Best Insurance Brokers in NZ (2026 Comparison Guide)
Looking for the best insurance broker in New Zealand? Here’s what to consider before choosing one, and how different types of insurance brokers compare.
Finding the right insurance broker isn’t necessarily about choosing the biggest name or the company with the most reviews.
It’s about finding someone who understands what you’re trying to protect, can explain your options clearly, and will be there when you need them.
Some NZ insurance brokers specialise in business and commercial insurance. Others focus on rural properties, while some work primarily with individuals and families on life, health and income protection.
So, who is the best insurance broker in NZ? It really depends on what you need.
This guide explains the differences and what to look for before making a decision.
About this guide
This guide has been prepared by Canvas Insurance, an independent personal insurance brokerage based in Auckland and working with clients across New Zealand.
We’ve included Canvas alongside other providers to explain the different types of insurance advice available.
This is not an independent ranking, a customer satisfaction survey or an exhaustive comparison of every NZ broker. The businesses mentioned have different areas of expertise, so they aren’t necessarily direct alternatives to one another.
Our aim is to help you make a more informed decision about the type of insurance broker that suits you.
What Should You Look for in an Insurance Broker?
Before comparing businesses, it’s worth understanding what makes a good insurance broker.
Here are five questions we’d recommend asking:
1. Do they specialise in the insurance you need?
An adviser who primarily works with large businesses may not be the best fit for someone wanting life insurance or income protection for their family.
2. Which insurance companies can they recommend?
Different advisers have access to different insurers. Ask which companies they work with and whether there are any limitations to their recommendations.
3. Will they explain what you actually need?
Good advice shouldn’t automatically mean buying more insurance. It should help you understand your biggest financial risks and which ones are worth protecting.
4. What happens if you need to make a claim?
Ask what support the broker provides during a claim and whether they’ll help you deal with the insurer.
5. Will they review your insurance as life changes?
Buying a house, having children, changing jobs or becoming self-employed can all affect the cover you need.
A broker who offers ongoing advice can help you make adjustments over time.
Comparing Insurance Brokers in New Zealand
There are several different types of insurance brokers and providers operating in NZ.
The table below gives an overview of some established businesses and the areas they focus on.
| Provider | Main focus | Who might consider them |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas Insurance | Personal insurance, including life, income protection, trauma, health and mortgage protection | Individuals, families, homeowners and self-employed people |
| Aon New Zealand | Commercial insurance, risk management and specialist insurance services | Businesses and organisations with commercial insurance requirements |
| Marsh New Zealand | Commercial insurance broking, risk advice and specialist risk solutions | Businesses and organisations with complex insurance needs |
| Rothbury Insurance Brokers | General insurance broking, including business and personal insurance products | People and businesses looking for general insurance advice |
| Insurance People | Personal risk insurance advice | Individuals and families comparing personal insurance options |
| FMG | Insurance for rural New Zealand, including farming and lifestyle-related risks | Farmers, rural businesses and lifestyle property owners |
Important: These businesses offer different services and operate under different advice and distribution arrangements. The table is an overview, not a quality ranking. Confirm each provider’s current services and insurer access directly before making a decision.
A Closer Look at Different Insurance Broker Options
Canvas Insurance — Personal Insurance Advice
Canvas is a family-run independent insurance brokerage focused on helping New Zealanders understand and arrange personal insurance.
We work with people at different stages of life, particularly families, homeowners and self-employed people who want to protect their income and financial security.
Our advice covers:
Life insurance
Income protection insurance
Trauma or critical illness insurance
Health insurance
Mortgage protection insurance
Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance
We compare options from insurers we work with, including AIA, Chubb Southern Cross and nib, depending on the type of cover and your circumstances.
Our approach is straightforward: understand what matters most to you, work out where the biggest financial risks sit, and recommend cover that makes sense for your situation and budget.
We’re a smaller brokerage, so we’re not trying to be everything to everyone. Our focus is personal insurance rather than general commercial, vehicle or property insurance.
Aon New Zealand — Commercial and Specialist Insurance
Aon is a large insurance and risk advisory business operating in New Zealand and internationally.
Its services include commercial insurance broking, risk management and specialist insurance solutions.
Aon may be worth considering if you’re looking for insurance advice relating to a business, organisation or complex commercial risk.
Marsh New Zealand — Business Insurance and Risk Advice
Marsh is an international insurance brokerage and risk advisory business.
Its work includes commercial insurance, specialist risk advice and insurance arrangements for organisations with more complex requirements.
For businesses needing broader risk management support, Marsh is another established option to investigate.
Rothbury Insurance Brokers — General Insurance
Rothbury is an established New Zealand insurance brokerage with a focus on general insurance.
Its services include insurance advice for businesses and individuals across various general insurance categories.
