Munich Re look at how insurers can develop prevention strategies

Munich Re’s Life Science Report 2025 has insights on global trends and risks that will shape the insurance industry over the next decade. We’ve written about their in-depth looks at AI in Healthcare and Improving Cancer Outcomes sections, and now we’re looking at their Prevention chapter. 

Prevention is all about intervening before a disease or condition occurs – trying to extend the health span of peoples’ lives and prevent claims from arising in the first place. 

In order to develop effective preventative strategies, insurers need a deep understanding of each of their clients’ unique characteristics, risk factors and health trends. Insurers should focus on areas where they’ll get the most bang for their buck, addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to the most significant preventable health risks and claims drivers – namely cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health conditions. The key preventable causes for these are obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive drinking and poor sleep patterns. Munich Re have a range of tables showing the impact of preventive measures on mortality, disability, critical illness and health care costs.

Munich Re categorise preventative health measures based on the stages of disease they are intended to prevent:

• Primordial prevention - preventing development of risk factors for the entire population

• Primary prevention - prevent onset of disease e.g. through lifestyle adjustments and medications

• Secondary prevention - early diagnosis (e.g. through screening programmes) and prompt treatment

• Tertiary prevention - manage existing disease to minimise complications and improve outcomes to prevent further morbidity and mortality

• Quaternary prevention - protect from medical interventions that are likely to cause more harm than good.

To be effective, targeted interventions need to address an individual’s unique needs. By using personalised risk profiling, digital risk scores and advanced analytics, insurers can tailor interventions to maximise impact. To be efficient, insurers need to be able to amplify their prevention efforts to reach a wide audience and use digital systems to automate processes and incorporate real-time feedback. One of the most effective means of prevention is improving health literacy, the ability to navigate health information and make informed decisions. Munich Re suggest that informing policyholders about prevention benefits, enhancing health literacy, making things easy and incentivising members will all help drive positive health outcomes.

As we’ve already seen starting to occur here in NZ, insurers are positioning themselves as active participants in the well-being of their policyholders (with AIA’s Vitality programme perhaps the most notable example of this). We’d love to hear from you instances where your clients health insurance has led to them taking proactive steps to improve their health.

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AIA release Claims Compass Report

AIA have released their second Claims Compass Report, covering data for the year ended 31 December 2024. AIA have over 797,000 Kiwi protected and accept 92% of all claims received.

In 2024, AIA paid out $829.6 million in claims, up $95 million on the previous year. Life accounted for 41% of all claims paid ($298.1 million), followed by Health ($167 million), Trauma ($139.5 million), Income Protection ($97.2 million) and Total Permanent Disablement ($23.9 million).

Life claims were up $34.6 million, Health claims were up $23.9 million and Trauma claims were up $22.4 million on the previous year. Increases in claims were put down to the combined impact of insurance levels increasing alongside inflation, more innovative treatment options with higher costs than established treatments, and growing demand for health services due to an aging population and growth in chronic diseases.

AIA NZ Chief Customer Officer, Maddie Sherlock said

“In New Zealand, we have observed increased rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and poor mental health, brought about by worsening lifestyle factors such as diet and lack of exercise. These worsening public health trends lead to a higher demand for health services, which puts upward pressure on private health claims.”  

AIA have shone a spotlight on mental health. In 2024 $25.7 million was paid out towards mental health related claims, and $8.1 million for suicide claims. Mental health claims were highest for men aged 40 and 49 ($6.4 million), followed by men aged 50 – 59 (5.6 million). Sherlock said

“This big jump in claims for this age group reflects their life stage which is likely to be impacted by the weight of increased family, financial and professional responsibility and high demands upon their time.”

“This is the age where your overall health starts to be impacted by your nutrition, sleep and activity levels versus when you were younger. And your risk of lifestyle diseases increases. These changes can of course impact your confidence and overall mental wellbeing.”

The top AIA NZ mental health claims in 2024 were:

1. Depressive disorders 44%

2. Anxiety / panic disorders              14%

3. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder      4%

4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome           3%

5. Chronic Pain Syndrome                2%

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Asteron Life paid out 97% of claims

Asteron Life paid out 97% of the Trauma, Life and Income Protection claims it received in the year ended June 30 2024. In total, Asteron Life paid out $112 million of claims, with $53.5 million being paid out for Life Insurance, $34.1 million in Trauma policy payments and $24.4 million in Monthly Income Protection cover claims.

