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Time is running out for insurance companies if they plan to start increasing their premiums on July 1 to compensate for tax changes.

Generally companies have to give policyholders around 30 days notice before increasing premiums.

This week Pinnacle Life accused other life insurance companies of making unjustified increases to policies. We look at the changes it has made as well as talking to AIA about its premium increases.

We also talk to Fidelity Life about its different approach to tax increases and look at why it is splitting the sales and marketing of its investment and risk business with a number of role changes.

In Opinion Russell Hutchinson looks at how changes in insurers' premium rates is a window on how they view the market.

Overseas, Prudential re-opens discussions with AIG in an effort to scale down the US$35 billion price tag of its proposed acquisition of Hong Kong-based insurance business, AIA.

Insurance News

Time running out for life companies to announce premium increases
Time is running out for insurance companies if they plan to start increasing their premiums on July 1 to compensate for tax changes. Generally companies have to give policyholders around 30 days notice before increasing premiums. More

Pinnacle says no justification for some premium increases
Pinnacle Life explains its premium increases and accuses other life insurance companies of making unjustified increases to policies. More

AIA increases premiums 13%
Premiums on AIA New Zealand Life Cover policies will increase by 13% for new business and adviser commission rates will not be affected by the changes. More

Fidelity Life splits sales and marketing
Fidelity Life will be splitting the sales and marketing of its investment and risk business making a number of role changes. More

Pru tries to renegotiate AIA price
Prudential has reopened discussions with AIG in an effort to scale down the US$35 billion price tag of its proposed acquisition of Hong Kong-based insurance business, AIA. More

Russell Hutchinson: Opinion

Does price matter?
The change in a number of insurers premium rates this last week has been a window on how they view the market. Most of all, into whether or not they think price matters, or perhaps, how much they think it matters to them. More