All cover · Statutory liability

NZI vs QBE — Statutory liability

Statutory liability covers fines and defence costs for unintentional breaches of NZ statutes (HSWA, Privacy Act, RMA, Fair Trading Act). Insurability of the fine itself depends on the Act — defence costs and reparation orders are universally insurable.

NZI

IAG New Zealand Limited (NZI brand)

Wording on file: NZI Statutory Liability
Effective: 2018-03-01
Tier D (blocked) FCIB panel

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QBE

QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited (NZ branch)

Wording on file: QBE Statutory Liability
Effective: 2022-11-01
Tier D (blocked) FCIB panel

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Side-by-side fact comparison

Each row is a fact-key from the Statutory liability wording. "Not on file" means either the wording doesn't address that fact, or Phase C structured-facts extraction hasn't been run yet on this insurer's wording.

Fact NZI QBE
limit of indemnity options Not on file Not on file
defence costs in or outside limit mixed mixed
fines insurable acts list
[
  "Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (defence costs and enforceable undertakings only; fines excluded)",
  "Privacy Act 1993",
  "Human Rights Act 1993"
]
[
  "Health and Safety at Work Act 2015",
  "Commerce Act 1986",
  "Human Rights legislation (Human Rights or Privacy Complaints Review Tribunal proceedings covered under Defence Costs)",
  "Privacy Act (Human Rights or Privacy Complaints Review Tribunal proceedings covered under Defence Costs)",
  "Sentencing Act 2002"
]
reparation orders covered You are insured for your legal liability to pay statutory damages or reparations that you become liable to pay arising out of your act or omission in New Zealand in connection with the business. 'Reparation' means the amount of money you are ordered to pay as reparation under Section 32 of the Sentencing Act 2002. The definition of 'Fine' is extended to include a sentence of reparation imposed following a conviction under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Exclusion 2.5 excludes any court order in the nature of damages or compensation, except a sentence of reparation following a Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 prosecution.
hswa handling You are not insured for any fine under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. However, defence costs are covered for prosecutions under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and enforceable undertakings under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 are covered (subject to conditions including that the amount paid is no greater than the amount we would expect to pay as reparation had you been convicted, and the prosecution could result in an order for reparation if you were convicted). Fines imposed pursuant to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 are excluded from the definition of 'Fine', but the definition is extended to include a sentence of reparation imposed following a conviction under that Act. The Enforceable Undertakings extension covers: (a) payments of amends in reparations paid to victims up to NZD 250,000 any one Period of Insurance (included in, not in addition to, the Limit of Indemnity), and (b) reasonable Defence Costs in drafting and preparing the enforceable undertaking up to NZD 250,000 any one Period of Insurance (included in, not in addition to, the Defence Costs limit of indemnity), where a charging document has been filed under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The Personal Grievances exclusion does not apply to any investigation, inquiry or prosecution by WorkSafe pursuant to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The Private Prosecutions exclusion does not apply to any private prosecution brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
privacy act handling Statutory damages recoverable under the Privacy Act 1993 for an accidental breach are covered. 'Proceeding' is defined by reference to an official complaint or civil proceeding alleging a breach (or potential breach) of the Privacy Act 1993 or the Human Rights Act 1993. Defence Costs include costs for proceedings before a Human Rights or Privacy Complaints Review Tribunal. The Excluded Acts list does not include the Privacy Act. Private prosecutions exclusion applies except as carved out. Investigations by a legally empowered authority that allege an Event are covered under the Investigation definition.
fair trading act handling Not on file Not on file
rma handling Not on file Not on file
key exclusions
[
  "4.1 Asbestos – liability in connection with asbestos.",
  "4.2 Commerce Act – liability in connection with a breach of the Commerce Act 1986 (does not apply to individual persons covered under this policy).",
  "4.3 Compliance costs – costs incurred in complying with or failing to comply with any abatement, compliance, enforcement or remedial notice or order.",
  "4.4 Continuing offences – part of fine, reparation or statutory damages relating to any period after you knew or ought to have known an offence was being committed.",
  "4.5 Dishonesty or fraud – wilful breach of duty or Act, dishonest, fraudulent or malicious act or omission, criminal intent, unlawful profit or advantage, insider trading.",
  "4.6 Excluded Acts – Arms Act 1983, Aviation Crimes Act 1972, Crimes Act 1961, Land Transport Act 1998, Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Proceeds of Crime Act 1991, Summary Offences Act 1981, and any other Act specified in the schedule as an excluded Act.",
  "4.7 Health and Safety at Work Act – fines under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.",
  "4.8 Infringement fees – infringement fees of any kind.",
  "4.9 Intentional or reckless breach – intentional or reckless disregard of the provisions of an Act.",
  "4.10 Known claims and circumstances – liability in connection with any claim first known of prior to the inception of this policy.",
  "4.11 Legal jurisdiction – proceedings or prosecution first brought outside New Zealand, enforcement of foreign judgments, or legal liability under the proper law of a country other than New Zealand.",
  "4.12 Monetary amounts paid or offered before sentence – any sum paid or offered prior to sentencing without our prior written consent.",
