Fidelity Life steps up for flood-hit South Island farmers.

Media release 

17 February 2022 

New Zealand’s largest locally owned and operated life insurer Fidelity Life is again helping its farming customers affected by flooding, this time on the West Coast and the top of the South Island. 

From today, Fidelity Life customers who are suffering financial hardship due to the impact of the floods on their farms can apply to have their premiums temporarily waived* for three months, with the potential to extend for a further three months, without affecting their insurance protection. 

Fidelity Life Chief Customer Officer Peter Doherty says the company is all about protecting New Zealanders’ way of life and has a responsibility to look after its customers, particularly in tough times. 

“Farmers and growers in the West Coast and Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough districts are doing it tough following the recent floods. They’ll be facing issues like shortages of livestock feed and crop washouts, placing financial stress on their businesses.” 

Fidelity Life has a close partnership with specialist rural insurer FMG, and together the two companies have a history of supporting farmers. 

In 2015 Fidelity Life made a similar offer to its dairy farming customers who were hard hit by a fall in the farmgate milk price, and in 2018 premium relief was offered to farming customers impacted by mycoplasma bovis. In 2021 the company stepped up to help flood-hit customers in Canterbury. 

Peter says flood-hit West Coast and Top of the South farmers with Fidelity Life policies should contact their financial adviser for information about the offer or contact Fidelity Life on 0800 88 22 88 or customerservice@fidelitylife.co.nz.  

Any other Fidelity Life customers facing financial hardship as a direct result of the floods are also encouraged to get in touch with their adviser to discuss how Fidelity Life can help.  

“It’s important for the financial security of their families and their businesses that farmers keep their insurance protection in place, even when times are tough. This offer is a small thing we can do to help our customers get through this event”, Peter says. 

* Should a claim be accepted during the waiver period, any premium that would have been paid during the premium waiver period will be deducted from the claim proceeds.