Clamp down on hidden fees and ‘junk’ insurance

Labour says it will introduce a ‘fair go’ law that stops companies from charging fees, trapping people in subscriptions and burdening consumers with unnecessary costs.

“We’ve all been there before. The gym membership with surprise fees. The meal kit subscription that’s impossible to cancel. The worthless insurance on your new car,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. “It’s more than just frustrating, it’s a real burden on families.”

He said Labour will:

• Ban junk car insurance, like paint insurance and mechanical breakdown cover that excludes almost everything;
• Stop the hard sell of extended warranties on electronics and whiteware at the checkout;
• Require all mandatory fees, including on ticket sales, to be included in the price upfront;
• Make every subscription service and gym membership as easy to cancel as it was to sign up; and
• Ban unfair exit fees on phone and internet contracts, show the full price upfront, plus excessive notice periods and unclear auto-renewals.