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What is New Zealand's fittest city?

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:59:21 GMT

And the award for New Zealand's fitest city goes to.....

A study co-authored by Dr Caroline Shaw from the University of Otago and Professor Alistair Woodward at the University of Auckland has found that Wellington is New Zealand’s ‘fittest city'.

Wellingtonians, it was found, walk more and take more trips by public transport than other New Zealanders.

The ‘Fittest City’ study has been released as part of the New Zealand launch of the world’s largest health and wellbeing programme, AIA Vitality.

“New Zealand cities vary widely, not only in geography, but also in urban planning and transport decision-making. There are consequences for population health, greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution,” says Professor Alistair Woodward.

Levels of walking, cycling and public transport were used to estimate the effects on health and the environment in the six largest New Zealand cities.

Wellington

While Wellington was crowned the fittest due to the highest levels of physical activity for transport rather than just recreation. The other cities of New Zealand still ranked highly in other areas.

Christchurch

Christchurch had the highest number of annual cycle trips. Christchurch has more than 30km of separated cycleways linking to the central city. People can choose from cycleways separated from the road, shared paths with pedestrians, cycle lanes on the roadway and river trails for biking and walking.By 2020, Christchurch aims to be considered one of the top five cycle cities in the world.

Dunedin

Dunedin scored best on light vehicle CO2 emissions, which should be no surprise given a recent Otago University study showed that it is the city with the highest proportion of Electric Vehicles in the country.

Tauranga

Tauranga had the fewest transport-related injuries.

Hamilton came in third place for trips by public transport and for air quality, while Auckland came in second for public transport use but demonstrated the most to gain if it adopted the recommendations in the Fittest City report.

If you want to read the full study ''A snapshot of New Zealand's Life, Health and Wellbeing''
you can find it here:

How hobbies affect your insurance assessment

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 22:55:27 GMT

Living your best life could cost you if you're not careful!!

Today we are going to talk a little bit about living life to the max!
New Zealand is a country full of exciting (and sometimes extreme) activities and hobbies! If you are like many out there and enjoy a hobby or past-time that is a little crazy, perhaps you scuba dive, mountain climb or jump out of planes, then arranging your Life insurance may not be as straightforward.

If you are taking part in extreme sports like racing cars, flying, hang-gliding or parachuting you could be considered a higher risk than someone whose idea of a fun filled weekend is a game of mini golf with the family or dinner and a movie. Being a higher risk, regardless of your health or how many safety precautions you take, can mean Life insurance premiums may be more expensive.

So why are you considered a higher risk if you have an extreme hobby?

The simplest answer is that you have a greater chance of injury or death from unnatural causes and the higher that chance the more expensive your premium could be. But don't panic we can help!

Just because you enjoy a extreme sport or hobby doesn't mean your rates automatically go up.

Disclosing pastimes and pursuits is important when applying for insurance. I nsurers can look at these past-times differently which is why using an Adviser is important, as you may not get the best option for you if you purchase insurance online or perhaps with the Bank. Each Insurer uses Re-insurers and can offer varying terms.

As insurance advisers we have seen it all and know which life insurance companies are best when it comes to specific hobbies. So you can be ready for your next adventure knowing that your life cover and insurance are taken care of!

Insurers and their underwriters can vary in many ways with their assessments, which is why Advisers use more than one Insurer to match each client with the right Insurer for their specific needs. There is no "one size fits all".

Navigating Health Insurance Terms

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 23:39:20 GMT

Insurance can be confusing and understanding what all the terms on your policy mean can be confusing.

As insurance brokers it is our job to find the policy that is best for you and your circumstances and we do our best to make your health insurance journey simple and clear for you, in a language you understand.

With that in mind we have put together a list of the common terms you will find in your insurance policy documents that you might want to understand a little better.

Premium

Your premium is the amount you pay for a policy. Your premium is based on a range of factors:

Age – premiums are calculated by your age and increase every year between the ages of 20 and 80.
Number of plans – the more extensive the cover you select, the higher your total premiums.
Excess – the higher the excess, the lower your premium will be.
How many people are on your policy (partner and/or dependents).
Smoking status.

Excess

The excess in your health insurance policy is the amount of money you need to pay towards the total cost of any claims you submit. There are different excess options that help make your premiums cheaper which we can help you choose which is best depending on your circumstances. The higher the excess, the larger discount on your premium. I ncreasing your excess is a good way to save on your premium.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre existing condition is any sign, symptom, health condition or health event that happened before you started your policy. Health insurance is set up to cover the unexpected, so it is important when taking out any health insurance that you disclose pre-existing conditions, current or previous. Not all pre-existing conditions will be excluded from your cover, however to be able to tell you what isn't covered you will need to be honest about your medical history in your application form.

Exclusions

Unfortunately, there are some medical conditions or treatment that insurers are not able to cover so there are some things that we have to exclude from cover. As such there are two types of exclusions that apply to everyone.

