Napier residents: contact your insurer before you clean up

In the aftermath of devastating flooding and landslips, we urge Napier residents to take care at home and on the road, photograph the damage, and contact your insurer before you clean up.

Photo from Newshub: 11 November, 2020

Adviser licensing process, FMA

Advisers can start applying for a full license on March 15, 2021, and the FMA says the process will be rigorous.

Story from Insurance Business NZ: 19 November, 2020

MBIE seeks input into Review of Approved Dispute Resolution Scheme Rules

MBIE are seeking public input into problems and proposed options to address jurisdictional inconsistencies between approved dispute resolution scheme rules.

Financial Adviser complaints

Complaints about financial advisers can include service issues. In this example, an adviser reduced his client's life insurance cover as requested. After the client died, his family said the adviser had breached his duty of care.

Story from Good Returns: 15 September, 2020

IFSO on complaint management

"We are noticing the complaints we refer back to insurers on behalf of complainants are being resolved more quickly and settled more often, which is a good sign in terms of the customer experience.” Karen Stevens, IFSO.

Story from insurancenews.com.au: 21 September, 2020

Credit contract and loan complaints have risen - IFSO

“During the COVID-19 lockdown, insurers responded quickly with a range of proactive options for customers, particularly for those facing hardship. Credit contract providers also acted quickly to restructure loans, defer payments and waive fees.” Karen Stevens, IFSO.

Story from NZ Adviser: 16 September, 2020

General insurance enquiries rise, complaints drop

"The best time to understand insurance is before you need it - every day we hear about problems that could have been avoided if people had been better informed. That’s why we’re sharing real stories about real complaints.” Karen Stevens, IFSO.

Story from Insurance Business NZ: 16 September, 2020

Rise in complaints about consumer credit, loans

458 (12%) of all contacts to the IFSO Scheme last year were about loans or credit contracts. Responsible lending involves protecting consumers against substantial hardship.

Story from Stuff: 14 September, 2020

IFSO Scheme releases Annual Report

The IFSO Scheme received 3,922 enquiries over the past year and has investigated 282 complaints about insurance and financial services. Misunderstanding and miscommunication continue to be common complaint issues.

See the IFSO Scheme Annual Report 2020

The future possibility of pandemic cover?

Covid-19 has highlighted the vulnerability of individuals and businesses. An ICNZ-led panel discuss the difficulties and possibilities of pandemic insurance cover, and a private-public approach.

Story from Insurance Business NZ: 19 August, 2020

"Little lies" have big consequences

"The long term consequences of insurance fraud are hard hitting. Declined claims are the tip of the iceberg," says IFSO Karen Stevens. Check your policy, ask questions, and tell the truth!

Story from Stuff, 27 July, 2020

Study: 1 in 6 kiwis lie about car insurance

Tell the truth! This study shows more kiwis need to know that there's no such thing as little lies when it comes to insurance, and the consequences can be dire. See our tips under Tips & Cases.

Story from Stuff: 20 July, 2020