Initiatives
HeartStart: Through Project HeartStart, the Group purchased 60 defibrillators for use in public places to reduce the number of Australians dying each year from sudden cardiac arrest. St John identified appropriate locations for the defibrillators. Sudden cardiac arrests kill more Australians each year than breast cancer, shootings and road crashes combined. They can occur at any time to people of all ages and levels of fitness. About 75% of heart arrests happen away from hospital and the survival rate of such incidents is just 5% (source: St John Ambulance Australia). Access to defibrillators can significantly improve the odds.
Crime Reduction: In 2003/4 the Group initiated the National Theft Reduction Strategy with three pilot programs in NSW in South Sydney, Shellharbour and Dubbo. The Group's claims data and analysis showed that these areas suffer from particularly high rates of burglary and car theft. To tackle these problems, the Group established partnerships with local community groups and police and provided $150,000 in funding and specialist information. Results from the programs will help the Group develop crime prevention strategies at a national level. Initiatives included:
- a mobile security help team which doorknocks to advise residents on how to improve home and car security
- a youth/police mentoring program
- community safety officer role with the local council
- car park security checks and ratings
- an Aboriginal employment strategy.
Each partnership is being assessed according to its immediate impact in discouraging and preventing crime, and its long-term impact in reducing the pool of offenders in local communities.
The expected benefits to those communities include:
- Lower burglary and car theft rates
- Possible lower home and motor insurance premiums in the target areas as a result of fewer theft claims
- An opportunity to create tailored solutions to address local issues as defined by local people
- The opportunity to work with other local stakeholders in an integrated approach.
- Access to specialist information like claims data showing types of crime, as well as information about international best-practice methods for reducing and preventing crime
- The ability to learn from the experience of the Group; what has or hasn't worked in other areas.
Community Care Underwriting Agency: IAG realises there are many worthwhile organisations which are beyond its capacity to support. To help non-governmental organisations (NGOs), NRMA Insurancein conjunction with Allianz Australia and QBE formed a joint venture, Community Care Underwriting Agency (CCUA). CCUA was formed in response to the need for public liability insurance for NGOs and provides cover to organisations that service the broader community, have turnover of no more than $2 million a year, do not distribute profits to its members and are comprised mainly of volunteers. By June 2004 more than 1,300 policies had been issued to a diverse group of NGOs. IAG is proud to work in collaboration with its insurance peers to deliver this essential community service. See www.community-care.com.au for more information.
"Never Again": The "Never Again" program demonstrates how IAG helps customers in the broader community. In neighbourhoods that report a spate of burglaries, information is distributed to households to warn of increased risk of crime and to give advice on how to minimise risk in their houses and neighbourhoods. It includes practical ideas on how to deter crime and how to establish community watch programs.
indicates that KPMG has provided assurance on the figures. For more information please see the Assurance statement.