Mrs Benfield went looking for other quotes. One from ANZ Insurance was similar to the Tower premium.
She also tried Youi New Zealand, advertised as being friendly and approachable, and was told it would not insure at all.
Youi communications head Trevor Devitt said the decision was based on confirmation the property was damaged in June.
"Our approach to providing cover is based on underwriting the individual risk address. The premium is always an indicator of the level of risk," he said.
"We would decline to offer cover where either the premium or the risk is too high."
Last year Tower Insurance was dealing with 250 claims arising from the June rain. Its spokesman said the firm would continue to insure buildings for repair or replacement on land council had given approval to build on. The Benfields have been advised to stick with Tower. They are also signed up with advocate Bryan Staples of Earthquake Services, to try for a better offer from EQC to replace their retaining wall and stabilise the hillside.