Claims from travelers disrupted by the Iceland volcano have topped half a million dollars, one of NZ's leading travel insurance companies says.

Sovereign says it plans to mitigate impending tax increases by shaving as much as 15 per cent from the commissions received by advisers.

Male motorists take more risks than women at drink-driving and speeding, an AA Insurance survey has found.

Homeowners looking to rent their properties out for the Rugby World Cup have been warned to let their insurance company know - or risk being hit with the bill if damage is done.

Privatisation should only be allowed if there is evidence it will improve the system, former ACC chairman Ross Wilson says.

The govt-appointed Welfare Working Group will consider unemployment insurance among options for reforming the social security system.

Life insurers are asking people seeking insurance if they have sex with prostitutes.

The days of rental car companies giving pamphlets to confused overseas visitors and crossing their fingers they'll cope with NZ's oddball right-hand rule look set to be over.

New Zealand's unique right-hand rule, a relic of an old Melbourne tram system and cause of 2560 crashes a year, is set to be scrapped.

Reducing the current legal blood alcohol limit will hurt the law-abiding majority without tackling repeat offenders, say lawyers.

The Govt's failure to immediately commit to lowering blood alcohol limits for adult drivers is "just not good enough", say advocacy organisations.