Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Climate change and what it means for health and life insurance
The ‘Climate Change: What does the future hold for health and life insurance?’ report digs into the impact of climate on health and life insurance products and how availability, structure and pricing might be affected in future.
The Geneva Association and Wellcome have released ‘Climate Change: What does the future hold for health and life insurance?’ report. The report digs into the impact of climate on health and life insurance products and how availability, structure and pricing might be affected in future.
Estimates for those that live in climate-vulnerable locations across the world are approximately 3.3 – 3.6 billion people. Estimates for death directly attributable to climate change vary widely, from 250,000 to 3.4 million deaths annually.
While the short-term consequences for life and health insurers have so far been modest, the increasing frequency and severity of climate events may escalate the impact on insurers. Adverse health outcomes from climate change range from immediate to long-term and cover everything from injuries and fatalities resulting from extreme weather events to heat-related illnesses to disruption of ecosystems reducing crop yields and spreading vector-borne diseases to new regions. In addition, social unrest, displacement and economic hardship can all lead to negative health outcomes.
The report classifies climate-related risks into four categories:
Acute: risks that stem from the impacts of extreme heat, wildfires, floods and severe storms on mortality and morbidity.
Chronic: risks that emerge from prolonged exposure to adverse climate and environmental patterns.
Transitional: risks arising from transition to new technologies or climate transition policies.
Litigious: health-related legal challenges arising from the negative externalities of climate change.
The report calls out the lack of data that can be used to map climate events and patterns against incidences of mortality or morbidity and calls for insurers to resolve the actuarial gaps in understanding.
Those interviewed across 17 global health and life insurance companies agreed that prevention is key to preserving insurability – through things like underwriting that incentivises greener lifestyles and coordination on early warning systems.
“Most respondents do not perceive climate change as exerting any immediate impact on the liabilities associated with H&L insurance, nor do they anticipate short-term consequences for insurability and affordability. Nevertheless, there is consensus that this could change over the long term, although the level of impact may be tempered by multiple factors.”
The report has three key recommendations for insurers: assemble data prospectively to better understand areas of vulnerabilities; invest in innovation; play a bigger role in the policy environment and help strengthen public understanding.
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Climate change doesn’t make the cut in Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey top 10 risks
Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey has highlighted the top 10 business risks for the Asia Pacific region.
Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey has highlighted the top 10 business risks for Asia Pacific:
1. Cyber Attacks/Data Breaches
2. Economic Slowdown/Slow Recovery
3. Business Interruption
4. Failure to Attract/Retain Top Talent
5. Rapidly Changing Market Trends
6. Supply Chain/Distribution Failure
7. Regulatory/Legislative Changes
8. Increasing Competition
9. Failure to Innovate/Meet Customer Needs
10. Commodity Price Risk/Scarcity of Materials
Cyber breaches have jumped up the rankings since it first appeared in 2015, to take the number 1 spot. Of note, climate change didn’t make it into the top 10 business risks globally or for the Asia Pacific region. Survey participants ranked climate change 17th in terms of current global risks businesses are facing, and 12th in terms of future global business risks. However, global risk professionals rank climate change at 8th in their list of future global business risks and those in the insurance, natural resources and food, agribusiness and beverage sectors all list climate change in their top 10 current risks. As Aon points out, climate change “…directly impacts four of the top 10 risks: business interruption, changing market trends, supply chain or distribution failure and regulatory or legislative changes.”
New Zealand has been ranked the second highest natural disaster risk in the world by Lloyds of London, with the country experiencing more than 150 severe weather events and natural disasters since ICNZ began keeping records in 1968. Climate change is likely to exacerbate the frequency and severity of the weather events we experience.
Aon NZ CEO Melissa Cantell says
"With cyber risks, economic recovery and business interruption identified as the top risks organisations are facing today, there is a compelling need for a shift in mindsets around being better prepared. What is surprising are the risks that are unaccounted for in leaders' assessments of the challenges they must address, such as climate risk. Climate is not an emerging risk, but an urgent one, with increasingly monumental implications for businesses of all sizes. What leaders need now are insights from advanced analytics and modelling alongside innovative solutions that will help them make better decisions today and protect them in the future."
