Purpose
Beneficial Insurance Limited (“Company”) will pay the Insured, subject to the exclusions, terms and conditions mentioned in the Policy, the Benefits up to the Maximum Cover if an Insured Event occurs during the Period of Cover.
Address for Notices
All written correspondence to the Company must be sent to PO Box 68548, Newton, Auckland 1145 or email admin@beneficial.co.nz.
Cover
a) The Insured has a 7 day “free look” period during which you can read the terms and conditions of the Policy and decide if you wish to continue with it. If you decide not to continue with the Policy, you will need to advise us in writing within 7 days of receipt.
b) Cover under this Policy is provided for an Insured Event.
Benefits
The Benefits provided under this Policy if an Insured Event occurs are as follows:
a) Replacement parts – payment of the cost (inc GST) of any replacement parts required to make the Vehicle roadworthy.
b) Repairs – payment of the cost (inc GST) of any repairs required to make the Vehicle roadworthy.
c) Vehicle recovery – payment of all reasonable costs (inc GST) of removing the Vehicle from the location of mechanical failure to the workshop of an Approved Repairer.
d) Roadside Assist: a 24 hour / 7 day mechanical breakdown service offering the following benefits (up to 6 events covered per year):
1. Towing – If the Vehicle is unable to be driven, we may arrange for it to be towed to the nearest Approved Repairer’s repair facility. Towing any further distance will be paid for by the Insured.
2. Flat battery – Assistance will be sent out to help re your battery. If the existing battery no longer functions adequately and a new battery is required, the Insured will pay the cost of the new battery and the removal of the existing one.
3. Lockout service – We will arrange for a person to assist you in obtaining access to the Vehicle should you accidently lock yourself out.
4. Lost keys – We will arrange for a locksmith to be sent out to help you get in your Vehicle and on your way if you accidentally lose your keys.
5. Change of flat tyres – We will arrange for a support person to assist you in changing a flat tyre. If no roadworthy replacement tyres are available at the time, the Vehicle will be towed to the nearest facility at your cost.
6. Out of fuel – If the Vehicle runs out of fuel, we will arrange for fuel to be delivered to you at the site of breakdown at your cost.
e) Vehicle hire – Payment of any reasonable costs (including GST) incurred by you to hire a substitute vehicle (similar in all material respects to the Vehicle) for your usual transport requirements while the Vehicle is being recovered, repaired or having parts replaced, for up to 5 days (claim limit $500). This option is available only if you do not choose the Overnight expenses or repatriation option.
f) Overnight expenses or repatriation – If, as a result of mechanical breakdown, the Vehicle is out of action for more than 24 hours and the breakdown happens more than 100 kilometres from your usual place of residence, then if you do not select the Vehicle hire option, you will be entitled to either:
1. The costs of overnight accommodation (note: MBI Autolife up to 5 nights with a claim limit of $500.00, MBI Autolife PLUS up to 10 nights with a claim limit of $1,000.00); or
2. The costs of moving the Vehicle to your usual place of residence or another location specified by you (claim limit – $250.00).
Changing your Plan
The Insured can, at the time of renewal, apply in writing to increase or decrease the Benefits of the Policy by up-grading or down-grading the Plan. Any such increase or decrease will only be effective if approved by the Company in writing.
Period of Cover
a) The cover is for a term of 12 months (excluding the first 21 days) from the Start Date. Where we agree that you may pay your Premium on an instalment basis, you are required to continue to make instalment payments until the full Premium has been paid except where the Company cancels the Policy.
b) The Company reserves the right to terminate this Policy by advising the Insured in writing upon 21 days’ notice. Where the Company terminates the Policy it will refund any unused Premium for the remaining term of the Policy, if any.
c) The Insured can only cancel the Policy at the end of the cover period or any other time as long as the Insured pays the Company the Full Premium Due to the Company during that period of cover. If the full Premium is not paid, we reserve the right to charge default fees and collection costs to recover the Premium. Any requests by the Insured to cancel the Policy must be made in writing to the Company. Early cancellations will incur a $75.00 processing fee.
Renewal of Cover
a) The Policy will be renewed for a 12 month period from the Renewal Date at the sole discretion of the Company (the “Renewal”). The Renewal will be for such further period determined by the Company and will be subject to there being no Material changes to the information disclosed by the Insured to the Company.
b) A renewal advice will be sent to the Insured’s last known address prior to the Renewal Date including an updated Policy Schedule ( “Updated Schedule”) and Policy Wording.
c) Any adjustments to the Premium, Details of Cover or Terms of Cover will be advised to the Insured on the Updated Schedule and Policy Wording.
d) Payment of the Premium due on the Renewal and outlined on the Updated Schedule is payable in accordance with your existing method of payment and frequency as set out in the Policy unless contrary advice is received by us in writing and we agree, prior to the Renewal Date.
e) Until further notice, the Insured grants the Company authority to continue any existing Payment Authority given by the Insured to the Company and Insured’s Bank in relation to Premium payments. This includes any Direct Debit Authority, Automatic Payment Authority or Credit Card Details where the Insured has authorised the Company to debit a nominated bank account and/or credit card for the Premium payments due under the Policy or Renewal.
