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 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 My KiwiSaver and other investments are dropping in value – what should I do? Recent global events, including the current situation in the Middle East, have resulted in increased volatility in financial markets across the world, including New Zealand. For most of us this has meant a decrease in the value of investments including KiwiSaver. It’s understandable that seeing our investment balances drop can be worrying, however, it pays to remember, periods like this are a normal part of investing – the market is constantly moving up and down and up again. Read More Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Each year, as we move into autumn, we usually see a noticeable rise in home insurance claims, particularly those caused by burst pipes and unexpected water damage. The good news is that many of these claims are preventable. Read More 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 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

Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Contact Us Your One‑Minute Insurance Check Take a moment and ask yourself: Have I bought anything valuable in the last 12 months? Have rebuild or replacement costs increased since my policy began? If I needed to claim tomorrow, would my excess still be affordable? If you hesitated on any of these, it may be time for a quick review – give your Futurisk Financial Advisor a call. Small adjustments now can make a big difference later. Behind the Scenes: Why Clarity Matters As advisers, one of the most important aspects to our role isn’t the help we give at claims time; it’s doing the foundational work to ensure there are no surprises when that moment arrives. Understanding what isn’t covered is just as important as knowing what is. Insurance works best when expectations are clear from the start, allowing you to live each day with confidence rather than uncertainty. Contact your Futurisk Financial Advisor today and ask for a free, no obligation insurance review. Each year, as we move into autumn, we usually see a noticeable rise in home insurance claims, particularly those caused by burst pipes and unexpected water damage. The good news is that many of these claims are preventable. Something as simple as insulating outdoor taps or making sure gutters are clear of leaves and debris can make a powerful difference. A few minutes of preventative care today can save thousands in repairs tomorrow. After all, the easiest claim you’ll ever make is the one you never have to. The Most Common (and Costly) Mistake We See One issue continues to appear time and again: underinsurance, especially when it comes to contents cover. Over the past few years, building costs and replacement values have risen dramatically. What was adequate cover when your policy was set up may no longer reflect today’s reality. A quick review with your Futurisk Financial Adviser could be the difference between peace of mind and a stressful shortfall when you need support the most. 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

Save money with mortgage refinancing options from Futurisk Insurance. Get better interest rates and reduce your mortgage burden in New Zealand. Refinance your Mortgage Our Solutions > Mortgages > Refinance > Looking for repayments that better suit your budget and lifestyle, or better interest rates? Refinancing your mortgage with the right bank and the right structure can help you save money, pay off your loan faster, and unlock equity to achieve your financial goals- whether it’s investing, renovating, or reducing debt. Refinance & Save. Unlock better rates today! Enquire Now Let’s turn your financial goals into reality - contact us today! Enquire Now Why Refinance with Us? Access competitive rates & lower repayments Reduce your loan term & save on interest Unlock home equity for future opportunities Expert friendly guidance - to help you find the best deal for your needs and make your life easier by letting us do the hard work, so you can enjoy your improved financial position knowing things are being sorted for you with the bank, or other financial provider. Let’s make your dream home a reality! Book a free consultation with one of our friendly mortgage experts today. Book a Consultation Robin Varghese BDM / Financial Adviser 06 358 3400 ext 712 Bio With 9 years of experience in the insurance and mortgage industry, I specialize in guiding individuals and families toward making informed financial decisions. My goal is to simplify the complexities of mortgages and insurance, ensuring you find the right solutions tailored to your unique needs. I pride myself on providing personalized, transparent, and reliable advice to help clients achieve financial security and homeownership with confidence. Whether you're a first-time buyer, looking to refinance, or seeking comprehensive insurance coverage, I’m here to help every step of the way. I am dedicated family man, married to Jesteena and is a lovely dad to his daughters Hannah and Isa. Whether it be support or someone reliable, honest, and trustworthy i provide you with a service you deserve every time. Email Carmela Laylo BDM / Financial Adviser 06 358 3400 ext 703 Bio Carmela migrated to New Zealand from the Philippines in 2012. Her passion for creating a positive impact not only to her fellow Filipinos, but also to all people from diverse cultures and background, has led her career in the Insurance Industry. In 2013, she started as an insurance broker doing personal risk management and two years after, she accepted the role of a Business Development Manager (BDM) managing her own team of advisers. As a BDM, she works with her team to come up with marketing ideas that could help Futurisk to grow. Because she realized that there is still a wide range of options to open