An insurance broking group is warning that thousands of drone and e-bike owners may not be covered by their insurance policies.

Simon Moss, partner services manager at NZbrokers, said there could be between 50 and 100 types of contents policies with different features and prices.

"The insurance company may cover your $5,000 push bike, but many won't cover your e-bike of the same value because of terms in the policy."

Moss said he had analysed a large number of policies from the largest insurers and found home contents policies were complex and varied in their wording which would leave many e-bike and drone owners without cover for loss, damage or third party liability.

"From the insurers perspective, drones and e-bikes are an unknown risk and until they have an accurate picture of the risk they will act conservatively," Moss said.

A drone might be considered by insurers as a type of aircraft if it was capable of lifting more than its own weight.

"Your drone may be covered for loss if you drop it while getting it out of the car, but if it falls from the sky you are on your own."

According to Statistics NZ there were an estimated 40,000 e-bike owners, with some models costing almost $10,000.

Moss said the rapid evolution of the technology was contributing to lack of consistency across insurance policies, and uncertainty for consumers.

Moss says some home contents policies will cover an e-bike if its output is under 300 watts, which is the maximum power output before the bike is classified as a motorcycle by New Zealand Transport Agency regulations.

Conversely a consumer may see 300 watts written on the motor, but the bike may generate more power when in use, he said.

Please feel free to contact OFS Insurance Brokers if you have any queries / concerns regarding the above.