Conditions
The obligations of the Company and payment of any Benefit under the Policy is conditional upon:
a) The Insured having paid to the Company the Premium on or before the due date for payment. In the event that a Premium payment is not paid by the due date the Policy will lapse 7 days after the due date. No Benefits will be paid if a claim is received after a Policy has lapsed. In the event the Policy lapses the Insured can apply to have the Policy reinstated subject to the Company’s discretion, which could include proof of the Insured’s driving history, new terms and conditions, new exclusions being imposed and no claim being assessed or paid for the period that the Policy was lapsed.
b) Any Excess being paid to the Approved Repairer beforehand.
c) The Maximum Claim Limit not being exceeded.
d) The Maximum Cover not being exceeded.
e) The Vehicle not being a Non-Qualifying Vehicle.
f) The Insured ensuring that he/she fully discloses all Material Information at application time, at time of renewal or at any time during the Policy if a Material event or information relating to such event arises. In the event it is found that any of this information has been withheld the Company has the right to deem the Policy void and not meet any lodged claims.
g) None of the exclusions listed in the Exclusions section below being applicable.
h) Any work covered by a Benefit being undertaken by an Approved Repairer.
i) The Vehicle:
1. Being regularly serviced (within 5,000km or 3 months following Start Date and thereafter at least yearly or every 15,000km for petrol vehicles or 10,000km for diesel vehicles) by a MTA Authorised Service Centre; and
2. At all times having a current Warrant of Fitness and Registration.
j) The Insured advising the Company of any changes to the Vehicle, including make, model, year, registration number and odometer reading.
k) In the event a claim or information provided to the Company is fraudulent, dishonest misleading or untrue this Policy will be cancelled and the Insured forfeits entitlement to all Benefits which would otherwise have been payable under the Policy. The Company reserves the right to claim Premiums paid to cover the Company’s costs.
Exclusions
The obligations of the Company and payment of any Benefit will not apply if a claim arises due to or occurs as a result of:
a) Any repair or replacement which the Company has not previously authorised in writing.
b) Routine maintenance, servicing, parts replacement and repairs.
c) Any repair covered by any other insurance policy, warranty or guarantee.
d) The Vehicle being used for any business purposes, hire or reward (including, without limitation, as a taxi service, driving school or for commercial delivery).
e) The weight of the Vehicle at any time exceeding 3,500 kg.
f) The Vehicle being in any way modified from its manufacturer’s standard specifications unless such modifications have been approved by the Company in writing.
g) Any replacement or repair covered by a Vehicle manufacturer’s warranty or recall.
h) Any Vehicle for which the manufacturers do not provide a warranty.
i) Use of the Vehicle for any competitive or sporting purpose, whether legal, sanctioned or otherwise, including (without limitation) road racing, rallying, drag racing, circuit racing or an unauthorised exhibition of speed or acceleration (also known as “boyracing”).
j) Any Vehicle involved in an accident.
k) Any damage occurring or arising as a result of the application of force, weather, intrusion of water, fire, natural disaster, infestation by insects or rodents, rock slides, stone strike, corrosion, rust, or natural deterioration of any materials used in the manufacture of the Vehicle (including perishing).
l) Any condition which existed at the Start Date or Renewal Date, as applicable.
m) Any repair or replacement of any parts that are worn but have not actually failed, or any damage, fault, repair caused by worn out parts.
n) Any repairs arising as a result or consequence of careless, reckless or negligent driving or wilful damage.
o) Any replacement or repair to batteries, tyres, seat movement mechanisms, brake shoe linings, disk pads, sunroofs, Global positioning systems, communication systems, the cosmetic appearance of the Vehicle (including but not limited to paint and finishing, trim, upholstery, glass) fuel tanks, remote controls, catalytic converters, mountings, bulbs, keys, spark plugs, oils and filters, fluids including incorrect fuelling and any other consumables used in connection with the Vehicle.
p) Any items requiring regular servicing.
q) Cam belts and any drive belt, exhaust systems, chassis component, shock absorbers, airbags and air suspension systems, clutch and all associated components.
r) Any repairs that are either caused by, or are a result of, the owner not following the recommended servicing guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer in relation to any vehicle part.
s) Any repairs that occur during the 21 day stand down period.
