Combating mental health claims

The move comes after Ginger Group highlighted the fact the average New Zealander is now more likely than ever to have their claim or application rejected by an insurance company on mental health grounds.

Special Risk Insurance founder and Ginger Group member Brian Klee said New Zealanders should seek medical advice when lodging insurance applications or claims, or face the risk of rejection.

"Compared to three years ago, insurance companies are now far more likely to apply a mental health exclusion to the average person, or use it as grounds to decline a claim," he said.

"The insurance industry appears a bit stymied, or dare I say it even panicked, in the areas of mental health."