MEDIACOM-RELEASE-WORK-INSURANCE
WORK ANNOUNCES POSITIVE RELEASE
Work Insurance, the state-owned workplace accident insurer, today announced a strong financial result with a tax paid
profit of $5.9 million for its first six-month period ending 31 December 1999. Work's Chairman Michael Cashin says this
result surpassed expectations for the company in its start up year.
Mr Cashin attributed the result to the quality of Work's claims management processes and to strong investment returns.
He said the company's target for claims costs and underwriting had been based on a projection of trends in historical
ACC performance, prior to the introduction of competition. He was pleased Work had significantly improved on ACC's
projected performance and that it had been able to offer lower premium prices.
"Despite adding a considerable margin for performance improvement in the claims management area, Work has even surpassed
the aggressive targets it set.
"On the basis of the first half year's result, a significant operating surplus and shareholder dividend would have been
expected for the full year period. This turns around the previously expected year one operating deficit."
Work covers 33,000 employer and self-employed policy holders, representing around $51 million in gross written premium.
In addition to covering a large number of smaller employers, Work customers also include some of New Zealand's largest
and most high profile organisations including Fletcher Challenge, the NZ Rugby Football Union covering the All Blacks,
and the IHC.
Chief Executive Sam Knowles said the company's injury management performance had been very strong, and had made a
valuable contribution to the safety and productivity of New Zealand workplaces. As a consequence, total claims costs at
$5.6 million were considerably less than the expected $14.9 million.
Work's investments contributed to the overall financial result by performing above benchmark. Mr Knowles said Work's
positive financial result was achieved alongside a high level of customer satisfaction.
"Work's employer and employee customers have responded very positively to the company's more active management approach
with a higher level of awareness of and commitment to workplace safety and claims management."
Mr Knowles said formal applications by its customers to review claims decisions made by Work were tracking at very low
levels.
"Of the nearly 11,000 claims Work had accepted by 31 December, only 9 review applications had been received and the
majority of these had been resolved internally to the customer's satisfaction. We have had very positive feedback from
customers about the effectiveness of the company's claims and accident investigation processes which work closely with
employers."
As a consequence of the new Government's intention to remove competition from the workplace insurance industry, the
Government currently intends to disestablish Work as a stand-alone State-Owned Enterprise. The company is now working
with Shareholding Ministers to assist the Government establish a new workplace insurance environment which will best
deliver its aims.
Chairman Michael Cashin said the company was proud to have been able to deliver substantial improvements in both the
cost and provision of workplace insurance to tens of thousands of New Zealanders.
ENDS....