General exclusions - these are general things such as a medical condition or service that an insurer has decided they will not cover for anyone who has the same type of policy. These are listed out in the what's not covered section of your policy document and apply to every person who has that policy.

Personal exclusions - these are specific to an individual and are based on their medical history (pre-existing conditions).

Not all pre-existing conditions will require an exclusion, however our team do need to know about all previous and current signs, symptoms and conditions for your application. Personal exclusions are excluded for different lengths of time (from 1 year to life) depending on the medical condition, and will be listed on your membership certificate under each individual.

If you need help decoding your current insurance policy or help with taking out a new health insurance or Life insurance policy then we are here to help!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 22:19:48 GMT

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women and The Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand’s mission is to stop women dying of it.

New Breast Cancer Foundation app puts power in Kiwi women’s hands

Pre Check , an innovative app from Breast Cancer Foundation NZ – launched to mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – will take women into a whole new world of breast health awareness. Visual, tactile and audio cues help you search for signs of breast cancer on screen. When you find one, you can learn more about it before being invited to look for other signs.

Once you’ve explored all the symptoms, a ‘how-to’ guide will teach you what to look for when self-checking. You’ll even have the option to set your own reminder for regular self-checks.

“Pre Check is a significant new wellbeing tool for women in New Zealand,” says Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive, Evangelia Henderson. “It’s an innovation that empowers women and gives them confidence to take control of their own breast health.”

The information has been available before but this is a new way of putting it in people’s hands, Mrs Henderson says.

“We encourage everyone from the age of 20 to ‘know your normal’. We urge women of breast-screening age to stay vigilant between mammograms, and younger women to be breast aware at all times. The beauty of Pre Check is that it puts vital information, quite literally, at people’s fingertips.

“Because it’s totally portable, you can check whenever and wherever it suits. It’s such a great way to be proactive with your breast health. And because it’s accessible to everyone, it transcends age, cultural background, income and education levels,” she says.

“Breast cancer is most treatable when it is found early, so early detection is your best protection. That’s why it’s vital to know the signs and ‘know your normal’ – and if you notice any changes, see your doctor immediately.

“If Pre Check encourages women to be more alert to breast changes and to see their doctors earlier, we believe it will save lives.”

Sarah Gandy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year at age 36, says the new app is a safe, credible source of information that will get people away from ‘Doctor Google’. “Having something that gives you the confidence to know you’re self-checking properly, and reminds you to do it regularly, is amazing,” Sarah says.

For more information and news about this and head to www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect kiwis in October it’s throughout the year with nine women a day diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand.

What better way to show your support for the thousands of women each year who are diagnosed with breast cancer, than by going PINK!

As well as having fun and doing good, Pink For a Day is about creating a platform that enables conversations about breast health and general wellbeing. Take action against breast cancer by holding your own fundraising event, whether it’s a pink ribbon lunch, karaoke night, horse trek or local bake sale. Anything goes and you’ll be surprised at how much you can raise just by doing something you love!

You can get more information and fund raising inspiration at www.takeaction.org.nz or head to @pinkribbonnz on facebook.

Fidelity Life achieves Accessibility Tick

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 23:42:46 GMT

LATEST NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR INSURERS

Fidelity Life, New Zealand’s largest locally owned and operated life insurer and two-time ANZIIF New Zealand Life Insurance Company of the Year, has been awarded the Accessibility Tick.

Awarded by Access Advisors, the Accessibility Tick is an independent endorsement of an organisation’s commitment to being more accessible to, and inclusive of, people with disabilities.

Fidelity Life Chief People Officer Tanya Hadfield says the Accessibility Tick is about being accessible to all customers, advisers and job seekers.

“1 in 4 New Zealanders identify as having a disability."

This means if we aren’t inclusive and accessible to all Kiwis, a quarter of the market might not be looking at us as a potential employer, business partner or life insurance provider.

“Achieving the Accessibility Tick gives us the confidence we can successfully employ people with disabilities, enrich our diversity and meet the needs of all customers.”

Louise von Sierakowski, Accessibility Tick Programme Lead, says: “It is clear Fidelity Life is looking across their business with an accessibility and disability inclusion lens. They have made good progress in all areas from their recruitment and onboarding practices, to their interactions with customers.

“We applaud Fidelity Life for the work that they have done so far in showing their commitment to accessibility

and look forward to seeing how they build on this.”

Fidelity Life has demonstrated competency in nine key accessibility areas in order to achieve the Accessibility Tick and is now committed to implementing an annual plan to keep improving accessibility.

Other organisations to have been awarded the Accessibility Tick include Vector, ACC, Westpac and Air New Zealand.

“Improving our diversity and inclusion is something we’re continually working on. Our goal is to set ourselves up for a sustainable and successful future, with all of our customers at the centre of everything we do,” says Tanya.

