Insurance guidelines for shake-up

Insurance companies' guidelines will be getting a shake-up in the way they deal with customers' human rights after an increase in complaints.

The guidelines - initially published in 1997 - were to help insurers to comply with anti-discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act.

Human Rights Commission spokeswoman Carolyne Jurriaans said it was responding to a range of complaints by people who felt their human rights had been abused.

Complaints included having claims rejected because the client had not disclosed all pre-existing conditions, they were mentally unwell, or could possibly become unwell due to a genetic predisposition.

Ms Jurriaans said there had been advances in the genetics field and, in terms of human rights, there was "potential for genetic discrimination in the future".

She said the commission had received complaints from people who had experience with mental illness and had issues trying to get insurance coverage, or not being covered for specific conditions.

But Ms Jurriaans said the commission really wanted to have a consultative process.

It was developing a draft document and might call public hearings.

Ms Jurriaans said the commission could not enforce the guidelines.

- NZPA