.jpg)
The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) has announced its annual conference for 2018 which will focus on two key themes – climate change, and consumer trust and confidence in the insurance sector.
A senior representative from the government will open the conference, and a variety of industry-leading professionals are set to speak about the most important issues facing the industry in the coming years.
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called climate change the nuclear-free issue for her generation,” the Insurance Council said. “The government is embarking on major changes to address the challenges ahead. The insurance sector globally and locally faces significant risks and opportunities, so we will explore in depth what these are.”
The first half of the conference will focus on the financial, legal and insurance-related aspects of climate change preparation. ICNZ will welcome speakers including Rowan Douglas, CEO capital science and policy practice at Willis Towers Watson, who will offer a global perspective on financing climate change adaptation, and special council Sarah Barker, who will cover the implications for litigation, liability and insurance.
The second half will focus on customer trust, which ICNZ says is “fundamental for a sector whose credibility hinges on the delivery of a promise.” Topics will include the reputation of the insurance industry and the key legal issues that impact customer trust in insurers in light of the coming review of insurance law.
The final speaker will be privacy commissioner John Edwards, who will touch on the hot topic of personal information issues.
“John will examine insurers’ increasing use of personal information, and the emergence of artificial intelligence to consider the implications for the customer, and how insurers should be thinking about their obligations to customers,” said ICNZ.
The conference is set for November 20, with online registration opening in August.