You can read the full media release here

Cancer Cover Insurance

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 21:09:19 GMT

Having Cancer Cover can help assist you in recovering both physically & financially!!!

Although it remains one of the most common and devastating diseases – cancer isn’t a death sentence by any means.

In New Zealand, two-thirds of all serious illness claims are for cancer. Cancer insurance can pay you a lump sum of money if you’re diagnosed with cancer to help you recover physically and financially.

What are the Facts?

*According to information published by the Cancer Society:

1 in 3 New Zealanders will be affected by cancer.

Each year approximately 21,000 people are diagnosed with cancer and 8,800 will die as a result

Cancer is the leading cause of death in New Zealand accounting for nearly a third of all deaths.

There are over 100 different cancer diseases. The five most common cancer diagnoses are colorectal, prostate, breast, melanoma and lung cancer.

What do most people use Cancer Cover for?

To help fund non-Pharmac drugs not covered through our health system. It can also be put towards reducing debt such as your mortgage, credit card, hire purchase or car finance etc.

This insurance will pay for your spouse or family member to take time off work, so they can provide support and care at home or for additional or alternative treatments that may not be covered by the New Zealand health system or health insurance

You may be able to cover additional expenses such as childcare and travel to medical appointments. You may need to take time off work to rest and recover or choose to work reduced hours.

Cancer cover can even go towards treating yourself, such as going on a family holiday.

Trauma Cover is an option of insurance you can put in place which allows you to claim when you receive a cancer diagnoses.

Another great option is to have both Trauma Cover and Cancer Cover. If you have have both of these insurances in place, it allows you (if you qualify for a claim under both covers) to receive both sums insured. That means you could have a few more options when it comes to creating a treatment plan. This means less stress on how you will manage bills and supporting your family and more money and focus can go into beating the cancer.

In other circumstances, pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease or HIV, may prevent you from being able to put Trauma Insurance in place, so this means Cancer Cover is a great alternative available to you.

We understand that navigating the in's and out's of your insurance can be daunting. As insurance advisers our job is to find you the right insurance with the right Insurer and help you with any claims. We work on behalf of you, our client, and not for the insurance companies so you know we have your best interests at heart.

*Thanks to Asteron Life and the New Zealand Cancer Society for the facts and information used for this post.

16th September - Its working parents day!

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 20:34:38 GMT

Working Parents Day is a day to celebrate those amazing parents who work hard all year to provide for their families

Being a parent is tough and often involves balancing a full-time job, child care and a marriage or relationship. Many parents work incredibly hard in order to ensure their children are supported financially.

As many of our clients will know, Ask Consulting is a family owned and run business.

Although they are grown up now with families of their own , Nick is backed up by Aimee and Sara, two of her daughters.

The ASK Team provide advice about Life Insurance, Trauma Insurance, I ncome Protection, Mortgage Repayment Protection, Health Insurance, Total & Permanent Disablement.

To safeguard your family in the event your unable to work, it's important to protect your income.

Apart from our health our income is our largest asset, something we can't do without!

So to all the working parents out there we salute you!

At Ask we focus on what you need and help you understand what your insurance will do for you. If you need help with Income protection insurance in Christchurch then give us a call or get in touch.

Accuro launches free mental health solutions

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:44:21 GMT

LATEST NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR INSURERS

Accuro launches free mental health solution for more than 15,000 members

Easy and quick access to mental health diagnosis and support has been added to the range of services that Kiwis can call on from Accuro Health Insurance.

About 47% of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or addiction at some time in their lives, with one in five people affected in any one year.

— Ministry of Health

“For many, issues such as depression or anxiety really affect their lives. Yet a lot of people don’t seek help or have issues with their treatment plan.” says Geoff Annals, CEO of Accuro Health Insurance, a not-for-profit health insurer based in Wellington. “The Government announced significant mental health funding this year, yet access to specialists can still be very limited, with long wait times, and can also be very expensive.”

“So Accuro is launching Mental Health Navigator in partnership with Best Doctors. First launched in Canada in 2016, Mental Health Navigator has since launched in Australia and will soon be launching in Europe. Accuro members are amongst the first New Zealanders to have access to this service. Mental Health Navigator is completely free for Accuro members to use alongside their specialist insurance cover, which includes a $500 benefit towards further consultations with NZ registered psychologists and psychiatrists, should follow up be required.

The Mental Health Navigator is available from 1st September, for everyone covered by an Accuro Specialist Plan, aged 18+. It’s designed to break down barriers by providing fast, comprehensive and confidential access to a team of mental health professionals. A call to the Mental Health Navigator number will be answered by a specialist mental health nurse and followed up within 10-14 days by a video call with specialist psychologists and psychiatrists. This team can diagnose mental health conditions, develop a treatment plan, or act as a valuable second opinion. The mental health nurse then provides follow up support over the next 6-12 months.

“Fast access to diagnosis and treatment is an important part of people getting better before they get worse, and with typical wait times of two to six months through the public system, we feel access within two weeks can make a dramatic difference to a person’s wellbeing,” says Geoff Annals. “Mental Health Navigator is free, and people can access the service without having to leave their own home, an important detail for members who might be fearful of hospital appointments, or have trouble travelling to them.”

“This is the first time such a quick, easy and professional mental health support service has been available to New Zealanders through health insurance. The Accuro Mental Health Navigator joins Best Doctors, SkinVision, our wellbeing Health Hub and bowel cancer screening kits as active benefits that Accuro offers its members in supporting their health before they might need to call us. We call it Active Insurance,” adds Geoff Annals.

You can read the media release here

What is an Insurance broker anyway?!

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:03:17 GMT

What is an Insurance broker?

An insurance broker is a professional adviser, an expert in understanding insurance and risk management.

Our job is to find you the right insurance with the right Insurer and help you with any claims. But responsibility for the risk associated with your policy sits with the insurer.

In practice this means that while we work to pair you with the Insurer who’s right for you and work with you if you have to claim, we’re not the ones who pay out when a claim is made.

So, why should you use an Insurance broker?

Brokers work on behalf of their clients, not for insurance companies!

The insurance industry offers so many options, it can be quite difficult to choose the right policy and insurance policies can be complicated.

An insurance broker can help you understand the details of a policy and also work out what level of cover you need, so that you can make sure you are properly protected.

One of the most important things to remember is that b rokers work on behalf of their clients , not for the insurance companies. Ask Consulting can be relied on to provide professional advice that is in your best interest. Our role is to help you identify your individual or business risks to help you decide what kind of insurance cover you need, and the most appropriate cover for your own circumstances.

As well as arranging and placing cover with the chosen Insurer on behalf of our clients, we also act on your behalf in the event of a claim.

Having someone on your side in times of stress can make all the difference.

Should you need to make a claim, our specialist claims team will manage the process for you, from start to finish. We know what information is needed and we do the work for you. Our knowledge of how policies work and our relationships with insurers ensure your claims are settled fairly and promptly and in line with your policy wording.

At Ask we focus on what you need and help you understand what your insurance will do for you.

If you need help with arranging insurance cover in Christchurch then give us a call or get in touch.

Life Cover and Cover for Life

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 04:02:55 GMT

Life Insurance Cover demystified!

Life insurance is one of those topics which can seem pretty daunting! There are so many different types of cover out there and it can feel like a never ending list of things to consider. That's why it’s always a good idea to talk to an adviser for help understanding your options - but more about that later! For now, here is a breakdown of what you need to know.

Most people use Life Insurance to:

Ensure there are funds to cover funeral expenses.
Pay a lump sum on your death, protecting those people who depend on you.
Clear debt such as credit card, personal loans, mortgage.
Pay for childcare support if the person who passed away was the primary caregiver.
Provide future financial support for their children.

The key benefits of Life cover:

Terminal illness support

Pays a lump sum if you’re given less than 12 months to survive. You can use the money for your immediate care and help to plan a secure future for your family without having to tap into your life cover.

Funeral advancement

An advance payment from your Life Cover can be made when a life insurance claim is accepted. This pays for immediate expenses such as a funeral.

Financial planning

This will pay for your family to receive professional advice from an approved financial planner. This helps your family decide the best way to use the money they will receive.

Grief support

This will pay to help with the cost of professional grief support during the grieving process.

So where can Life Cover get complicated?

Keeping your policy up to date!

Things in your life change, and your insurance needs might change too. Milestones like buying a house or having a baby are an exciting time for anyone, but it’s also a good reason to revisit your policy and make sure you have a plan for that debt or for your family if something should happen to you.

As with any insurance, when you review your cover you might decide that another insurer could offer you a better deal. But before you cancel your policies and make the switch, it’s important to seek advice.

Moving to a new insurer means you will be underwritten again, and if you have any new medical issues or conditions you might get less cover or higher premiums by switching. An adviser will be able to explain how cancelling your policy might affect you in the future and help you decide what will suit your current and future needs.

You don’t have to choose just one type of cover.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, which means we may all need something different from their insurance policy. That’s why when you look at getting life insurance, you won’t have to choose just one type of cover.

It might make sense for you to package together different types of personal cover – like Life, Trauma or Income Protection – under one policy. This means you have a safety net in place for yourself for different things that might come during your life, and not just for your family if you pass away.

Buying online and through an adviser are not always the same thing

In this day and age most of us prefer to shop online! It's easier, more convenient and often saves time. However it’s important to know that when you’re looking at life insurance policies you can buy online compared to those you buy through an adviser you are not always comparing apples with apples.

Insurance advisers will be able to offer you a greater range of policies, more comprehensive cover or a more cost effective structure of covers. Once you have your cover in place your broker can help and advise you with any claims help should you need it.