  "4.13 Nuclear – nuclear reactors, radioactive materials, nuclear weapons.",
  "4.14 Personal grievances – liability arising out of any contract of employment or service, including personal grievance or similar action by an employee.",
  "4.15 Private prosecutions – investigations, defence, proceedings, inquiries or prosecutions taken by a person or entity other than the statutory authority or enforcement agency responsible for administering enforcement of an Act.",
  "4.16 Punitive or exemplary damages – punitive, aggravated, liquidated or exemplary damages imposed by a court for breach of any Act (does not apply to claims under extension 3.8).",
  "4.17 Retroactive date – claims in connection with an event that occurred prior to the retroactive date.",
  "4.18 Sanctions – liability that would expose us to any sanction, prohibition or restriction under UN resolutions or trade/economic sanctions of the EU, UK, USA, Australia or New Zealand.",
  "4.19 Taxes – events or acts or omissions in connection with a requirement to pay taxes, rates, duties, levies, charges, fees or other revenue under an Act.",
  "4.20 Terrorism – claims in connection with an act of terrorism.",
  "4.21 War – claims in connection with war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities, civil war, mutiny, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power."
]
[
  "Asbestos: any actual or alleged liability whatsoever for any claim or claims in respect of losses directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from, or in consequence of, or in any way involving asbestos or any materials containing asbestos in whatever form or quantity.",
  "Daily Continuing Offences/Orders and Costs: cost or payment of any enforcement order, remedial order or compliance order; any Fine imposed in relation to a daily continuing offence after notice of intention to commence action; any pecuniary penalty, restitution, compensation or order under sections 78, 80, 83 or 89(3)(b) of the Commerce Act 1986; any order for payment of costs under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908; any court order in the nature of damages or compensation (except reparation under HSWA 2015); any action or prosecution by the Inland Revenue Department or any other revenue collecting authority.",
  "Deliberate Disregard: Defence Costs (unless Acquitted) arising from deliberate disregard of any Act of Parliament; instructing another person to discharge obligations and failing to take all reasonable steps; failure to comply with any lawful abatement notice, enforcement order, improvement notice, prohibition notice, suspension notice, building consent, Notice to Rectify, Compliance Schedule, Gazetted Notice, or order made by a Human Rights or Privacy Review Tribunal.",
  "Dishonest Acts: any Event actually or allegedly brought about or contributed to by any dishonest, fraudulent or malicious act or omission by or on behalf of the Insured.",
  "Personal Grievances: any contract of service or intended contract of service with any current, former or prospective employee, including any personal grievance or like action by an employee (except HSWA 2015 investigations/prosecutions by WorkSafe).",
  "Private Prosecutions: defence of any action taken against the Insured by a person other than the statutory authority or enforcement agency given that responsibility under the relevant Act of Parliament (except private prosecutions under HSWA 2015).",
  "Radioactivity: ionising radiations or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel or nuclear waste or any self-sustaining process of nuclear fusion.",
  "Retroactive Date: any Event after the Retroactive Date but before the Inception Date if the Insured knew or ought reasonably to have known of the Event and failed to notify QBE before the Inception Date.",
  "Sanctions: no cover where a claim payment would breach any sanction, prohibition or restriction under United Nations resolutions or the trade or economic sanctions, laws or regulation of any country.",
  "Terrorism: any loss directly or indirectly caused by, resulting from or in connection with any Act of Terrorism.",
  "War: any consequence of war, invasion, act of foreign hostilities, civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power.",
  "Excluded Acts: Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, Arms Act 1983, Aviation Crimes Act 1972, Crimes Act 1961, Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, Land Transport (Road Safety and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2011, Real Estate Agents Act 2008, Summary Offences Act 1981, and any other Act of Parliament specified in the Policy Schedule as an Excluded Act."
]
territory an event that occurs in New Zealand in connection with the business Any act or omission occurring in the course of the Business that gives rise, or may give rise, to an action under an Act of Parliament. (Act of Parliament means any Act of the New Zealand Parliament other than an Excluded Act.)
jurisdiction The law of New Zealand applies to disputes about this policy and the New Zealand Courts have exclusive jurisdiction. This Policy shall be governed by the laws of New Zealand whose courts shall have jurisdiction in relation to any dispute.
excess default The excess shown in the schedule will be deducted from the amount we pay for fines, reparations, statutory damages or defence costs. If a claim arises from separate events, acts or omissions then an excess will apply to each event, act or omission. We will deduct only one excess for a series of related events, acts or omissions arising from one source or cause, the highest excess will apply. The Excess specified in the Policy Schedule shall be borne by the Insured in respect of each and every Event.
aggregation basis The most we will pay in total for all fines, reparations, or statutory damages in the aggregate during the annual period is the sum insured. The most we will pay in total for all defence costs incurred during the annual period is the sum insured. The limits under 5.1 A – 'Liability' and 5.1 B – 'Defence costs' are separate. QBE's maximum liability during any one Period of Insurance for all claims under Insuring Clause 1.1 is limited to the Limit of Indemnity specified in the Policy Schedule applicable for the Period of Insurance within which the Insured has or should have first notified QBE of the Event. Where an Event is alleged to have taken place on, over or between a number of specified dates, which fall within more than one Period of Insurance, the Event will be treated as if it occurred in the Period of Insurance in which the Insured has, or should have, first notified QBE of the Event.
