New Give Way Rules

Next Sunday, the 25th of March 2012 is when the new Give Way rules in New Zealand take effect.

Are you prepared? Are you insured?

Whether you've been driving from way back when you could get your Licence at 15 and off you went, or if you've just got your Restricted or Full Licence these changes require you to take a moment and think before you move forward from an intersection!

We all need to retrain our brains on the "give way to your right" rule that has been programmed into us all!

If you haven't already, check out the NZTA's website here, there are simple illustrations that actually make it seem quite clear... although it will be a different story when you are in your car and on "auto pilot", doing your usual drive to drop the kids at school, get to work, the supermarket or the gym.

So, where does this leave you with your car insurance? If you are "at fault" then its your excess thats going to be hit and possibly your no claims bonus!

When was the last time you checked your car insurance?

If you want a free review of your car insurance policy get in touch today... now is a good time to check your covers and check the market for the best possible car insurance.

CONTACT ME for a free car insurance review

Insurance People freephone 0800 823 823

NOTICE: House, Contents & Car Insurance

Premium Increase

Recently most of New Zealand will have been notified from their insurance broker or insurance company of increases to your premiums; largely this was due to the increase in EQC Levies. The EQC Levy was increased as of February 1st, to a maximum annual levy charge of $172.50 per house insurance policy and $34.50 per contents policy. This is one of those compulsory costs if you have insurance on your home, your personal contents or car - there has been a huge amount of commentary in the news, and most of last year was full of warnings to expect your insurance premiums to go up!

Did you know...

Many insurers also took this opportunity to raise their premiums in addition to the EQC levy increase. The increases vary between all the insurance companies, and here at Insurance People we're pleased to say that our preferred suppliers for fire and general insurance fall within the lower percentage of increase when compared to the wider market of insurance companies.

Do you think your premiums have gone up too much? If you'd like to get a comparison and a QUOTE please click here >

Contact Us with your Query or Concern

If you have your House, Contents and Car insurance with Insurance People and have a question or concern about your cover or premium please do not hesitate to contact us - we're here to help anytime you need us! We'd rather you talk to us now so there are absolutely no issues come claim time.

If you've been referred to this blog or perhaps just stumbled up on it on google and you want to know more, please contact Yvonne Wallace - she is an expert when it comes to general insurance!


We offer a full service

Like some big companies as a client you can get lost... you won't get lost here! We don't just put your insurance in place then forget about you; we look after you throughout life's changes and most importantly, at claim time!

To find out more freephone 0800 823 823 & ask for Yvonne...

House, Contents, Car & Boat Insurance

Disclosure Statement available free of charge on request!

Seasons Greetings from Insurance People

As another year nears an end, looking back reveals a period of mixed signals, the lows of an economic crisis, the highs of an exciting 6 weeks of world cup rugby and then the election! What will we all do now?

Thanks to you all for your support and for helping to make this year rewarding from allowing our team do what they enjoy most ~ making sure you are financially sorted & well protected.

Merry Christmas, happy & safe holidays to you and your family.
We look forward to seeing you in 2012.

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Office Hours
Below are the office hours over the christmas period; in case of emergency feel free to call freephone 0800 823 823 anytime for further information.

Friday 23rd December ~ Closing 3pm
Wednesday 28th to Tuesday 3rd January ~ Closed
Back to business from Wednesday 4th January 2012 ~ 8.30am to 5pm
Office Freephone 0800 823 823

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Fire & General Insurance - Claims & Help
For AON Stylecover Insurance Claims or Queries
freephone 0800 505 152
For Lumley Insurance Claims or Queries
freephone 0800 781 782

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Contact your adviser
To find your adviser's details click here

EQC Levy increase for all...

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
From 1st February 2012 our EQC levies are on the rise... which to be fair we've been expecting after the Christchurch earthquakes.

If you'd like to read the announcement on the "Beehive" website click here >>>

What it means
As a home owner, right now we pay 5cents per $100 of insurance cover capped at a maximum of $69 per year (including GST).

From 1st February 2012, this will increase to 15cents per $100 of insurance cover capped at $207 per year (including GST).

