Life Insurance provides financial protection for those who depend on you. It provides instant cash at a time when it is most needed. The problem is that, for most of us, we don’t know when that time may arise. Life Protection can help insure that any indebtedness by way of a mortgage etc is paid off, and immediate costs such as funeral and travel arrangements are also taken care of. It can also provide a financial base to support an ongoing income to meet the needs of a surviving partner, and stabilise future plans for any dependent children.

Life Insurance Protection normally pays out a one off cash payment when death occurs, however other options are now available. Other benefits also incorporated within a modern Life Insurance plan can include: Terminal Illness benefit, Guaranteed Insurability, Bereavement Support, a Children’s benefit and Funeral Benefits.

If you are unable to work because of an illness or injury, your inability to manage your ongoing financial responsibilities may become a very serious problem. Income Protection preserves the integrity of your greatest asset – your power to earn. It provides you with a monthly payment if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury. It is essential for anyone with a partner or a family dependent on the insured’s income. This benefit has various options available and can be structured to meet your personal situation.

This benefit can provide financial stability when it is most needed – at a time of serious illness or injury. Trauma Protection will provide a cash payment if the life assured is diagnosed with up to forty specified critical illnesses or injuries. It is designed to provide financial assistance to meet with the immediate expenses of medical treatment, rehabilitation, home help, and ultimately to assist you to focus on recovery and not on economic survival.

Faced with the prospect of the ever growing waiting lists under the public health system, the demand for private health care has increased. Today over 1.35 million New Zealanders have private Health Insurance. Why? Because, like any other insurance, it provides peace of mind in times of difficulty. You cannot tell what health problems may affect you or your family in the future, and you cannot foresee how they will impact on your family, your lifestyle, or your earning ability.

Not all treatments or costs are covered by the public health system, and you often have no control over the timing, or quality of care you receive.

Having health insurance, however, means that you can choose your doctor or specialist, and you can choose when and where you are treated. All with the assurance that you can recover all or most of the costs, (depending on Policy).

Comprehensive Care Policies – These cover primary care costs, such as doctor’s visits, prescription charges, physio costs and other everyday medical bills as well as surgical and hospital costs, (sometimes up to pre-set limits). Depending on the overall benefits selected, this type of policy is generally more expensive than a Major Medical or Surgical Care only type of Policy.

Major Medical or Surgical Care Policies – These cover health problems that require Hospitalisation, Diagnostics, Specialists and Tests, but leaves the more affordable cost of general medical, i.e. primary care (doctor’s visits and prescriptions etc) to you. This is generally reflected in a lower cost for the benefits provided.