Age Concern New Zealand supports
the development of a Code of Insured Persons’ Rights to outline the standard of
service insured people can expect from Toka Tū Ake EQC. The management and
settlement of claims after a natural hazard event, such as an earthquake or
landslide, is important to any insured homeowner. There is also potential for
an insured person to face the distressing impact of multiple natural hazard
events. This is challenging for anyone, especially for many older New
Zealanders and people with disabilities.
Older New Zealanders are a diverse, resilient and valued part of every community. Some of the older adults in our communities will need
greater support and help when making an insurance claim after a natural hazard
event. Older people are not all the same, any more than any other population
group. However, older people that are frail, have a disability or live alone
may require extra support throughout the process. Older adults may not use
digital technology as regularly as others, or at all, which is a disadvantage
at a time where much information and many forms that need completing are
online. We urge those developing the Code and Insurers working with older
homeowners ensure ageism does not impact on their interactions with older
people.
The issue we see is more with how effective implementation of the Code will be measured or assessed. The intent is laudable and pleasing to see, but implementation comes down to multiple home insurance providers interacting with a wide range of people, who will likely be under considerable stress at the time. Training and a monitoring framework of some form will be needed to ensure the Code lives up to its aim and intent.
Read the Code of Insured Persons' Rights Submission