more opportunities, in 2016, she decided to add Mortgage in her portfolio pursuing her passion to help more people not only to protect their assets, both tangible and intangible, but also to achieve their dream of home/investment ownership. Carmela has received her bachelor's degree in Foreign Service with major in International Trade from Lyceum of the Philippines University. She has gained over 15 years of sales, customer service and management experience from her previous local and international professional exposures. She keeps herself updated with the insurance and mortgage industry by attending regular trainings and seminars and earning CPD credits as well as completing other industry requirements. As the industry is constantly evolving, with new products and technologies always being introduced in the market, Carmela makes sure that she is always on top of everything to provide the best possible service to her clients. She makes things happen and is not afraid of hard work but believes that life should be fun, too! Carmela is involved with beauty pageants and fashions shows, she loves to read, sing, socialize and explore the world! Outside work, she loves to spend her time with her loving and supportive husband, Richard and three lovely kids, Kian, Karl and Kayla. Email Mark Henderson Director / Financial Adviser 07 929 2296 Bio Mark is the Principle Adviser for Futurisk Waikato and has been involved in the financial services industry since 2003 after working in various roles within NZ post for over 16 years. He lives in Hamilton with his wife. Mark has 2 adult sons and loves spending time with his grandchildren. Mark is keen on most sports and enjoys competing in Masters Athletics. Mark is a proud member of Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) and complies with their Code of Ethics in all facets of his business. He has also completed the Trusted Adviser qualifications, with them. Email Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Explore career opportunities at Futurisk Insurance. Join our team and contribute to providing exceptional insurance services across New Zealand. A career with Futurisk Careers > At Futurisk, we work and grow as a team, together. We continually promote professional growth and development of our associates, advisers and employees by providing continuous training and support. Current Career Opportunities at Futurisk Job title Job description to appear in accordion drop down mode Job title Job description to appear in accordion drop down mode Job title Job description to appear in accordion drop down mode At Futurisk, our employees are our strength and hence when you join Futurisk, you will be looked after. Employee Benefits Why Futurisk Insurance? Apart from getting a competitive salary you will receive access to a range of benefits including: Freephone 0800 17 18 19 Loyalty Leave Additional one off-week loyalty leave after three years/six years/or nine years of continuous service to FUTURISK. Birthday Leave Paid leave on your birthday, each year. Bonus on Xmas $500 additional bonus to all employees. Return to work bonus 8 week's pay on return to work from parental leave (conditions apply) Company Car / Laptop / Mobile phone If you are employed in Sales and need to go out to see/meet clients, we will then provide you with a Company Car / Laptop / Mobile phone. Helping Community Paid day off to help in the community. An awesome culture We live by our core values and are big on celebrating success. Superannuation 5% contribution to your Kiwisaver. Insurance benefits 20% off on all domestic and private motor vehicle policies. Ongoing Learning and Professional Development (including CPD) We will cover all the costs involved in attending any PD days. Insurance Association We will pay all your membership fees towards the industry membership, e.g., FANZ or IBANZ Level 5 Education We will reimburse all the fees and levies in gaining Level 5 education. Study Leave At manager's discretion. Life, Trauma and Disability Insurance Free life, trauma and disability insurance (twice the amount of your annual salary - conditions apply) At Futurisk, we work and grow as a team, together. Get in touch to make an enquiry. Join our team Enquire Now

Nine Things to do to get Your Personal Finances in Order Nine Things to do to get Your Personal Finances in Order Contact Us 5. Set financial goals and save for them. Most people have dreams and goals. Problem is we don't plan a strategy to achieve them. Rather than saving for things like a new car or overseas trip, we go into debt to pay for them. Set goals, price how much those goals will cost, work out how much you need to save per month to save that amount, and go for it! 6. Protect what you've got. We all struggle with the "I" word = Insurance. If we never make a claim insurance can seem like money thrown away. Many people have fallen into a lifetime of debt because of inadequate insurance. Here's the general rule of thumb - anything you need but cannot afford to replace with cash if you lost it should be insured. This includes your ability to earn money. (Futurisk give free no-obligation insurance consultations; contact us to make an appointment). 7. Make a financial plan for retirement. People often ask, "When is the best time to save for retirement?" The answer is "now." There are two basic mistakes people make; the first is that they leave it too late to begin saving for their retirement. The second is that they assume their family home is an adequate investment for their retirement when it is only part of what they will actually require. A great way to save for retirement is through a workplace savings scheme, especially if your employer will make a contribution too. And, whatever your age, a great time to start is now. 8. Invest! Make your money work for you. There are many ways to invest other than property or the share market. We all need to determine which is best for us. Simply leaving money idle in the bank, however safe and secure it may be, is not maximising the earning potential of those savings. 