Suncorp Group's New Zealand insurance units posted a 57 per cent decline in first-half profit.

Statistics NZ figures show the pay gap between men and women is around 12 per cent, but at AA Insurance its less than 3 per cent.

The insurance council has blamed rising regulation and increased costs driven by the Canterbury earthquakes for a 60 per cent jump in insurance.

COMMENT: Many people seem to freeze like a possum in the headlights at the idea of reading their insurance policy.

Kaikoura quake damage to businesses has topped $900 million, according to insurance figures.

Kiwi scientist Dr Michelle "Nanogirl" Dickinson has had a close encounter with late Apple founder Steve Jobs' superyacht.

Insurers IAG and Tower are headed to court to challenge the Earthquake Commission's payouts for Canterbury earthquake claimants.

A safety report has revealed what Kiwis fear the most.

COMMENT: When Jennifer McIndoe signed on the dotted line for an Avis rental car she didn't realise the ramifications.

Disney may get $69m from an insurance policy it took out in the likelihood Carrie Fisher couldn't finish the Star Wars films.

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.

Insurance companies could charge you higher premiums by using 'big data' to follow your habits.

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.

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.