AA Insurance is the first New Zealand insurer, and largest organisation in the country, to take part in the 2020 International Shimmy Mob that helps raise awareness of domestic violence and supports victims of abuse.
The Shimmy Mob initiative, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, began in the US to bring teams of dancers from around the world together on the second Saturday in May (World Bellydance Day) in support of victims of abuse worldwide. Its purpose is about “creating change, one shimmy at a time”.
Despite the Covid-19 landscape we’re now operating in, the team at AA Insurance was very pleased to find out at the beginning of the lockdown period that the International Shimmy Mob can go ahead on Saturday 9 May - albeit in the virtual world.
Participating in this global event demonstrates AA Insurance’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility of doing the right thing and caring for our people and communities. Earlier this year the company launched an internal Support Volunteer Network. It was also accredited the DVFREE Tick from Shine to formalise its commitment to creating a domestic violence-free workplace that’s safe and supportive of staff who are experiencing domestic violence in their homes.
Worryingly, the impacts of the Covid-19 lockdown has seen domestic violence cases spike around the world; in New Zealand there was a report of a 20% increase on the first Sunday after lockdown, with many instances likely unreported. In light of these statistics, our participation became more important than ever, and cemented our resolve to be part of a worldwide solution by registering in the international event to help raise awareness of this escalating issue.
So, around 70 staff and family members are demonstrating their passion for this cause tomorrow. They’re already spent the previous four weeks participating in virtual shimmy mob dance lessons with professional belly dancer, Candice Frankland from Phoenix Belly Dance. We’re so very proud of our people, who are showing that they genuinely care for others in our community, as well as around the world.
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance is an independently operated, New Zealand-based joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA) and Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited (VINZL). Since 1994 we have demonstrated trusted expertise in home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand, and in 2018 introduced commercial small business insurance. We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our 930+ staff look after over 480,000 customers with 970,000 policies.
We proudly partner with Variety NZ and Eden Park and have been consistently recognised by: Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands (since 2011) and Quality Service Awards for Car, and Home and Contents Insurance (since 2015), Kantar Customer Leadership Index (since 2019), Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers (2011-2018), and the Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index (since 2015) that recognises New Zealand’s most successful companies. AA Insurance was also named Consumer NZ People’s Choice award winner for car, home and contents (2019 and 2020).
AA Insurance has an AA- (Very Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd. For further information visit aainsurance.co.nz.
For more information please contact:
Media Team, AA Insurance, 027 406 1787, mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz
