Down to business

For most of you who have been with us for years, you know where we are located - no. 30 Ponsonby Road, the K'Road end next to Cafe People...

Don't worry we have't moved and nor are about too - we've just added our name to front of the building so that everyone else now knows where we are! And we've also got signs down the driveway so you no where to park!

Down to business...

The insurance industry, the products and benefits and features continues to evole - it's a big job keeping up to date with everything available and as a team we have training every week - this means you are getting the best possible, and importantly, most current and relevant advice from our team.

 

If you want to discuss or review your insurance, give us a call anytime - we offer a free insurance reveiw service to everyone.

freephone 0800 823 823 or click here to book a coffee & chat.

 

Click here to see the team > 

 

 

 

What's your plan?

"Don't allow death to take you by surprise"    read full article here
This was a headline that caught our attention in the past weekend's NZ Herald which had some very useful information that can make such a big difference. Getting your affairs in order while you are young'ish, fit and healthy just makes sense... leaving things till you're incapacitated or not done at all can create quite a nightmare for those left behind.

Have you thought about what would happen if ... you were unable to work again or prematurely died...

• What bills will be still need paying?
• Will your mortgage be paid in full or payments be met?
• How or where would you be buried; how would this be paid for?
• Who will take care of your children?
• Will your family be financially secure?

These are just some of the key areas that we as advisers help people make decicions on each day.

Ownership
Who owns your insurance policies?
Will the right money from a claim reach the right hands at the right time - when they need it most?

Funeral Cover
Depending on your wishes; have you any idea about the costs of a funeral and how your family will pay for this?
Some life insurance policies have a funeral component that can be paid promptly - does yours?
Do you know what you are entitled too - Work and Income have a funeral grant for people with limited means.

Financial Survival
Have you considered how your family will survive financially if you cease earning an income from being incapacited or prematurely die?
What additional costs (such as, child care) would occur if the home keeper was incapcitated?
Have you mortgage protection cover or income insurance?
What is the cost to you from not having insurance?

Are you self employed
Would your business continue to generate an income without you working in it?
Who will act on your behalf?
Would your family continue to receive income?
How will your shares/financial interest be distributed?

So, our recommendation is to have a review of your affairs - regularly!

Life changes and stuff does happen so at least annually sit down and complete a personal stock take of what's important to you & your family.

Book a review today - freephone 0800 823 823
or click here to book a meeting

Family Cover

There is nothing more precious that a new bundle of joy...

If you are planning a family or have a new arrival due - in amongst the excitement of gettting prepared with the new cot, push chair, high chair, car seat, baby clothes and toys... what about insurance? Protecting whats most precious...

Let us know as soon as you can so that we can ensure baby is covered on your medical insurance...

• some policies offer free cover for the first three months; and
• some at two years

We will check what you are eligible for and get it sorted so that there is no need for underwriting.

And, don't forget if think you need to review all of your insurance so that it remains cost effective and gives you the best possible cover for your whole family, give us a call - 0800 823 823. It's a free service.

Money Week 2012

It's started...

Have you booked your Sorted Seminar - " Think, Shirnk & Grow"?

• THINK ahead - make a plan for your money & be prepared for the unexpected
• SHRINK your debt - get rid of high interest debt quickly & manage your mortgage
• GROW your savings - save regularly to reach your goals & invest in your future

We are seminar facilitators - the seminar takes about an hour, and by the end of it you'll know more about the steps you can take to get financially sorted - and where to go for help!

Sorted is brought to you by the Commission of Financial Literacy and Retirement Income.
If you haven't checked out their website you should: click here https://www.sorted.org.nz/

Contact Gillian Winiata-Hedley to organise your seminar 0800 823 823.

Policy Ownership

When reviewing your insurance or if you recenlty took out a new insurance policy - did you give serious thought to the ownership... and the consequences of it?

Do you know who owns your insurance policies?

Do you own all your policies? 
Are they in joint ownership with your spouse or partner?
Does an X own your policy?

We take out insurance to protect us from the "unexpected", and the impact on our world - personal, business, family and friends. Have you given thought to where the money could go to from making a claim on your insurance... would the money get to the right hands when it is needed most?

Ownership has to suit the purpose or need for the type of cover you have in place. 

It may well be that you are taking the insurance out specifically to pay back in to your business should you not be able to work for a period of time; this enables your business to continue to trade and produce an income...

Or you may have taken out lump sum insurance specifically for your personal needs - to cover any unexpected costs as a result from an injury or illness; or to cover your regular outgoings like your mortgage payments...

Your options

The ownership of all policies should be discussed. Even once your cover is in place you can update the ownership to suit your life as it changes... like, separation or divorce or a new partner/spouse... or new business venture.

The thing to keep in mind is that who ever is the "owner" not the insured person is who will get the money if a claim is made!


Call 0800 823 823 anytime for a chat about your policy ownership.

Insurance for critical illnesses

• Males have a two in five chance and females have a one in four chance of suffering a critical illness between the age of 30 and 65
• 60% of cancer sufferers will survive at least five years after diagnosis
• 78% of stroke victims will be alive 1 year later
• 57% of heart attack patients will be alive 1 year later

Critical Illness Cover or what is sometimes referred to as Trauma Insurance...

When considering the above statistics, chances are that you don't have to look too far before you will find that you know someone who has had some sort of critical illness or serious trauma.  When a major trauma occurs, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke the ongoing medical costs and day to day living can be a heavy burden to carry. There is insurance specific to these types of illness referred to as Trauma Cover which pays out a lump sum to ease the financial stress so that you cope with the effects on your lifestyle, family and work – so that you can concentrate on your recovery.

If you can’t afford for something to happen (have a look below at the image...), you should seriously consider taking out relevant insurance.  The insurance industry is constantly changing and insurance companies are updating product benefits – an adviser has the knowledge to explain what is available and more importantly what best suits your circumstances.

Our top “insurance” tip

Review your insurance regularly and most definitely when ever your life changes… such as, changing house, increasing debt, buying or selling a business, health issues, having a baby, easing into retirement.

Arranging a review is as easy as calling 0800 823 823 or clicking here to email a request for someone to call you! And, through Insurance People our service is free and no obligation.

Don’t put your health care in someone else’s hands – with personal insurance you are in control.

The importance of travel insurance

In the weekend news there was an article about the value of Travel Insurance... this is one time when you need to understand the small print and depending on where you are going and what you are taking with you - the most comprehensive cover is your best bet.

"Overseas injury's high price
Graham Catley will never go overseas without insurance after a gash on his shin attracted a $10,000 medical bill in America.
Catley, 57, was racing his yacht in a San Francisco regatta two years ago when a large pleasure boat crossed over his bow, throwing him into the choppy water. While he was being tossed about, something cut through his wetsuit and into his shin.
Catley was taken to the hospital where he received 30 stitches before being discharged. But not before they demanded $10,000.
"In the end it cost US$10,000 to get stitched up. It's just nuts," he said.
Sailing injuries account for an average of 70 ACC claims each year and the sport is often excluded from travel insurance.
Fortunately Catley was covered by his insurance company who reimbursed the $10,000 on his return."
- Source http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10824616

Generally overseas travel is one of excitement, relaxation and discovery - whether that be for personal or business ... so it just makes sense to ensure you have some sort of protection for the unexpected so as to minimise the personal and financial hurt!

At Insurance People we have direct access to 1Cover - who have options to suit what ever your travel need.

GET A QUOTE or for more information contact us anytime on 0800 823 823.