Your Rights

Ōu Tika

Your Rights

Ōu Tika

Good faith

Insurance is a contract between an insurer and a customer. It is based on the principle of good faith — a system of managing relationships where everyone agrees to treat each other with respect and good intentions.

Insurers must

  • provide the service agreed with the customer in their contract
  • act in good faith at all times
  • settle claims fairly and efficiently
  • adhere to the principles set out in the Fair Insurance Code
  • adhere to all laws governing their conduct in New Zealand.

Customers must

  • pay their agreed premiums on time
  • act honestly and with integrity in all their dealings with their insurer
  • accurately and fully disclose all information relevant to their policies and claims.

Making a complaint

If you have a problem or dispute with your insurer, you have the right to complain.

Vulnerable customers

The NZ Human Rights Commission and ICNZ have worked together to develop best practice guidelines around the prioritisation of vulnerable customers.

Legal and financial advice

While ICNZ is able to help with questions about insurance, we cannot give legal or financial advice to people who contact us. If you have any questions about insurance law and your rights, or would like advice about what sort of insurance you need, please seek help from a lawyer or financial advisor.