AMI rolls out nationwide roadside rescue
AMI rolls out nationwide roadside rescue | Insurance Business New Zealand
Motor & Fleet
AMI rolls out nationwide roadside rescue
Winter fire safety also emphasised
Motor & Fleet
By
Roxanne Libatique
AMI Roadside Rescue has unveiled a new service accessible to all New Zealanders, regardless of their insurance provider.
The service, which started on July 15, offers comprehensive nationwide coverage for any vehicle at an annual subscription fee of $79.
AMI Roadside Rescue’s new service
Dean MacGregor, executive general manager supply chain and hub services at AMI Insurance (AMI), said the insurer is launching simplified subscriptions tailored for all New Zealand drivers.
“We are thrilled to introduce new simplified AMI Roadside Rescue subscriptions, designed with all New Zealand drivers in mind,” he said. “Customers can call us for assistance for any vehicle, and any driver can call for the nominated vehicle. For $79 per year, drivers will get unlimited nationwide callouts, 24/7, with on-towed trailers, boats or caravans also covered. A discounted annual rate of $49 will be available for new and existing AMI customers also.”
Previously, AMI Roadside Rescue was only available to AMI, State, and NZI customers.
AMI Roadside Rescue callouts
MacGregor highlighted the significance of making the service available to all New Zealanders, noting the country’s active driving habits.
According to AMI-commissioned research, 90% of respondents aged 18 and over currently drive a vehicle.
“We want to make sure all New Zealand drivers have access to an affordable roadside service with the best market price, so they are never stuck without a back-up plan,” MacGregor said.
AMI stresses winter fire safety amid rise in house fires
In other news, AMI has observed a near 40% increase in house fires from summer to winter 2023, compared to a 20% rise the previous year.
The company is urging heightened caution as winter brings elevated fire risks.
“With the winter chill comes more time spent inside, heaters dusted off, electric blankets dug out of storage, indoor fires being lit, and winter warmers on the stove – all of which can increase the danger of house fires occurring,” said AMI executive general manager of claims Wayne Tippet.
Leading causes of house fires in New Zealand
Recent data from AMI showed that the leading causes of house fires are cooking mishaps, indoor fires, electrical faults, heating devices, and candle usage.
Tippet stressed the importance of fire safety awareness, noting that the average cost of a house fire claim rose to nearly $150,000 last year. In nearly 20% of these cases, the fire rendered the home uninhabitable, with an average claim cost of over $265,000.
“A house fire can hugely impact people’s lives and also have a significant financial impact with thousands of dollars’ worth of damage,” he said. “And damage may not be isolated to just the room where it started. Even small fires can cause widespread impacts, including water damage from putting out the fire, and smoke damage to furniture and curtains.”
AMI provided several fire prevention tips, including:
not leaving cooking unattended
avoiding the overloading of multi-plugs
inspecting electric blankets for hotspots
cleaning dryer lint filters before each use
having chimneys cleaned before winter use
ensuring hot ashes are fully cooled before disposal
maintaining a meter of clear space around heaters
never leaving candles unattended
regularly testing smoke alarms
keeping fire extinguishers and fire blankets readily accessible
“While insurance is there to cover you for the loss or damage of your home or possessions in the event of a fire, we can’t replace sentimental items that can often mean the most. So, it’s important to look at how to reduce the fire risk in your home to help keep everyone safe,” Tippet said.
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