Understanding Changes to Liability Insurance in New Zealand Understanding Changes to Liability Insurance in New Zealand Contact Us What to do if you face a liability claim? Liability claims are often complicated, involving multiple parties and significant costs. Alongside resolving the issue itself, there’s usually the added challenge of protecting your company’s reputation. Reaching a resolution typically requires input from legal and technical experts —fortunately, these costs are generally insurable. Your insurer is experienced in managing these types of claims and is best placed to guide you through the process. To achieve the best possible outcome, it’s essential that we’re involved early. As soon as you become aware of a potential claim — whether it’s legal action, an allegation of wrongdoing, or a demand for compensation — get in touch with your insurance adviser. Importantly, do not admit liability or offer any form of settlement before speaking with your adviser . Early communication gives us the best chance to protect your business and secure the right support from your insurance cover. For more information on changes to the RMA and liability insurance for your company’s protection, contact your Futurisk Insurance Adviser today. If your business relies on liability insurance (and most do), there are some important regulatory changes you need to know about. It’s particularly important to note the changes to statutory liability . Under recent Resource Management Act (RMA) updates, fines have increased significantly, and soon it will not be possible to insure against them. This is a significant shift for businesses that previously relied on insurance to cover regulatory penalties. However, insurance can still cover legal and expert costs if your company faces an RMA prosecution. This operates much like the cover available for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Five Reasons to See a Mortgage Adviser Before Going to Your Bank Five Reasons to See a Mortgage Adviser Before Going to Your Bank Contact Us 4. Convenience and Time Saving The first time I took out a home loan was a long time ago. I knew little about finance and mortgages, but I was determined to get the best deal. I spent hours collecting brochures from various banks and comparing rates and loan terms. Then I filled out the applications to three different banks hoping that one would approve my loan. It was incredibly time consuming and I was never completely certain I was making the best decisions. A few years later, I was looking to refix and extend my mortgage. I still didn’t know a lot about home loans, but I had been recommended by several friends to use a mortgage adviser. What an incredible difference it was. I had one meeting with an adviser and they did the rest, streamlining the process, saving me time and reducing the stress. If only I knew then what I know today! 5. Ongoing Support Beyond Settlement Personalised support is something the Futurisk Mortgage Broking team prides itself on. You see, a good mortgage adviser doesn’t disappear once your loan is approved. We stay in touch or, if anything changes for you, we’re only ever a phone call or email away. Support includes helping you reassess your mortgage if your circumstances change and checking that your loan remains competitive over time. We are there for refixes and mortgage extensions or if you find yourself in need of financial advice relating to your mortgage. The proactive ongoing support provided by a mortgage adviser can make a big difference to your long-term financial health. Your Mortgage Adviser is your Advocate Banks are important but they’re not always the best starting point when you’re looking to borrow money for a home. A mortgage adviser acts as your advocate with banks and other lenders. We offer choice, expertise, and convenience. If you or someone you know is looking for a mortgage that best fits your life’s circumstances, give Futurisk a call today. You’re looking to purchase a new home and need a mortgage so it’s obvious—you just drop into the bank you’ve always used and ask for a home loan, right? No. Just hang on a second. While many borrowers instinctively turn to their bank when taking out a home loan, there is another way. Working with a mortgage adviser from an independent company such as Futurisk can mean significant advantages. Whether you're a first-home buyer, or looking to buy an investment or holiday property, or wanting to refinance your existing loan, here’s five reasons why meeting with an independent mortgage adviser might be your best course of action. 1. Access to a Range of Loan Products Because banks will only offer their own mortgage products, your options are limited. The bank will prescribe the type of loan, how it is set up, the interest rate, the repayment terms and all other aspects to the loan. Mortgage advisers, on the other hand, have a relationship with multiple lenders. These will include major banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders. At Futurisk Ltd, we’ll listen to your individual needs, compare a wide variety of loan products, and recommend the one that best suits your financial situation and goals. 2. Potential for Better Rates and Terms The broad network of lenders that a mortgage adviser has access to means they can often negotiate aspects of your loan such as interest rate and loan terms. As mentioned above, at Futurisk, we take time to understand your credit profile, income, budget, and borrowing needs. That means we can match your needs with the loan that is most beneficial to you. 3. Expertise and Support We don’t want to blow our own trumpets, but the clue is in the name; “Mortgage Advisers” are experts in all aspects of mortgages. Rather than telling you what is best for you, a mortgage adviser will guide you through every step of the home loan process—from pre-approval to settlement. We’re mortgage experts who will help you understand the fine print, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your application is complete and accurate, which can improve your chances of approval. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Insurances You Can’t Live Without – General Insurance Insurances You Can’t Live Without – General Insurance Contact Us Insuring the things you own – contents insurance. While house insurance covers the actual building you live in, Contents Insurance covers the possessions within that building. Usually it’ll also cover those possessions while they’re temporarily out of your home (but not while they’re overseas). Most insurance companies separate Home Insurance and Contents Insurance into two separate policies and will give a discount if you take out both with them. There are two simple mistakes people can make with Contents Insurance policies. The first is to be under insured. The average New Zealander has their home contents insured for around $50,000. The average value of contents within a home in New Zealand is nearer $100,000. That may seem a lot, but take a walk around your home and begin to total up the value of everything you own—from your television to your computer, bedroom furniture, curtains, tools in your garage… it all adds up. The second mistake is to not read and understand your Contents Insurance policy before signing up for it. Many people assume they have a comprehensive policy only to find, at claim time, that it’s quite basic with many things not covered. Insuring your vehicle. To drive without car insurance is very unwise. It has caused many people to fall into debt that becomes very difficult to get out of. There are two main types of car insurance: The first is third party insurance. This is the most basic of policies and will cover any accidental damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or property, but does not cover damage to your own car. The second is comprehensive or full cover vehicle insurance. This covers damage to both your car, and any other vehicles or property you might accidentally damage. Full cover Vehicle Insurance is more expensive than a third party insurance policy, but, unless you can afford to replace or go without your car while, you save for a replacement, you should purchase full vehicle insurance cover. In all of this, remember that insurance is an essential part of your personal finances. Without it you can find yourself in debt; and once in debt, it can be very difficult to escape it. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like insurance is a waste of money, particularly if we’ve never made a claim. Before you get to thinking this way, however, remind yourself what insurance is for. When we purchase insurance, we’re purchasing a product. It’s like when we pay for groceries or petrol or a new television. In the case of insurance, we’re buying protection for our assets and for our financial future. A simple fact of life is this, unfortunate things happen. These things happen when we least expect them, and often catch us completely by surprise. In New Zealand today, one of the most common ways people fall into debt is through the unexpected need to replace a lost or damaged asset that was not insured. Here’s a general rule to bear in mind: anything you need for day to day living, which you could not replace with cash if you lost it, needs to be insured. In general, that boils down to three things: your home, your house contents, and your vehicle. Insuring your home – house insurance. House insurance—everyone has it, right? No. Not everyone does have their home insured. Following the Christchurch earthquakes it was discovered that around 15% of people were not insured and almost half of the homes that were severely damaged, were underinsured. You never know when your home will be damaged or how. Insuring your house: Following the Christchurch earthquakes, insurers have revised their method of assessing a home’s worth. For many years, insurance companies have used a formula based on size, improvements, building materials, etc. to calculate the cost of rebuilding a property. This is about to change. From this year, homeowners will have to state the amount they wish their home to be insured for, and the premiums will be set accordingly. This is good in one sense because it means you will receive the amount of money required to rebuild your home—provided you have insured your home for the proper amount. This new assessment method means you may require a valuation on your home to determine its replacement cost. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Car Insurance hiccups Car Insurance hiccups Contact Us 3. Taking your vehicle off-road Most would assume this rule doesn't apply to them – when was the last time you took your hatchback 4-wheel driving? However, off-road doesn't just mean doing jumps and doughnuts in the mud. If you try to do a U-turn in a paddock and a stampede of cows damages your car, that’s counted as driving off-road. If you park on the beach and your car gets damaged, that’s also counted as off-road, and is all the insurer needs to decline your claim. 4. Driving in unroadworthy conditions If you have an accident and upon assessment your tyres are declared to have had insufficient thread, your claim can be denied. It doesn't matter if you have a Warrant of Fitness, or if bald tyres had nothing to do with your accident. 