But one of the big differences is the degree of underwriting that you will face. Most adviser-sold policies include comprehensive lifestyle and medical underwriting. This is important to ensure if you need to claim you've made full disclosure to the insurer. Unfortunately some insurances sold online do not ensure full disclosure is made. This is why working through this with your Adviser throughout the process is so important.

There are options when it comes to premiums

If you’re worried about the cost going up as you get older, there are different ways you can structure your premiums. You can choose from stepped premiums, which start out a lower price and increase each year based on your age, or level premiums, which begin higher but stay locked at that price each year without increasing.

There are benefits to both, and you can even have a combination of the two if that’s what would suit you best.

Most importantly,
You don’t have to figure it out on your own!

Life insurance can be complex, but there is always help available. Ask Consulting will help you focus on what's important to you, guiding you through everything from products to claims. We offer you personalised advice to make sure you’re getting the best policy to suit you.

Personal Insurance in Christchurch

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 04:45:54 GMT

Are you looking for personal insurance in Christchurch?

What are your goals?

Paying off your mortgage, savings for retirement, health, a beach house?

Think about it for a moment – if your health failed, how would that affect your financial future, or that of your family. Suddenly all of your dreams and plans for the future would need to be seriously revised or may no longer be possible.

The good news is that with the right life insurance you can still protect what you value most – lifestyle, family, health, even the home you live in, no matter what.

Personal insurance isn't a one size fits all cover

There are different benefits and options with your Personal Insurance - any of which you can choose to suit your circumstances.

Life Cover

A lump-sum payment in the event of death or terminal illness.

Trauma Cover

A lump-sum payment in the event of a major serious illness i.e cancer / stroke / heart attack.

Total & Permanent Disablement Cover

A lump-sum payment if you become totally and permanently disabled.

Medical Cover

This is a way of protecting ourselves and our family to ensure if we need medical treatment i.e surgery, a specialist's opinion or diagnostic testing that you do not have to wait on the public wait list.

Mortgage and Income Protection

A monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.

Premium Cover

Covers the cost of your premiums if you are unable to work because of a disability.

For any information about arranging your personal insurance in Christchurch we are only a call away, just ask!

Income Protection Insurance

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 05:12:32 GMT

Why get covered with Income Protection Insurance?

Your ability to earn is your biggest asset.

If an illness or injury prevents you from working, you’ll want to know your finances and family are taken care of, so you can focus on recovery and getting back to work.

Income Protection safeguards your ability to earn if you find yourself unable to work due to illness or injury.

T his insurance provides regular payments to cover your ongoing financial commitments like household bills, mortgage payments or rent payments.

Apart from our health our income is our largest asset, something we can't do without!

So What are the Key Benefits of Income Protection Insurance?

Provides access to monthly payments if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.
We work closely with the Insurer to organise support that could assist your recovery further.

You can choose a benefit which is not offset by ACC which means you could qualify for ACC compensation alongside your monthly income protection benefit.
You can chose your wait periods and benefit periods to suit your specific situation.

At Ask we focus on what you need and help you understand what your insurance will do for you. If you need help with Income protection insurance in Christchurch then give us a call or get in touch.

Thanks to our Insurers AIA for the insurance cover they provide.

Trauma Cover in Canterbury

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 23:51:34 GMT

What is Trauma Insurance?

Trauma Insurance provides you with a lump sum payment to help financially while you recover.

It covers over 45 medical events, conditions and surgical procedures including many types of cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Trauma Insurance can;

Pay for your spouse or family member to take time off work, so they can provide support and care at home
Pay for additional or alternative treatments that may not be covered by the New Zealand health system or medical insurance
Cover additional expenses such as childcare and travel to medical appointments
Reduce debt such as mortgage or credit card payments
Take time off work to rest and recover – often choosing to work reduced hours
Aid recovery by treating yourselves to something that makes you happy, such as going on a family holiday
Provide funds towards Non-Pharmac funded drugs that may be required

So what are the benefits of Trauma Insurance?

Trauma Cover

Pays a lump sum if the medical event, condition or surgical procedure you experience meets the claim criteria.

Early Trauma Benefits

Some Insurers offer an early trauma benefit or an early stage cancer benefit which is paid out in a partial payment.

Reinstatement Benefit

Can be reinstated after a claim has been paid out to provide another claim payment due to an unrelated claim.

Free Kids Cover

Can provide cover for your children or grandchildren as well.

Asteron Life is making changes

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 00:45:24 GMT

LATEST NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR INSURERS

Asteron Life makes changes to connect health insurance options to life insurance applications

Asteron Life has announced new system changes to enable advisers to connect clients’ health insurance with Asteron Life’s personal insurance cover.

Asteron Life has approved linking forms to NIB and Accuro that enable advisers to link clients’ health and life information together and significantly reduces the application times for customers.

