Fidelity Life has made a premium relief option available to customers in the Far North and Whangārei Districts who are experiencing financial hardship following recent severe weather and flooding. From April 2, 2026, eligible policyholders can request to have their premiums waived for up to three months, with the possibility of extending the waiver for a further three months. According to the company, life insurance cover will remain in force during the relief period, subject to agreed conditions.
Fidelity Life chief commercial officer Bronwyn Kirwan (pictured) said the relief is intended for customers directly affected by the storms and their financial impact. “We know the impact of this severe weather has been significant for many families and communities across the Far North and Whangārei. When people are dealing with disruption and uncertainty, financial pressure can quickly add to the stress. Our premium relief is designed to give customers some breathing space, while providing reassurance that their insurance cover remains in place as they work through the impacts of the weather,” Kirwan said. Customers seeking access to the premium waiver are being asked to contact their financial adviser or email assistance@fidelitylife.co.nz to discuss eligibility and the application process. For advisers, the option provides a mechanism to help clients who wish to maintain life cover but are encountering short‑term affordability issues linked to the event.
As households and businesses in Northland continue to assess damage from the same weather system, the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ) has reminded policyholders who use brokers that they can approach them for assistance with cover and claims. IBANZ chief executive Katherine Wilson said the event is likely to be a period of uncertainty for those affected. “This will be a very worrying time for Northlanders who’re affected, and our thoughts are with them,” Wilson said.
IBANZ notes that about half of general insurance in New Zealand is arranged through professional brokers. In large loss situations, the association says this channel is often involved in explaining policy terms, documenting losses, and liaising with insurers on behalf of clients on matters such as indemnity limits, sublimits, exclusions, waiting periods, and evidentiary requirements. “Your broker can help relieve stress in times like this by reviewing your policies, clearly explaining the coverage you have, taking care of the paperwork to lodge a claim, and advocating on your behalf to ensure a fair outcome,” Wilson said.
Policyholders who placed insurance via a broker are being encouraged to make early contact so that notification timeframes, excesses, mitigation obligations, and documentation expectations can be clarified at the outset of any claim. For customers unsure how to reach their adviser, IBANZ maintains a searchable member directory. The association has also outlined a basic post‑event checklist for insureds:
At a sector level, the Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has linked the Northland event to its wider advocacy on natural hazard risk reduction and climate adaptation. In its 2025 Annual Review, ICNZ states that reducing exposure to flooding and other climate‑related perils is necessary to support the ongoing availability and affordability of insurance. “Recent severe weather events are a reminder of the damage, disruption, and devastation to life, property, and communities. Insurance plays a critical role in helping New Zealanders get back on their feet after disasters. However, we all know it’s better for New Zealand to work collectively to act before disaster strikes, rather than pick up the pieces afterwards. Reducing risk upfront through smarter planning, resilient infrastructure, and better information is essential if we are to protect communities and sustain access to insurance over the long term. The government’s National Adaptation Framework is a vital first step. Now it’s time to move the dial from good intentions to real action,” ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said.
According to the review, ICNZ engaged throughout 2025 with central and local government on the National Adaptation Framework, resource management and building system reforms, and emergency management settings. The council reports submitting a record number of formal responses and increasing its work with councils, given the influence of local planning and infrastructure decisions on flood and other natural hazard risk. With 2026 an election year, Faafoi said continued progress on adaptation policy and the development of cross‑party support would be a focus for the council, particularly for communities facing repeated flooding or storm damage.
