Available policy wordings
What policy wordings are available on the site?
On our site we have links to the current policy wordings only. If you have had your policy in place for a while the terms and conditions may differ from those in the linked policy wording on our site. If you’re unsure or have lost your policy wording please contact us to confirm the wording which applies to your policy.
Cigna insurance claims
How do I make a claim - what's the first step?
The first step in making an insurance claim is to contact Cigna directly. Our team will guide you through the claims process, beginning with giving you clear information on your policy and sending out any required forms for your claim. Call us free on 0800 900 047, or email us at claims.nz@cigna.com.
What type of information will I need to provide when making an insurance claim?
The information you need to provide when making an insurance claim will vary depending on the type of claim you are making. We will send you a claim form when you contact us that describes in detail the information you need to provide us to assess your claim.
What happens once I have returned the claim form?
Once you submit your insurance claim form, Cigna aims to initially assess your claim within five working days of receipt, though there may be a delay in periods of peak travel (June to November). At this point, we will let you know if we need any additional information. We will keep you updated as we process the claim, but if you have any questions give us a call on 0800 900 047.
How do I know if I have a valid claim? What if I'm not sure?
Our claims team are here to help. Call us on 0800 900 047 or email claims.nz@cigna.com and we will look into your policy details and help you decide if your specific circumstances may be covered.
Need help with a claim or have a question not answered here?
Call us free on 0800 900 047, or email claims.nz@cigna.com.
Travel insurance claims
Do you apply depreciation to items?
Yes. For travel insurance claims for baggage and personal items, settlement of a claim will usually be based on the value of the item at the time of the loss and not on a ‘new for old’ or replacement cost basis.
If a damaged item is repairable, we will look to reimburse reasonable repair costs.
If a damaged item is confirmed to be beyond economical repair or if an item is lost or stolen, the amount paid is the original purchase price less an allowance for depreciation applied at a reasonable rate which is determined by us.
Depreciation will take into consideration factors such as reasonable wear and tear, advances in technology, the age and expected lifespan of the item, and the second hand value of the specific make/model of the item in today’s market.
| Item | Depreciation |
|---|---|
| Electrical equipment such as laptops, phones, cameras and hair straighteners. | 20% per year (compound) |
| General items such as clothing, sleeping bags, books, sunglasses, sports equipment and handbags. | 15% per year (compound) |
| Medical aids such as glasses and hearing aids. | 5% per year (compound) |
| Quality jewellery (9ct to 24ct gold, diamonds, sapphires etc.) and watches such as Rolex and Omega. | We will use the indemnity value provided by the jeweller. |
We round the age of an item to the nearest half year (e.g. if an item is seven months old, we will apply a half-year depreciation value).
For cosmetics, perfume, alcohol and contact lenses depreciation is calculated as follows:
| 0-6 months | 6-12 months | 1 year | 2 years + |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
What about Specified Items?
If a personal item has increased in value since the time of purchase, or if you would like to cover the item so depreciation is not applied, you will need to specify the item before leaving New Zealand. You can do this by giving us a call on 0800 900 047.
Please note: There is an additional premium charge for Specified Items.
If you have any questions about depreciation or specified items please call our claims team on 0800 900 047 or email us at travelclaims@cigna.com.
Underwriting
What is involved in obtaining a Cigna Insurance Policy?
We make every effort to make an assessment on your insurance policy application based on the information provided on a straightforward application form and will only request more information if absolutely necessary. To make the process even easier, Cigna has developed a telephone-based underwriting service, eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork. In many instances after completing a telephone conversation, we are able to issue you cover immediately.
Will I need to have a medical examination?
You will not necessarily require a medical examination in order to obtain a Cigna Insurance Policy. Medical examinations are only required for two reasons. First, if you have requested a large amount of cover. Second, if you have a medical condition that requires a doctor's input to make a fair assessment. In some cases where you report a medical condition, we may send a form to your doctor to complete, rather than require you to visit your doctor for an examination.
Who will pay for my medical costs?
Cigna will meet the medical costs involved if we have requested medical information from your doctor, or if we have asked for a blood test or specific examination. If, however, you are already scheduled to have a specific test, or are due for a review of a medical condition which would ordinarily occur with your doctor, the cost will be your responsibility to meet.
How long will the underwriting process take?
The processing time for your application will depend largely on the information that you provide. If the information is complete and there are no medical issues to consider, we may issue cover within 48 hours of receipt of your application. For those applications that require more detail for us to evaluate, such as medical reports, it may take a few weeks. This may also depend upon how quickly you or your doctor are able to respond to our questions.
Can I reduce or increase the cover after my application has been submitted?
Yes. You can reduce or increase your requested insurance cover at any time during the assessment process. If you wish to increase cover, be aware that the process could take longer as additional information may be required.
What if I change my mind after the cover has been issued?
With most insurance policies* Cigna issues, you have 30 days to consider the policy. If you decide within 30 days to cancel the policy, simply call our call centre and we'll arrange for a full refund of any premiums paid. You can of course cancel the policy at any point after the first 30 days. If you do, any premiums paid to Cigna will not be refundable. This is because Cigna will have been covering the risk of anything happening to you under the terms and conditions of your policy.
* the exception to this being Identity Theft Insurance - If you are not completely satisfied, you can, within 30 days of receipt of the Policy Wording, cancel the policy by advising Cigna by telephone and receive a full refund of any premiums paid. If you complete and send Your Personal Credit File and Credit Alert form you understand that your free look period ends.