Advisers with Southern Cross agencies will also now be able to access health insurance quote tools within the AsteronConnect platform.

“Many customers are seeking advice on a full range of insurance products from their adviser, or wanting to package together life and health covers in one application, but getting all of their cover from one provider is not always possible or always the best solution,” said Graham Hill, Executive Manager Life Distribution at Asteron Life.

Hill said that for customers who want life and health insurance it can be burdensome to fill in full applications for both covers.

Customers will now be able to work with advisers to complete their details on AsteronConnect, and then package that information together with a short linking form that has supplementary information required by Accuro and NIB.

“Linking forms like this gives customers who want Asteron Life cover options for where to place their health insurance, while significantly reducing the time it takes to apply.”

Hill said that a key focus for Asteron Life was making it easier for advisers to do business with Asteron Life, while still meeting the needs of their clients, and that adding the health linking form was a small but positive step to support them.

Let Food Be Your Cold Medicine

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 04:59:27 GMT

THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR INSURERS

Let Food Be Your Cold Medicine

As we head towards July here in New Zealand, we are heading into our coldest month of the year and an expected increase in winter illnesses.

The wisdom 'let food be thy medicine' dates back almost 3000 years, and the importance of this statement is no less important now than it was then. Food has the ability to help support us through these times when common winter illnesses such as colds and flu's, sniffles, coughs, chapped skin and the winter blues abound for too many.

While there are many over-the-counter medications that try to band-aid these conditions, there are many more food-based options available to help strengthen the body. These can help treat the basis of the problem rather than just the symptoms. Preserving and improving your nutritional status is vital for a strong immune system. It is the best defence against winter illnesses. Eating food that is rich in nutrients is the best way to do this. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient when it comes to an immune system that is firing on all cylinders. Vitamin C is used by the body to signal the production of white blood cells to protect us when foreign bacteria or viruses enter the body. It is also present in the fluid lining in our lungs and mucous membranes, where the antioxidant activity helps prevent inflammation and damage by bacteria and viruses. It is also crucial for collagen production in the skin, something we also want to support over the winter months.

Boost Your Vitamin C

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body so we need to consume it every day. Eat a piece of fruit or add lemon, orange or grapefruit to your morning juice. Incorporate leafy greens and broccoli into stir fries to help boost your daily intake of vitamin C. Heat and light and the length of time from a food being harvested decreases vitamin C, so grab what you can from your local farmers’ market. Supplementing vitamin C can also be highly beneficial.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for bone health, immunity, cancer prevention and mood regulation. Its role in bone health is to support the uptake of calcium and phosphate, which are bone-strengthening minerals. Over the winter months we often find ourselves wrapped up warm with less exposure to the sun, except for our hands and faces. As the sun’s action on the cholesterol in our skin is our major source of vitamin D it is important to spend a little time each day exposed to the sun and to increase our food sources of vitamin D. These include some oily fish, organic butter and eggs (the vitamin D is found in the yolks).

Superstar Zinc

Zinc is a superstar nutrient when it comes to immunity. This mineral is critical for a large number of processes in the body including wound healing, sex hormone balance, appetite, appropriate immune responses, and great digestion, just to name a few. Too many people today don’t consume adequate dietary zinc while others consume a diet that is too high in substances that interfere with the absorption of this vital mineral. Poor zinc status can lead to poor blood glucose management, sugar cravings, loss of appetite, poor resistance to infection and lowered fertility. Oysters, beef and lamb are good sources of zinc. In the plant family, seeds contain zinc however a much smaller amount is present. If you take a zinc supplement, it is best taken before bed to support great absorption.

Bone Broths

Your grandma was right about chicken soup. Bone broths contain calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and amino acids, all nutrients that support adrenal health, the nervous system, bones, teeth and nails, as well as the immune system. They are budget friendly and are a nourishing way to support people who feel depleted in nutrients or energy. Try making a broth from organic, grass-fed beef or lamb, or organic chicken bones with root vegetables and herbs and spices. Use the broth as a base for a vegetable soup or drink it on its own.

You can find the article here

New level premium options on life cover

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 03:19:55 GMT

MEDIA RELEASE

Asteron Life releases new level premium options on life cover

Asteron Life has announced today that it is releasing new level premium options for its SmartLife, Personal Insurance and Business Insurance life cover customers.

In addition to the existing ‘level to 70’ and ‘level to 80’ options, customers will now be able to select level premiums to ages 50, 60, 65, 75 and 100.

The maximum entry age for selecting level to 70 and level to 80 premiums is also rising.

“We’ve seen about a 30% uptake of level premiums from customers with life insurance, and we know that there is real demand for the certainty that level premiums can offer our customers,” says Graham Hill, Asteron Life’s Executive Manager Life Distribution.

