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Zurich’s immediate bushfire response

09 January 2020


In recognition of Zurich’s Australian customers and employees, and our global position on climate change and sustainability, Zurich’s immediate bushfire crisis response includes financial relief, charitable giving and leveraging our mental health program. This is in addition to managing related general- and life insurance claims in an expedited and empathetic manner.


Our immediate pledge to the Australian bushfire crisis includes:

Financial relief for those impacted or involved

Life insurance premium waiver

Zurich is extending a two-month premium waiver for Zurich and OnePath Life customers who are impacted or experiencing hardship. This includes those Zurich and OnePath life insurance customers who (a) have been directly impacted by the fires, or (b) are volunteering in fire impacted regions or are with emergency response teams, to the detriment of their own financial wellbeing.

The waiver already in place for NSW and QLD fire-affected customers, which was introduced in November 2019, now applies nationally. The waiver will extend to at least 30 March 2020, with ongoing re-assessment as the situation unfolds. More information can be found here.

Donation and dollar matching for the Red Cross

Zurich, via our Z Zurich Foundation, is donating an additional $60,000 to the Red Cross immediately, on top of $40,000 provided to the Red Cross and the Rural Fire Service in November 2019, bringing our bushfire donations to $100,000 to date.

Zurich is pledging up to $500,000 in support of the crisis. Donations received to the Red Cross via this link https://www.redcross.org.au/zurich will be 50% matched by the Foundation up to the value of AU$500,000.

Leveraging Zurich’s MindFIT mental health initiatives


As part of its MindFIT program, Zurich and OnePath have a range of resources and programs available to customers, financial advisers, employees and the community depending on the context and requirement.

Given the human and economic cost of the fires will be long term; we are engaging with our various mental health partners to support our communities-of-influence. This includes:

  • Providing additional mental health support to customers at claim time, where appropriate
  • Promoting the resources available via Zurich’s e-wellbeing hub, offered by MindStar - https://courses.mindstar.com.au/inspire-ewellbeinghub,
  • Reviewing the distribution of grassroots programs to support communities in re-build. This includes through our Tackle Your Feelings program and Mr Perfect BBQ series.

Expedited claims handling


Our specialist claims teams are mobilised to support customers as quickly as possible.

  • General Insurance claims can be lodged online at any time via https://claimsonline.zurich.com.au/efnol/ or by phone on 132 687.
    • We have engaged with our network of suppliers and are ready to deploy assessors and builders once access to impacted areas are available.
    • We are also ready to issue emergency and interim payments and to quickly settle claims.
  • Life insurance claims can be lodged as follows:

Ongoing review


Over the long term, we will continue to assess how we can apply our resources and skills, and work as a part of Australia’s insurance industry, to address the aftermath of these bushfires, and to address the significant societal and environmental risk that climate change poses.


ENDS

For media enquiries contact:


Adam Siddique
Head of Public & External Affairs
+61 407 473 630

media@zurich.com.au

 

Zurich Financial Services Australia is a life insurance, commercial insurance and investments specialist that has been participating in the Australian market since 1920. Since its acquisition of OnePath Life from ANZ in 2019, the company provides life insurance to more than 1.5 million Australian customers under both the Zurich and OnePath Life brands.  Further information about Zurich Financial Services Australia is available at www.zurich.com.au.
 

 

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together’, Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.