The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is currently investigating the affairs of the defunct insurance broking company Herbert Insurance Group (HIG).
The Company went into receivership on March 7, three days prior to which, it attempted to sell assets and place the company under voluntary liquidation.
SFO Director Adam Feeley, said that there were concerns over a shortfall in the Group’s account comprising clients’ premiums.
“It appears that some client premiums may not have been passed on to the insurers, and may have been diverted for other purposes,” he said.
At the time of moving to receivership, the HIG had about 4000 clients throughout New Zealand
Mr Feeley said his office was working with receivers, Korda Mentha to identify information relevant to the investigation.
“Our role is to ensure that any evidence of possible offending is secure, but it is not possible for us to give clients of Herbert any information as to the status of their insurance,” Mr Feeley said.
It is understood that Korda Mentha has since sold HIG’s client base to ‘Aon New Zealand,’ one of the world’s largest insurance brokers.
HIG clients should contact Aon on 0800-800389 or (09) 3629000.
