Phone 4342 2070 Fax 4342 2071

2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Andrews criticises NRMA closure

 

A decision by NRMA Insurance to close the office at Woy Woy and relocate its services to Gosford has drawn strong criticism from Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews.

"This closure will mean once again the loss of services to residents on the Woy Woy Peninsula and surrounding areas.

"It comes on top of a number of bank closures and will cause much inconvenience for many local residents, particularly senior citizens," Ms Andrews said.

Ms Andrews said she had written to NRMA Insurance Ltd some months ago seeking a review of the company's decision to close the Woy Woy office.

In her representations, she pointed out that the Woy Woy Peninsula area serviced a large population, including many persons aged 65 and over.

The majority of these people are known to prefer to carry out their business transactions on a "face-to-face" basis, she said.

"That is certainly the case in the somewhat complex area of home and car insurance.

"There are 21 NRMA offices across the State and in the ACT which are due to be closed and four of these are on the Central Coast."

Only Gosford and Lakehaven will remain open after February 22.

"There appears to be no heart left in the banking and insurance industries today," Ms Andrews said.

"They all appear to be hell-bent on making bigger and bigger profits without worrying about providing too many services for their customers.

"Apart from the loss of the insurance services, roadside services will disappear from Woy Woy as well.

"The financial investment side was sold by the NRMA some months ago.

"While residents will be able to renew their insurance policies and membership of roadside services at Woy Woy post office, the fact remains that most people prefer to have the face-to-face service," Ms Andrews said.

Press release, January 14