claims made trigger you first knew, or ought to have known, of the prosecution in relation to that event, during the period of insurance, and you have advised us of the prosecution as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the period of insurance ends. is first notified in writing to QBE by the Insured during the Period of Insurance, or within twenty-one (21) days after its expiry.
automatic extensions
[
  "3.1 Defence costs if acquitted – reimbursement of reasonable defence costs where you are subsequently acquitted in a proceeding or prosecution alleging knowing, wilful or intentional act or omission.",
  "3.2 Enforceable undertakings – amounts agreed to be paid as part of an enforceable undertaking under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and associated defence costs, subject to conditions.",
  "3.3 Extended reporting period – 12-month extension available on cancellation or non-renewal by insurer at 90% of last premium, within 30 days of effective cancellation/non-renewal date.",
  "3.4 Mergers and consolidations – cover extended to new company following merger, amalgamation, consolidation or asset sale, subject to conditions and notification within 30 days.",
  "3.5 New subsidiary companies – cover extended to subsidiary companies created or acquired during the period of insurance, subject to conditions and notification within 30 days.",
  "3.6 Official investigations cover – defence costs for official investigations involving you arising out of an event or potential event or act or omission in New Zealand in connection with the business.",
  "3.7 Previous subsidiary companies – definition of you extended to include entities that ceased to be subsidiaries before or during the period of insurance.",
  "3.8 Statutory damages / reparations – insured for legal liability to pay statutory damages or reparations arising out of your act or omission in New Zealand in connection with the business; exclusion 4.16 does not apply to claims under this extension."
]
[
  "Consolidation or Merger: cover extended to merged or acquired entities subject to written notice, underwriting information, and additional premium.",
  "Newly Created or Acquired Subsidiary Company: subsidiary companies created or acquired after commencement of Period of Insurance included as Insured subject to written notice, underwriting information, additional premium, and cover limited to Events discovered after acquisition date and after the Retroactive Date.",
  "Extended Reporting Period: if QBE refuses to renew, Insured may purchase 12-month extended reporting period upon payment of additional premium not exceeding 100% of expiring annual premium, notified in writing within 30 days of expiry, for Events before expiry date; indemnity included in and not in addition to the Limit of Indemnity.",
  "Enforceable Undertakings: covers payments of amends in reparations to victims (up to NZD 250,000, included in Limit of Indemnity) and reasonable Defence Costs for drafting enforceable undertaking (up to NZD 250,000, included in Defence Costs limit) under Section 123 of HSWA 2015, subject to QBE's written consent and specified conditions and sub-exclusions."
]
run off availability If we elect to cancel or refuse to offer a renewal of this policy, then you may pay us an additional premium (being 90% of the last premium), to extend your cover under this policy for another 12 months. However, this will only cover you for events or acts or omissions that happened before the expiry of the effective date of such cancellation or non-renewal. This right of extension will lapse unless written notice of such election, together with payment of the additional premium due, is given to us within 30 days following the effective date of cancellation or non-renewal. If QBE refuses to renew this Policy, the Insured may, upon payment of an additional premium not exceeding one hundred per cent (100%) of the full annual premium payable for the expiring Period of Insurance, extend the cover under this Policy for a further twelve (12) months from the date of expiry, provided that this option to extend the Policy must be notified in writing to QBE within thirty (30) days of the date of expiry; and the extension shall only apply in respect of an Event before the expiry date; and an offer by QBE of any renewal terms or premiums different from expiring terms or premiums shall not constitute a refusal to renew; and the indemnity under this extension is included in and not in addition to the Limit of Indemnity specified in the Policy Schedule.
retroactive date handling You are not insured for any claim of any type in connection with an event that occurred prior to the retroactive date. The Event must have happened on or after the Retroactive Date. Any Event after the Retroactive Date but before the Inception Date is excluded if the Insured knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the Event and failed to notify the Event to QBE before the Inception Date. The Retroactive Date is the date specified in the Policy Schedule.
investigation costs covered You are insured for defence costs necessarily and reasonably incurred by you in connection with an official investigation involving you, provided the investigation arises out of an event, or potential event in New Zealand in connection with the business, or an act or omission in New Zealand in connection with the business that may result in you being liable to pay statutory damages, and you first knew, or ought to have known, of the prosecution or proceeding during the period of insurance. Defence Costs include 'Investigation', defined as any official inquiry, investigation, public examination or commission into the affairs of the Business: (i) instigated by a person or government authority legally empowered to conduct such investigation; (ii) which an Insured is legally compelled to attend; (iii) which alleges an Event by that Insured; and (iv) that is not of a general nature which affects the industry of the Business as a whole.
occurrence basis vs claims made claims_made mixed