5. Driving recklessly Burnouts and hand-brakies are a favourite past-time of many young folk these days, but attempting to do a manoeuvre in a car that goes wrong is means to have your claim declined almost immediately. There are a number of key things to remember when driving a car: always put on your seat belt, give way to traffic on the right, and make sure you've read the fine print of your insurance policy documents. These days you’d have to be pretty foolish to drive around without insurance. Damaging your car, or even worse, someone else’s, without insurance is a fast-track to debt. But something so many drivers forget is that even having insurance is not always a get-out-of-jail-free card. Your insurance policy will have so many special clauses and exclusions to give your insurer all they need to deny your claims, and put you out of pocket. Here are a few key exclusions to remember. 1. Breaching license conditions If you’re on a restricted license, and you have an accident while illegally carrying a passenger, your insurance claim can be declined. Even though your passenger had nothing to do with the accident, it still gives your insurer all they need to decline your claim. 2. Not securing your vehicle If your vehicle gets stolen, but you’d left the door unlocked or the window down, that’s another reason to have your claim declined. This one can get a bit tricky because there’s often nothing for the insurer to go on other than your word, so you could say it was locked – but that wouldn't be honest. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Stay informed with the latest news, updates, and insights from Futurisk Insurance, covering insurance trends and company announcements in New Zealand. Recent News News > Helpful news and advice on your insurance, finance or mortgage needs. Advice All news Financial Insurance Mortgages Should I Cancel My Health Insurance to Save Money? 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?” Read More How to combine KiwiSaver and Managed Funds to Build Your Home Deposit 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. Read More What is Trauma Insurance and How Does it Work? 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. Read More Why you should use a broker when purchasing car insurance 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. Read More Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? 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?” Read More Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference 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. Read More Show more news At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Futurisk's Hot Tips for Saving Money on your Insurances Futurisk's Hot Tips for Saving Money on your Insurances Contact Us 4. Increase your excess. For most insurances (not life insurance), you will almost always have to pay an excess when you make a claim. By agreeing to pay a little more if and when you make a claim you can often get a discount on your insurance premiums. The one thing to be careful of is that whatever the excess is, you are able to meet that amount should you have to make a claim. 5. Work out the best way to make your payments. Insurance companies will often give a discount if you pay your insurance premiums in a yearly lump sum. That suits some people while others may prefer weekly or monthly payments. You need to do what is best for you. One thing is for sure though; there are savings to be made if you can pay annually. By the way, if you pay yearly it is good to spread the renewal dates for insurances throughout the year. If they all come due in one month it can be quite a stretch financially. 6. Review your insurances regularly. I can say with a degree of certainty that most people, if they haven't reviewed their insurances in the last three years or so, can save money by getting new quotes and reinsuring. It's worth taking an hour or so occasionally to contact a few insurance companies and ask for quotes on your insurance needs, in particular, vehicle, house, and contents insurance. 7. Go with one company. Many insurance companies will give generous discounts if you place all your vehicle, house, and contents insurances with them. When you buy an insurance policy, make sure you ask the question, "What discount will you give me if I put all my policies with your company?" 8. Use an expert! There is nothing like an expert to define what you require and discover where the best price can be found. Find a broker you can trust and get him/her to regularly review your insurances. If we were buying a new appliance or vehicle, we'd shop around. If we wanted some new computer gear or were renovating our kitchen, we'd look for the best deal. So why don't we do that with insurance? It seems many New Zealanders think of insurance as coming in a fixed package at a fixed price, but there are some practical things you can do to save money on your insurances. Here are six hot tips. 1. Work out what you need. Insurance premiums are calculated on the value of what you insure, so the higher the value, the higher the insurance premiums. To insure something for more than what it's worth means you are throwing away money every month. Whether it's for your life, car, home, contents or something else, work out what you want insured and how much it is worth. Don't be one of those people who waste money by over-insuring and so paying premiums that are higher than they need be. Also be careful not to risk a financial crisis by under-insuring and receiving money that doesn't cover the loss of an item. 2. Get quotes. If you are arranging your own insurance, get quotes from a few different companies. Especially for vehicle and house and contents insurance - the cost can vary greatly from company to company. One good way to know if you are getting a good deal is to work through a broker. They have usually sourced the best deals and may even be able to offer discounts because of the number of deals they put through. Remember though, the cheapest price may not equate to the best deal. That's where tip number three comes in. Read on.... 3. Make sure you know what you're buying. