Skip to main content

Product and services

Business interruption insurance

Property damage thrown off your day-to-day operations? Get back in the green faster with business interruption insurance.

                               0800 376 304

What does business interruption insurance cover?

selected option

For any type of business

Sole traders and SMEs are especially vulnerable to major disruption. But all businesses benefit from business interruption cover. Size, form and industry aside.

Loss of income

Income taking a hit? Forced closures, fires and sudden crises can hurt your business and your wallet. Business interruption cover can help make up for revenue you would have made had the worst never happened.

Ongoing expenses

Expenses never stop. Even when you’re not bringing in revenue. Business interruption insurance can help cover fixed costs – such as wages, rent and supplier invoices – while you get back up to speed.

Costs of recovery

Recovery after a sudden interruption takes time. If you need to move to new premises, replace equipment or kick start a business with advertising, business interruption cover can help cover the costs.

Supply chain disruptions

Some interruptions start further upstream. If a supplier’s or manufacturer’s premises are damaged, business interruption insurance can help cover the flow-on impact on your business operations.

Service provider mishaps

All businesses depend on service providers to keep running. But they face disruption, too. Business interruption insurance can help cover problems caused by power, water, gas and telecommunications outages.

General exclusions

Policies can differ between insurers. For a breakdown of all your exclusions, study your policy wording carefully – and speak to a Marsh broker for advice.

Voluntary closures

Marsh can’t cover closures or shutdowns of your own volition. If your business interruption is unrelated to property loss, property damage, or an event like a fire or flood, we can’t cover the costs.

Past interruptions

Generally, insurers can’t cover risks that have already come to fruition – such as those caused by COVID-19. Business interruption cover can only protect you against interruptions that happen after you become insured.

Outside indemnity period

If an interruption happens outside of your indemnity period – the time in which an insurer will pay for interruptions – your policy can’t cover the financial fallout.

Equipment breakdown

A business interruption policy may not cover the costs of broken or damaged equipment – but we can arrange a business insurance policy that will. Speak to a Marsh advisor for details.

Key product highlights

Get back on your feet fast

Business interruption cover is designed to help restore your business to its former glory – by covering lost income, cash flow and ongoing costs.

Survive a crisis

Many New Zealand SMEs may not survive a lengthy shutdown. Business interruption cover can be critical in helping you through a temporary crisis.

Protect your staff

Your people are the backbone of your business. Continue to pay your staff – and retain key players – while your business recovers from a crisis.

Soften supplier issues

Business interruption cover isn’t only for your business. If a supplier you depend on runs into problems, this policy can help cover the damage.

Why use a broker?

Choosing business insurance means navigating through products, coverages and policy terminology – with a sales pitch as your only guide. At Marsh, our brokers will spot your unique set of risks, match you to the right choice, and advocate for you on price.

female insurance broker talking to clients

Why Marsh?

Why should you choose Marsh to arrange your insurance solutions?

In business, we've got your back

From mum and dad’s dairy, to national pizza chains, Marsh has a 60+ year history of supporting New Zealand’s business community. Our award-winning brokers are fluent in the latest global and Kiwi market insight and risk, but cut through the jargon to speak your language.  

Local expertise

Our New Zealand-wide network of brokers have spent years at the forefront supporting business owners manage their unique risks in a fast-changing market. They keep ahead of the latest market insights, both local and global, and break down complex terminology.

Claims support

Handling an insurance claim can quickly become overwhelming, not least when your time is stretched to the limit keeping your business going in the backdrop. We help take the load off and manage, negotiate and settle claims with insurers on your behalf.

Related insurance solutions

selected option

Business insurance

Need a range of covers to suit your business needs? Explore Marsh’s business bundles for glass, theft and contents cover – and more.

Public liability insurance

Help protect your business against third-party accidents and costly legal fees. Let us arrange the right cover for your needs.
  

Management liability

Help protect your business – and your team – against management and operational risks with management liability cover.
  

Hotel insurance

Help protect your hotel’s reputation – and bottom line – in the event of a claim. We can arrange insurance that meets your unique needs.

Events insurance

Let Marsh cater to your industry’s unique insurance needs – so you can keep your focus on the celebrations.

 

Hospitality insurance

Hospitality workers work hard. Take a load off – let us arrange a comprehensive policy tailored to your needs.

 

Professional services cover

You’re an expert in your field. We’re experts in ours. Let Marsh arrange professional services cover tailored to you.
  

Retail insurance

Whether you’re online or in-store, let Marsh service your insurance needs – so you can stay focused on your customers.
  

Tradies insurance

Our experienced trades team can arrange comprehensive cover at competitive rates – and get you a certificate of currency on the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Business interruption insurance typically covers loss of income and increased operating costs due to an insured event, such as property loss or property damage.

Generally, this policy covers:

  • Loss of income

  • Ongoing expenses (like payroll, financing and other fixed costs)

  • Additional costs required to return to normal business operations

  • Revenue-earning operations and supply chain issues

  • Disruption caused by service providers (including power, telecommunications and water).

Business interruption insurance typically doesn’t cover voluntary shutdown or business interruption unrelated to property loss or property damage.

A business interruption policy will also have an excess (or deductible) – as well as policy limits and, potentially, an excess period. Cover may differ from insurer to insurer.

Insurers also won’t accept risks that have already eventuated – such as interruptions caused by COVID-19.

For a full list of business interruption insurance exclusions and policies, refer to your policy document.

An indemnity period is the length of time a business interruption policy will pay for the interruption of your business. It should represent the maximum amount of time it will take to return business operations to normal after an insurable event.

The appropriate indemnity period for your business will depend on several factors. It’s wise to discuss this in-depth with your insurance advisor.

The amount you pay for business interruption insurance varies depending on the size, nature and location of your business. Different insurers may also have different pricing structures.

Also, it’s important to get your declared values right when obtaining a quote for business interruption insurance. This will ensure you only pay what you need to.

SME stands for small-to-medium enterprise. Sole traders and small-to-medium-sized companies all fall into this category.

For these businesses, even a short period of downtime can be devastating in the long term. That’s why we strongly recommend business interruption insurance for all SMEs.

LCPA 23/150

Marsh Ltd (NZBN 9429040918792)(“Marsh”) arranges insurance and is not an insurer. This webpage contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire the product, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or product disclosure statements available from Marsh on request.