If you’re looking for advice on property, business or other general insurance needs, Rothbury may be a relevant option to compare.
Insurance People — Personal Insurance
Insurance People operates in the personal insurance advice market, making it a more directly relevant comparison for people considering life, health or other personal risk insurance.
As with any adviser, it’s worth asking which insurers they work with, how their advice process operates and what ongoing support is available.
FMG — Rural Insurance
FMG is a New Zealand mutual insurer with a strong focus on farming and rural communities.
It offers insurance solutions for rural and lifestyle-related risks.
Unlike an independent broker comparing multiple insurers, FMG operates as an insurer, so it’s important to understand that distinction when comparing your options.
So, Who Is the “Best Insurance Broker in NZ”?
There isn’t one answer that suits everyone.
If you’re looking for business insurance, a brokerage specialising in commercial risk may be appropriate.
If you’re a farmer or rural property owner, you’ll probably want someone who understands the risks associated with rural life.
And if you’re looking to protect your family, mortgage or income, an adviser specialising in personal insurance may be the better place to start.
The most important thing is finding someone who understands your circumstances, explains the options and helps you make a decision you’re comfortable with.
Choosing a Life Insurance Broker in NZ
Life insurance is a good example of why choosing the right adviser matters.
Two people earning similar incomes might need completely different insurance arrangements.
One might have a large mortgage and young children. Another might have no debt but be financially supporting a partner. Someone who’s self-employed may be particularly concerned about what happens if they can’t work.
A good life insurance broker should consider the bigger picture, including:
Your income and financial commitments
Your mortgage and other debts
Whether anyone depends on your income
Existing insurance and workplace benefits
Your health and medical history
Your budget and priorities
The goal isn’t necessarily to arrange the most cover possible. It’s to work out what you’re relying on financially and what would happen if that changed.
A Note From Kris at Canvas Insurance
I’m Kris, an insurance adviser with over 15 years’ experience helping New Zealanders make sense of their personal insurance options.
One thing I’ve learned is that people don’t always need more insurance.
Sometimes they need to better understand the cover they already have. Sometimes there’s a gap worth addressing. And sometimes a small change to an existing policy can make a meaningful difference.
For me, good advice is about listening first, explaining the options properly and making sure people understand what they’re paying for.
It’s also about being there if something goes wrong and they need to make a claim.
That’s what I’d encourage anyone comparing insurance brokers to look for.
Kris Haak — Insurance Adviser, Canvas Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Brokers in NZ
Do I pay to use a life insurance broker?
For personal insurance such as life, income protection and health insurance, advisers are commonly paid commission by the insurer when a policy is arranged.
Some advisers may also charge fees in certain circumstances.
Before proceeding, ask how your adviser is paid, whether any fees apply and where you can read their disclosure information.
Is a broker better than going directly to an insurer?
Both can be suitable options.
Going directly to an insurer may work well if you already know what you need and are comfortable assessing the policy yourself.
A broker or financial adviser can help you compare available options, understand differences between policies and choose cover based on your circumstances.
The value often lies in the advice and ongoing support, rather than simply obtaining a quote.
Can insurance brokers get cheaper premiums?
Insurance premiums generally depend on the insurer’s pricing and factors such as your age, health, occupation, smoking status and the type and amount of cover.
A broker shouldn’t be assumed to have access to special discounts simply because they’re a broker.
Their value is in helping you compare suitable policies and structure your cover appropriately.
Can a broker review insurance I already have?
Yes. Many personal insurance advisers offer reviews of existing policies.
This can be useful if you’ve bought a house, had children, changed jobs or noticed your premiums increasing.
A review doesn’t automatically mean replacing your insurance. Existing policies may have benefits or terms that are worth keeping.
What insurance should young families consider?
It depends on their financial circumstances.
Life insurance, income protection, trauma insurance and health insurance can all play different roles.
A sensible starting point is to consider what would happen financially if someone in the family died, became seriously ill or couldn’t work for an extended period.
From there, you can work out which risks are most important to address.
How do I know if an insurance adviser is qualified?
In New Zealand, financial advice is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority.
You can check the relevant financial advice provider on the Financial Service Providers Register and ask an adviser for their disclosure information.
It’s also worth asking about their experience, areas of specialisation and the insurers they can recommend.
Looking for Personal Insurance Advice?
If you’re comparing brokers for life insurance, income protection, trauma cover, health insurance or mortgage protection, we’re happy to help.
At Canvas, we focus on understanding what matters most to you before recommending any cover.
Sometimes that means arranging new insurance. Sometimes it means adjusting what you already have. And sometimes it means confirming that your existing cover is doing its job.
If you’d like to talk through your options, have a chat with Kris and see whether we’re the right fit.
Guide prepared by Canvas Insurance. Last reviewed: October 2026 (once provider details and links have been checked).