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Contact Us The right structure can save you thousands The way your home loan is structured can make a huge difference to the amount of interest you pay over time. When structuring a home loan thought needs to be given to: The mix of fixed and floating rates. The length of your fixed terms. Whether or not you would benefit from have a revolving credit facility. Your stage of life and your financial goals. Despite these considerations, many homeowners stick with the same setup year after year, unaware of the potential savings a smarter structure could bring. That’s why it makes sense to let your Futurisk mortgage adviser help you reassess your mortgage structure in light of current rates, lifestyle changes, and financial goals. Peace of mind in uncertain times Finally, a mortgage is the biggest financial commitment most of us will ever make. Let’s face it, even an average sized mortgage is a lot of money. It’s no wonder some people feel overwhelmed. Getting professional advice from your Futurisk adviser will give you confidence that you’re making informed decisions. If you’re about to refix or restructure your home loan, or if you or someone you know is about to take out a new home loan, get the best advice you can – talk to your Futurisk qualified mortgage adviser. Good Advice Matters Good news! Interest rates are finally starting to ease. That means, many Kiwi mortgage-holders are asking whether now is the right time to restructure, re-fix, or refinance their home loans. While lower rates can offer the opportunity to reduce your monthly repayments or pay off your mortgage faster, navigating the options isn’t always straightforward. That’s where good advice from your Futurisk mortgage adviser can make all the difference. Here’s why good mortgage advice is essential: Every mortgage is different Home loans aren’t all the same. That’s because, when setting up a loan, your current financial situation, your long-term goals, and the structure of your existing loan(s) are all taken into account to ensure the best move for the next period of your life. But situations change as we go through various life stages. Depending on your current situation, it may make sense to break your fixed-term mortgage and lock in a lower rate. However, not always. Breaking a loan early can trigger costly break fees that outweigh the savings. You Futurisk mortgage adviser will help you calculate the real costs and benefits, and tailor a strategy that fits your situation—not just for now, but for the years ahead. Timing is everything The Reserve Bank signalling a lowering of the OCR (Official Cash Rate), is good news and we would expect interest rates to gradually trend downwards. During times of adjustment in interest rates, banks move independently and those movements can be unpredictable. So, when should you refix or restructure your loan? The temptation is always to grab a lower interest rate as soon as you see one. However, fixing too soon or for too long can mean missing out on later interest rate decreases. Your Futurisk mortgage adviser will track market trends, explain what’s likely to happen next (although there are never any certainties), and help you strike the right balance between risk and opportunity. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Six Things Your Bank Will Never Tell You Six Things Your Bank Will Never Tell You Contact Us 4. Bouncing cheques are good for your bank’s business as long as you don’t write too many. Providing there’s no fraud involved, your bank earns big bucks every time a cheque bounces. Not only do they sock you with a fee for the bounced cheque, you'll pay a higher rate of interest if you go over your agreed overdraft. 5. You can pay your entire credit card bill by setting up a direct debit like you do with your power or phone. Banks don’t actively encourage customers to do this. Why should they? They can’t earn interest on your credit card if you pay it off each month. For the bank, the best credit card is one that has money owing on it. 6. Bank advice may be self-interested. Sometimes, when you use your credit card to book overseas travel-related items,you will be charged interest immediately; e.g. if you use your card to book a hotel room for a trip you are to take three months' time, you may be charged interest from the time of booking rather than the time of staying in the hotel. In a similar way, if you rent a car overseas the trader ma reserve an amount of credit to secure their payment or to cover any possible damage to the car etc. That means, you may find when you use the card it has less credit on it than you expected despite you having actually bought anything. Most people know nothing about the lodging security until it's too late. If you are travelling overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas from within New Zealand, it pays to find out first, what the various conditions of use are. So, these are Futurisk's six credit card traps. One thing we cannot stress enough- avoid credit card debt. What if I'm already in debt? If you find yourself struggling with debt right now, contact the team at Futurisk. We may be able to restructure your debt in a way that savs you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. This information is adapted from Consumer Magazine (January/February 2006, Issue 455, Page 23). There’s something every person who uses a bank needs to understand—a bank is a business. It exists to make a profit and it does that by maximising the use of your hard-earned cash. Knowing how they do that could save you money. Here are six things your bank will never tell you: 1. Your bank wants you to overspend and stay in debt. That may sound a little harsh, but that is the simple reality. You see, banks make money from people who are in debt. In fact, if you are $250,000 in debt you are a better customer for a bank than a person with $30,000 cash in their savings account. The more you spend the more interest the bank earns from you. And, if you’re prone to cheques bouncing, or if you don't pay your credit card bill off in full every month, then you are the bank’s best-friend. 