Next step taken to improve consumer protections in insurance contract law

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi today announced the start of public consultation on New Zealand’s insurance contract law.

Mr Faafoi says a key consideration is whether there is a need for greater regulation of insurer conduct.

“Insurance plays an important role in the lives of New Zealanders, helping us cope with unforeseen life events and providing businesses with greater certainty. A well-functioning insurance system, where all parties can transact fairly and with confidence, is vital to ensure insurance continues to serve all New Zealanders.

“But there are significant problems with New Zealand’s insurance contract law which are undermining the effectiveness of our insurance markets and impacting those who do not receive the support they anticipated from their insurance policies.

“I have heard, for example, that consumers are sometimes not covered for losses or unable to claim for important needs like health treatment because they innocently did not disclose seemingly unrelated matters to the insurer.

“This is really tough for people who genuinely believe they have met their requirements and are later unable to rely on benefits of insurance. So onerous disclosure requirements are one of the issues we need to consider and, I hope, an issue that will be addressed in feedback from submitters.”

New Zealand’s insurance law is outdated with legislation spanning six different Acts, some more than 100 years old, Mr Faafoi says.

“The world has moved on and some parts of the law – like the disclosure obligations consumers face – no longer strike the right balance.

“Experiences following the Christchurch earthquakes – and more recently issues highlighted by the Royal Commission over in Australia – have also highlighted the need to look at whether greater regulation of insurer conduct is required. I will be considering the regulation of insurer conduct as part of the review.

“Insurance affects nearly everyone so I encourage everyone with an insurance story to let us have their views.”

The issues paper and submission information can be found here.