Watching over your business is our business
WE DO
COMPLEX
HIGH RISK
HARD TO PLACE
WE DO
COMPLEX
HIGH RISK
HARD TO PLACE
We place business insurance others can’t. From complex projects to everyday business cover, we take the time to understand your risks and recommend business insurance that makes sense for what you do.
Our Services
Select your industry
We work with skilled, specialised underwriters within our local New Zealand and Global markets. We are committed to providing insurance solutions for all risks, no matter how simple or complex it may be.
Construction
Construction insurance designed to cover your projects, tools, contractors, and on-site risks from start to finish.
Manufacturing
Cover for manufacturers to protect your premises, equipment, stock, and product-related liability.
Professional Services
Essential cover for businesses that provide advice, design or specialised services.
Property
Protect your commercial property, buildings, and rental income against damage, natural disasters, and unexpected loss.
Technology
Insurance for tech businesses covering professional liability, cyber risk, and business interruption.
Other
If your business doesn’t fit a standard category, we’ll advise and source the right cover based on your unique risks.
Why Choose Us
26 Years Experience
Personal advice
We take the time to understand how your business operates and what risks actually matter. Then we'll recommend cover that’s practical, not overcomplicated.
Industry know-how
We work with businesses across a wide range of industries and understand the common risks they face. That means better recommendations and access to quality cover at competitive rates.
Support when it counts
From getting set up properly to handling changes or claims, we're here to help you stay protected. You’ll have clear guidance at every step.
Solutions for hard-to-place risks
If your business is high-risk or difficult to insure, we can help find the right cover through specialist markets.
Types of Business Insurance
Cover designed around the way you work
We’ll help get you the right insurance options to protect your business, your people, and your projects.
Business Insurance
A practical, all-round insurance option that bundles key covers into one policy to protect your business day-to-day.
What it can cover:
- Property and contents
- Stock and equipment
- Theft and accidental damage
- Business interruption
- Public liability (optional add-on)
Why it matters:
- A simple way to cover the key risks most businesses face.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Help protect your business against claims relating to professional advice, services, or decisions; including allegations of negligence, breach of duty, or misleading information.
What it can cover:
- Claims of professional negligence
- Incorrect or misleading advice
- Breach of professional duty
- Legal defence costs
- Tailored liability limits
- Optional cover extensions based on your industry
Why it matters:
- Safeguard your business reputation and minimise disruption if a claim arises.
Public Liability Insurance
Protect your business if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities.
What it can cover:
- Injury to members of the public
- Damage to third-party property
- Legal defence costs
- Liability from day-to-day operations
- On-site and off-site work
Why it matters:
- A single accident can result in significant costs, even if you’re not at fault.
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Cover for essential tools, plant, and equipment — whether you’re on site, travelling, or storing gear overnight.
What it can cover:
- Theft or loss of tools
- Accidental damage
- Portable equipment used off-site
- Tools in vehicles (where policy allows)
- Replacement or repair costs
Why it matters:
- Lost tools can stop work instantly and replacing them adds up fast.
Contract Works Insurance
Designed for construction and building projects, helping protect work in progress from unexpected loss or damage.
What it can cover:
- Damage to works under construction
- Theft, fire, storm, and accidental damage
- Materials on-site (and in some cases in transit)
- Temporary structures and site works
- Optional cover for contract-specific requirements
Why it matters:
- Keeps your project moving if something goes wrong on site.
Cyber Insurance
Protection for businesses facing cyber threats, data breaches, ransomware, and online disruption.
What it can cover:
- Data breach response and support
- Ransomware and cyber extortion
- Business interruption from cyber events
- IT forensic and recovery costs
- Liability relating to privacy breaches
Why it matters:
- Cyber incidents can shut down operations and damage trust with clients.
Material Damage
Protect your premises and business assets from physical loss or damage.
What it can cover:
- Buildings and contents
- Stock and business equipment
- Fire, theft, storm, and accidental damage
- Glass breakage (optional)
- Machinery and equipment damage (optional)
Why it matters:
- Helps you recover quickly after damage, theft, or unexpected loss.
Business Interruption Insurance
Helps keep your business financially stable if you can’t operate due to an insured event.
What it can cover:
- Loss of revenue or gross profit
- Ongoing operating expenses
- Temporary relocation costs
- Increased cost of working
- Cover for repair/rebuild downtime
Why it matters:
- Covers the financial gap while you get back on your feet.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Cover for vehicles used for business, including utes, vans, trucks, and fleets.
What it can cover:
- Accidental damage to vehicles
- Theft and fire
- Third-party property damage
- Windscreen and glass (optional)
- Fleet cover options
Why it matters:
- Vehicles are essential for work and downtime can mean lost income.
Specialty Construction & Hard-to-Place Contract Works
Insurance for complex or high-risk construction projects, including difficult placements where standard markets may decline due to factors like earthquake exposure, location, scope, or project type.
What it can cover:
- Large-scale contract works and complex builds
- High-risk or unusual project exposures
- Earthquake and natural disaster risk (where available)
- Contract-specific insurance requirements
- Project delays and additional costs (optional)
- Principal / head contractor requirements (where required)
Why it matters:
- When insurance is hard to obtain, the right specialist placement can keep your project moving and contract-compliant.
Client Testimonials
Success stories
What New Zealand business owners say about working with Sentinel Insurance
Business Owner
“I contacted Ash to make sure our current business insurance was protecting our business and couldn’t be happier. Rather than simply email me a quote, we had a call where Ash explained why our current policy wasn’t aligned with our services and did quite a bit of research on what we needed to protect my business in terms of online data and cyber security. Being a virtual business it was a shock to hear we’d been paying for physical risk protection all these years and I’m so thankful we now have Sentinel looking after us.
Fantastic advice, no pressure, 3 quotes and friendly, professional and approachable support.”
Owner
“Very knowledgeable and easy to deal with. They got us a great deal on our vehicles, house and contents. Would highly recommend.”
Faq
Answers to common business insurance questions
Here are some of the most common questions New Zealand business owners ask when arranging cover. Not sure where to start? Contact us today.
It depends on what your business does, whether you work with the public, and any contract requirements. Most businesses consider public liability, material damage (property/contents), business interruption, and industry-specific cover like professional indemnity or contract works. The best way to get it right is to talk to us about your business and what you do and we’ll tailor cover to suit your risks and needs.
Often, yes. Many councils, principal contractors, and commercial clients require specific policies, limits, and wording before work can begin — we can help make sure your cover meets contract requirements.
Yes. Some industries and projects are harder to place, but we can approach specialist markets and help structure cover that fits your risks and situation.
For many standard policies, quotes can be turned around quickly once we have the right details. More complex risks (like large construction projects or specialist placements) can take longer, but we’ll keep the process clear and straightforward.
Public liability covers injury or property damage to others caused by your business activities, while professional indemnity covers claims relating to advice, design, or professional services. Many NZ businesses need one or both depending on the work they do.