What do I do if I need to make a claim?
Despite best attempts, there will be times when accidents or losses occur and you need to make a claim. These can often be stressful times, but we are here to help.
If you need to make a claim simply call us on 0800 366 466.
What information may affect my insurance cover?
It is important that you answer all questions openly and honestly, and tell us anything else that you think could impact on our ability to provide you with insurance. You also need to tell us of any changes in your circumstances. It is important that you disclose all relevant information, as failure to do so may mean you are paying for insurance you can not claim on.
Examples of important information that we need to know about include:
Any criminal convictions. Any driving offences. Any modifications that have been made to your vehicle. This is just an example of the type of information that we need to be informed of, if you are unsure whether something is relevant, please talk to us about it.
Can I arrange insurance cover over the phone?
Yes, depending on the type of cover you require. When arranging rural insurance, it is often more appropriate for one of our Rural Managers to visit you to ensure your full requirements are met.
Generally Home, Car and Contents cover can be easily arranged over the phone along with simple additions to existing policies.
You must notify us if your house is going to be unoccupied for more than 60 days, unless your house is a holiday home and shown as such on the certificate.
What do I need to do if my house is going to be unoccupied?
In the event of your house being unoccupied for 60 days or more, you must obtain confirmation of continuation of cover in writing from FMG.
If you do not advise us, you will not be insured for any loss connected in anyway with the house being unoccupied.
If you are going away, make sure that you:
What do I do if I have a car accident?
I have broken my car windscreen, what do I do?
Call us on 0800 366 466 to report the damage. We will then give you a claim number and have the windscreen replaced/repaired by the nearest Smith and Smith Auto Glass or Novus offices. They will ask you for your claim number.
My son/daughter wants to drive my car, will they be covered?
Yes, providing they have a current driver’s licence and your vehicle policy is not subject to terms restricting who may drive the vehicle. (Some vehicles may have terms excluding cover for any driver under 25 years of age.)
If this restriction applies, you will need to complete a form giving details of their driving experience including any previous claims or accidents. Based on this, we will decide whether cover can be extended to include them.
What happens when an uninsured driver hits my car?
You need to identify the driver (obtain a licence number if possible), the car and gain the contact details of any witnesses. Also record the details of any police officer who attended the accident.
I am under 25, and I have another under 25 year old who wants to drive my car. Will they be covered by my policy?
In order to be covered under your policy they will need to;
Based on this information FMG will decide if the cover can be extended to include them.
What methods am I able to use to pay my insurance premium?
There are a number of different ways that you can pay your FMG Premium. Call 0800 366 466 to speak with one of our consultants about payment options or other queries.
Some payment options are only available for specific policies. Methods available:
Can I pay my premiums weekly, fortnightly, quarterly or six monthly?
Unfortunately we are unable to offer these payment frequencies at this point in time.
How can I obtain a direct debit form?
Call 0800 366 466 and speak with one of our consultants. Have your bank account details available at the time of the call and we can load the direct debit over the phone. We’ll then send you out the direct debit form to sign and return. Alternatively we can send out a direct debit form for you to complete and return with your bank account name, details and signature.
Annual direct debit payments are deducted on the renewal date of your policy.
Why can I not pay my premium by Automatic Payment?
At present we are unable to offer this payment option. We are able to offer you our other payment options such as monthly direct debit, cheque, telephone or internet banking.
What credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa and MasterCard.
How can I advise you of my credit card details?
You can ring us on 0800 366 466 to speak with one of our Consultants please have your card ready to advise us of the details.
What is FMG’s bank account number?
BNZ, Palmerston North, Account Name Farmers’ Mutual Group
02-0727-0038640-00
How do I use Internet banking to obtain your bank account details?
Enter our bank account number (02-0727-0038640-00) into the payment screen.
For some banks, if you don't have our account number to hand, you can type in FMG and search the list of pre-registered billers. You need to select FMG – Farmers Mutual Insurance Association.
You need to put the reference as your Client No or your Pak No, so that the payment is put onto your account.
What if I want to pay by cash?
Our offices are unable to accept cash payments, if you wish to pay by cash you can go to your local BNZ and put a deposit through to us using the above bank account number and ask them to put your client number or pak number with the deposit. This is so we can identify who the payments are from and correctly allocate it to your account.
