AIA New Zealand paid out $790 million in total claims during the year ended Dec 31, 2025, supporting more than 789,000 New Zealanders, the country’s leading life and health insurer announced.
Of that total, more than $93.5m went towards heart-related claims, reflecting both the prevalence of heart disease and the growing complexity and cost of treatment in the country. According to the New Zealand Heart Foundation, heart disease claims the life of a New Zealander every 90 minutes – nearly 7,000 deaths each year – making it the nation’s leading cause of death. More than 195,000 New Zealanders are currently living with the condition.
Heart-related claims were most common among men aged 40 to 69, with heart attacks and heart disease accounting for the majority, followed by diagnostic procedures and valve-related conditions. Heart Foundation medical director Dr Gerry Devlin said that while advances in diagnosis and treatment had been significant, the disease remained the country’s leading cause of death.
“Heart disease occurs in both men and women, tending to affect men at a younger age,” Devlin said. “But understanding personal risk factors and seeking regular check-ups can make a real difference.”
Beyond heart claims, AIA NZ reported $177.31m in health insurance claims, with rising volumes attributed to pressure on the public health system, improved diagnostic capability, and medical inflation. The insurer also paid $257.73m in life insurance claims, $142.45m in trauma claims, $108.69m in income protection claims, and $21.35m in total permanent disablement claims. The company accepted 91% of all claims received. Claim payments were highest among customers aged 50 to 59.
AIA NZ chief customer officer Maddie Sherlock said the figures pointed to a broader need for earlier health awareness and preventive action.
“Heart disease often strikes people in the middle of their working lives, and its impact can be sudden and life-changing,” Sherlock said. “These claims represent real people who need certainty, care and support at a time when it matters most.”
Sherlock added that the insurer was responding to rising claim volumes and medical inflation by evolving its products and services.
“New Zealanders are benefiting from advances in medical treatment and earlier diagnosis, but these innovations often come at a higher cost,” she said. “That’s why our focus is on continuing to evolve our products and services, including more targeted and flexible cover options, and greater investment in prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation.”
The AIA NZ data arrives amid a broader reckoning for the New Zealand health insurance sector. According to Aon’s 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report, medical plan costs in New Zealand are forecast to rise 18% in 2026, up from an estimated 17% in 2025 – nearly double the global medical trend of 9.8% and well above the Asia-Pacific average of 11.3%. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions remain the main clinical categories driving expenditure.