“Adding more level options will give advisers greater flexibility to design a package of insurance that will meet customers’ needs.”

Hill says that the level premium options will also enable customers to parcel their life cover into a mix of different stepped and level options, to help them build more sustainable cover for the long term.

“We know that many people use insurance in different ways. These new options will enable customers to link their cover to debt, dependencies or use it as part of their estate planning.

“We think offering more level premium options helps our customers to use insurance as part of a long-term financial plan, and deliver better financial outcomes for them.”

For customers taking a level to 100 option, Asteron Life offers the added benefit that if they reach 100, their premiums will cease but the insurance will stay in place, meaning they will get paid the full amount of cover on death over 100 years.

Hill says the changes will be available to advisers in Asteron Life’s systems from 11 February 2019.

View the full press release here

Asteron Life announces ‘continuous Trauma’ benefit, package of product enhancements

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 12:00:00 GMT

MEDIA RELEASE

Asteron Life announces market-leading ‘continuous Trauma’ benefit, package of product enhancements.

Asteron Life has this week launched a range of enhancements to its Personal Insurance policy range, including the market-leading Continuous Trauma benefit for customers with Stand Alone Trauma Recovery Cover.

Continuous Trauma is an optional benefit which, when purchased, ensures that customers have trauma cover in place for unrelated events, immediately after they have made a claim. Customers will be able to claim up to three times on their Trauma cover, and three years after their first claim their cover will reinstate for all events as long as they are not a recurrence, continuation or spread of the condition that lead to their first claim.

“We often find that it’s only after making a claim on their Trauma cover that our customers fully understand the real value of that cover – and it’s gone,” said Robyn Bartlett, Product Manager at Asteron Life.

“With Continuous Trauma we’ve created a more robust product that will be there for the long term and continue to give our customers peace of mind, because they know that they haven’t lost that cover once they make a claim.”

Bartlett said that Asteron Life has also made a number of other adjustments to its Trauma Recovery Benefit, including updating definitions and giving customers more choice in their sum insured for the Major Trauma benefit.

“The updates we’ve made will not only improve the claimability of our products for customers, these enhancements continue to create products that are more flexible for our customers’ different and changing needs,” said Bartlett.

As an example, Bartlett cites the change to the stroke benefit that Asteron Life has included in the latest package of product enhancements.

“We’ve moved away from the industry standard definition of ‘Stroke’, because we found that it was not aligned to what was really happening in New Zealand clinical practice, and was too restrictive in its definition,” said Bartlett. “We want to make sure that customers and advisers feel confident that we’ll be there in the moments that matter.”

Bartlett also highlighted Asteron Life’s new Parent Premium Waiver and update to Kids Cover as examples of how Asteron Life is adjusting its products for customers’ changing needs.

The New Parent Premium waiver replaces Asteron Life’s Pregnancy waiver benefit, in which the insurer will waive premiums for up to six months for an insured person who is taking long-term parental leave to care for a new child.

“The New Parent premium waiver reflects the fact that family dynamics are changing, and more fathers are staying at home with new children into the early stages of life,” said Bartlett.

“Personal insurance is a long term commitment and that means social change does happen over the life of a customer’s policy with us – so we want to keep making sure that our policies are as relevant as possible to our customers’ needs.”

See the full media release here

flexible new insurance cover for New Zealanders

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 12:00:00 GMT

MEDIA RELEASE:

Asteron Life announces flexible new insurance cover for New Zealanders' financial journeys

Asteron Life has today announced the launch of a flexible new insurance option for customers who want to protect their home and lifestyle.

Mortgage and Living Cover offers insurance to cover rent, mortgage repayments and living costs if a customer suffers an illness or injury that affects their ability to work.

“We know that New Zealanders’ finances go through different stages, and life can throw up unexpected challenges,” says David Drillien, Executive Manager Life at Asteron Life. “So we’ve developed a uniquely flexible product that can adapt to the financial journeys our customers are on.”

Mortgage and Living Cover is made up of different blocks of cover that customers can structure to design a solution that is totally flexible for them.

Unlike most other products, Mortgage and Living Cover offers the ability to dial cover up and down in response to changing financial circumstances, without the need to be medically underwritten again.

Mr Drillien says that this enables customers to adapt their insurance more easily to their current financial situation. As an example, he cites customers buying their first home.

“First home buyers might be really struggling with mortgage repayments, and they want a way to protect their ability to make those payments that will work within their budget.

“But, over time the pressure may ease and they may want to ensure they have enough cover to protect their lifestyle. They may upgrade their home or have a baby and need additional cover, or they might want to dial it back as they pay down their debt.”

Mortgage and Living Cover can be matched to mortgage repayments like a traditional mortgage protection cover, or to income, like a traditional income protection cover, or a combination of both.

According to Mr Drillien, customers who want to top up their mortgage protection with a bit more cover to protect their lifestyle usually need more than one product.