Accident or Injury was the leading cause of claims, for both Monthly Income cover and Trauma cover. Mental Health claims duration remains high, with an average duration of 8 - 12 months, compared to other new claims where the average duration was around 6 - 8 months. Executive Manager Claims and Customer Solutions, Seema Bangera, said

“Return to work outcomes are directly related to early intervention and rehabilitation. This means the mental wellbeing of customers needs to be at the forefront for claims specialists and we need to ensure all clients have the necessary support building their personal resilience for their return-to-work journeys.”

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Financial Advice NZ masterclass 'The ethics of client psychology: How clients think' 1 April

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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

22 Oct 2024 - The FMA publish Samantha Barrass' speech from the Financial Services Federation Conference 2024. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/samantha-barrass-speaks-at-fsf-conference/

22 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish Assistant Governor Karen Silk's speech 'Liquidity management: Principles for liquidity provision and the end of an abundant era'. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/liquidity-management

22 Oct 2024 - ASIC release 2023–24 annual report. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-232mr-asic-annual-report-underscores-transformation/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

22 Oct 2024 - The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has published his 2023/2024 Annual Report.  https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/news/more-and-more-people-are-turning-ombudsman-help

23 Oct 2024 - The Government will introduce a single supervisor and a new funding model in a major overhaul of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-overhaul-anti-money-laundering-regime

23 Oct 2024 - The FMA has published its first monitoring report of the Discretionary Investment Management Services (DIMS) sector. The report found that while DIMS providers strive for positive investor outcomes, there is room for improvement in their processes and controls. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-publishes-first-insights-report-into-dims-sector/

23 Oct 2024 - The Ministry of Justice are currently consulting on a proposal to raise the threshold for distributing someone’s assets after death without the need for probate and are seeking feedback on new thresholds.  https://7422267.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7422267/Member-only%20content/Submissions%20(Member%20Only)/Factsheet_probate%20threshold%20-%20financial%20services%20providers.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--CGtLdOXH2FnKUPM5kSzkDwUAdlMpihtK7dVxIe9c5_pIwlG4VqCwmsdMaof2Nep6ADSH_0AO6uGXorGoFn-IMWIe460-RneqZDNXuccz1V8aMMv8&_hsmi=330379053&utm_content=330379053&utm_source=hs_email

23 Oct 2024 - The Mental Health Bill has been referred to Select Committee. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/538751b7-fea5-4dcc-cce2-08dce18e31b4?Tab=history

24 Oct 2024 - RBNZ have published a speech by RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr, 'Navigating monetary policy through the unknown'. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/navigating-monetary-policy-through-the-unknown

24 Oct 2024 - ASIC publish keynote address by ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke at the 34th Annual Credit Law Conference. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/speeches/asic-2024-update/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

24 Oct 2024 - The Police FIU are running a series of two-hour sessions in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington that will cover an overview of the goAML system, along with how to submit Suspicious Activity and Prescribed Transaction Reports. https://createsend.com/t/j-18E3D1447129F4092540EF23F30FEDED

Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

15 oct 2024 - The FMA has published the speech by FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass at the Institute of Financial Professionals New Zealand Conference 2024. https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/speeches-and-presentations/speech-by-samantha-barrass-at-infinz-20242024/

16 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish Assistant Governor Karen Silk's speech 'Transmission of monetary policy to financial conditions' from the Citi Australia and New Zealand Investment Conference. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/transmission-of-monetary-policy-to-financial-conditions

16 Oct 2024 - Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon Andrew Bayly August 2024 diary released  with the following potential financial services sector related meetings noted:

• 4 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Financial Education Roundtable (invitees)

• 4 Sep 2024 – SPEAK: Financial Services Council Annual Conference Gala Dinner (conference delegates)

• 11 Sep 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Roger Beaumont)

• 13 Sep 2024 – MEET: BNZ CEO (Dan Huggins)

• 16 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: NZ Banking Association Council Meeting (Council Members)

• 23 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Westpac Einvoicing customer event (Invited guests)

• 23 Sep 2024 – CALL: FMA CEO (Samantha Barrass)

• 23 Sep 2024 – ATTEND: Financial Service Federation Dinner (Invited guests)

• 24 Sep 2024 – MEET: Privacy Commissioner (Michael Webster)