2. A bank’s review of your account is really a sales pitch. The bank is thinking of its bottom line, not yours. If you’re offered a review of your finances or get a call from your “personal banker,” then chances are they want to sell you a new product—usually insurance. It could be that the product on offer is good value, but ask yourself two questions: Do I need the product at all? And, is the bank’s product better than the one I already have or can get elsewhere? 3. Banks prefer to keep their savings-rate changes under wraps. When banks advertise new accounts with flash savings rates, they do so to attract new customers. The banks can’t afford to put their existing customers on these new high-flying rates and they often don't tell you about them. That’s why it pays to ask. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

How to know if a reverse mortgage is for you How to know if a reverse mortgage is for you Contact Us So, is it a good idea for me to take out a Reverse Mortgage? This is a decision only you can make. There are, however, a few things you need to consider; Is there some other way to raise the cash you require? Reverse Mortgages are expensive. If the amount of cash required is small such a loan is not worth the cost of the setup fees etc. Even for a larger amount of money, it makes better financial sense, if you can afford the repayments, to take out a standard mortgage or personal loan, or free up cash by downsizing your home. Find out how portable the loan will be; i.e. if you move home do you have to immediately repay the loan, or can you attach it to your next home? Before entering into a Reverse Mortgage (Home Equity Release Mortgage) make sure you seriously consider the effect it may have on your future, especially as regards any move you may wish to make and the capital you'll need to make that move. Also consider how important it is for you to be able to leave something to your children in respect of an inheritance of some sort. Some companies offer what is known as a no-negative-equity guarantee which is exactly what is says; a guarantee that ensures that when you sell your home, if you receive less for the home than the value of the outstanding loan, neither you nor your estate will have to make up the shortfall. Get professional advice in this regard if you need it. Shop around for a good deal. Make sure you read the contract well and understand exactly what the deal you're offered really means before you sign anything. If you're on the pension (and Reverse Mortgage recipients usually are) make sure that receiving funds such as these do not jeopardise the receipt of your benefit. The Bottom-line: Reverse Mortgages are not a bad idea, but neither are they necessarily a great idea. If you have an urgent need for cash, e.g. for a surgical operation or the like, then a loan like this can be perfect for your needs. However, make sure you understand the drawbacks. They are expensive, and much of the expense is invisible. That is, it is in the form of interest repayments which are constantly growing without you realising it. Also, if you have no family and no one you want to leave your home to you may as well spend your money before you go! In that case, a Reverse Mortgage may be perfect for you. However, if you have family or others you are hoping to leave a nest-egg to, beware. If you have a need for some extra cash, perhaps a better scheme would be for those who you're wanting to leave money to, to take out a loan on your behalf. That way it's like they're making an investment in a property that should increase in value over time. For more information on home loans, refinancing your loan, or interest rates, contact the team at Futurisk, enquiries@futurisk.co.nz . You've probably heard of a Reverse Mortgage, sometimes called a Home Equity Mortgage. With our aging population, they are becoming more common. Reverse Mortgages can be a good way to free-up money to spend on things you want - provided you're aware of the many pitfalls. What is a Reverse Mortgage? A Reverse Mortgage enables you to borrow money against the equity you have in your home, up to a proportion of the value of that property.Repayments on the loan are made when you leave the property; that is often when a person sells, moves into a retirement home, or dies. How much can I borrow? The lender will calculate the maximum amount you can borrow according to your age and the value of your home. If you're aged between 60 and about 65, you will usually be able to borrow about 20% of the home's value. This proportion increases as you get older, so that by the time you're over 85 it can be as much as 45% of the house value. How is the loan paid out? A Reverse Mortgage loan may be paid out in one of three ways; a lump sum, which is great if you are borrowing for a particular one-off purchase; small regular payments, which is perfect if your retirement income is not enough to cover your regular