9. Teach your kids about money. There is a definite lack in our school system as regards the teaching of basic personal financial management. Teach your children about budgeting, saving for things they want, how to write cheques and use internet banking, the true value of the things we buy etc. It'll pay off in the end - maybe they'll help you build a ‘granny-flat' on the back lawn of their mansion!! The team at Futurisk have three rules regarding personal finance: Spend less than you earn Pay off debt Don't go into debt This article expands on those rules - do these nine things and you need never worry about your finances again. 1. Know what you've got and work to increase it. A person's net worth is the value of everything they own minus everything they owe.In other words; assets minus debt. Many people do not know what their net worth is. Some would be surprised at how high it is, others shocked at how low it is. Set goals and plans that will enable you to increase your net worth. Decide on a figure that you would like to achieve in the next ten years and work out how you can achieve it. I think you might be surprised how much you could increase your net worth over a decade if you just start now and keep at it. 2. Budget! In New Zealand today the average person is spending 17% more than they earn, and that does NOT include mortgages (Dept of Statistics figure) - that means they are now adding to their net worth, they are going into greater debt. The reason people overspend is because they have not calculated how much money they are able to spend without going into debt. The answer is simple; do whatever you have do to ensure you spend less than you earn. Now, it's difficult to never go into debt but it must be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Borrow only what you absolutely need to, e.g. to buy a house. And, when you borrow money, make sure you know the true cost of borrowing that amount. Once interest payments and fees are added onto a purchase it can make for a very expensive item! 3. Pay off debt. This is one of the fundamental principles of good personal finance; pay off debt as quickly as possible. Start with the debt you're paying the highest interest on. This will usually be credit-card and hire purchase debt followed by personal loans and mortgage debt. Remember, the faster you repay debt the better off you are long-term because it is the interest payments that cripple us financially. Paying just the minimum repayments on your debt means you pay thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest. 4. Save for an emergency fund. The killer for the personal finances of many people comes when their washing machine dies or their car breaks down or some other unexpected crisis arises. With no savings we often go into debt that can that haunt us for a long time. Having savings equivalent to three month's income can overcome such an eventuality. NOTE: this is a good thing to do even if you are paying off a mortgage. However, if you have high-interest debt, pay that off first. 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 Navigate New Zealand’s Changing Investment Markets. How to Navigate New Zealand’s Changing Investment Markets. Contact Us Equity Market Outlook The NZX 50 index has had some ups and downs lately — you’ve probably noticed your KiwiSaver and other investments dipped slightly in the first quarter of this year. The outlook remains positive, however, and you will have also noticed that, in the past month or two, your investments have started to pick up again. With interest rates coming down, shares are becoming more attractive to investors, and company profits are expected to improve as the economy continues to recover later in 2025. This is good news for investors so keep your eye on your investments. Government Initiatives to Attract Investment A further encouragement for investors is the policies that the government has implemented to attract foreign investment. These include easing 'golden visa' requirements and positioning New Zealand as a 'safe harbour' for investors amidst global economic volatility and uncertainty. Globally, New Zealand is perceived as a socially cohesive, safe, and stable nation which has revitalised the economy and bolster investor confidence. Conclusion So, it’s true that recent shifts in New Zealand's investment markets have caused concern for many. However, the underlying economic indicators and proactive government policies suggest a trajectory towards recovery. At Futurisk, we advise investors to stay informed and, as is always the case with investment funds, maintain a long-term perspective, because the current financial environment presents numerous opportunities for growth and resilience. If you have any questions or concerns about your KiwiSaver or other investments, please give your Futurisk Financial Adviser a call. 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. It’s natural that such changes will lead to some investor concern but there’s no need to panic. In fact, at Futurisk, we believe there are real reasons for cautious optimism. Economic Recovery Underway 2024 was a challenging year. Phrases like “looming recession” made many of us nervous and we watched with concern as our investment savings dipped a little. As we progress through 2025, however, the country’s economy is showing definite signs of recovery. In the fourth quarter of 2024, GDP grew by 0.7%, surpassing expectations, with projections indicating growth of 1.4% in 2025 and an acceleration to 2.7% in 2026. On top of this, the Reserve Bank reduced the Official Cash Rate to 3.75% with the aim of stimulating economic activity. 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

