Protect Your Family's Future with Life Insurance in New Zealand
Life is unpredictable, and every day brings the risk of harming your health or lifestyle. But what would happen to your family if the unthinkable happened?
Losing someone is emotionally challenging, but financial hardship shouldn’t make it worse. With life insurance cover, you can ensure your loved ones are financially secure, even in your absence. Life insurance provides peace of mind, knowing that your family will be protected from unexpected financial burdens.
Want to learn more? Read on for details about life insurance options in New Zealand, or contact our friendly team to get affordable quotes from trusted life insurance providers.
What is Life Insurance and How Does It Work?
Life insurance provides a tax-free lump sum payment upon your death or if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness. This money can help your family maintain the lifestyle you’ve built together, even when you’re no longer around.
The goal of life insurance is simple: ensure your family is financially supported, just as if you were still here.
We are trusted independent brokers and life insurance brokers, and our advisors will sit down with you—either at home or online—and develop a Personalised Protection Plan. This plan ensures that the life cover you choose meets your family’s unique needs and financial circumstances.
For instance, one of our clients was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was able to use their life insurance policy to cover medical expenses and secure their children’s education. The tax-free payout provided their family with financial stability during difficult times.
What is a Life Insurance Broker?
A life insurance broker is an independent professional dedicated to helping individuals and families find the perfect life insurance policy tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
Unlike an insurance agent who represents one insurance company, a life insurance broker collaborates with multiple insurance providers. This allows them to offer a diverse range of options, ensuring you get the best fit for your situation.
Life insurance brokers in NZ possess extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, providing personalised advice and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your life insurance coverage.
Benefits of Using a Life Insurance Broker
Choosing to work with a life insurance broker comes with numerous advantages:
Access to a Wide Range of Providers: Brokers work with multiple insurance providers, giving you access to a variety of life insurance policies.
Personalised Advice: They offer tailored advice and guidance, helping you make well-informed decisions based on your specific needs.
Comparison Shopping: Brokers can compare quotes from different insurers, ensuring you find the best policy at the most competitive price.
Ongoing Support: From managing your policy to assisting with insurance claims, brokers provide continuous support and service.
Industry Expertise: With their deep understanding of the insurance industry and market trends, brokers can offer expert insights.
Customised Solutions: They can tailor insurance solutions to meet your individual circumstances, whether you need mortgage protection insurance, income protection insurance, or other types of cover.
How Does Life Cover Work in NZ?
In New Zealand, life insurance works as follows:
You decide how much financial support your loved ones will need in the event of your death or permanent disability.
Life insurance typically covers the financial needs of your dependants, beneficiaries, or funeral expenses. If the main income earner in the family passes away, their income is gone, and this can cause financial hardship. The life insurance payout helps to cover debt, replace lost income, and provide for the family.
If you pass away, as long as your policy’s terms and conditions are met, the payout will go to your beneficiaries.
To keep your coverage active, you’ll make regular premium payments.
While life insurance provides security, some pre-existing conditions or circumstances surrounding death may affect your cover or payout. This is why it’s important to speak with a life insurance broker who can guide you through the process and ensure your policy meets your family’s needs.
The most common pre-existing conditions that affect New Zealand insurance policies include
- Cardiovascular Diseases like Heart disease, high blood pressure, and a history of strokes.
- Diabetes, like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Cancer – A history of cancer or being in remission.
Insurance Company vs Insurance Broker
When it comes to buying life insurance, you have two main options: purchasing directly from an insurance company or working with an insurance broker. Here are some key differences:
- Range of Options: Insurance companies typically offer only their own products, while brokers can provide a variety of options from multiple providers.
- Personalised Advice: Brokers offer expert, personalised advice and support, whereas insurance companies may not provide the same level of guidance.
- Comparison Shopping: Brokers can help you compare quotes and find the best policy at the best price, something you might not get when dealing directly with one insurance company.
- Ongoing Support: Brokers offer continuous support, from policy management to assisting with insurance claims, ensuring you have help when you need it.
Buying Life Insurance: Broker or Direct?
Deciding whether to buy life insurance directly from an insurance company or through a broker depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Consider the following factors:
Experience with Life Insurance: If you are knowledgeable about life insurance and know exactly what you need, buying directly from an insurance company might be a good option.
Need for Personalised Advice: If you require tailored advice and guidance, a life insurance broker is likely the better choice.
Access to Options: If you want to explore a range of policies and compare quotes, a broker can provide the necessary access and expertise.
Value of Ongoing Support: If you value continuous support and service, working with a broker will ensure you have assistance throughout the life of your policy.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that best suits your life insurance needs.
Do You Have to Pay Tax on Life Insurance in NZ?
