Governance

ICNZ Fair Insurance Code, financial strength rating, solvency margin, financial advice disclosure –  peace of mind for New Zealand business.

Fair Insurance Code

NZI is a member of the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ), an industry organisation which represents fire and general insurers in New Zealand.

As an ICNZ member, NZI abides by the ICNZ fair insurance code.

Additional information, including consumer advice about insurance, is available on the Insurance Council of New Zealand website.

AA Financial Strength Rating

We’re proud of our reputation for delivering innovative insurance solutions, supported by a solid record of focused, responsive performance. This is reflected in our Standard & Poor’s financial strength rating of AA ("very strong") and our solvency margin. 

NZI is a business division of IAG New Zealand Limited (IAG). IAG has received a financial strength rating of AA from Standard & Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd, an approved rating agency.

A rating of AA means IAG has a ‘very strong’ claims-paying ability, as you can see in the scale below.

The rating scale is:

AAA (Extremely Strong)

AA (Very Strong)

A (Strong)

BBB (Good)

BB (Marginal)

B (Weak)

CCC (Very Weak)

CC (Extremely weak)

SD (Selective Default)

D (Default)

The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or
minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

The rating scale above is in summary form. A full description of this rating scale can be obtained from www.standardandpoors.com.

Solvency margin

In its Annual Solvency Return filed with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, IAG New Zealand Limited had a Solvency Margin as at 30 June 2024 as follows:

  • Solvency Capital: $1,140m
  • Prescribed Capital Requirement: $722m
  • Solvency Margin: $418m
  • Solvency Ratio: 158%

Financial Advice Disclosure

Please take a few moments to read this important information.

Licensing and nature and scope of financial advice

NZI insurance is underwritten by IAG New Zealand Limited (IAG/we). IAG has been granted a Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence by the Financial Markets Authority to provide financial advice. Advice will only be given about fire and general insurance products underwritten by IAG.

Duties information

IAG employs Nominated Representatives who are authorised to provide financial advice on its behalf. IAG and its Nominated Representatives are bound by duties under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 relating to the way financial advice is given.

That means we are required to exercise care, diligence and skill and give priority to your interests when providing financial advice. We also need to meet applicable standards of ethical behaviour, conduct, client care, competence, knowledge and skill under the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services (these are designed to make sure we treat you as we should, and give you suitable advice).

You can learn more about the Code by going to www.fma.govt.nz and searching for ‘financial advice’.

Fees, commissions and other incentives

We do not pay any commissions or other sales incentives to our Nominated Representatives. If you receive financial advice from us you will not pay any additional fees, expenses or other amounts in relation to the receipt of that financial advice, regardless of whether you proceed with purchasing a NZI product or not.

IAG pays commissions and other amounts to brokers and other insurance intermediaries who place business through NZI or Lumley (intermediated brands underwritten by IAG).  Brokers and intermediaries who provide regulated financial advice to their customers must hold their own Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence or operate as an authorised person under another entity’s FAP licence. When they provide financial advice, they are required to disclose any fees payable for that advice and any commissions or other incentives received in connection with the advice.

Internal complaints procedures and external dispute resolution

We understand that things don’t always go to plan and there may be times when you feel we’ve let you down. If this happens, we want you to tell us. We’ll do our best to put things right as soon as possible or explain something we could have made clearer.

Step 1

Let us know what your concerns are:

  • Contact your insurance broker who arranged your policy.
  • Write to: NZI, Private Bag 92130, Auckland,1142
  • Submit a complaint form here.

We'll acknowledge your complaint within five business days.

Step 2

If we can’t reach a resolution together, you’ll be referred to a manager who’ll aim to investigate and resolve your complaint within two weeks. If this isn’t possible, we’ll advise you of progress within ten business days.

Step 3

If after working with a manager, we haven’t been able to make it right, we’ll escalate your case to a Complaints Resolution Officer to review.

Step 4

If we’re unable to resolve your complaint, we’ll advise you in writing. You can refer your case to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme.

The IFSO is an independent authority that will carry out an impartial investigation. Find out more at www.ifso.nz/complaints