Media Releases

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman is reminding people to check that the amount your house is insured for enough to rebuild it in the event of a disaster.

As wet and windy weather continues in some parts of the country, take preventative measures at home and on the roads, photograph any damage and contact your insurer before you clean up.

Think twice before you inflate your insurance claim, says Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens. “A ‘little lie’ can have big consequences.”

The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme investigated 320 complaints and received 3,357 complaint enquiries in 2017-2018.

Precious jewellery can be damaged, stolen or lost. To make sure you have insurance cover should you ever need it, take a moment and check your policy, says Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens.

With a record number of Kiwis now travelling overseas – New Zealanders took 2.9 million overseas trips in 2017 – having, and understanding, travel insurance is a must.

As the Nelson bush fire continues to affect residents throughout the region, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens urges residents to contact their insurers so they can make a claim.

24 years of insurance complaints reveal many people don't know what they need to do to make a claim. 20% of general insurance complaints involve declined claims because the insured can’t prove their loss.

The IFSO Scheme Annual Report, released today, reveals a small increase in complaints (322, up from 320 the previous year) and a significant increase in complaint enquiries (3,805, up from 3,357 the previous year) in 2018-2019.

Last year, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) received over 1,000 complaint enquiries and 46 complaints about vehicle insurance.