Top tips for keeping your house warm this winter Top tips for keeping your house warm this winter Contact Us Opening the curtains during the day is also a good idea. We often think that open curtains during daylight hour means losing all your precious heat during the day, but opening the curtains makes the most of the sun - the most effective and affordable heater known to man. Just make sure you remember to close them when the sun goes down. Closing unused rooms is another effective method to prevent your precious heat being wasted. If you're not intending to use certain rooms for the rest of the day, close the doors. That way your heat stays where you want it to be. Bear floor boards are a welcome invitation for the cold, and account for as much as 10 percent of heat loss. Wooden floors are the worst for leaking heat, but this can be prevented, or at least minimised, by placing rugs and blankets over the floor. This also has the added bonus of keeping your feet warmer too. If you're keen to know how you can further prevent heat loss in your home, get up and walk around on a cold evening. Are there drafts coming from outside? From beneath doors? From between the floorboards? Have a think about what you could do to keep your house warmer this winter without splashing the cash! Reference NZFSG Keeping your house warm over winter can be hard. It can cost a small fortune to generate enough heat to get your house warm, and then there are so many ways for cold air to take its place. Luckily there are some affordable and simple ways to keep your house warm this winter that don't require a big budget or a degree in rocket science. Thick curtains are great for trapping your heat inside, and curtains with thermal lining are even better. But if you have only got standard curtains in the house, there are a couple of tricks you can use to maximize their heat retention. Thermal lining can be expensive, but other materials, such as cheap fleece, can be almost as effective. Just line the backs of your curtains with some fleece from your local fabric shop, and you'll be able to see the difference. In fact, you can even use an old PVC shower curtain to do the same thing. And it's not just the windows that need to be covered. Doors are notorious for leaking heat, so putting a curtain over your door might be a good idea too. And why not put a rug or folded towel at the foot of the door to stop your precious heat leaving the room. 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

Ensure your loved ones are financially protected with our customisable life insurance policies. Explore options with Futurisk Insurance in New Zealand. Life Insurance Our Solutions > Personal Insurance > Life Insurance > A plan that takes care of your loved ones when life doesn't go to plan. Life Insurance Enquire Now Types of Life Insurance Lump Sum – can be used to settle debts, pay for final expenses, create an investment fund to generate ongoing income, enable business ownership to be restructured, or provide an inheritance or donation, amongst other things. Monthly Payment – Designed to minimise impact on the lifestyle of your family after your death through a monthly payment. Benefits of Life Insurance Lump Sum Payment Worldwide Cover No Expiry Age What can it cover? Life Insurance pays a lump sum (or a fixed monthly amount) if you die as a result of either accident or illness, or upon diagnosis of terminal illness likely to result in death within 12 months. Having Life Cover in place will ensure that your debt and funeral costs are covered so that your family or your business are able to carry-on after your death. Life Insurance helps you minimise the financial impact of death or terminal illness for you and your family, and gives you peace of mind that you can provide security for a wide range of financial commitments. Fixing Life Insurance Premiums You can fix your life insurance premiums. There are several options available, with different premium structures including: Yearly Stepped – Your premium are based on your current age and sum insured. They start out relatively low, but will increase each year with age. Level Term – Premiums are fixed for the life of the policy. At the start they will be more expensive compared to yearly stepped. But in the end you may be better off as yearly stepped premiums keep increasing. 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

Find tailored business insurance solutions to safeguard your company. Get coverage for liability, assets, and business continuity with Futurisk Insurance. Business Insurance Our Solutions > Business Insurance > Protecting your business’s ability to keep on making money. Business Interruption Enquire Now Insurance Benefits Cover your business to keep running after an unexpected event Covers the turnover that is lost so you can recover and rebuild Covers ongoing operating expenses Covers relocation costs What can it cover? Business interruption insurance can help your business to keep running after a claimable event. Business Interruption insurance can get you through a temporary crisis by protecting your cashflow, wages and unexpected claims related costs – so you can pay these expenses and help ensure the future of your business. It may also include: Ongoing operating expenses, such as electricity and rent Relocation costs for moving to, and operating from, a temporary location. Wages and Payroll Claims preparations costs; and more Cover insures a business owner against loss or damage to physical assets including buildings, contents, plant and equipment, and stock. Material Damage Enquire Now Insurance Benefits Protects business owners against loss or damage to their physical assets including building, plant, stock and fitout What is material damage? Cover insures a business owner against loss or damage to physical assets including