General
a) The Insured is responsible to ensure all Policy details and contact details are correct including details relating to the Insured and his or her driving-related history.
b) Premium payments that fall due on a Public Holiday(s) shall be debited on the working day preceding the Public Holiday(s) using any existing Payment Authority given by the Insured to the Company.
Claims Process
Please note that any unpaid Annual Premiums will be deducted from any approved claim payment (including any Annual Premium amount outstanding on policies that are being paid via agreed instalments).
To make a claim for Benefits provided under the Policy (subject to the additional Terms, Conditions and Exclusions contained in the Policy Schedule), the Insured needs to telephone 0800 288 65433 for Roadside Assist service or 0800 288 654 for any other claim. In addition you may fax Beneficial Insurance Limited on 0800 329 434 or email claims@beneficial.co.nz requesting that a claim form be sent.
In order for the Company to assess your claim, we require a duly completed claim form along with copies of all relevant supporting documents. In the case of a claim occurring, the Insured will be required to produce at his or her own expense all relevant information as requested by the Company in order for us to assess the claim and make a decision. In particular, you may be required to provide an up to date odometer reading and details of any changes to the Vehicle since the Start Date, Renewal Date or your last advice as appropriate.
You will then need to drive the Vehicle to an Approved Repairer. If it needs towing, it will be at your cost (unless covered under your Policy). The Approved Repairer will determine whether the work required can be claimed under the Policy. Please contact the Company if you are unsure about whether or not the work will be covered. The Company may also wish to see your Vehicle servicing history. The Approved Repairer must contact us and advise the work required to repair the Vehicle before such work commences. Once the Company is satisfied that the advised work is covered by the Policy, we will advise the Approved Repairer to proceed with the work required. The Approver Repairer may if it sees fit use reconditioned or used, as well as new, parts. In the event that you are covered with another provider in addition to this Policy cover is excluded under this Policy. In the event that there is a disagreement between the Company and the Insured in regards to a claim, the claim may be referred to an independent adjudicator as agreed by both parties who will act as an arbitrator. The cost will be at the expense of the party who is found to be at fault.
Definitions
a) “Approved Repairer” means a vehicle repairer approved by the Company listed on beneficial.co.nz/authorisedrepairers.
b) “Benefit” means a benefit provided under this Policy.
c) “Company”, “us”, or “we” means Beneficial Insurance Ltd.
d) “Excess” means the amount set out in the Appendix unless such other amount is specified in the Policy Schedule
e) “Full Premium Due” means the Premium due on a Policy for any given year determined by the Company excluding premium discounts applied (if any).
f) “GST” means goods and service tax payable under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985.
g) “Insured” or “you” means the person(s) referred to in the Policy Schedule.
h) “Insured Event” means the sudden or unexpected mechanical failure of the Vehicle and for Roadside Assist includes the Insured losing access to the Vehicle.
i) “Material” means any information that would have influenced the judgment of a prudent provider in fixing the premium or in determining that he/she would have taken or continued the risk upon substantially the same terms.
j) “Maximum Claim Limit” means the maximum amount of cover under this Policy as set out in the Policy Wording unless such other amount is specified in the Policy Schedule.
k) “Maximum Cover” means the amount specified in the Policy Schedule.
l) “Non-Qualifying Vehicle” means any of the following types of vehicles: All USA cars, Alfa Romeo, AMG, Aston Martin, Audi RS, Q7 V12, R8, A8, S8, Austin, Bentley, BMW M3, M5, M6, 7 series, Caterham, Daimler, Ferrari, FPV, HSV, Jensen, Jaguar, Lada, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lotus, Mahindra, Maserati, Mazda RX8, McLaren, MG, Porsche, Range Rover, Rolls Royce, Rover, Saab, TVR, VW W8, rotary vehicles.
m) “Period of Cover” means the period referred to in the Policy Schedule from Start Date to Renewal Date.
n) “Policy” means the Policy Schedule and the Policy Wording.
o) “Policy Schedule” means the schedule the Company issues to the Insured outlining the full details of cover provided under the Policy and the Policy Wording.
p) “Premium” means the amount set out in the Policy Schedule.
q) “Renewal Date” means that date referred to in the Policy Schedule.
r) “Stand down Period” means the period of 21 days following the Start Date during which the Company will not recognise a claimable event occurring during that period.
s) “Start Date” means the date set out in the Policy Schedule.
t) “Vehicle” means the vehicle ordinarily driven by the Insured.