New data from Consumer NZ reveals insurance costs have soared over the last two decades, and there's concerns less households could access it going forward.

The report notes the cost of insurance has gone up 916 percent since 2000 - ahead of the increase in the price of cigarettes and tobacco, which went up 608 percent.

Insurance Council Chief Executive Kris Faafoi says there's been many high-profile disasters over that timeframe, which have helped drive up premiums.

"Inflation affects us too - when it costs more for building costs, then rebuilding a house ends up being more expensive."

LISTEN ABOVE