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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
13 Dec 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand acknowledges the amended Remit for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) issued by the Minister of Finance. The MPC Remit sets the operational objectives for monetary policy. The amended Remit retains an inflation target of 1% to 3% over the medium-term, with a focus on the 2% mid-point, and removes the objective to support maximum sustainable employment. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2023/12/monetary-policy-remit-amended
14 Dec 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has issued a formal warning to Citibank N.A. New Zealand Branch (Citibank NZ) relating to the wire transfer identity requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2023/12/citibank-nz-issued-formal-warning-under-aml-cft-act
14 Dec 2023 - FMA offices are closed from midday, Friday 22 December, and will reopen 8.30am, Monday 8 January 2024 https://www.fma.govt.nz/contact/christmas-2023-holiday-hours/
14 Dec 2023 - The FMA has censured Go Financial Solutions Limited for failing to comply with several obligations under its financial advice provider (FAP) licence. Go Financial Solutions is a Christchurch-based FAP that provides advice on health, life and business insurance and mortgage lending. During a monitoring review earlier this year, the FMA found that Go Financial Solutions:
Had inadequate record keeping in relation to advice given to its clients
Failed to gather sufficient information about a client’s circumstances and was unable to demonstrate that recommendations made to clients were suitable
Failed to ensure its clients understood the financial advice they received
Failed to exercise care, diligence and skill when providing financial advice to its clients.
https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-censures-go-financial-solutions/
14 Dec 2023 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released the bi-annual life insurance institution-level statistics publication. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-life-insurance-institution-level-statistics-0
14 Dec 2023 - APRA and ASIC have released an update to life insurers and friendly societies (life companies) on premium increases in the life insurance industry. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-and-asic-release-an-update-on-premium-increases-life-insurance-industry
15 Dec 2023 - Michele Embling, Chair of the External Reporting Board (XRB), has announced that the Climate-related Disclosures standards have now been published. https://www.xrb.govt.nz/news/latest-news/
15 Dec 2023 - ASIC today published its annual dashboard of regulatory costs for 2022-23 by activity for each sector and subsector under the industry funding model (IFM). https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-industry-funding-release-of-2022-23-annual-dashboard-and-summary-of-variances/
15 Dec 2023 - The Council of Financial Regulators has released an updated Regulatory Initiatives Calendar for the financial sector for Q4 2023. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/files/regulatory-initiatives-calendar/regulatory-initiatives-calendar-q4-2023.pdf
19 Dec 2023 - The Government is introducing and progressing under urgency a Bill to repeal the Taxation Principles Reporting Act 2023 https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-introduces-taxation-principles-reporting-act-repeal-bill
19 Dec 2023 - Health Minister Dr Shane Reti is appointing a Crown observer to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crown-observer-be-appointed-health-new-zealand
19 Dec 2023 - The Climate Governance Initiative summarises the key pieces of information relevant to board directors from the UAE Consensus that was agreed in Dubai at the COP28 climate conference, to help directors understand the implications on business strategy and investment decisions. https://www.chapterzero.nz/news/cop28-key-outcomes-for-board-directors/
19 Dec 2023 - The Taxation Principles Reporting Act Repeal Bill had its First Reading https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/9faa9e21-c7a9-4433-7e32-08dc003a05e3?Tab=history
AMP settles with Australian financial advisers for A$100 million
AMP has settled a legal dispute with hundreds of Australian financial advisers affected by unilateral changes to buyer-of-last-resort (BOLR) terms.
AMP has settled a legal dispute with hundreds of Australian financial advisers affected by unilateral changes to buyer-of-last-resort (BOLR) terms. After a long-running legal dispute AMP has settled, with no admission of liability, for A$100 million.
In August 2019 AMP made unilateral changes to adviser contracts that meant BOLR multiples were cut by almost 40%, from 4 times recurring revenue to 2.5 times (excluding grandfathered commissions).
In July an Australian Federal Court decision found AMP erred in altering the buyer-of-last-resort terms for two advice businesses operating under its brand. Justice Moshinsky ruled in favour of the two Australian advisory firms who bought suit, awarding Equity Financial Planners A$813,000 and Wealthstone A$115,000 and opening AMP up to 120 or more similar claims. AMP lodged an appeal in October but opted to settle following a mediation process in November.
