Business insurance · New Zealand
Builtin
Tauranga-based insurance broker for builders and trades, with roots in 2002
Market position
Builtin Insurance Brokers Limited is a Tauranga-based broker for builders and trade businesses, holding a Class 2 financial advice provider licence (FSP28581) and belonging to the Steadfast broker network. It traces its history to 2002, when it began insuring Certified Builders Association members, and says it is family-owned, with Keryl and Ben Rickard as shareholders and directors. It places cover with insurers including Ando, IAG, Vero, QBE, Lloyd's, DUAL, UANZ and AIG, across liability, contract works, tools, commercial vehicles, professional indemnity, bonds and a Residential Completion Guarantee.
New Zealand-specific note
Builtin offers LBP professional indemnity for Licensed Building Practitioners (errors in records of work and negligent supervision) and instant online quotes for liability, tools and vehicles. Its Residential Completion Guarantee covers a homeowner's lost deposit and non-completion up to 10% of the contract value, to a maximum of $100,000, with no post-completion defects cover. It is the named insurance partner for TANZ, NZCCA, Building Hub and PlaceMakers Plus members.
Pros
- + Broker specialising in construction and trades, with its own FAP licence
- + LBP professional indemnity for Licensed Building Practitioners
- + Instant online quotes for liability, tools and vehicles
- + Residential Completion Guarantee you can offer homeowners
- + Member deals through TANZ, NZCCA, Building Hub and PlaceMakers Plus
Cons
- − No published prices; premiums quoted per business
- − Paid by insurer commission and may add advisory fees
- − Completion Guarantee has no post-completion defects cover
- − Steadfast network takes up to 1.5% of each policy from insurers
Typical New Zealand pricing
Quote-based; no public prices. Instant online quotes for liability, tools and vehicles; Builtin is paid by insurer commission and may charge advisory fees
Why this matters for New Zealand trades
Only EWRB-registered and licensed workers can carry out or supervise prescribed electrical work, with the practising licence renewed every 2 years; the PGDB registers and licenses plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers and prosecutes unauthorised work; and Restricted Building Work on homes must be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. WorkSafe enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and says amendments take effect on 1 April 2027. The payroll tools listed here file payday information with Inland Revenue, and some act as PAYE intermediaries that pay PAYE to Inland Revenue for you. Master Builders and Master Plumbers membership is voluntary and does not replace licensing.
New Zealand trades vendor selection is shaped by registration and licensing (the EWRB for electrical workers, the PGDB for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, and the LBP scheme for Restricted Building Work on homes), payday filing with Inland Revenue, KiwiSaver deductions, Holidays Act leave calculations, 15% GST, and health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Frequently asked
Is Builtin a good fit for New Zealand trades?
Builtin Insurance Brokers Limited is a Tauranga-based broker for builders and trade businesses, holding a Class 2 financial advice provider licence (FSP28581) and belonging to the Steadfast broker network. It traces its history to 2002, when it began insuring Certified Builders Association members, and says it is family-owned, with Keryl and Ben Rickard as shareholders and directors. It places cover with insurers including Ando, IAG, Vero, QBE, Lloyd's, DUAL, UANZ and AIG, across liability, contract works, tools, commercial vehicles, professional indemnity, bonds and a Residential Completion Guarantee. Builtin offers LBP professional indemnity for Licensed Building Practitioners (errors in records of work and negligent supervision) and instant online quotes for liability, tools and vehicles. Its Residential Completion Guarantee covers a homeowner's lost deposit and non-completion up to 10% of the contract value, to a maximum of $100,000, with no post-completion defects cover. It is the named insurance partner for TANZ, NZCCA, Building Hub and PlaceMakers Plus members.
What does Builtin cost in New Zealand?
Quote-based; no public prices. Instant online quotes for liability, tools and vehicles; Builtin is paid by insurer commission and may charge advisory fees. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current New Zealand pricing on the vendor's site before committing.