• 24 Sep 2024 – ZOOM: XRB (Michelle Embling, and April Mackenzie)

• 25 Sep 2024 – MEET: Banking Ombudsman (Nicola Sladden)

• 26 Sep 2024 – MEET: Commerce Commission (Commerce Commission Officials)

• 26 Sep 2024 – MEET: NZBA (Roger Beaumont and Miles Erwin)

• 27 Sep 2024 – CALL: Westpac CEO (Catherine McGrath)

• 30 Sep 2024 – ZOOM: Commerce Commission (Commerce Commission Officials)

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-10/Proactive%20Diary%20Release%20Sept%2024%27%20Hon%20Andrew%20Bayly.pdf

16 Oct 2024 - RBNZ publish a Bulletin which provides an overview of bank funding and mortgage rate pricing developments in recent years. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/monetary-policy-pass-through-to-bank-funding-costs-and-mortgage-rates

16 Oct 2024 - The Budapest Convention and Related Matters Legislation Amendment Bill had its first reading and was referred to Select Committee. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/f2d3b46e-56c2-41cd-0edd-08dcdb5e62cc?Tab=history

16 Oct 2024 - The FMA has published guidance which explains their interpretation of the law, to promote consistent market practices and ensure the requirements of section 212 (Initial steps in winding up of registered scheme) and section 213 (Winding-up report) of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act) are met.  https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/guidance-library/winding-up-requirements-for-registered-schemes/

16 Oct 2024 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published its Annual Report for the 2023-24 financial year. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-publishes-2023-24-annual-report

16 Oct 2024 - The committee stage of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill was completed.  https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/daily-progress-in-the-house/daily-progress-for-wednesday-16-october-2024/

16 Oct 2024 - The office of the Privacy Commissioner has published 'Handling privacy complaints: a step-by-step guide'. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/guidance-resources/handling-privacy-complaints-a-step-by-step-guide/

17 Oct 2024 - The RBNZ has released its first voluntary Climate-related Disclosure - Ngā Whakapuaki e Pā ana ki te Āhuarangi for FY2023/24, outlining their progress in understanding, monitoring, and managing climate-related risks. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/publications/reports/2024/climate-related-disclosure/data/climate-related-disclosure-2023-24

17 Oct 2024 - ASIC announce appointments to the ASIC Executive Leadership team: Peter Soros as Executive Director Regulation and Supervision; Chris Savundra to the role of Executive Director Enforcement and Compliance. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-226mr-appointments-to-the-asic-executive-leadership-team/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

17 Oct 2024 - The Contracts of Insurance Bill was read a second time. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/019dad64-3f9e-46b8-5cd9-08dc67f794e8?Tab=history

18 Oct 2024 - The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed that Dr Derek Johnston has been reappointed for a second term as a Commissioner at the Commerce Commission. https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/dr-derek-johnston-reappointed-to-the-commerce-commission

18 Oct 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s November Financial Stability Report (FSR) for 2024 has been moved to 5 November. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/10/financial-stability-report-moved-to-5-november

What does a business version of the healthy futures report mean?

We took a look at Southern Cross’s business edition of the 2024 Healthy Futures Report, which focuses on employee health and wellbeing. There are clear links between wealth and health, as the old saying has it. Whether one causes the other and in which direction the arrow of causality points is unexplored. We think it’s probably more complicated than this simple pairing of factors, although if someone becomes wealthy, they often become healthier. Likewise, if someone has the misfortune to become chronically ill, they usually get poorer. But these two are probably joined by other factors which may also have some power to affect outcomes – like education while young, health while a child, and current environment.

What employers can do to help is limited – but is appreciated by staff. At Quality Product Research Limited we offer seven of the eleven key suggestions made (soon to be expanded to eight) – we like that we can do that – but people use or do not use them pretty much as they please.

Key takeaways for us from the survey results:

• 89% of respondents said it was important to them to work for a company that supports the health and wellbeing of their staff.

• 55% of respondents’ employers were doing well in supporting their employees.

• The top ten initiatives employers could invest in were wellbeing leave (36%), lunch or break room (29%), flu vaccinations (26%), healthy food options (25%), activities promoting good mental health (23%), workplace massage (23%), Employee Assistance Programme (22%), health assessments (21%), subsidised membership to off-site facilities (21%) and stress management programmes (20%).

• 88% of employees think having a good work-life balance is important, with a third considering taking steps to improve their work-life balance.