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Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
27 Nov 2023 - APRA embarked on a multi-year pilot study with a selection of banks to gain insights into the status of data risk management. They have outlined their findings and highlight multiple areas where all APRA-regulated entities can improve their data management practices. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/quality-data-as-an-asset-for-boards-management-and-business
28 Nov 2023 - The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has cancelled Foundation Advice Limited (FAL)’s Financial Advice Provider (FAP) licence. FAL was an Auckland-based FAP offering advice on life and health insurance as well as KiwiSaver. The High Court put FAL into liquidation on 26 October 2023 following an application filed by the Inland Revenue Department. https://www.fma.govt.nz/news/all-releases/media-releases/fma-cancels-foundation-advice-limiteds-licence/
28 Nov 2023 - ASIC has issued guidance to financial advisers and Australian financial services (AFS) licensees about the new requirement for financial advisers to be registered. From 1 February 2024, financial advisers who provide personal advice to retail clients on relevant financial products must be registered with ASIC. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-releases-guidance-on-the-registration-of-financial-advisers/
28 Nov 2023 - The FMA has agreed in principle to grant a class exemption for five years for each Climate Reporting Entity (CRE) which is in liquidation, receivership or voluntary administration from the duties in Part 7A of the FMC Act, comprising:
full relief for a CRE which is in liquidation (solvent or insolvent) and for managers that are CREs in respect of a registered scheme (or fund within a scheme) that is in wind-up.
deferral relief for up to two years for CREs in receivership or voluntary administration.
The effect of full relief is that the climate reporting duties are cancelled. The effect of deferral relief is that climate reporting duties are deferred but must still be complied with at a later date.
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
8 Nov 2023 - APRA releases minor amendments to Prudential Standard LPS 310 Audit and Related Matters (LPS 310) for life insurers https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-minor-amendments-to-standard-on-audit-and-related-matters-for
9 Nov 2023 - Minister of Finance, Hon Grant Robertson, October 2023 diary released with no potential financial services sector related meetings noted https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2023-11/Ministerial%20Diary%20October%202023.pdf
9 Nov 2023 - Kirsten Patterson writes about bringing climate change to the fore in governance https://www.chapterzero.nz/news/sustainable-business-and-finance-climate-governance-hots-up/
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
2 Nov 2023 - Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones outlined a new scam website takedown capability implemented by ASIC. Since July 2023, ASIC has disrupted scam activity by initiating takedowns of more than 2,500 investment scam and phishing websites. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2023-releases/23-290mr-asic-s-new-website-takedown-capability-knocks-out-over-2-500-investment-scam-and-phishing-websites/
3 Nov 2023 - Adrian Orr delivered a keynote speech at the Chapter Zero Breakfast in Auckland, titled 'No longer tomorrow’s problem: How the Reserve Bank is working with its stakeholders to respond to Climate Change' https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news-and-events/events/2023/november/how-the-reserve-bank-is-working-with-its-stakeholders-to-respond-to-climate-change
6 Nov 2023 - The Commerce Commission has joined competition, consumer protection, and economic regulators from across the Pacific to share intelligence, investigative techniques, and best practice in a newly formed initiative - the Pacific Island Network of Competition Consumer and Economic Regulators or PINCCER. https://comcom.govt.nz/news-and-media/media-releases/2023/competition,-consumer-and-economic-regulatory-authorities-form-network-to-promote-well-functioning-markets-in-the-pacific
6 Nov 2023 - Privacy Commissioner's Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2023 is published. https://privacy.org.nz/publications/corporate-reports/annual-report-of-the-privacy-commissioner-2023/
7 Nov 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announces key decisions on review of policy for branches of overseas banks. Key decisions in the Branch Review include:
restricting all branches in New Zealand to engaging in wholesale business (that is with corporates, institutions and other wholesale investors), meaning they could not take retail deposits or offer products or services to retail customers;
limiting the maximum size of a branch to NZ$15 billion in total assets; and
continuing to allow the dual registration of branches, provided:
the relevant subsidiary and branch are sufficiently separate, and any identified risks are mitigated by specific conditions; and
dual-registered branches only conduct business with large wholesale customers.
https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/have-your-say/review-of-policy-for-branches-of-overseas-banks
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
30 Oct 2023 - The FMA publish key findings from the 2022 re-licensing of Supervisors https://www.fma.govt.nz/assets/Reports/Key-findings-from-2022-Supervisor-relicensing.pdf
31 Oct 2023 - The FMA is reminding licensed financial service providers about the importance of cyber-resilience as part of Cyber Smart Week 2023 https://financialmarketsauthority.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tixdult-btuitpxk-t/
31 Oct 2023 - The FMA released Climate-related Disclosures – Scenario analysis information sheet, detailing compliance expectations of the FMA for scenario analysis disclosures made under the climate-related disclosures (CRD) regime https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/guidance-library/scenario-analysis-information-sheet/
31 Oct 2023 - ASIC has released its second publication on information lodged under the reportable situations regime. Over 16,000 reports were made to ASIC by financial services and credit licensees under the regime between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. The publication shows little improvement has been made in key areas of concern that ASIC highlighted in the first publication on insights from this regime last year. Among other things:
the proportion of the licensee population reporting remains very low, indicating that some licensees may not be complying with the regime
licensees are still taking too long to identify and investigate some breaches
a significant number of remediation activities are still taking too long to complete, and
there remain opportunities to improve identification and reporting root causes of breaches.
