Applications have opened for this year’s New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards, which feature four new categories.

The categories youth development employer of the year and women’s employer of the year have been introduced to recognise work supporting young insurance professionals and greater gender diversity.

A professional services firm of the year category has also been added, to recognise actuaries, law and accounting businesses and other professional services providers.

The new category of small-medium broker highlights the role of SMEs.

The awards are hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF).

An ANZIIF spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the category of claims service provider has been dropped this year because both insurers and services companies were entering, but other categories such as professional service firm and service provider cover this area.

 Other awards categories are:

• Small/medium broker of the year
• Large broker of the year
• Broking professional of the year
• Direct general insurance company of the year
• Intermediated insurance company of the year
• Life insurance company of the year
• Innovation of the year
• Professional services firm of the year
• Young insurance professional of the year
• Insurance leader of the year
• ANZIIF lifetime achievement award.

Applications close on July 10, and can be lodged here.