• Making use of flexible working hours (43%) and switching off from work when finished for the day (43%) were the most common means of managing work-life balance. Conversely, having a high work load (60%), financial pressures (40%) and not having flexible working hours (40%) were cited as most commonly as reasons for poor work-life balance.

• 51% of workplaces offer flexible working arrangements, down from 54% in 2022; 60% of employees make use of flexible working hours most weeks and an additional 26% utilise it sometimes.

• Only 45% of kiwis rate themselves as happy with their financial situation; 91% cite cost of living as one of their top concerns and 58% worry about not having enough money to support themselves or their families.

• 84% of New Zealanders are concerned about not having good, affordable access to healthcare, up 8% from 2022.

• Kiwis don’t feel they are getting enough sleep (60%) or exercise (62%).

• New Zealanders without health insurance were more likely to be less happy with their health, financial situation, mental wellbeing, fitness levels, weight of themselves and their children, exercised less on average and were more likely to be stressed.

Southern Cross highlight a series of initiatives workplaces could take to improve employee wellbeing, including:

• offering education on stress management and financial management;

• offering free fruit or healthy food in breakrooms;

• encouraging employees to make use of flexible working if it’s offered;

• offering health assessments;

• educating employees on the importance of flu vaccinations;

• offer opportunities for physical exercise, through work place team sports, sports day or subsidies for gyms or exercise equipment;

• encouraging employees to take their annual leave;

• training leaders to identify those at risk of burn-out;

• offering wellbeing leave;

• providing employee assistance programmes and educating employees on what it is and hot to use it;

• offering subsidised health insurance.

1,463 employees were surveyed for this report in March 2024.

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Jon-Paul Hale talks about CPI & income protection claims

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NZ banks begin rollout of the confirmation of payments service from November 2024

Centrix’s latest ‘Credit Indicator Report' finds 461,000 people are behind on their payments

The Monetary Policy Committee cut the Official Cash Rate to 4.75%

BNZ has launched a new security feature aimed at combating online scams

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Southern Cross Health Society Group annual results released

Southern Medical Care Society Group has shared their annual results for the year ended 30 June 2024. By the numbers:

• Group deficit of $88.2 million after tax. $43.1 million of the deficit is attributable to a change in international financial reporting standards introduced this financial year. The balance of the deficit is driven by higher claims costs from a high inflationary environment combined with high member demand for private health services, particularly in the second half of the financial year.

• Group reserves of $470.7 million.

• Claims paid at a rate of $6 million per business day (up from $5.2 million in FY23).

• 15,196 net new members, with total membership now at 955,301.

• This represents 60% of the New Zealand health insurance market by customer numbers but 71% per cent of the value of all health insurance claims paid.

• 99% of claims were submitted electronically.

Southern Cross Health Insurance

• Reported a deficit of $99.1 million.

• Paid $1.498 billion in claims from $1.605 billion received in premiums.

• Claims costs increased 15% on FY23 (up 13.9% when adjusted for member growth).

• Premiums increased 9% on FY23 (up 6.6% when adjusted for member growth).

• 93.4 cents paid in claims from every dollar received in premiums (compared to an industry average excluding Southern Cross) of 73 cents.

• Operating costs grew by 4%, less than inflation.

• 3.2 million claims in FY24

• 50% of members claimed over the financial year.

• 39,326 virtual GP consultations with Care HQ.

• 4,635 annual health check-ups with MedPro.

• 4,016 online mental health sessions with Raise.

• Net promoter score of 53.7%.

 Nick Astwick, Chief Executive for Southern Cross Health Society said

“We have never been in more demand by our members as they prioritise their health needs, largely in the private system. In 2019 33% of our membership claimed, last year it was 50%.”

“The cost of claims in 2024 was steep and rapid, driven by a combination of price, volume, and the mix of claims. The growth in the volume of claims results from an increase in the number of members claiming, the frequency, and claims being made for more expensive procedures.”

