Leading personal lines insurer AAMI is considering closing down 24 local branch offices in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania and replacing them with phone and internet systems.

News of the closure plan came to light last week when the Financial Services Union (FSU) appealed for parent company Suncorp to maintain AAMI’s local representation and jobs.

A company spokesman confirmed to insuranceNEWS.com.au that the insurer is currently looking at the “ongoing viability” of the branch network, but would not speculate on how the proposed changes would affect employees or customers.

“In recent years our customers have demonstrated through their buying behaviours a clear preference for transacting business over the phone and increasingly the internet,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

FSU National Director for Campaigning and Bargaining Julia Angrisano says no real details about the proposed move have been released yet as the company is still negotiating with staff.

A “consultation period” is due to end on Wednesday.