Covid-19 and your insurance policy

Businesses contemplating mandatory employee vaccinations must consider workplace safety obligations, and employees' rights under legislation and agreements.

Read the full advisory: Mandatory vaccinations - considerations for employers 

Car insurance when used for business

• Read our advisory on how alert levels affect car and other vehicle insurance policies. This includes clarification on what happens when warrant of fitness and drivers' licences expire: Covid-19 and your motor vehicle insurance.

Our client advisory answers common questions about how home and contents insurance policy conditions under lockdown due to Covid-19.

This includes the role of home valuations, property settlements under high alert levels, equipment cover when working from home, contents in storage and more.

Read the full advisory: Covid-19 and your home and contents insurance.     

If your boat is used when alert levels prevent or restrict use, insurers will not  provide cover on your policy or liability to any third parties.

If you have questions about your boat and pleasurecraft insurance please contact your broker. 

Schools insurance 

Advice on insurance cover for schools where students take electronic devices such as laptops and Chromebooks home on loan during Covid-19 school closures. 

• Read the full client advisory: Schools - removal of electronic devices during Covid-19 closures - 30 August 2021   

Cybersecurity during Covid-19 alert levels

We've seen that the increase in New Zealanders logging on from home can create additional vulnerabilities in otherwise secure internal computer systems. And the disruption caused by Covid-19 is continuing to present opportunities for cyberattacks and data breaches.  Our recent client advisories provide guidance on managing risk at this time: 

• Managing risks associated with remote working  -  Tips on protecting data, collaborating safely, and minimising the risk of a cyber-attack when your employees work remotely.
• Maintaining cybersecurity during lockdown  - Steps your business can take to reduce exposure.

Trade credit insurance advisories

• Trade credit insurance guidance - 14 August - There are potential implications for trade credit insurance policies where businesses are trying to manage cashflow, and work with their buyers and suppliers. 
• Trade credit: insurance advice for exporters - 14 August - 14 August 2020 - The instability of the global economy is seeing insurers with more risks to factor in if you're exporting goods to overseas customers. 
• Trade credit: insurance advice for domestic trade - 14 August - Key considerations impacting trade credit insurance for domestic New Zealand businesses

Guidance and advice from our construction insurance specialists on risk mitigation and cover for construction projects during Covid-19 and alert level stages: 

• Managing supply chain risk in construction - 13 August - When materials, components or equipment fail to arrive on site, it can stop work completely. Managing this scenario is a critical part of project risk management.
• Risk management tips for construction contractors - 13 August - Considerations for construction contractors when entering new contracts, to adequately manage risks and issues raised due to Covid-19. 
• Construction and Covid-19 - 13 August - Guidance for construction businesses and contractors on securing sites, and considerations for insurance due to Covid-19.

Our client advisory for landlord insurance policyholders, answers questions on property inspections and rent protection during Covid-19 alert levels.

• Read the full advisory Landlord insurance and Covid-19 - updated 13 August 

Travelling within New Zealand 

Most New Zealanders are unaware that many of the risks we consider when travelling internationally also apply when travelling domestically. We outline some of those risks and explain why domestic travel insurance should be considered when planning your next trip.

• Read the full advisory: Insurance considerations when travelling in New Zealand - 20 July 2020 

Travel insurance policyholders - Last updated May 2020 

Many insurers have removed some or all cover for Covid-19-related issues for travel to countries affected by the outbreak. It is important to check policy wordings to understand how the restrictions affect your cover. Links to information from insurer partners summarising their position on cover for existing and new policy holders are listed below:

• AIG
• Allianz   
• Chubb - including Crombie Lockwood Schools Travel scheme
• Cover-More  
• Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance - See Travel Advisory Notices
• Uni-Care - For support phone 09 362 4039.

If you have any questions not covered by the insurer's website please contact your broker.

As businesses look to control expenses, we look at some approaches for managing risk while reducing cost and maintaining essential insurance cover. 

• Aligning your insurance in the Covid-19 environment

Other personal and business insurance policies

Policy exclusions for events relating to infectious or contagious disease may apply to some policies not already mentioned on this page. This means that cover may not be available. Your broker can review and advise based on your individual situation.