You could also obtain a Money Order transfer through your local New Zealand Post Shop and then send it to us at:
FMG Financial Management
Freepost Authority Number 92
PO Box 521
Wellington 6140
How do I obtain my client number or pak number?
The client number is on your statement and is highlighted. If you are unsure or do not have a statement with you please call on 0800 366 466 and speak with one of our consultants who will be happy to advise your client number.
Do I need to send anything with my cheque?
Tear off the remittance slip from your statement and send it with your cheque in the freepost envelope enclosed with your statement. These cheques are sent to our Wellington Processing centre.
If you can not locate the freepost envelope you can address the envelope to:
FMG Financial Management
Freepost Authority Number 92
PO Box 521
Wellington 6140
* Remember to include the Freepost Authority Number so you do not have to pay for the postage.
How do I pay through CRT?
Call us on 0800 366 466 and have your CRT membership number available to quote to the consultant. Your payment will be put through with the next monthly schedule that runs.
How do I pay through ATS- Asburton Trading Society?
Call us on 0800 366 466 and have your ATS membership number available to quote to the consultant who will put in your details and your payment will be put through with the next monthly schedule that runs.
How do I pay through Farmlands?
Call us on 0800 366 466 and have your Farmlands membership number available to quote to the consultant who will put in your details and your payment will be put through with the next monthly schedule that runs.
Why pay by Monthly Direct Debit?
It's the easy way to pay your annual insurance premium. The amount of months the annual premium will be over depends on when the monthly direct debit starts.
What are the benefits?
No standing in queues
No forgetting to pay
No cheques or postage
No large cash payments
How does it work?
When you monthly direct debit is loaded you will receive a letter confirming commencement date, amount of your payment and the first payment date. On payment days, the money you owe will be automatically paid out of your bank account.
You will keep full control over your method of payment and if you decide you want to go back to paying your premium annually you can cancel your monthly direct debit arrangement at any time.
If there are any changes to your insurance premiums, they will be adjusted automatically – you do not have to visit the bank to make a change.
How can I obtain a direct debit form?
Call us on 0800 366 466 and speak with one of our consultants, if you have your bank account details with you we can load the direct debit over the phone and then send you out the direct debit form to sign and return, otherwise we can send out the direct debit form and you will need to complete the bank account name, details and sign.
What day does the payment get taken out?
Payments are deducted out on the policy renewal date, if paying by monthly direct debit the renewal date each month will be your deduction date, if this payment falls on a weekend or public holiday then it will be deducted on the next business day.
Do I incur dishonour fees if my payment dishonours?
Your bank may charge a dishonour fee, FMG do not charge a dishonour fee.
What happens if my monthly payment dishonours?
You have to make up the payment before the next monthly direct debit is deducted, you can pay this by cheque, credit card or telephone/internet banking.
Can I stop my monthly direct debit for one month?
Choosing the monthly direct debit payment option means that you have to pay this each month by direct debit, if you need to discuss this matter with a payment services officer please call us on 0800 366 466 Option 1 Ext 6622 to speak with Payment Services.
What happens if two of my payments in a row dishonour?
This payment option will be cancelled and you will be required to bring the outstanding balance up to date immediately. You will receive a letter advising that you have been cancelled off monthly direct debit payment option.
If I have been cancelled off the monthly direct debit payment option, can I go back onto monthly direct debits?
FMG’s policy is that once you have been cancelled off monthly direct debit that you can not go back on this payment option.
Why do I have to pay a service fee?
Service fees are charged to cover the additional administration and handling costs of multiple payments.
Are my household contents still covered while shifting?
Yes, if you have household contents cover, your contents are insured for accidental loss while you are moving them from your house to another caused by:
We may pay the present day value of your contents in these circumstances.
Contact our Contact Centre on 0800 366 466.
Our consultants are available Monday to Friday 7:00am– 7.00pm and Saturdays 9am-4pm. Outside these hours our after hours service is available for emergency calls and can be contacted through the same number.
Write to us at PO Box 1943, Palmerston North.
Email us at enquiries@fmg.co.nz
Fax us on 0800 366 455