Largest NZ insurance broker, PIC, is exploiting the dire situation
You may wish to know of this exploitation by a firm which is supposed to be respected.
Largest NZ insurance broker, P.I.C, is exploiting and dealing underhandedly with their clients in the dire situation that New Zealanders are in by charging an APR of nearly 25% to pay monthly. This is outrageous and disgusting at a time when we all need to pull together.
My partner’s 25 year old business lost 100% of its income when the lockdown started. Most suppliers helped to try and keep her afloat either by reducing their charges by up to 66% or deferring payment so that she would be in a position to restart when the lockdown ended.
PIC, NZ largest insurance broker, was approached to allow a monthly payment of the insurance premium payable on 15 April 2020. They agreed and quoted an interest rate of 9% - high but not extortionate at this time. No mention was made of the fact that a finance company would be involved. Finance papers were then emailed for a company called Stockade Premium Funding Ltd showing an APR of 24.83% and a flat rate of 9.8%. There is no risk to Stockade Premium Funding Ltd as a Direct Debit has to be signed and if payment stops the insurance is immediately cancelled.
When PIC office in Pukekohe was queried about the interest rate they stated that they had no knowledge of the 25% and that the interest rate was only 9%. When asked to review the position, they stated that the terms to go monthly were non-negotiable.
P.I.C INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED (Company #451964) and the finance company, STOCKADE PREMIUM FUNDING LIMITED (Company #1138701), are majority owned and totally controlled by Michael Geoffrey GARNER, 20 Chisbury Terrace, Shelly Park, Manukau, 2014 , New Zealand
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
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43% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
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56.5% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
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0.6% Other - I'll share below
The Magpies Nest - An exhibition by Jenna Winterton
The Magpies Nest
An exhibition by Jenna Winterton
October 15 - November 2
Opening event:
Saturday 19 October 12-2pm
The Magpies nest is an exploration in narrative utilizing colour, texture, sound, and movement in a variety of both 2d and 3d works. Jenna Winterton brings out an element of playfulness with some interactive elements and bold colours and textures.
Transforming the gallery space into a snapshot of the artists mind, with a wide variety of stories being told from folk lore and myth to personal narratives and experiences much like how a magpie collects small trinkets, this show gathers together many interconnected but independent pieces to create a unified treasure pile of art. The works are interwoven together through materials, found object and overlapping narratives.
The viewer is invited into the nest to see and play with all the treasures the artist has created and to read about the stories behind the pieces.
Photography credit: The Magpies Nest, Jenna Winterton
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