Trade Me, New Zealand’s biggest internet auction site, has teamed up with major insurer Tower on a new direct insurance offering.

Trade Me Insurance customers can obtain quotes, buy cover, make claims and manage their home and motor policies online.

Members of the Trade Me community receive a 15% discount.

Outgoing Tower CEO David Hancock says the new venture is about meeting customer expectations for an “end-to-end digital solution”.

Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald says the portal has been tailor-made with Tower.

“It combines our knowledge of building useful online experiences with Tower’s financial strength and 140 years of insurance experience,” he said.

He says the venture follows Trade Me’s acquisition of the LifeDirect comparison website in 2013.

“This seemed like a natural extension for us into an area where we could do something to change things up.”

Reports that Christchurch properties would be excluded from the new offering were denied by Tower spokesman Tracey Palmer.

“Christchurch properties will be considered for house insurance cover,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au. 

“Because of the complexities of assessment this isn’t yet possible in a one-step fully online experience. Christchurch properties will be assessed by the Trade Me Insurance team based on the individual property.”