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Recent media coverage has highlighted the rising cost of living including health insurance premiums. As we all attempt to tighten our belts a little, many New Zealanders are asking, “Is going without my health insurance one way to save money?” Before you make a decision on this, ask yourself, “Do I really understand my health insurance policy?”

For many New Zealanders, KiwiSaver plays a key role in saving for their first home because it contains the option to withdraw most of the balance for a first‑home purchase after three years. However, for some people, KiwiSaver alone may not be enough, particularly if house prices continue to rise or personal timelines change. This is where managed funds can be a valuable complement to KiwiSaver savings.

When people think about insurance, health and life insurance are usually the first types of cover that come to mind. However, Trauma Insurance is another valuable form of protection, and it is often overlooked.

Shopping for any insurance is never easy. You’re likely to find yourself bouncing between insurer websites, comparing PDFs full of jargon, and hoping you haven't missed an exclusion that might come back to bite you later on.

A perennial question for New Zealand homeowners, especially during times of uncertainty in global financial markets, is, “What should I do when my home loans come up for refixing: Should I lock in a fixed rate, move to a floating rate, or consider a combination of both?”

If the cost of your insurance has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. We all sometimes wonder if we could get a better deal or if there are a few tweaks we could use to maximise our cover. The good news is, there are more options than you might realise. Here are a few thoughts on optimising your insurance cover.