expenses. This option is not offered by all companies, however. a line of credit or a revolving credit loan. Would I be eligible? To be eligible for a Reverse Mortgage, you must own your own home and, usually, be 60 years or older. Are there other things I should know? Setting up a Reverse Mortgage can be expensive. You will be required to have your home valued, that will cost around $400. Some companies insist you do this every five years or so which can become quite a sizable on-going expense. Then there will be set-up fees for the loan. These can vary from around $1000 to $2000 plus legal costs. What's more, most companies will insist that you keep up with payments for insurance on the home, and that property maintenance is kept to their standard What about the interest rate? Be careful! This is where things can get expensive. You do not make regular repayments on a Reverse Mortgage loan. The loan is repaid in full when the home is sold or you no longer have control over it. Your interest rate will be higher than a normal mortgage rate and, as it compounds, you can quickly lose the equity in your home. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference Contact Us Consider targeted insurances You may also be surprised to learn about some newer, more targeted options. There’s now Cancer Cover available that focuses solely on cancer treatment, offering up to $500,000 a year. It’s often less than half the price of comprehensive health cover and there’s no excess. On top of that, some policies allow you to cover just specialist consultations and diagnostic tests. This can help with the cost of things like specialist visits (up to $10,000 a year) or procedures such as colonoscopies, MRI scans, ECGs, and more (up to $100,000 a year), when referred by a registered medical practitioner. Give your Financial Adviser a call At Futurisk, we work for you. If your cover is starting to feel a bit expensive, we’re more than happy to review it with you. Our goal is to help you keep insurance in place that’s affordable, practical, and—most importantly—does exactly what you expect it to do when claim time comes. Sometimes, a small tweak today can make a huge difference tomorrow. 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. Adjust your cover to suit your life and your budget Today, there are plenty of ways to adjust your cover so it better suits your life and your budget. A quick conversation with a Futurisk Financial Adviser could unearth a few simple changes to ensure you’re getting great value without giving up the protection that matters. Review your insurance’s benefits It’s also worth asking yourself, “When was the last time I reviewed the benefit amounts I have in place?” Life changes quickly. Your financial situation today may look very different from when you first arranged your cover. Do you still need the same level of Life Cover, or do you now have other assets that could support your family and ease the financial pressure if the unexpected happened? The same goes for Critical Conditions (Trauma) Cover. Insurance products have evolved, and there are now more flexible options available. For example, Progressive Care Cover can pay out based on the severity of a condition and even allow for multiple claims. Some insurers also let you split Trauma Cover, with part allocated to Severe Trauma Cover, focusing on the most serious conditions and often coming at a lower cost than standard Trauma Cover. Income Protection is another area worth revisiting. You might now have more resources at your disposal, such as accrued leave or savings, that allow you to increase the waiting period or reduce the benefit period. Small adjustments like these can make a noticeable difference to your premiums while still ensuring a firm safety net is in place. And don’t forget Health Insurance. If your financial position has improved, increasing your excess could be a smart way to reduce costs while still maintaining access to private healthcare when you need it. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover Contact Us Accidental Injury Cover is typically added to an existing policy, such as Life Cover or Trauma Cover, with a minimum lump-sum amount. If you already have cover in place, you may be able to add this benefit to enhance your protection and build a more comprehensive safety net giving peace of mind that your finances are protected. Whether you're active, out and about working, or simply going about your day, this cover helps enable you to focus on recovery — knowing your finances are supported. How It Works: Tiered Injury Categories Injuries are classified into categories based on severity. The more serious the injury, the higher the payout: Category 1: Minor injuries like a fractured ankle may pay 1–2× your chosen benefit. Category 5: Severe injuries such as permanent loss of hearing in both ears may pay up to 12× your chosen benefit. This tiered approach ensures the financial support reflects the true impact of the injury — whether it’s a temporary setback or a life-altering event. Accidental Injury Cover is a smart, cost-effective way to enhance your protection and gain peace of mind. It’s designed to respond when you need it most — helping you recover with confidence, knowing your financial wellbeing is taken care of. Contact your Futurisk Insurance Adviser to find out more. In New Zealand, ACC provides excellent support for a wide range of injuries. However, it may not cover every expense, and the financial impact of an injury can still be significant. That’s where Accidental Injury Cover (also known as Specific Injury Cover) comes in — offering a valuable layer of protection to help ease the burden. With Accidental Injury Cover, you select the level of your maximum lump-sum payout, and any subsequent payout is then based on the severity of the injury, giving you confidence that your financial support will match the impact of the event. With flexible benefit levels, you can tailor your cover to suit your needs — and it’s surprisingly affordable. Accidental Injury Cover provides a lump-sum payment for specific injuries such as fractures, burns, or the loss of limbs. For example, a hip fracture could trigger a payout of up to three times your selected benefit amount, helping cover medical costs, home support, or lost income during recovery. A lesser or more significant injury would trigger a payout of a lesser or greater amount accordingly. