|
As New Zealand moves into Alert Level 2 at 11.59 tonight we have some important updates for you and your clients.
Our commitment to supporting clients who may be experiencing financial hardship has not changed, and we encourage you to get in touch if there’s something we can do to help those most-affected.
Motor vehicle cover
With WOF testing stations now open, your clients should consider renewing a WOF which expired during Alert Levels 4 and 3. Your clients are also encouraged to renew a Drivers’ Licence that expired during the lockdown. A WOF that has expired during the Level 4 and 3 lockdown won't necessarily mean a claim is declined, provided the vehicle is safe to drive.
Landlord inspections
Moving to Alert Level 2 means more inspections can be carried out, however we accept these might still need to be done remotely and there will be some circumstances where they might not be able to be done. We will take a reasonable approach based on Covid-19 guidance, and your clients’ personal circumstances. Your clients should still ensure that maintenance issues affecting a tenanted property are dealt with appropriately now that restrictions have been relaxed.
Commercial buildings
Unoccupied premises - During the restrictions at Levels 3 and 4, many businesses did not operate. At the time we confirmed that premises which were temporarily unoccupied during the lockdown would not have an adverse effect on a client’s insurance cover. Now that restrictions have been eased under Level 2, and most businesses can operate, we will need to be notified if a tenant is not resuming business operations and again occupying their premises within 30-days of the commencement of Level 2.
If a landlord knows that a tenant will not resume operation of their business within 30-days of the Level 3 restrictions being eased, they must notify us of this alteration of risk.
Building compliance - MBIE has issued guidance for building owners where it is not possible to achieve a Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF), because Inspection, Maintenance and Reporting (IMR) procedures could not be carried out during Alert levels 4 and 3. MBIE is instead offering an interim Building Systems Status Report (BSSR) for those building owners. When IMR procedures can be resumed we encourage building owners to ensure these are completed as soon as possible.
Your client following MBIE processes and completing outstanding IMR procedures as soon as possible will be viewed as sufficient to comply with BWoF policy requirements.
Claims
Under Level 2 we are further adapting the way we process claims. We continue to work closely with partners and suppliers to make sure insurance claims affecting the health and safety of our customers are prioritised. Here are things to be aware of while a client’s claim is being considered:
Health & Safety guidelines - to operate safely, all suppliers will have to maintain physical distancing, good hygiene standards and put contact tracing measures in place. Builders, suppliers and repairers may have to follow more specific procedures to meet Level 2 guidelines.
Taking more time - we may need to take more time to complete some work on a property or vehicle if repairers experience delays getting parts or other materials. We are working closely with our suppliers to ensure clients are kept updated.
Remote claims assessment and handling - where possible, we will continue to assess and handle claims remotely; this has proven effective during Levels 3 and 4.
Repairer bookings - where an appointment has been made with a repairer, either at a client’s home or premises, please encourage them to do their best to stick to that appointment time. This will help the repairer manage their contact tracing and help them resolve the claim more quickly.
Excess collection - we will continue to collect excess payments from customers to minimise the need to pay suppliers directly.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about any of the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your BDM on their mobile.
|