Short answer: No. Currently, life insurance payouts in New Zealand are generally tax-free if they are paid directly to an individual or an estate. These funds can be used for funeral expenses, living costs, or other end-of-life arrangements.
However, every case is unique. If you think you may fall outside the standard tax-exemption guidelines, it’s important to consult with both an insurance broker and a financial adviser. Together, they can ensure your loved ones avoid unnecessary financial burdens.
New Zealand Beneficiaries:
Life insurance payouts to local beneficiaries, such as family trusts, are generally tax-free. However, if the payout is invested, any interest earned may be taxed as trust income up to 39%.
Overseas Beneficiaries:
Beneficiaries living abroad may face inheritance or income tax in their country of residence, potentially reducing the payout. Tax treaties might help reduce the burden, but obligations may still exist depending on the country’s laws.
While New Zealand doesn’t tax life insurance payouts directly, the tax implications for overseas beneficiaries or trusts can vary significantly.
What Conditions Could Limit Life Insurance Policies Coverage?
While we avoid the term “disqualify,” some pre-existing conditions could limit the amount or type of life insurance you qualify for, including:
Cancer
Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Heart disease
Family history of conditions
Drug/alcohol use
BMI/Obesity
Disclosing a pre-existing health condition doesn’t mean you can’t obtain life insurance. However, it may affect your premiums or coverage limits. In some cases, the type of life insurance you can get may also be affected (e.g., income protection insurance vs. mortgage protection insurance).
Additionally, some situations, such as suicide within 13 months of obtaining a policy or terminal illness related to a known but undisclosed condition, may result in the life insurance payout being denied.
Don’t take our word for it
here’s what our clients say
Andy has been very helpful, we couldn't have filled out the paperwork without him. He is friendly and courteous and a pleasure to deal with.
“My wife and I are so very thankful for the sincere and professional support we have received from Chris Goddard over the last year as we have worked through a very rough time. We would have never made a claim without his support and advice. He has offered valuable advice every step along the way, offering to do things above and beyond, showing his sincerity. We were just talking yesterday about how lucky we are that we signed up all those years ago when we got our mortgage for the extra protection - mortgage and income protection. Because of this, I am now receiving extremely expert and expensive help from medical professionals that I would otherwise not have access to. I have advised several friends and family members recently of the services provided and will continue to do so!".
Great to deal with. All the options were easily explained and pointed out the ‘pros and cons’ thoroughly. Exceptional service.
"During our first meeting Nina was friendly and efficient, setting us at ease while establishing our occupations, financial restrictions, health history and insurance requirements.
Nina prepared our insurance packages, emailed them to us then we met again to the discuss the options she had clearly illustrated. Due to changing circumstances Nina requoted our options three times during which she travelled a long distance to meet with us and discuss anything we did not understand in a knowledgeable and concise manner.
My husband and I are happy to recommend Nina as a Financial Advice Provider to any prospective clients."
"Omg I am crying right now. Thank you so much. I cannot believe it, this money would come at a perfect time you have no idea. We are a 1 income family & things have been very tight. You are amazing !! Your customer service is top notch".
“Can I please take this opportunity to say how much I have appreciated your kindness and support throughout this entire journey I have been on and with such a great outcome. You were there for me right from the start and just talking to you, having you listen to me at my lowest and also helping me through all the paperwork, that, I am very grateful for .
Your company is very lucky to have you. Once again Ryan you are the best .”
"Top class advice, great service, good regular feedback. Thank you, Foster"
“Michael who was the friendliest most professional person to help us choose the right plan for us moving forward. Excellent communication made the process very easy and stress free. Michael was available to answer any questions at any time. Highly recommend Michael and Adelphi for all your insurance needs”.
"Honest advice from Chris based on his experience with clients and insurers. He went out of his way to schedule times which suited our family".
"Nina was very knowledgeable and presented an informative and balanced description of the various products. I felt that she had the best outcome for our situation front and centre, rather than trying to push products that we didnt need."
“Ryan has been helping me with my claims for the last few months. I have ongoing health issues which can be very stressful at times, however, Ryan has been nothing short of amazing in helping me with the NIB processes. His thorough attention to detail, reliability, friendly support and kind ear has really taken the load and stress off my shoulders. He gets back to be very quickly and has things sorted within days. He explains the NIB processes in a way I understand and makes me feel valued. He has provided me with remarkable service and I cannot fault his work!!”
“I recently dealt with Andrew to help with my KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal. In what was a stressful time Andrew was very professional, he understood my needs and made the process simple and easy. Would definitely recommend Andrew for anything KiwiSaver."
"Nina is an amazing professional. Besides having a lot of knowledge on what she sells, she was able to explain me in a language I could understand. She is patient, compromised, and really helped find the best option for me. She was everything I needed in such a hard time for me. I can recommend her services with my eyes closed."
