CROPINSURANCE

Making a Crop Insurance Claim

CropInsurance.co.nz is an independent information site. We are not an insurer, a broker, or a licensed financial adviser. We do not arrange claims on your behalf.

Step-by-Step Claims Guide

1

Contact Your Broker or Insurer Immediately

Notify your broker or insurer as soon as you identify crop damage. Most policies require notification within 24–48 hours of the event. Do not delay — late notification can affect your claim.

2

Document All Damage

Before touching or harvesting damaged crops, photograph everything thoroughly (close-up and wide-angle). Record the date, time, estimated area affected, and any weather bureau reports or news coverage of the event.

3

Do Not Harvest Without Permission

Insurers must have the opportunity to inspect damage before you harvest or remediate. Harvesting damaged crops without insurer approval can jeopardise your claim.

4

Loss Adjuster Assessment

An independent loss adjuster will be appointed to assess your claim. They will physically inspect the affected crop, review your production records, and assess the loss against your policy terms.

5

Settlement Offer

Once assessment is complete, the insurer will provide a settlement offer. Review it carefully — if you believe it is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it and request an independent review.

6

Appeal if Needed

If you disagree with the settlement, refer first to the insurer's formal complaints process. If unresolved, escalate to FSCL or IFSO (details below). Your broker should support you throughout.

Finding Your Insurer's Claims Contact

Your insurer's claims contact number will be on your policy schedule or Certificate of Insurance. If you arranged cover through a broker, contact your broker first — they will manage the claim notification. If you cannot locate your policy documents, contact us at hello@cover4you.co.nz and we will help point you to the right contacts.

Contact your broker first

If you used a broker to arrange cover, call them immediately. They have direct claims lines and will manage the notification process.

Check your policy schedule

Your Certificate of Insurance lists the claims contact number and email for your specific insurer.

Complaints

If you need to complain about an insurer, contact them directly first. Most many insurers commit to acknowledging complaints within 5 business days and responding substantively within 10 business days.

If your complaint is not resolved, you can escalate it to the insurer's dispute resolution scheme — either Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL) or the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme. Your insurer will tell you which one applies to them.

Support for Vulnerable Customers

If you are experiencing financial hardship following a crop loss or need additional support, the following free services are available: