• Brick & mortar network shrinking

AMI, part of IAG, is reviewing aspects of its nationwide network of retail stores as customer preferences change.

Ms Alex Geale, executive manager of AMI’s Retail Network, said in a statement, “We are increasingly finding that our customers across New Zealand are preferring to contact AMI through other means, rather than visiting their local stores.

“We are seeing strong growth in digital engagement, including through social media and our website. The phone also continues to be a very popular way of contacting AMI.

“This means the number of customers visiting some stores has reduced significantly.

“As a result, we are considering closing our stores in Alexandra, Feilding, Hawera, Motueka, Porirua, South Dunedin and Thames.”

AMI has the biggest retail network of any insurer in New Zealand and that is not going to change, the statement said. The insurers will have 51 offices nationwide after the reduction. Ms Geale said that it would still have the biggest retail network of any insurer in New Zealand.

The company also said that it is expected that the changes will result in few job losses. All affected customer-facing staff will be offered other employment in the organisation, including allowing them to work remotely from home or in other locations.