The new General Insurance Code of Practice commenced on 18 July 2006. It applies to all general insurance policies taken out and any new claims received after 18 July 2005.

The Code covers all general insurance products except workers compensation, marine insurance,medical indemnity insurance, and compulsory third party insurance including where there is linked driver protection cover. It does not cover reinsurance.

The Code does not apply to life and health insurance products issued by life insurers or registered health insurers.

The objectives of this Code are:
a) to promote better, more informed relations between insurers and their customers;
b) to improve consumer confidence in the general insurance industry;
c) to provide better mechanisms for the resolution of complaints and disputes between insurers and their customers;
and
d) to commit insurers and the professionals they rely upon to higher standards of customer service.