance | $2M+ only | All homes | Not offered | Not offered | All homes |
| Life Insurance | Available | Not offered | Available | Available | Not offered |
| Car Insurance | Not offered | Available | Not offered | Not offered | Available |
| Travel Insurance | Available | Available | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Online Quotes | Travel only | Instant | Via adviser | Via adviser | Via broker |
| Financial Strength | AA- (S&P) | A (S&P) | AA- (S&P) | A (AM Best) | AA- (S&P) |
| Distribution | Brokers & advisers | Direct to consumer | Financial advisers | Financial advisers | Brokers |
| Product Range | Specialist | 8 categories | Life & health | Life & health | 10 categories |
| Price Range | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Google, Trustpilot, and other review platforms where available. Features may change - verify directly with the insurer. Product availability and pricing are indicative only. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other NZ insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities
NZ-owned insurer offering home, contents, car, and travel insurance. Strong digital platform with online quotes and self-service. A good option for standard home insurance not available through Chubb.
Major life and health insurer in NZ with a strong adviser network. Offers life, trauma, income protection, and health insurance. A direct competitor to Chubb's life insurance products.
NZ-owned life insurer known for customer-focused product design and strong adviser relationships. Offers life, trauma, income protection, and mortgage protection cover.
NZ's leading travel insurance provider. Offers comprehensive single trip and annual plans. A strong alternative to Chubb for travel insurance with better NZ-specific coverage options.
Chubb may suit some customers more than others
Owners of homes valued at $2M+ who want extended replacement cost coverage and a dedicated specialist claims service through Masterpiece.
People with fine art, jewellery, antiques, and valuable collections who need worldwide cover with no depreciation on cash settlements.
Those seeking life, income protection, or trauma cover from a financially strong, globally backed provider with a 93% claims approval rate.
Most everyday NZ consumers looking for standard car, home, contents, or pet insurance. Chubb's products target the high-value and specialist market, not the mass market.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Chubb Insurance NZ
Chubb brings exceptional financial strength to the NZ market, with dual ratings of AA- (S&P) for general insurance and A (A.M. Best) for life insurance. The Masterpiece high-value home product is genuinely differentiated - extended replacement cost coverage, no depreciation, and worldwide contents cover set it apart from standard policies offered by Tower, AA Insurance, or AMI.
The life insurance division (formerly Cigna, with roots going back over a century in NZ) has a solid 93% claims approval rate and offers flexible products through Assurance Extra. However, the Google rating of 2.7/5 for the life insurance division and travel insurance complaints about responsiveness are notable drawbacks. The broker-only distribution model for general insurance also limits accessibility.
For high-net-worth homeowners, collectors, and those seeking life or income protection cover from a globally backed provider, Chubb is well worth considering. For everyday insurance needs like car, pet, or standard home cover, other NZ insurers offer broader and more accessible product ranges.
Common questions about Chubb Insurance New Zealand
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Always verify details directly with your insurer and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
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