“Topping up with additional products can bring added complexity, but Asteron Life’s new product enables customers to build in the cover they want in one product.”

Adding a range of benefits to living cover

Mortgage cover has traditionally been a more basic option than income protection, with fewer benefits. But with Mortgage and Living Cover, Asteron Life has added in a range of benefits that were previously only available to income protection customers.

“Two of the big ones are the Dependent Relative and Family Assist benefits. Those benefits offer a fixed amount of cover if the insured person needs to take time off work to look after a dependent, or if they need to take time off themselves and need a family member to look after them.”

Mr Drillien says it can provide enormous peace of mind for customers to know that those covers are available if they need it.

“Being able to cover your partner or another family member’s income for a period so they can help you out and look after you can make a huge difference for both your physical and financial wellbeing.”

Mr Drillien says Asteron Life’s new Mortgage and Living Cover is available for purchase through financial and insurance advisers.

“A financial adviser will be able to talk customers through their income and mortgage protection covers, and advise on the best ways to structure products to meet their financial goals,” he says.

You can find the media release here

Should you have income protection cover?!

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:01:23 GMT

LATEST NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR INSURERS

Asteron Life research reveals only 17% of SMEs have income protection insurance

Asteron Life today released research that reveals just 17% of small and medium enterprise business owners and decision makers (SMEs) have income protection insurance.

The finding comes as part of the launch of the first Asteron Life SME Insurance Index, which examines the insurance purchasing landscape for SMEs and their attitudes towards advisers.

“97% of New Zealand businesses have 20 or fewer employees, which means that SMEs represent a significant market for insurers and brokers,” said Trevor Longbottom, Acting Executive Manager Life Distribution at Asteron Life.

“This research is the first step towards helping advisers understand the unique challenges faced by SMEs, and identify ways to tailor their offering towards them.”

The research shows that while penetration of life insurance is high with the SME market, with 61% having life cover, uptake of other personal insurance products is considerably lower.

Time was identified as a major challenge for SME customers

Although time was identified as a major challenge for SME customers, only 52% of those with life insurance indicated that they used an adviser because it saved them time.

36% of SMEs stated they are trying to do everything on their own
31% said they have no time for themselves or their family
26% identified managing their time as a major challenge.

According to Longbottom, the research showed that for many SMEs there is considerable appeal in having one adviser look after all of their policies.

“SMEs are facing a lot of time pressure and many are also feeling quite isolated. This represents a significant opportunity for advisers to add and demonstrate value,” said Mr Longbottom.

“Feedback from the SMEs we interviewed showed there was real appetite for advisers to be assisting with insurance products across the full spectrum of business and personal needs.”

Price not the main driver for SME customers

You can find the full media release here

The research showed that the top reasons SME customers with life insurance use an adviser is expertise (86%) and service (70%).

Interestingly, price was a lower consideration with only 45% of SMEs saying they used an adviser because of price, and only 49% saying they thought finding the cheapest policies was important.

“It’s great to see that when it comes to life insurance, SMEs are really looking for expertise and service,” said Mr Longbottom. “Customers are relying on adviser to help them find the right cover, not just the cheapest cover.”

The survey also identified other ways advisers may be able to demonstrate value for SME customers, including:

giving advice on changes to their business that might impact their insurance (64%)
providing them with general advice on insurance (52%)
offering advice on ways to mitigate risk (51%).

Life insurance uptake influencing SME peace of mind

The research revealed that SME customers with life insurance showed significant differences in attitude to those without.

Customers with life insurance were more likely to say that being insured gave them peace of mind (96%), and more likely to be confident that they had the right insurance (75%).

“Not surprisingly, trust was particularly important when it comes to buying life insurance,” said Mr Longbottom.

SMEs feel considerable fear about being sold a product that does not suits their needs, and want to be able to believe that the adviser is acting in their best interests.

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MEDIA RELEASE Asteron Life releases new level premium options on life cover

Asteron Life announces ‘continuous Trauma’ benefit, package of product enhancements

MEDIA RELEASE Asteron Life announces market-leading ‘continuous Trauma’ benefit, package of product enhancements.

flexible new insurance cover for New Zealanders

MEDIA RELEASE: Asteron Life announces flexible new insurance cover for New Zealanders' financial journeys

Adding a range of benefits to living cover

Should you have income protection cover?!

LATEST NEWS FROM ONE OF OUR INSURERS

Asteron Life research reveals only 17% of SMEs have income protection insurance

If you want to read the full study ''A snapshot of New Zealand's Life, Health and Wellbeing''
you can find it here:

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MEDIA RELEASE

Asteron Life releases new level premium options on life cover

MEDIA RELEASE

Asteron Life announces market-leading ‘continuous Trauma’ benefit, package of product enhancements.

MEDIA RELEASE:

Asteron Life announces flexible new insurance cover for New Zealanders' financial journeys