Amanda Whiting, chief executive of IAG NZ, said the survey shows climate-change concern is “front of mind” for Kiwis.
“People have seen the devastation wrought by storms like Cyclone Gabrielle and are much more aware of the risks.”
Climate change and natural disaster risk now outrank school zones, public transport and crime rates in terms of importance for buyers.
More than half of respondents said the weather and natural disaster risk was among their top three concerns when buying a home.
And four-in-five people want their councils to provide more information on a property’s natural hazard risks – but only two-in-five want their insurers to do the same.
Whiting said IAG NZ intends to be in Aotearoa “for the long-term” as the country faces more severe weather events, but also other hazards such as earthquakes.
“This means claims are becoming more frequent and costly, compounded by inflation, which has led to premium increases,” she added.
