Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Chubb Life Support Person of the Year entries are open
Chubb Life is bringing back their Support Person of the Year award, to recognise behind the scenes team members.
Chubb Life is bringing back their Support Person of the Year award. The award recognises behind the scenes team members. To nominate someone, enter here before 24 May.
The winners will receive a $1,000 Prezzy Card, runner up with receive a $500 Prezzy Card and third place will receive a $300 Prezzy Card.
More daily news:
Entries to Chubb Life Support Person of the Year are open
Chubb Life webinar 'Economic update from Cameron Bagrie' 6 June
AIA offers customers chance to win a year's insurance up to $2,000
AIA launched a new version of AIA Living Accidental Injury Cover
AIA introduce new features in AIAHub
The FSC have announced their fourth Climate Related Disclosures Series session
Financial Advice New Zealand appoints new Head of Professional Development
Financial Advice New Zealand has appointed Cecilia Farrow to the newly created role of Head of Professional Development.
Financial Advice New Zealand has appointed Cecilia Farrow to the new role of Head of Professional Development. Farrow was a former director on the Board of Financial Advice New Zealand.
Farrow says
“Throughout my 27 years in financial services, I have been passionate about contributing to lifting financial advice to a professional status. The settings are in place now for all financial advisers, irrespective of the scope of advice they specialise in, to be recognised as a professional. We know this will increase trust by consumers and reduce barriers to kiwi’s seeking out quality financial advice. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to spearhead the Financial Advice New Zealand professional development programme and professional designations pathways to support our members to reach the pinnacle of their chosen career.”
Following Cecila running a powerful workshop on the subject of professional designation for insurance advisers at the recent Financial Advice New Zealand conference in Wellington, this appointment makes a great deal of sense. We wish Cecilia all the best with this important portfolio, and we intend to amplify messages around the value of a good industry-based practitioner’s qualification, and lend a hand where we can.
More daily news:
nib adviser health promotions are available for Advisers to access via Fidelity Life’s E-App
FSC event 'New Zealand and Climate Change: Where are we now?' 12 June
Real Mortgages merges with adviceHQ
Southern Cross Healthcare hospitals partner with Baxter Healthcare to recycle PVC IV bags
Public health experts warn low immunisation rates put New Zealand at risk of large measles epidemic
New Zealand’s unemployment rate rises to 4.3%
KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawals hit an all-time high of $29.3 million in March
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
A round-up of recent legal and regulatory updates including APRA’s update on life insurance claims and disputes statistics
16 Apr 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its Life Insurance Claims and Disputes Statistics publication, covering a rolling 12-month period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-and-asic-publish-latest-data-on-life-insurance-claims-and-disputes-8
17 Apr 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is continuing its exploration of a central bank digital currency, called 'digital cash' and asking for feedback from the public. Consultation is open 17 April until 26 July 2024. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/04/consultation-opens-on-a-digital-currency-for-new-zealand
22 Apr 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s 2023 Climate Stress Test has found Climate-related risks need to be actively managed to protect the resilience of the financial system to other shocks. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/04/climate-stress-test-assesses-resilience-of-major-nz-banks
22 Apr 2024 - The Council of Financial Regulators has published an updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for Q1 2024. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/files/regulatory-initiatives-calendar/regulatory-initiatives-calendar-q1-2024.pdf
Gallagher Bassett’s 2024 Claims Insights
Gallagher Bassett surveyed 150 businesses across North America, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to find out the biggest challenges and considerations for those in the insurance industry.
Gallagher Bassett surveyed 150 businesses across North America, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to find out the biggest challenges and considerations for those in the insurance industry.
Gallagher Bassett say last year key business challenges were premium affordability (29%), market competition (22%) and keeping up with technology (20%).
Gallagher Bassett suggest that to gain advantages, carriers need to implement strategies that leverage external expertise, data-driven insights and generative AI.
Some other key findings include:
· 84% of global respondents emphasised offering competitive salaries to retain employees.
· 75% predict the biggest challenge in the compliance and regulation area will be around data privacy and security.
· 86% use climate data and analytics in risk assessments and underwriting processes.
· 67% of insurance carriers utilised generative AI chatbots in customer service.
· 95% of global carriers anticipate improved speeds and operational efficiency with AI integration.