This increase applies to both House and Contents policies only NOT your car or personal life, trauma, medical etc.

The coverage that EQC provides remains unchanged, that is, it will continue to cover the first $100,000 (plus GST) for house damage and the first $20,000 (plus GST) for contents damage for insured residential properties in the event of earthquake, natural landslip, volcanic eruption, hydrothermal activity and tsunami.

IMPORTANT
The EQC levy applies to your House and Contents policy no matter which company you have your insurance with; this increase is set industry wide! The EQC levy is a portion of your overall monthly/annual premium which each insurer collects on behalf of the Government.

Do you need to do anything?

No. You will receive notification from your insurer confirming the levy increase and exactly what the increase is to your premiums.

Yes. Contact Insurance People if you would like to REVIEW your insurance and take a closer look at what you are paying in premiums.

Yes. Contact Insurance People if you would like a free QUOTE on your current house and contents!


Get more information from Insurance People ~ freephone 0800 823 823

ATTENTION:Self Employed

Want to save money on your levies?
If you are self employed or palnning to become self employed you'll know that one cost you can not avoid is your ACC levies... for most its like one of those 'grudge' costs, something we have no choice on - or do you?

Yes. Actually, when it comes to your ACC levies you do have a choice to decrease or increase your levies. Its called ACC CoverPlus Extra and the team of advisers at Insurance People are now fully trained and skilled in this area. (Check out our July blog for more details...)

As each persons situation is completely different to the next, we're encouraging all self employed to make the call, contact us for a chat and to see if your ACC is right for your current circumstances.

Do you know...

How much you pay in levies?

The amount you'll receive in case of an accident?

What 'offsets' means and the effect this may have on you?

If you have the right ACC job classification code? If it is wrong, it could be costing you!

Things you should know...

ACC will only pay out if you have an accident - it does not cover illness.

Mortgage Repayment insurance covers you for illness and accident and does not affect your ACC.

Income Protection gives you choice and certainty of income if unable to work due to illness or accident.

You do have a choice on how much you pay in ACC levies.

Request an ACC review here.
PS - one of our first ACC reviews identified an incorrect job classification code, that person received $14,000 back in over paid levies! We can't promise that for everyone, but is has proven one thing for sure - its worth while getting an ACC review done!

Disclosure Statement available on request and free of charge.

Our flat lining OCR

You may ask why are we writing about the Offical Cash Rate on an insurance blog. Well, for all of you that read and follow our blog some of you just may be home owners, in fact we're pretty sure you are.

For those of you with a home and mortgage repayment cover or income protection or landlords protection insurance, house, contents and car... here is a little lead in to our sister blog in the mortgage area that we thought may be of interest.

OUR FLAT LINING OCR
From this morning's OCR announcement by Governor Bollard it seems our OCR is to flat line at 2.5% for just a little bit longer. Welcome news for home owners that are currently sitting on the floating rate. more>

Things to consider in the FIXED vs FLOATING debate:

• If interest rates rise do you have money in your budget to cover it?


• Are you on a fixed income and financially stretched as it is?


• Do you have the income to pay extra off your mortgage now?


• Do you want to repay your mortgage as quickly as possible?


• Is certainty of your budget critical?


• If interet rates increase - how far could your budget stretch?

If you want to know more - click here
or email us to request a mortgage review.

Disclosure Statement available on request and free of charge.

We're on TV...

We want you all to know that our 'sister' company Mortgage People is currently on TV One and TV Two... you can see the advert right here:

All too often we encourage you all to review your insurance to make sure that your cover is relevant as life changes... what about your mortgage and debts?

Do you need advice in that area? Do you have a question about home loans or interest rates?

• Are you a first home buyer?


• Looking to refinance your existing mortgage?


• Need to consolidate your debts?

If you are a home owner who has a mortgage do you have Mortgage Repayment Insurance? Do you have Income Protection? A good question for you - how long have you had your mortgage? And when was the last time you checked your insurance to make sure you have enough cover just in case the unexpected happens to you?

QUESTIONS? Ask Katrina here

Maybe you know someone who needs advice about there mortgage and/or insurance - share this blog and our details... we'd love to help!

Disclosure Statement available on request and free of charge.