Farm Insurance NZ
For disability income insurance (DII) products distributed via group superannuation and group ordinary channels, the claims paid ratios stand at 99% and 74% respectively over the 12-month period ending in June. These figures are based on a projected 24-month claims payment period.
The standout 113% ratio for individual non-advised DII underscores a scenario where claims payments surpass premiums collected, setting it as the leader among seven product categories available through four distinct sales channels.
Beyond individual non-advised DII, other product classes include total and permanent disability, death, trauma, consumer credit insurance, funeral, and accident insurance.
Interestingly, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which is the source of this comprehensive data—originally reported by a financial industry publication, provides no additional commentary on these biennial life insurance claims and disputes statistics. Nevertheless, APRA’s recent annual report highlights ongoing endeavors to enhance the sustainability of individual DII products, which last year led to a reevaluation of capital requirements for select insurers.
Additional APRA data illustrates varying claims paid ratios for total and permanent disability (TPD) coverage: individual-advised has a 55% ratio, individual non-advised 58%, group super 100%, and group ordinary 37%.
Disability income insurance also tops the charts in terms of dispute frequency: for individual-advised products, there are 334 disputes per 100,000 lives insured, while the non-advised channel experiences even higher contention at 425 disputes per 100,000.
Published:Wednesday, 6th Nov 2024
Source: Paige Estritori
| Navigating the Surge in Insurance Risks for Australian Businesses 18 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Australian businesses are currently grappling with a complex landscape of escalating insurance risks, driven by factors such as increased litigation, rapid technological advancements, supply chain disruptions, catastrophic events, and geopolitical tensions. These challenges necessitate a proactive approach to risk management and insurance coverage. - read more |
| Learning from Near Misses: Enhancing Farm Safety in Australia 18 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori In July 2025, Farmsafe Australia launched the 'Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You'll Get' campaign, aiming to transform near misses on farms into learning opportunities to prevent future accidents. This initiative underscores the critical importance of recognising and addressing close calls in agricultural settings. - read more |
| WFI's 2025 Farm Accident Insights: A Call for Enhanced Safety Measures 18 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori In October 2025, WFI Insurance unveiled its annual farm accident insights as part of Farmsafe Australia's 2025 Safer Farms Report. The findings paint a stark picture of the challenges facing Australian agriculture, with 2024 recording 72 farm-related deaths—the highest in over two decades. - read more |
| ASIC Highlights Deficiencies in Insurers' Complaint Handling Practices 18 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of insurers' complaint handling processes, uncovering significant deficiencies that fail to meet regulatory obligations. The findings indicate that insurers are not adequately identifying and addressing customer complaints, with one in six complaints going unrecognized. Additionally, systemic issues are often overlooked, communication timeframes are missed, and existing systems fail to record outcomes such as compensation payments. - read more |
| Forecast: Continued Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Through 2026 18 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Following a significant 12% decline in commercial insurance rates during the fourth quarter of 2025, industry experts anticipate that this downward trend will persist throughout 2026. The Australia-Pacific region has been at the forefront of this global decrease, with the recent drop marking the steepest since early 2024. - read more |
| Insuregroup's Remarkable Growth Reflects Surge in Truck Insurance Demand 17 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Insuregroup, a specialist insurance brokerage serving Australia's transport and logistics sector, has recently announced a significant milestone: processing over 10,000 insurance policies since its inception, with a 25% increase in policy volume over the past year. This growth underscores the escalating demand for comprehensive truck insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of Australian freight operators. - read more |
| Natural Disaster Preparedness: Insurance Tips for Farmers Facing Adversity In the heart of New Zealand's pastoral verdure, the significance of preparedness for natural disasters is paramount for the farming industry. The distinct landscape, while providing an idyllic backdrop for agricultural pursuits, is not without its challenges. Farmers are often at the mercy of nature's unpredictability, making disaster preparedness not just prudent but essential for the continuity of their livelihood. - read more
|
| Protecting Your Farming Future: Why Machinery Breakdown Coverage is Essential Farming is a vital part of New Zealand's economy and cultural heritage, representing a way of life for thousands across the country. With its unique landscapes and diverse climate, New Zealand farmers are renowned for producing a wide array of high-quality products that serve not only the nation's needs but also supply a multitude of international markets. - read more
|
| Securing Your Farm's Future: Top Estate Planning Tips for New Zealand Farmers New Zealand's farming community forms the backbone of its thriving agricultural sector, yet many overlook the critical importance of proactive estate planning. With farmland often being held within families for generations, securing its future is not just a financial concern, but a deeply personal one as well. - read more
|
| Customizing Your Farm Insurance: Tailoring Policies to Fit Unique Agricultural Needs Those who work the land know that every farm has its own heartbeat - its unique rhythm defined by the crops it yields, the livestock it nurtures, and the natural environment it exists within. Recognizing this individuality is crucial, especially when it comes to safeguarding your agricultural investment with the right insurance policy. - read more
|
| Livestock Insurance for Aussie Farmers: What You Need to Know Livestock farming is a significant part of the Australian agriculture industry. As with any business, farmers face numerous risks such as disease, death, theft or extreme weather events, which could cause damage or loss to their livestock assets. Livestock insurance provides cover against these risks, ensuring that farmers are financially protected from any potential financial losses, which could devastate their livelihoods. - read more
|
| New Technologies in Crop Protection: How Precision Agriculture Enhances Insurance Coverage For generations, farmers have faced the challenge of protecting their crops from an array of threats, such as pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Traditional crop protection strategies have relied heavily on blanket approaches, as in using widespread pesticide application, or generalized irrigation systems, regardless of the varying needs across a field. While these methods have had their successes, they also come with limitations in efficiency, environmental impact, and the precision needed for optimal crop health and yield. - read more
|
|
|
Natural Disaster Preparedness: Insurance Tips for Farmers Facing Adversity In the heart of New Zealand's pastoral verdure, the significance of preparedness for natural disasters is paramount for the farming industry. The distinct landscape, while providing an idyllic backdrop for agricultural pursuits, is not without its challenges. Farmers are often at the mercy of nature's unpredictability, making disaster preparedness not just prudent but essential for the continuity of their livelihood. - read more
|
|
|
Protecting Your Farming Future: Why Machinery Breakdown Coverage is Essential Farming is a vital part of New Zealand's economy and cultural heritage, representing a way of life for thousands across the country. With its unique landscapes and diverse climate, New Zealand farmers are renowned for producing a wide array of high-quality products that serve not only the nation's needs but also supply a multitude of international markets. - read more
|
|
|
Customizing Your Farm Insurance: Tailoring Policies to Fit Unique Agricultural Needs Those who work the land know that every farm has its own heartbeat - its unique rhythm defined by the crops it yields, the livestock it nurtures, and the natural environment it exists within. Recognizing this individuality is crucial, especially when it comes to safeguarding your agricultural investment with the right insurance policy. - read more
|