Pioneering insurance boss Naomi Ballantyne has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours.

The two people killed in the Christmas Eve bus crash near Gisborne last night have been named, as the driver of the bus says the brakes failed.

The Porirua community is rallying around their local Santa after his sack was stolen just weeks before Christmas.

Insurer Youi has been fined $320,000 on 15 charges of using misleading sales techniques to sell policies to consumers seeking quotes.

Hundreds of people have lodged injury claims following last month's massive magnitude-7.8 earthquake.

The Earthquake Commission and the Insurance Council of New Zealand have struck a deal to stop double ups on assessing property.

A new report has found it would cost more than $250million to repair Christchurch's earthquake-battered Lancaster Park.

New Zealand's largest insurer says the Kaikoura quakes is likely to cost it hundreds of million of dollars.

Owners of a top Wellington restaurant could be left tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket from last month's earthquake.

Tower posted a wider annual loss as the general insurer set aside $25.3 million for provisions.

One in five Kiwis send texts while driving, according to a new survey tracking risky driving behaviours.

There's no word whether premiums will rise as a result.

Staff turned away from Wellington's Asteron building this morning after cracks found in stairwell.

Restaurant owners affected by the 2011 earthquake travelled to Kaikoura yesterday to share their experiences and offer advice.

More than 100 Hawke's Bay claims had been lodged with the EQC after the Kaikoura earthquake.

COMMENT: If your house burns down and the insurance company doesn't pay, it's likely to affect you financially for much of the rest of your life.

"If in doubt, get professional advice from an engineer or a surveyor," is the advice for homeowners affected by the quakes.

Advice for quake victims from New Zealand's biggest insurer and the Earthquake Commission.

The New Zealand sharemarket held up well today, but the worst could be yet to come as aftershocks threaten the country.

New Zealand shares rose, led by companies that stand to benefit from earthquake repairs such as Fletcher Building and Metro Performance Glass.

Anyone with damage should lodge claims with the Earthquake Commission within three months.

An Auckland family whose shop was robbed as they slept upstairs are hoping CCTV footage will identify the man responsible.

A couple have been left frustrated and worried about their superannuation savings after being told their scheme will be closed.

The car insurance industry will cease to exist by 2030 according to a new book written by a Massey University lecturer.

South African-owned insurer Youi NZ expects to pay a $350,000 fine for breaking the law with misleading sales tactics.

A treatment injury has ended newlywed cancer survivor Darren Ludlam's working life but an "unlucky" set of circumstances means he can't receive ACC.

Widower Brett Morrison is using the insurance money from his wife's stolen jewellery to buy a picnic table in her memory. Thieves

Landlords had to pay up after tenant's dogs wrecked carpets - but five scratchy cats have turned the tide in their favour.

Pet owners are being reminded that sharing leftovers with their furry friends isn't always the best thing for their health.