More daily news:
New surgical building in Auckland has opening delayed as it does not have required staff
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
3 Apr 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released a cross-industry letter to advise on the scope, purpose and timing of its 2024 voluntary climate risk self-assessment survey of APRA-regulated entities. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-letter-on-upcoming-climate-risk-self-assessment-survey-0
4 Apr 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released for consultation a number of minor updates to the prudential framework for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) and general, life and private health insurers. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-minor-updates-to-prudential-framework-for-adis-and-insurers
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
21 March 2024 - Insurance Contracts Bill had first reading in Parliament. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/fcc98f82-e1f8-4aa4-6c02-08dc494421e8?Tab=history
25 March 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published an analytical note proposing improvements to the methodology used by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to assess labour market indicators of inflationary pressure. Measuring inflationary pressure from the labour market can be improved by watching a narrow set of four high-quality indicators: 1) the job transition rate (the share of workers switching between jobs), 2) the job vacancy-to-unemployment ratio, 3) the unemployment rate, and 4) a survey measure of labour as a limiting factor for business production. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/03/improving-how-we-measure-inflationary-heat-in-the-labour-market
26 Mar 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published Guidance for our regulated entities on managing climate-related risks. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/03/guidance-issued-on-managing-climate-related-risks
26 March 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority has issued warnings to Southern Cross Medical Care Society (SCMCS) and Southern Cross Pet Insurance (SPCI) for failing to apply advertised discounts to each entities’ respective insurance products. The FMA is satisfied, and both entities accept, that they breached the fair dealing provisions of the Financial Markets Conduct Act by making false or misleading representations. The representations relate to the failure on each entities’ part to correctly apply advertised discounts to affected customers’ invoices, resulting in overcharged premiums. The FMA determined that the cause of each issue was due to poor controls and/or technical errors.
SCPI made an initial report to the FMA in November 2022 disclosing some of the contraventions and later reported more details. Following these disclosures, further enquiries from the FMA and an internal review in the wider Southern Cross Group, the extent of the contraventions was established.
SCPI failed to correctly apply the following discounts:
Additional pet discount
Direct debit discount
Southern Cross membership discount.
SCMCS failed to correctly apply the following discounts:
Free child discount
Healthy lifestyle rewards discount
Low claims discount.
The total amount of SCPI premiums overcharged was $424,508, affecting 7,542 customers, approximately 1.28% of its customer base. SCMCS overcharged $161,547 across 1,957 customers, approximately 0.2% of its customer base.
https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-warns-southern-cross/
28 Mar 2024 - The Council of Financial Regulators has released an updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for the financial sector for Q1 2024. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/files/regulatory-initiatives-calendar/regulatory-initiatives-calendar-q1-2024.pdf
28 Mar 2024 - The FMA is warning the public to be cautious after fake documents claiming to be issued by the FMA were sent out as part of what appears to be a ‘recovery scam’ - where previous victims of financial crimes are targeted by criminals promising to help get lost money back. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/warnings-and-alerts/
28 Mar 2024 - DIA encourages reporting entities to get RealMe verified before annual reports are due. From 1 July 2024, you’ll be able to file your AML/CFT annual report via AMLOnline. https://www.dia.govt.nz/AML-CFT-Get-your-RealMe-verified-early-this-annual-reporting-season
28 Mar 2024 - The FMA has said that overtime they will assess whether their regulatory framework needs strengthening to support better deployment of Generative Artificial Intelligence. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/opinion/gen-ai/
28 Mar 2024 - The Commerce Commission sees "good reasons" to recommend designation of the interbank payment network to Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly. https://www.interest.co.nz/banking/127024/commerce-commission-wants-more-influence-over-interbank-payments-potentially
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
5 Mar 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published a Bulletin article discussing the use of credit risk weights for climate-related purposes. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/03/the-use-of-credit-risk-weights-for-climate-related-purposes
5 Mar 2024 - The FMA publish Samantha Barrass' speech from the Financial Advice New Zealand Thrive Conference. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/speech-by-samantha-barrass-at-financial-advice-new-zealand-thrive-conference/
5 Mar 2024 - The Business Payment Practices Act Repeal Bill was read a first time and read a second time under urgency. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/3da72845-7284-439e-2ead-08dc3c923d2a?Tab=history
6 Mar 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand are part-way through a review of access eligibility criteria to use the Exchange Settlement Account System (ESAS). They have updated the consultation page of their website and published the submissions they received. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/have-your-say/2023/esas
7 Mar 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority has filed civil proceedings against Tower Limited (Tower) for failing to apply multi policy discounts to eligible customers’ premiums, resulting in approximately $9.5 million in overcharges. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-files-proceedings-against-tower-limited/
7 Mar 2024 - The Privacy Commissioner has called for greater penalties for data breaches. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/statements-media-releases/greater-penalties-needed-privacy-commissioner-speaks-to-national-cyber-security-summit/
8 Mar 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have released final rules and further guidance to support the financial services industry in implementing the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR).
