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

Tower says the cost of yesterday's 7.5 magnitude earthquake near Kaikoura in the upper South Island is limited by the insurer's reinsurance programme.

Share market investors are expected to be "gun-shy" and hold off from big trades until they believe the aftershocks are over.

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.

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.

A number of cars were crushed against the concrete ceiling when an underground carpark was deluged with water yesterday morning.

Tristram Clayton sits down with freelance journalist Diana Clement to discuss why South African-owned insurer Youi has been fined the maximum financial penalty of $100,000 by the Insurance Council. The fine comes after a disciplinary process over misleading sales practices and has been warned any future misconduct will risk it being ousted as a member.

Insurer Youi has been fined the maximum penalty by the Insurance Council over misleading sales practices.

Could that Instagram image of you bungy jumping in your 20s result in having to pay higher insurance costs in the future? One insurance expert thinks so.

COMMENT: Look before you leap into 'upgrades' that may aid adviser.

COMMENT: Quirky claims liven up the humdrum routine at your local insurance office, writes Diana Clement.

New Zealand's largest private health insurer is under fire for not approving the latest breast cancer screening technology.

An Auckland woman says she is almost $50,000 out of pocket after her mother fell ill on their dream European trip, despite shelling out $2000 for travel insurance.

The Earthquake Commission is downplaying a discrepancy where it failed to keep track of more than 2000 "remedial requests".

Jaz Garner is struggling to do the job she loves after a brazen theft left her unable to work.

A former financial adviser has been warned over suspected misleading and deceptive behaviour but has escaped being named. The Financial

The Commerce Commission has filed 15 charges against insurer Youi alleging it used misleading sales techniques to sell policies to consumers seeking quotes.

COMMENT: Getting rid of that big debt involves paying more, more often.

Suncorp Group's NZ insurance units Vero and AA Insurance lifted annual earnings as they benefited from growth in more profitable motor business.

A rebuild firm that is trying to repair and restore the historic Peterborough Apartments has taken its insurance company to court.

Insurers have been reluctant to push homeowners to get extra cover which many might need, for fear they will shop around, says a Treasury report.

Thinking of renting out that spare room via AirBnB to earn a bit of spare cash? You might want to check with your insurer first.