Because the cost of having it is nothing compared to the cost of not having it...
In this section:
Our advice for risk protection
Why do you need cover ?
The subject of insurance creates for most people a range of conflicting thoughts & feelings.
On one hand we know that we ought to take steps to protect ourselves, families and assets from the effects of death, disability or illness, but on the other there's always the tendency to put things off; either because there always seems to be something else/better to spend the money on, or because we don't like to think/believe that things like that can happen to us...
What are the chances of something happening to you ?
We've all become a bit immune to statistics, especially when they're used as any sort of marketing tool, but please consider the following;
Of the 415,000 males in New Zealand currently aged between 30 and 45, approximately:
1 in 9 will experience at least one period of disability lasting six months or longer
1 in 12 will experience at least one period lasting 12 months or longer
1 in 10 will be diagnosed as having cancer
1 in 10 will be admitted to hospital following a heart attack
1 in 15 will undergo open heart surgery
1 in 37 will suffer a stroke
1 in 6 will die..
..all before the age of 65.
Of the 433,000 females in New Zealand currently aged between 30 and 45, approximately:
1 in 6 will experience at least one period of disability lasting six months or longer
1 in 10 will experience at least one period lasting 12 months or longer
1 in 8 will be diagnosed as having cancer
1 in 33 will be admitted to hospital following a heart attack
1 in 50 will undergo open heart surgery
1 in 80 will suffer a stroke
1 in 8 will die..
..all before the age of 65.
Now while we all want to believe that we'll fall into the
'live a long & healthy life' category, there is also every possibility that you won't. And whilst many families could possibly cope with the financial impact of 1 major event in their lifetime, how would they cope with 2, 3 or more such events spread over a few years ?
What sort of impact would it have on your financial situation ?
Don't take the risk and hope that everything will be ok - insurance allows you to transfer that risk to a big company in exchange for a monthly contribution; hopefully you'll waste every cent, but if you don't it will be the best money you ever spent..
Products available
The products available from insurance companies are designed to cover every eventuality; from a minor illness, serious disability and death.
Medical Insurance
Is designed to cover the costs of surgery, specialists visits & diagnostic tests, avoid healthcare waiting lists and to provide you with the best of care. Read more..
Income Protection.
Probably the most important type of cover, as for most people all of their expenses, lifestyle expenditure and retirement plans rely on their continuing ability to work. Read more..
Trauma Cover
Pays a lump sum to you if you're diagnosed with a major illness such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia or MS. Read more..
Total Disability Cover
Provides a lump sum in the event that an illness or disability worsens to the extent that a doctor says that it's highly unlikely that you will ever work again. Read more..
Life Assurance
Provides a lump sum, or regular income to your family when you die. Read more..
The importance of good advice
Although many of the policies offered by insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions may appear to be the same, they all have differences in their pricing and policy structures which could make a big difference in what you pay, and what you get for your money.
This is usually not the sort of information that you can obtain from reading policy wordings or benefit sheets however, so it's important to get advice from a good source to guide you in the right direction.
Obviously we hope that you'll ask us; we're good at what we do, but any decent adviser will be ok as long as they're completely independent. (One of the strange anomalies in the New Zealand market is that you can call yourself an independent adviser, but have a separate agreement with one insurer that contracts you to do 75% of your business with them)
Whether you prefer to do your own research, or have most of the work done for you, we would recommend using Buckingham Cape as a starting point - our free Personal Quotation & Recommendation Report will give you a full introduction for any of the insurance areas that you may require, including a full premium summary and specific recommendations as to which company we consider to be best for you, and why; this report will definitely point you in the right direction.
Click here to go to our quotation request page
Free Policy Appraisal
Due to ongoing product development, varying premium structures between the different insurers, and your own changes in circumstances, its important to review your existing policies periodically to see whether you could be paying less, or getting more for your money.
Our policy appraisal is part of our service and is completely free of charge. Once we find out about the cover you already have in place, we'll send you a full report detailing the changes that we think you should make, differences in premiums and benefits, and the potential advantages (and any disadvantages) of those changes; this allows you to make an informed decision as to your best course of action - and if you need help at any time then we'll be here to answer any questions.
To find out more simply complete the quotation & further information form, and tick 'Review my existing policies'
Note
If you're considering switching insurers please do not cancel your existing cover unless you are fully aware of the advantages & disadvantages