The insurance giant first revealed its plan to close several AMI stores last month, after holding consultations with employees who would be affected by the closures.
In a statement, IAG said it has decided to take a “phased approach” while it helps customers transition to other ways of connecting with them. The insurer also said that there will be “minimal job losses” because of the decision.
Read more: IAG to close down all New Zealand stores
Kevn Hughes, executive general manager customer and consumer at IAG, said the insurer “listened and acted on the feedback it has received from customers, its people and the community, and, as a result, has made a number of changes.”
“Many of these reflect the changing ways our customers interact with us,” said Hughes. “We’ve seen a decline in visits to our retail stores as customers increasingly look to engage with us over the phone, via email and through our online platforms – so we will be strengthening our digital channels to meet changing customer needs.”
IAG said it will keep seven stores – Albany and Botany in Auckland; Te Rapa in Hamilton; Mount Maunganui; Wellington; Hornby in Christchurch; and Dunedin – open until the end of June 2021.
“We have chosen these locations as they are within an hour’s drive of around 70% of our customers,” said Hughes.
Meanwhile, Hughes said that the Timaru store will remain open until 27 November 2020 because some customers are “still having repairs completed after the hailstorm event in November 2019.”
“This is in line with our commitment to be there for our customers following major disasters, and with our plan to create pop up services in local areas for future events,” said Hughes.
All remaining stores will close on 18 September 2020.
