Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
Odyssey Reinsurance Company and its subsidiaries (“Odyssey’’)
This Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is made pursuant to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 for the most recent financial year, and describes the steps Odyssey has taken to assess the risk of human trafficking or slavery in our own businesses or in any of our supply chains. Odyssey is committed to combatting all forms of slavery and human trafficking, and to carrying out our business in a fair, honest, ethical and transparent manner. We do not engage in or make use of any form of modern slavery, and to the best of our knowledge neither do any of our supply chains. We are also committed to ensuring our employees remain aware of these issues and report any related concerns to senior management within Odyssey.
Our Business Operations
Odyssey provides specialty insurance and reinsurance throughout the world through our insurance and reinsurance companies, including our UK-based Newline Syndicate 1218 and Newline Insurance Company Limited, and US-based Odyssey Reinsurance Company, operating in the UK through a reinsurance branch. Odyssey is itself a member of the Fairfax Group, led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. All Odyssey employees are treated and compensated fairly, and there is no slavery or human trafficking within Odyssey.
Our Supply Chains
Odyssey’s business is insurance and reinsurance, which we deliver to our clients through trading relationships with wholesale brokers, insurance agents, Lloyd’s brokers and reinsurance intermediaries, including global reinsurance brokers. We have very few, if any, supply chains connected with the services we provide. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant regarding matters involving basic human rights, such as slavery and human trafficking, and we conduct due diligence as appropriate to ensure we do not knowingly do business with suppliers who engage such practices. In addition, we also seek to include compliance with all local laws and regulations in contracts with our suppliers.
As with all of our business activities, our contracts with suppliers are entered into in accordance with applicable outsourcing policies, as well as Odyssey’s and the Fairfax Group’s various other policies, including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Anti-Money Laundering Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, and Governance Hotline.
Our Employees
Odyssey is committed to ensuring that our own workers are not being exploited, that they work in a safe environment where all applicable laws are observed, and that there is no slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business. All employees are made aware of our Whistleblowing Policy and Governance hotlines, and slavery and human trafficking training programs are made available.
Our Commitment
This statement reflects Odyssey’s commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all of our business relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems, controls and training as necessary to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place within Odyssey or in any of our supply chains. This statement is available to all Odyssey employees, and will be reviewed at least annually.
Jack J. Whittle
Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel
Odyssey Group
January 16, 2025
This document is designed to meet the obligation placed on insurers to publicise their products in compliance with the NZ Fair Conduct requirements and explains Newline’s commitment to delivering good outcomes for all retail customers by acting in good faith towards the customers, avoiding forseeable harm and supporting customers to pursue their financial objectives.
For more information, please contact londoncompliance@newlinegroup.com.
Experiencing Financial Hardship?
Newline Insurance Australia Pty Ltd (Newline) is committed to assisting customers who may be experiencing financial hardship. If you are having difficulty meeting your financial commitments and need to make a payment to Newline and you are either:
- an individual Insured or Third Party Beneficiary who owes us money – including an excess – under an insurance policy we have issued; or
- an individual and we are seeking to recover money from you because we believe you caused damage or loss to either an Insured or a Third Party Beneficiary who we cover under an insurance policy,
We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.
We understand situations can arise that make it difficult to meet all your financial commitments.
How to access Financial Hardship Support?
If you are experiencing Financial Hardship, please contact:
- Newline Australia Insurance Pty Ltd by:
- Writing: 26/530 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
- Telephone: + 61 3 9999 1901
- Email: compliance@newlinegroup.com.au
We will send our Financial Hardship Guide and Application Form to you for completion. This form sets out the type of information we need to be able to consider a Financial Hardship request.
- If appropriate, the National Debt Helpline Assistance For free, confidential, independent financial advice you should contact National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Support Options
We will consider every request for assistance on an individual basis and will work with you and your appointed broker or nominated representative to support you and develop a solution tailored to your circumstances. Some examples of support could include fast-tracking of claims if you have an urgent financial need or payment options for your claims excess if we identify you are experiencing Financial Hardship.
We hope you are happy with every aspect of your interaction with Newline Australia Insurance Pty Ltd (Newline). If, however, you are in any way dissatisfied with any aspect of the service you have received from us, or you are otherwise unhappy with your interaction with Newline, please contact us in order that we may investigate the matter fully and deal with any dissatisfaction appropriately.
You can tell us about your complaint by:
- Telephone: +61 3 9999 1901
- Email: compliance@newlinegroup.com.au
- Post:
- Newline Australia Insurance Pty Ltd
- PO Box 16208, Collins Street West, VIC 8007
If you Require Additional Assistance
If you require additional assistance to lodge a complaint, such as nominating a representative who can act for you, or the services of an interpreter if English is not your first language, then please let us know and we can assist you with this.
The Complaints Process
Please provide all supporting documents with dates, a detailed description of your complaint and how you would like it resolved – this will assist our review. If we require additional information, we will let you know.
- We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 1 business day.
- We will do our utmost to resolve the complaint to your satisfaction within 10 business days. If the complaint cannot be reviewed or resolved within 10 business days, we will provide you with reasons for the delay and continue to update you on the status of the complaint every 10 business days unless an alternative timeframe is agreed. While our aim is to provide you with a resolution to your complaint as soon as possible, if we are not able to make a decision or resolve your complaint within 30 days, then before this deadline passes, we will let you know the reasons for the delay and about your right to take your complaint to AFCA.
- If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, we will also automatically escalate your complaint to Lloyd’s Australia. A final written decision will be provided to you by Lloyd’s Australia within 30 calendar days of the date on which you first made the complaint unless certain exceptions apply. For further information about Lloyd’s Australia and their IDR process, contact them as follows:
- Lloyd’s Australia Limited
- Email: idraustralia@lloyds.com
- Telephone: +61 2 8298 0783
- Post: PO Box R1745, Royal Exchange NSW 1225
- If you require additional assistance in telling us about your complaint, please contact us using the contact information above.
If we cannot resolve the complaint or you’re unhappy with our response?
In the event that your complaint is not resolved by Newline or by Lloyd’s Australia, or you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to take your complaint to AFCA.
You can also refer your complaint to AFCA if we do not resolve your complaint within 30 calendar days after we first received your complaint or at any time.
You may also seek independent legal advice and also access any other External Dispute Resolution (EDR) options that may be available to you.
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)Website: www.afca.org.au
- Email: info@afca.org.au
- Phone: 1800 931 678 (free call)
- Postal Address: Australian Financial Complaints Authority, GPO Box 3, Melbourne, VIC, 3001
General Insurance Code of Practice
Newline adheres to the General Insurance Code of Practice issued by the Insurance Council of Australia (the Code). Further information about the Code and your rights under it is available at www.codeofpractice.com.au and a copy can also be provided to you by Newline.