buildings, contents, plant and equipment, and stock. Whether caused by accident, fire, theft, vandalism or natural disaster. Covers most vehicles used in business throughout New Zealand. Commercial Motor Vehicle Enquire Now Insurance Benefits Cover your business to keep running after an unexpected event Covers the turnover that is lost so you can recover and rebuild Covers ongoing operating expenses Covers relocation costs Don't let your vehicle become a liability Commercial vehicles are an important business asset. Their protection along with associated vehicle liability cover, is essential to the success of any business. You and your team may be good drivers and take all precautions to protect your vehicle, however your own driving habits are only one part of the equation. Accidents can occur due to other people’s driving, weather events or other natural disasters. We can offer cover for your business and commercial vehicles. Full comprehensive cover Third party fire and theft cover Third party only Important cover for commercial, industrial and domestic builders, sub-contractors, and property owners against damage, natural disasters, theft and product or public liability. Contract Works Enquire Now Cyber Insurance helps to protect your electronic data Cyber Insurance Enquire Now Insurance Benefits Protects your electronic data Covers you against external hacking or breaches of website or confidential data Protecting your business information and privacy from cyber attacks is vital, as everyone is a potential target. Cyber Insurance Includes: Protects against human or system error Reputational damages (business interruption) Post-event consulting costs Third party claims for data leaks Access to a team to support when an attack is happening. Freephone 0800 17 18 19 Other isurance options If you have specific insurance needs and have not seen what you are after on our website then please contact us. We have a range of options and may be able to meet your needs. Our advisers are here to help. Enquire Now Liability Insurance Options Public Liability: Covering your legal liability and the costs of defence for to third party property or personal injury where you may be found to be liable. Statutory Liability: Covering unintentional breaches to most statutory acts including legal defence costs, reparation costs and in some cases fines. Employers Liability: Cover for accidents and illnesses to employees during the course of their employment which are not covered by ACC and the costs of legal defence. Professional Indemnity: Cover designed to protect against economic loss sustained by third parties as a result of the performance of your professional services and advice. Management Liability: Provides cover for Directors & Officers Liability, Entity, Employment Practices Liability, Trustees Liability and Crime. Talk to an adviser Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a tailored business insurance plan. Enquire Now Insurance Benefits Protects your business on construction sites Protects the building under construction from natural disasters or damages caused by theft or vandalism the turnover that is lost so you can recover and rebuild What can it cover? Depending on your policy, contract works insurance can cover you against: Natural disasters Damage to property Broken glass Defects Liability Liability Insurance Enquire Now

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

Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? Contact Us The benefits of a floating mortgage rate Floating rates, on the other hand, are constantly adjusted according to market interest rates and the Official Cash Rate (OCR). While they are usually higher than fixed rates, floating loans offer greater flexibility. You can make lump‑sum repayments, restructure your loan, or refinance without penalty. This can suit borrowers who expect changes in income, plan to sell or refinance soon, or want to pay their loan down faster. However, floating rates can rise at any time, which can make your regular repayments less predictable. Something else to consider When refixing, it’s important to think beyond the interest rate. Consider how long you plan to stay in the property, whether your income is likely to change, and how much flexibility you may need over the next few years. Here’s one answer Many borrowers choose a split‑loan approach, especially in times of economic uncertainty. This involves fixing a portion of your mortgage for stability while keeping the remainder on a floating rate for flexibility. This can help balance the different characteristics of a fixed versus a floating mortgage rate. Refixing is an opportunity to review whether your mortgage still supports your wider financial goals. That’s why it makes sense to contact your Futurisk Mortgage Adviser. We will provide you with information that enables you to properly consider your options and ensure your home loan remains fit for purpose, even in uncertain times. 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?” The answer Unfortunately, there is no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. The best decision for you depends less on trying to predict where interest rates might go next, and more on your personal circumstances and cash flow, and how comfortable you feel with whatever decision you make. The benefit of a fixed mortgage rate Fixed rates provide certainty. By fixing your interest rate for a set period, your repayments remain the same regardless of market movements. This can make budgeting easier and offer peace of mind, particularly if your household budget is tight or you would struggle to absorb higher repayments. While fixed rates are often lower than floating rates, they typically come with less flexibility. Making extra repayments or breaking the loan early can result in fees. 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