He told Good Returns TV that the insurer had received two death claims as a direct result of Covid-19 and it had been humbling to be able to help those families.
“I think, interestingly though, if we've got the 30% market share, and we just do the numbers, that may be six of the 22 victims that have been insured.
“I'd be fearful of using it as an example, but I think it highlights the need, and the under insurance here in New Zealand.
“When I talk about the under-insurance challenge that we have here, I think we've also created that problem, in the sense that our products are very feature-rich and very expensive. So, how do we make sure that we're able to offer products to a broader part of the community?”
AIA has recently introduced a new commission offer which it said was designed to help adviser businesses who were struggling with cash flow due to the pandemic.
Tremethick said AIA had experienced a 30% drop in new business because of Covid-19. Some advisers had suffered significantly, he said, and others outperformed during that time.
“That's really important for us, in the sense of, does it go all the way to make up for the shortfalls, and loss in revenue? No, but it supports those businesses.
“There is more than enough opportunity out there. And whilst things are different, and the world's different, the need for insurance is ever present.”
The pandemic had proved how important it was for advisers to have a clear value proposition, he said. AIA was now getting back to pre-Covid-19 levels of business overall, he said.
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