Farmers’ Mutual Group (FMG) has been crowned New Zealand’s General Insurance Company of the Year, while AA Insurance is Claims Team of the Year.

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) announced the winners of the 11th New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards as more than 300 industry professionals gathered at Cordis in Auckland.

FMG impressed the judges with its five-pillar strategy, customer satisfaction research and flood-claim response.

“FMG distinguished itself by implementing a rapid decision-making model to allow senior leaders to be moved to places they might be needed around the organisation to cope with extreme weather early this year,” the panel said. Finalists for the award were AA Insurance, Chubb, and Vero Insurance New Zealand.

Underwriting Agency of the Year was won by “newcomer” Underwriting Agencies of New Zealand, while Life Insurance Company of the Year went to Asteron Life, and Simfuni was named Insurtech Start-up of the Year.

IAG New Zealand CEO Amanda Whiting was named Insurance Leader of the Year and Wotton & Kearney Associate Isabelle Kwek Young Insurance Professional of the Year.

The judges said Ms Whiting was a “visionary CEO”, with a track record of fostering innovative and diverse workplaces, exceptional culture and customer-centred outcomes. They also praised her work in “difficult circumstances” as chair of the Cyclone Taskforce Insurance Subgroup, which spearheaded recent disaster response and recovery alongside central and local government.

“Known for not taking herself too seriously, Amanda is passionate, optimistic, and persistent,“ the panel said. “She tirelessly contributes to the industry through several boards and committees.“

Marsh New Zealand was crowned Large Broking Company of the Year for the second time in a row, while Insurance Advisernet New Zealand is Broker Network of the Year.

John Stubbs, who retired in April after holding the role of Property Facultative Underwriter at Gen Re New Zealand since 1987, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been an ANZIIF member since starting in insurance in 1972. 

"Congratulations to this year's winners – all have displayed excellence, and a commitment to professionalism over the past year," ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford said. 

Here is the full list of awards:  

Insurance Leader of the Year: Amanda Whiting    

General Insurance Company of the Year: FMG   

Claims Team of the Year: AA Insurance    

Life Insurance Company of the Year: Asteron Life      

Underwriting Agency of the Year: Underwriting Agencies of New Zealand     

Large Broking Company of the Year:  Marsh New Zealand    

Broker Network of the Year:  Insurance Advisernet New Zealand   

Insurtech Start-up of the Year: Simfuni    

Professional Services Firm of the Year: McLarens New Zealand    

Service Provider to the Insurance Industry: RedBook   

Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion: AIA New Zealand     

Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance Change: AIA New Zealand     

Young Insurance Professional of the Year: Isabelle Kwek    

ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award: John Stubbs