31 Oct 2023 - Financial Inclusion is one of CoFR’s five priority themes. COFR has pulled together recent publications in this area include the RBNZ’s Approach to Financial Inclusion and a joint message from the FMA and the Commerce Commission on supporting customers in financial difficulty. https://www.cofr.govt.nz/priority-themes/inclusion.html
1 Nov 2023 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand release their November 2023 Financial Stability Report, which shows New Zealand's financial system remains strong and is well placed to handle the current adjustment to higher interest rates and more severe economic scenarios. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2023/11/financial-system-still-adjusting-to-higher-interest-rates
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
24 Oct 2023 - ASIC has signed the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU), an international supervisor cooperation and information exchange agreement. The IAIS MMoU provides a global framework of compliance and confidentiality to allow for open cooperation and exchange between insurance supervisors. To become a signatory to the MMoU, applicants undergo a rigorous assessment of their professional secrecy regimes, conducted by an independent team of IAIS members. Through membership in the MMoU, supervisors can exchange relevant information and assist other signatories, thereby promoting the financial stability and sound supervision of cross-border insurance operations for the benefit and protection of consumers. https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-signs-mmou-with-the-international-association-of-insurance-supervisors/
24 Oct 2023 - This year’s Sir Bruce Slane Memorial Lecture on the topic of "Balancing privacy and other interests in the social media age" will be held on 6 December https://privacy.org.nz/news/forums-and-seminars/register/
25 Oct 2023 - The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report for the financial year 2022-2023. The Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report shows expenses, revenues and operational information about private health insurers. https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-operations-of-private-health-insurers-annual-report-2
27 Oct 2023 - Financial Services Council released its KiwiSaver Industry Spotlight statistics for the Sep 2023 quarter. https://7422267.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7422267/FSC%20Corporate/Documents/Industry%20Statistics/SPOTLIGHT%20KiwiSaver%20SEP%202023.pdf
27 Oct 2023 - Chapter Zero publishes governance outtakes from their climate change and business conference https://www.chapterzero.nz/news/behavioural-change-for-climate-change/
nib release 2023 sustainability, community and climate-related disclosure reports
nib Group have released their 2023 sustainability, community and climate-related disclosure reports. Some highlights from the reports include:
· 25,990 HealthChecks were undertaken by nib members.
· Employee Experience Surveys in FY23 found an overall engagement score of 81%.
· 289 staff volunteered 1,546 hours across 14 charities.
· 34 suppliers completed continuous improvement plans to manage modern slavery risk.
· The strategic procurement team has taken a proactive step toward reducing nib’s carbon footprint by introducing environmental criteria into the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
· nib introduced a new values-based employee recognition program where all employees have the opportunity to nominate their colleagues and vote on the most extraordinary achievements.
· nib worked with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to facilitate the ‘Cultural Coalition’ Program (Whatua te Aho Tukurua). This six-week program teaches participants Māori language and values, encouraging employees to integrate these learnings into regular work activities and practices.
· Gender pay equity gap has reduced to 2.75%.
· 985 Kiwis visited Clearhead’s Te Reo Māori website and chatbot
nib has identified climate-related risks including:
· increased market pressure to provide community support and insurance affordability for those experiencing climate hazards;
· increased illness & comorbidity due to chronic and compounding climate change hazard;
· trauma, illness, property destruction and disruption leading to high rates of psychological distress;
· increased incidents and severity of climate hazards causing pressure on discretionary income;
· chronic and compounding climate change impacts putting pressure on health services;
· energy and emissions performance standards creating compounding capital expenditure and operational costs;
· limitations of current regulatory and pricing mechanisms to respond to climate hazards;
· risk nib won’t meet growing mandatory reporting and regulatory requirements.
nib has developed a risk-management framework to manage and mitigate its material risks, and their board and management regularly identify and analyse risks and the effectiveness of the controls in place to manage these risks.
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