The FAR, which replaces the Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR), imposes a stronger responsibility and accountability framework for APRA-regulated entities in the banking, insurance and superannuation industries and their directors as well as their most senior executives. In doing so, the FAR aims to improve the risk and governance cultures of those financial institutions.
This release includes:
the Regulator rules, which prescribe information for inclusion in the FAR register of accountable persons;
the Transitional rules, which prescribe information to be provided by authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) in relation to their existing accountable persons under the BEAR at the transition point to the FAR;
descriptions of ADI key functions to assist banking entities in the allocation of key functions; and
reporting form instructions to assist banking entities in providing the required information to APRA and ASIC.
Climate change and what it means for health and life insurance
The ‘Climate Change: What does the future hold for health and life insurance?’ report digs into the impact of climate on health and life insurance products and how availability, structure and pricing might be affected in future.
The Geneva Association and Wellcome have released ‘Climate Change: What does the future hold for health and life insurance?’ report. The report digs into the impact of climate on health and life insurance products and how availability, structure and pricing might be affected in future.
Estimates for those that live in climate-vulnerable locations across the world are approximately 3.3 – 3.6 billion people. Estimates for death directly attributable to climate change vary widely, from 250,000 to 3.4 million deaths annually.
While the short-term consequences for life and health insurers have so far been modest, the increasing frequency and severity of climate events may escalate the impact on insurers. Adverse health outcomes from climate change range from immediate to long-term and cover everything from injuries and fatalities resulting from extreme weather events to heat-related illnesses to disruption of ecosystems reducing crop yields and spreading vector-borne diseases to new regions. In addition, social unrest, displacement and economic hardship can all lead to negative health outcomes.
The report classifies climate-related risks into four categories:
Acute: risks that stem from the impacts of extreme heat, wildfires, floods and severe storms on mortality and morbidity.
Chronic: risks that emerge from prolonged exposure to adverse climate and environmental patterns.
Transitional: risks arising from transition to new technologies or climate transition policies.
Litigious: health-related legal challenges arising from the negative externalities of climate change.
The report calls out the lack of data that can be used to map climate events and patterns against incidences of mortality or morbidity and calls for insurers to resolve the actuarial gaps in understanding.
Those interviewed across 17 global health and life insurance companies agreed that prevention is key to preserving insurability – through things like underwriting that incentivises greener lifestyles and coordination on early warning systems.
“Most respondents do not perceive climate change as exerting any immediate impact on the liabilities associated with H&L insurance, nor do they anticipate short-term consequences for insurability and affordability. Nevertheless, there is consensus that this could change over the long term, although the level of impact may be tempered by multiple factors.”
The report has three key recommendations for insurers: assemble data prospectively to better understand areas of vulnerabilities; invest in innovation; play a bigger role in the policy environment and help strengthen public understanding.
More daily news:
Tony Ryall has retired from the board of nib NZ and is being replaced by Hanne Janes
nib publish their top five health claims for January 2024
nib launch Competency Corner- product information
Rob Hennin talks about 2024 priorities for nib
Te Whatu Ora approves funding that will allow for 1,000 more PET-CT scans a year
Climate change doesn’t make the cut in Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey top 10 risks
Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey has highlighted the top 10 business risks for the Asia Pacific region.
Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey has highlighted the top 10 business risks for Asia Pacific:
1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breaches
2. Economic Slowdown/Slow Recovery
3. Business Interruption
4. Failure to Attract/Retain Top Talent
5. Rapidly Changing Market Trends
6. Supply Chain/Distribution Failure
7. Regulatory/Legislative Changes
8. Increasing Competition
9. Failure to Innovate/Meet Customer Needs
10. Commodity Price Risk/Scarcity of Materials
Cyber breaches have jumped up the rankings since it first appeared in 2015, to take the number 1 spot. Of note, climate change didn’t make it into the top 10 business risks globally or for the Asia Pacific region. Survey participants ranked climate change 17th in terms of current global risks businesses are facing, and 12th in terms of future global business risks. However, global risk professionals rank climate change at 8th in their list of future global business risks and those in the insurance, natural resources and food, agribusiness and beverage sectors all list climate change in their top 10 current risks. As Aon points out, climate change “…directly impacts four of the top 10 risks: business interruption, changing market trends, supply chain or distribution failure and regulatory or legislative changes.”
New Zealand has been ranked the second highest natural disaster risk in the world by Lloyds of London, with the country experiencing more than 150 severe weather events and natural disasters since ICNZ began keeping records in 1968. Climate change is likely to exacerbate the frequency and severity of the weather events we experience.
Aon NZ CEO Melissa Cantell says
"With cyber risks, economic recovery and business interruption identified as the top risks organisations are facing today, there is a compelling need for a shift in mindsets around being better prepared. What is surprising are the risks that are unaccounted for in leaders' assessments of the challenges they must address, such as climate risk. Climate is not an emerging risk, but an urgent one, with increasingly monumental implications for businesses of all sizes. What leaders need now are insights from advanced analytics and modelling alongside innovative solutions that will help them make better decisions today and protect them in the future."
More daily news:
mySolutions webinar 'Want to earn extra money & take better care of your clients?' 21 February
The FSC release the full programme for their FSC24 Conference
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'Managing in Times of Pressure' 21 February
Financial Advice New Zealand members get complimentary registration to Markets Summit 2024
Government signs a Memorandum of Understanding for a third medical school
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
13 Dec 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand acknowledges the amended Remit for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) issued by the Minister of Finance. The MPC Remit sets the operational objectives for monetary policy. The amended Remit retains an inflation target of 1% to 3% over the medium-term, with a focus on the 2% mid-point, and removes the objective to support maximum sustainable employment. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2023/12/monetary-policy-remit-amended
14 Dec 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has issued a formal warning to Citibank N.A. New Zealand Branch (Citibank NZ) relating to the wire transfer identity requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2023/12/citibank-nz-issued-formal-warning-under-aml-cft-act
14 Dec 2023 - FMA offices are closed from midday, Friday 22 December, and will reopen 8.30am, Monday 8 January 2024 https://www.fma.govt.nz/contact/christmas-2023-holiday-hours/
14 Dec 2023 - The FMA has censured Go Financial Solutions Limited for failing to comply with several obligations under its financial advice provider (FAP) licence. Go Financial Solutions is a Christchurch-based FAP that provides advice on health, life and business insurance and mortgage lending. During a monitoring review earlier this year, the FMA found that Go Financial Solutions:
Had inadequate record keeping in relation to advice given to its clients
Failed to gather sufficient information about a client’s circumstances and was unable to demonstrate that recommendations made to clients were suitable
Failed to ensure its clients understood the financial advice they received
Failed to exercise care, diligence and skill when providing financial advice to its clients.
https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-censures-go-financial-solutions/
14 Dec 2023 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released the bi-annual life insurance institution-level statistics publication. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-life-insurance-institution-level-statistics-0
14 Dec 2023 - APRA and ASIC have released an update to life insurers and friendly societies (life companies) on premium increases in the life insurance industry. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-and-asic-release-an-update-on-premium-increases-life-insurance-industry
15 Dec 2023 - Michele Embling, Chair of the External Reporting Board (XRB), has announced that the Climate-related Disclosures standards have now been published. https://www.xrb.govt.nz/news/latest-news/
15 Dec 2023 - ASIC today published its annual dashboard of regulatory costs for 2022-23 by activity for each sector and subsector under the industry funding model (IFM). https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-industry-funding-release-of-2022-23-annual-dashboard-and-summary-of-variances/
15 Dec 2023 - The Council of Financial Regulators has released an updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for the financial sector for Q4 2023. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/files/regulatory-initiatives-calendar/regulatory-initiatives-calendar-q4-2023.pdf
19 Dec 2023 - The Government is introducing and progressing under urgency a Bill to repeal the Taxation Principles Reporting Act 2023 https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-introduces-taxation-principles-reporting-act-repeal-bill
19 Dec 2023 - Health Minister Dr Shane Reti is appointing a Crown observer to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crown-observer-be-appointed-health-new-zealand
19 Dec 2023 - The Climate Governance Initiative summarises the key pieces of information relevant to board directors from the UAE Consensus that was agreed in Dubai at the COP28 climate conference, to help directors understand the implications on business strategy and investment decisions. https://www.chapterzero.nz/news/cop28-key-outcomes-for-board-directors/
19 Dec 2023 - The Taxation Principles Reporting Act Repeal Bill had its First Reading https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/9faa9e21-c7a9-4433-7e32-08dc003a05e3?Tab=history