Severe weather is becoming an increasingly familiar part of life for many rural communities. From storms and flooding through to prolonged weather events, the impact can be significant. For many clients, it is not just about damage to property, but disruption to livelihoods, uncertainty and time away from the things that matter most. For FMG, that means continuing to strengthen how we support our clients when they need us.
A key part of that is the introduction of a permanent claims event response team. This is a dedicated group of claims specialists who focus solely on large scale events. Their role is critical: be ready, respond quickly and help clients get back on their feet as smoothly as possible.
Having a dedicated claims event response team means we are not starting from scratch when an event hits. Instead, we have people who understand the unique demands of these situations and can move quickly to support clients. They work closely with our Natural Hazards team and wider Claims teams to ensure the right resources are in the right place at the right time.
The scale of recent events highlights why this is so important. The October windstorm, that predominantly impacted Southland, Otago and Canterbury last year became the second largest event by claim volume in FMG’s history. Generating more than 5,000 claims and costing more than $45 million. This is second to Cyclone Gabrielle, with 12,000 claims and more than $290 million. Across the year, 2025 was the largest year for storm claims the Mutual has ever experienced. Even at this scale, there has been strong progress in supporting clients, with the majority of the October windstorm claims now closed, and work continuing for those still underway.
Behind every claim is a client needing support. Early contact, clear communication and consistent follow up all play an important role in helping people navigate what can be a stressful time. It takes coordination across teams, partners and suppliers to keep things moving and ensure no one is left wondering what happens next. That consistency becomes even more important during large events, where delays or uncertainty can quickly add pressure for clients already dealing with disruption on farm or at home.
There has also been a strong focus on making information easier to access during events. This includes dedicated event pages on our website, with information and advice specific to the event like ‘Storm and Flood’, and regular updates help clients understand what is happening and where to go for support.
At the same time, there is growing emphasis on prevention. Working alongside our clients to identify risks and take practical steps ahead of severe weather is an important part of building resilience over time. Small actions taken early can often reduce the scale of loss and help recovery happen faster.
Building a better mutual is about more than responding well in the moment. It is about being prepared, acting quickly and continuing to improve. In a changing climate, that commitment will remain central to how FMG supports rural communities now and into the future.
