Frequently asked questions when buying a home Frequently asked questions when buying a home Contact Us Should I get an appraisal? Yes. An appraisal is an opinion of the value of the property you are planning to purchase. It's one of the requirements needed to apply for a home loan. Should I pay for a home inspection to check the house? Yes. It is a must to have a professional house inspector check the house first before you decide to buy to get your money's worth. We all want some peace of mind when buying something important like buying a house. Should I use an Agent to buy a house? Yes and No. Yes, because an agent can help you with finding a home that will suit you by giving you a list of available homes within your price range and can also give you some information about the housing market. However, be careful to choose by comparing background, experience and agencies. Or you can ask someone you can trust. No, if you want to do it personally and are ready to take on some house shopping yourself. Should I go directly to the bank or other mortgage lenders to borrow? You can go directly to your bank and ask about their mortgage lending criteria. Or you can let us help you by getting the best offer without the hassles of going through the all the rudiments of getting a home loan. How much can I afford? The answer to this depends on your income and your liabilities (debt). Ideally, most home buyers purchase a house that costs between 1 ½ to 2 ½ times their annual income. However sometimes, there are no houses available in your ideal price range. If this is the case, you may need to spend a bit more. Just keep in mind that your monthly mortgage repayment can't exceed 29% of your gross monthly income and your total debt payments (mortgage payments, car payments, credit cards and hire purchases) can't exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. How much can I borrow? It depends on a number of factors and these may include: The value of the home Your income and your ability to repay the mortgage How much you have saved towards your deposit If you are eligible for a First Home Loan Type of home you are planning to purchase How much should I offer for a house? Each property is unique on its own and the ideal offer will depend on how the buyer perceives the value of the property. If a particular house is overpriced an offer below the listing price would be appropriate. If it's just within the ideal price range, an offer at the asking price or just below the listing price will be fine and if it's priced below the actual value, then you are in for a good bargain (get it while you can soonest!). 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

Learn about ACC Cover Plus and how it can provide additional protection beyond standard ACC coverage. Consult with Futurisk Insurance in New Zealand. ACC Cover Plus Our Solutions > Personal Insurance > ACC Cover Plus > Our Financial Advisers will work with you to work out the best possible combination of ACC and Insurance Protection cover. ACC Cover Plus Extra Enquire Now Cover Plus, or Cover Plus Extra? Cover Plus – is not guaranteed, it pays only 80% of your gross income. However if you have staff out working and generating income for you while you are unable to work, ACC may not pay you. Cover Plus Extra – will pay the agreed sum no matter what your earnings were in the previous 12 months, prior to you being unable to work. Cover Plus Extra even pays if your staff continue to work and generate an income for your business. Our Financial Advisers will work with you to work out the best possible combination of ACC and Insurance Protection cover, and quite often we can reduce your ACC levies. We make sure you have an affordable plan, with a mix of ACC and Income Protection and still save money on your previous Cover Plus levies. Why use our ACC advisers? Ensure you’re not paying too much for ACC - our advisers will provide clarity and ensure you’re paying the correct amount. Ensure you have the right combination of ACC Cover and Income Cover - our advisers personalise your plan to ensure you’re covered for what you need. We Work for You – Our Advisors work as your advocate – actively working on your behalf with the support you need. Enquire Now ACC and You ACC provides an injury cover for everyone in New Zealand, no matter where the injury occurs. This is paid for by a combination of government funding and deductions from your income which are based on the industry you work in.

 It covers you for accidents and injuries and making a claim is usually straightforward if you are employed with a regular income, and it should pay out 80% of your pre-disability income.

 However, it is not always straightforward if you are a self-employed business owner?

 What if you are self-employed and your income fluctuates? (the previous 12 months may not have been so good, with extra expenses and less work)

 What happens if ACC decides they should not pay? They can say they believe the injury was caused thru degeneration or illness, due to your age. (Will you be covered if you have a heart attack? Can you prove it was a work-related accident? Most self-employed business owners are automatically put into ACC Cover Plus, however this may not be the ideal plan for you. Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a personalised Life Insurance plan. Talk to an adviser 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

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 Five Reasons to See a Mortgage Adviser Before Going to Your Bank 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. Read More How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover 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. Read More Understanding Changes to Liability Insurance in New Zealand 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. Read More Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? 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. Read More Does Your Insurance Still Fit? An Insurance Review Could Save You Money As the rising cost of living puts pressure on most Kiwi households, it's a good time to examine your regular expenses, and that includes your insurance. Whether it's life insurance, health insurance, income protection, or general cover, everybody’s insurance needs change over time. Read More How to Navigate New Zealand’s Changing Investment Markets. Caution, not panic is the key. New Zealand's investment markets have experienced notable shifts in the opening months of 2025. Many of these shifts have been as a result of overseas events which are out of our control, such as changes of governments, inter-nation conflicts and changes to international trading conditions. 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