Media Releases

See IFSO Scheme media releases with updates on industry issues and complaints.

“Precious jewellery can be stolen, lost or damaged,” says Karen Stevens, Insurance & Savings Ombudsman. “As last night’s Fair Go story highlighted, sometimes when things go wrong, people end up being very disappointed with the result of their insurance claim. In fact, in the 20 years we have provided a free service to consumers, we have dealt with literally thousands of complaints.”

Karen Stevens, Insurance & Savings Ombudsman, advises residents affected by flooding in the wider Wellington region to call your insurance company before you start your clean up.

As the clean-up begins after severe flooding and weather damage, the advice from the Insurance & Savings Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, is to contact your insurance company and take photos of the damage before you start your clean up.

We are in the process of changing our name to become the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme). The new name more accurately reflects the range of financial service providers among our Participants.

The Insurance & Savings Ombudsman Scheme has dealt with 1,542 complaint enquiries and 138 complaint investigations about the Canterbury earthquakes since 2010.

As the clean-up begins after yesterday’s flooding in the East Coast, Insurance & Savings Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, advises residents to first contact their insurance company and take photos of the damage.

Twenty four incidents of theft from cars in Wellington over one weekend is a wake-up call for insurance customers, says Insurance & Savings Ombudsman, Karen Stevens.

The Insurance & Savings Ombudsman Scheme’s Annual Report, released today, shows complaints have decreased in number, but increased in complexity.

“Financial Services” has officially been added to the name of the consumer dispute resolution scheme which resolves insurance and financial services complaints.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is reviewing New Zealand’s financial advice laws.