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Should I Cancel My Health Insurance to Save Money? Should I Cancel My Health Insurance to Save Money? Contact Us Understanding why you should use a Financial Adviser? Health insurance isn't a "set and forget" product. As your stage-of-life changes, so do your health needs, financial commitments and budget. That's why, as a Futurisk client, your insurance is reviewed regularly to ensure your cover continues to meet your needs and remains as cost-effective as possible. We know that comparing health insurance policies can be overwhelming. Every insurer has different policy wording, benefits, exclusions and optional features. Our advisers spend the time reading policy wordings, keeping up to date with product changes, and comparing providers, so you don't have to. We help explain what your policy covers, identify any gaps, and recommend solutions that best suit your needs and budget. Best of all, there is no additional cost to you for using our advice and annual review service. Whether it's reviewing your existing cover, helping you understand policy wording, or discussing ways to reduce your premium, we're here to help you make informed decisions and ensure you continue to have the right protection in place, today and into the future. Understanding your premiums and how to reduce them Public healthcare provides excellent emergency care, but waiting times for non-urgent specialist appointments and elective surgery can be long and private healthcare can be expensive. Here is a list of some approximate costs of private treatment in New Zealand: Hip replacement surgery: $35,000–$45,000 Heart bypass surgery: $80,000+ Cataract surgery: $4,000–$8,000 per eye Some non-Pharmac funded cancer medications can cost well over $100,000 Five ways you could reduce the cost of your health insurance Before you make a decision to cancel your health insurance cover, consider these possible ways to save on your premiums: Increase your excess – If you're mainly protecting yourself against major medical costs, a higher excess may reduce your premium while still providing valuable protection. Review your level of cover – Your needs may have changed since you first took out your policy. Focus on what matters most – Some clients prefer comprehensive hospital cover, while others prioritise fast access to specialists and diagnostic tests or cancer treatment only. Review your provider – Different insurers offer different benefits and policy features. A review may identify an option that's a better fit for your needs and saves you money. Most importantly, don’t cancel your cover before speaking with your Futurisk Financial Adviser. Understanding Trauma Cover Alongside your health insurance, you may also want to consider Trauma Cover as an option. This means, if you are diagnosed with a listed critical medical condition such as cancer, or a heart attack, you receive the specified payout and can decide how to best spend it on your ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or living expenses. More details in our next article - What is Trauma Insurance and How Does it Work? Should I Cancel My Health Insurance to Save Money? 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?” You see, it's not just the premium that matters; it's understanding what you're covered for when you need it most, and what it might cost you if you don’t have medical insurance at a crucial time. The good news is that rising premiums don't necessarily mean you need to cancel your cover. Health Insurance Premiums Have Risen – But You Have Options Understanding your policy Every policy is different and there are often ways to make a policy more affordable while still maintaining valuable protection. Furthermore, every insurer offers different policy features, benefits and policy wording, so it's worth reviewing your cover and discussing it with your Futurisk Financial Adviser to ensure you are receiving value for money and to avoid unexpected surprises when you need it most. At Futurisk, we work with a range of leading health insurers, including Partners Life, AIA, NIB, and Southern Cross . Each provider offers different policy features, benefits and strengths, so the best solution for you will depend on your individual circumstances and healthcare needs. For example, some clients value Partners Life's Guaranteed Policy Wording , which means the policy wording is guaranteed when your cover begins and cannot be changed by the insurer in the future (subject to the policy terms and conditions). Others may prefer features such as AIA's Specialist and Diagnostic Tests option, Southern Cross's extensive Affiliated Provider network, or NIB's flexible hospital cover options. The role of your Futurisk Financial Adviser is to help you understand these differences, explain your options, and recommend the cover that best suits your needs and your budget so you can make informed decisions with confidence. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19