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Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman - Latest News [Page 1]
Insurer Not Required To Cover Recommended Flood Upgrade
Thursday, 23 April 2026, 10:36 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
The insurer said it only needed to raise the floor level to the minimum required to obtain building consent and that there was no clear evidence from the council that a higher level was mandatory. More >>
Travellers Urged To Check New UK Passport Rules And Insurance
Friday, 30 January 2026, 11:11 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
From 25 February, British and Irish dual citizens travelling to the United Kingdom or Ireland need to use a British or Irish passport, rather than their New Zealand passport. More >>
Flood Claim Declined After False Statements
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 11:06 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
In a recent case investigated by the IFSO Scheme, a woman’s claim for flood-damaged household contents was declined after inconsistencies were found in the information provided to the insurer. More >>
Red Wind Warnings: Insurance Tips For Emergency Repairs And Damage
Thursday, 23 October 2025, 2:07 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
“High winds can create chaos very quickly — from smashed windows and damaged roofs to fallen trees and power surges,” says Karen Stevens, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman. More >>
Insurer Declines Claim For $31,000 Of Items Stolen From Car
Thursday, 16 October 2025, 7:07 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
On balance, the IFSO Scheme determined that by taking no precautions to secure or remove the items, Alex had failed to take reasonable care, and the insurer was entitled to decline the claim. More >>
Insurers Urged To Support People In Vulnerable Circumstances
Friday, 25 July 2025, 10:47 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
“Vulnerability isn’t a label, it’s a situation that can affect anyone,” says Karen Stevens, Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman. “Insurers need to recognise when someone is struggling and respond with empathy, flexibility, and fairness.” More >>
Insurance Disputes Reach Another Record High
Friday, 18 July 2025, 11:16 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
“Many of these cases were resolved quickly with assistance from our frontline team. However, we’re seeing a growing number of complaints that remain unresolved even after going through the financial service providers’ internal processes." More >>
Nelson-Tasman And Marlborough Weather Damage: Take Care When Cleaning Up To Avoid Insurance Issues
Monday, 30 June 2025, 12:59 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
“But when it’s safe to begin the clean-up, it’s essential to document everything before throwing items away. That means taking photos or videos of the damage and making a detailed list of what’s been affected,” says Insurance & Financial Services ... More >>
Couple’s False Claim Leaves Them Uninsured
Thursday, 26 June 2025, 1:30 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
Mr and Mrs Owen* made an insurance claim, saying their car had been damaged when Mr Owen drove it into a fence at a friend’s house. They said the front driver’s side and left passenger door were damaged. More >>
Severe Winds And Flooding - IFSO Scheme Urges Careful Action During Clean Up
Thursday, 1 May 2025, 2:10 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
The first thing to remember is to only start dealing with the clean up when it’s safe to do so. Then, when it’s safe, make sure you document everything before starting on the clean up. More >>
70 Year Old Given Unaffordable Loan
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 5:09 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
A recent investigation by the IFSO Scheme found that a lender failed to make sufficient inquiries before approving a $35,000 loan to a 70-year-old borrower, leading to financial hardship. As a result, the lender agreed to waive over $5,000 in charges and allowed ... More >>
Woman Gets $40k More After Disputing Insurer’s Decision
Thursday, 21 November 2024, 9:38 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
This case shows just how important having reliable, expert evidence is when something like the scope of works is disputed. More >>
Record Year Of Complaints To The IFSO Scheme
Monday, 12 August 2024, 10:34 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
Karen Stevens, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, says that most people contacted the IFSO Scheme about customer service issues and delays. More >>
$920 Fridge Leads To $10,000 Debt
Monday, 5 August 2024, 10:22 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
For money month this year, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is highlighting the issue of unsuitable lending, where consumers are given higher loans than they need. More >>
Are Your Prescription Drugs Likely To Cause Problems For Your Car Insurance?
Thursday, 18 July 2024, 2:42 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
A recent investigation by the IFSO Scheme, which resolves customer complaints about insurance and financial services, has brought sleeping pills into the spotlight. More >>
Ombudsman Urges People To Follow Rules For Driving On Beaches
Wednesday, 13 March 2024, 9:51 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
Consumers should take care to avoid circumstances that could result in an insurance claim, says the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens. This comes after a driver lost his vehicle after driving into the sea to wash its underside. ... More >>
Be Careful When Taking ‘payment Holidays’ Over The Festive Season - Financial Ombudsman
Monday, 20 November 2023, 10:05 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
As we head into the festive season, many people may be tempted to take up a ‘payment holiday’ on loans to help ease financial pressure. However, Financial Ombudsman, Susan Taylor, is reminding consumers they might just end up paying more in the long ... More >>
Severe Weather Warnings Prompt Insurance Warning
Tuesday, 12 July 2022, 5:41 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
With severe weather warnings issued in many areas of New Zealand, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO), Karen Stevens, says now’s the time to be prepared. “Use your time now to minimise potential weather damage,” says ... More >>
IFSO Scheme Welcomes Commissioners Teresa Tepania-Ashton And Kendall Flutey
Friday, 12 June 2020, 9:06 am | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme is delighted to welcome new IFSO Scheme Commissioners: Māori Women’s Leadership Inc CEO, Teresa Tepania-Ashton, and Founder and CEO of financial literacy platform Banqer, Kendall Flutey. “Teresa ... More >>
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) And Travel: Contact Your Airline, Travel Agent And Insurer
Saturday, 7 March 2020, 5:26 pm | Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman
Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO), Karen Stevens, says check with your airline, your travel agent and your travel insurer before you cancel, change or make travel plans. “At the IFSO Scheme we’re receiving a lot of calls from ... More >>
