Slogan We're right here Headquarters Christchurch, New Zealand Parent organization Insurance Australia Group | Website www.ami.co.nz Motto We're right here | |
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Formerly called Allied Mutual Insurance Profiles | ||
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AMI Insurance began in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1926 as the South Island Motor Union (SIMU), and grew to be the second biggest residential insurer in New Zealand. It was, before the buy-out from IAG New Zealand Ltd, a Mutual insurance company, meaning it was owned by its policy holders.
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Effect of Canterbury earthquakes on AMI
After the Christchurch Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 some doubt over obtaining sufficient reinsurance cover for further earthquakes, plus lack of exact figures from the government's EQC to indicate how much of the earthquakes' insurance costs would have to come from Allied Mutual Insurance (AMI), led to uncertainty over the insurer's financial state. The New Zealand government talked of bailing out the company up to $1000 million because of the chaos that would ensue if it collapsed, and eventually agreed to a NZD 500 million support deed, but large losses led to a NZD 76 million shortfall of its NZD 198.6 million regulatory capital requirement and so forced the controversial sale of AMI, to the New Zealand arm of Australia and New Zealand’s largest insurance group, IAG. IAG NZ already had acquired major insurance names in New Zealand, such as NZI (formerly New Zealand Insurance) and State Insurance, and with acquiring AMI's business (other than Christchurch earthquake-related work) IAG covered 60% of the domestic insurance market.
Southern Response
The government created a Crown entity, Southern Response Earthquake Services, to take over the part of AMI's work that related to the Christchurch earthquake repairs. Perceived poor performance of that organisation has led to some protests and a law suit, but a large percentage of the easier repairs have been actioned despite a period of work outstripping resources in post-quake Canterbury.
Branch Network
AMI has an extensive branch network located throughout New Zealand. They have 65 branches in local towns and cities. Branches are listed on their website