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Asteron Life announce MDRT Grant Programme recipients

NZFSG named as one of the Most Innovative Insurance Companies

Fidelity Life working to implement a data governance strategy

ANZ add BlinkPay to their approved third party payment providers

2024 Haven award winners announced

Committee recommended changes to the Contracts of Insurance Bill

Travis Hamilton says Total and permanent disability (TPD) cover is being underestimated

Jon-Paul Hale suggests ways insurers can improve systems for advisers

Tony Vidler recommends how advisers can value themselves appropriately

The Government has completed a cost-benefit analysis for potential third medical school

Wayne Langford appointed to the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

FSC sees opportunities for increased contributions to KiwiSaver

KiwiSaver has been in the news recently with funds under management surpassing the $100b mark and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) releasing their KiwiSaver Annual Report 2024. The Financial Services Council (FSC) have welcomed the insights from the FMA report and said they see opportunities for increased contributions. Kirk Hope, CEO of the FSC said,

“With KiwiSaver funds under management surpassing the $100bn mark, this is a great opportunity to look at KiwiSaver contribution settings and how we can make it affordable over time so that New Zealanders can have dignity in retirement.”

“Increasing contribution levels, in combination with financial literacy that helps New Zealanders understand the benefits and mechanisms of KiwiSaver, are key to driving better retirement outcomes,”

More news:

nib join the Sustainable Business Council NZ

Asteron Life, Chubb Life & Fidelity Life are finalists at the New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards

Fidelity Life employees have unlimited access to LinkedIn’s library of courses

IFSO take their first enforcement proceeding against a Participant

Jon-Paul Hale recommends advisers are clear in explaining unfunded medicines

Workplace Savings End of Year Function 2024 on 4 November

Fidelity Life offer advisers opportunity to go on professional development course

FinTech NZ Annual Meeting on 6 November

Retirement Commissioner says there’s a “crucial need” for all political parties to support a stable retirement policy

Mental Health Minister announces Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction Prevalence Survey

New Active Benefits are now available to Accuro policyholders

Accuro Policyholders now have access to a range of Active Benefits, as part of their UniMed membership. While policy cover remains the same since the transfer of Accuro’s insurance portfolio to UniMed on 31 May, Accuro members can now access a range of UniMed member benefits. Benefits include:

• 20% off sitewide Parachute first aid (available until 31 Oct 2024)

• 15% Off Allianz Travel Insurance

• 20% Off MoleMap Checkups

• 30 days free at Snap Fitness

• Get an intro to 9Round Fitness

• Free Hearing Health Checkups

• Discounts at Specsavers Optometrists

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mySolutions webinar 'Creating strong customer engagement through Booster's client and adviser facing tools' 2 October

FSC webinar 'Cultivating mental wellness at work' 10 October

ANZIIF offer an Insurance Risk Management Study Course

TSB are looking for a Head of Customer Operations

Entries to the Southern Cross Wayfinder Awards close 30 September

Terry Ball says Robo-advice has a long way to go

KiwiSaver passes milestone of $100 billion of funds under management

Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index fell by 2.2 points to 89.2 in the September quarter

The Banking Ombudsman Scheme saw a record number of cases

Calls for a public education campaign around consumer data right (CDR) regime

This week is Mental Health Awareness week

Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector

11 Sep 2024 - The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill was read a second time. https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/955109f7-830e-4b94-2089-08dba9b9dfac?Tab=history

13 Sep 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority has officially joined the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN). GFIN is designed to facilitate cooperation between financial regulators worldwide, providing a platform to exchange experiences and strategies related to financial innovation. https://www.mpamag.com/nz/news/general/fma-joins-global-innovation-network/505407

16 Sep 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published an Analytical Note which shows monetary policy decisions that are not fully anticipated by financial markets  lead to changes in interest rates and the New Zealand dollar exchange rate. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/09/financial-market-reaction-to-monetary-policy-surprises

16 Sep 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority is consulting on regulatory returns for financial institution licensees. https://www.fma.govt.nz/business/focus-areas/consultation/consultation-regulatory-returns-for-financial-institution-licensees/

17 Sep 2024 - ASIC has released a letter to market participants outlining technological and operational resilience guidance, clarifying how to identify critical business services and notification of a major event. The guidance relates to the technological and operational resilience requirements detailed in Chapters 8A and 8B of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Securities Markets) 2017 and ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Futures Markets) 2017. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-expands-operational-resilience-guidance-for-market-participants/?altTemplate=betanewsroom

17 Sep 2024 - The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has had privacy concerns raised from members of the public about IRD’s use of taxpayers’ personal information and hashing. OPC has contacted IRD for information so they can assess if this practice raises issues under the Privacy Act. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/statements-media-releases/care-is-needed-with-data-anonymisation/