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Getting insurance can be a whole new language to learn amid decisions regarding family, work, and money. Hence, many people in New Zealand choose to consult licensed insurance advisers. They will consider the options across providers, help understand the fine print in simple language, and ensure the cover is tailored to your real life.
When meeting an adviser for the first time, getting the right questions answered will help you leave the room confident about what you are buying and why it matters. Here are seven smart questions to bring to your conversation.
1) What Types of Insurance Do I Actually Need?
Start with your life, not the products. The right cover for a 27-year-old flat renter would look very different from what a family with a mortgage would need. A good adviser will start with your goals, income, dependants, debts, and any big milestones in the near future, then suggest a blend that fits you best.
You don't need to have all the covers at once. The point of this question is to prioritise what matters now, and park what can wait.
Follow-ups to ask:
- Which covers are essential for me today, and which can I add later?
- If I only do one thing this year, what should it be, and why?
2) How Much Cover Is Enough for My Family and Budget?
Under-insuring leaves gaps. Over-insuring wastes money. Your adviser should help you find the middle path by mapping cover levels to the reality of your bills and goals. For many households, that means thinking about how long you’d need income replaced, which debts you’d want cleared, and what “secure” looks like if life is bumpy for a while.
Expect a conversation about sums insured, waiting periods, and benefit periods that align with your savings buffer, sick leave, mortgage, and other obligations. You’re looking for a plan you can stick to. One that protects your household without forcing you to cancel in a year because costs crept up.
Follow-ups to ask:
- What cover gets us through the next 12–24 months if things go wrong?
- If my budget is tight, what’s the smartest way to stage this?
3) What’s Included, and What Isn’t?
Every policy has definitions, limits, and exclusions. You want a simple and clear walkthrough of what events are covered, where stand-down periods apply, and how benefits interact with other support. This isn’t about memorising legal wording. It’s about understanding the handful of lines that decide whether a claim pays.
Ask your adviser for examples. “In this scenario, would it pay?” Look for clarity on pre-existing conditions, optional add-ons, and any offsets that might reduce a payout. The goal is no surprises at claim time.
Follow-ups to ask:
- Can you show me two situations where this pays, and one where it wouldn’t?
- If I tweak one setting to widen cover, which would you choose, and why?
4) How Are My Premiums Set and How Can I Manage the Cost?
Premiums vary based on age, health, lifestyle, occupation, and the way your policy is set up. There are practical levers to manage cost, for example, choosing an appropriate excess, adjusting benefit periods, or opting in or out of optional benefits. Used well, these changes can improve affordability without weakening the core intent of the cover.
A good adviser will model two or three configurations and talk you through the trade-offs. You should see how each choice affects both today’s cost and the likely path of premiums over the next few years. That way, you don’t back yourself into a corner where the only option is to cancel.
Follow-ups to ask:
- What are three ways to keep this affordable over five years?
- If premiums rise, what should I adjust first so I don’t create risky gaps?
5) What Happens If I Need to Make a Claim?
Advisers aren’t just there at application time. They are your advocate in times of stress and when the need for assistance arises. It is essential to understand their role: who you ring first, what happens next behind the scenes with the insurer, their involvement in keeping the process moving, and the methods by which they will keep you updated.
Inquire how they have supported clients through claims in the past and describe what constitutes a "well-done claim" from their point of view. Request clearly articulated forms requesting information in a timely manner, realistic time frames, and constant follow-up.
Follow-ups to ask:
- What can I do now to make claiming easier later?
- How will you keep me updated if a claim is complex or takes time?
6) How Often Should We Review My Cover?
Life changes faster than policies do. New business opportunities, pay raises, new homes, businesses, families, separation, or new debt can all tilt insurance needs. A quick annual review keeps things aligned and manages potential risks. However, most ot the time a ten-minute call suffices to confirm that nothing material has changed.
An adviser should also tell you which life events should trigger an immediate check-in outside the annual cycle. That way, you know when to raise your hand and ask, “Do we need to tweak this?”
Follow-ups to ask:
- Can we set an annual reminder for a 15-minute review?
- What changes should I tell you about straight away?
7) Are There Optional Extras That Genuinely Help Someone Like Me?
Optional benefits can be helpful or just add cost. The right extras depend on your job, health, savings buffer, and how much risk you’re happy to carry. A thoughtful adviser will explain where an add-on earns its keep, and where you’re paying for something that doesn’t add much to your situation.
This is also where you make sure you’re not doubling up. For example, if one policy feature already covers a risk, you may not need to layer on another for the same thing. The outcome you want is focused cover, not overlapping pieces.
Follow-ups to ask:
- Which add-ons do you see delivering value for people in my position?
- Which ones would you skip for me, and why?
Final Word
Insurance is about freedom to make choices based on what’s best for your recovery, not what’s cheapest. Asking better questions gives you a clear view of how your plan will behave when life gets tough.
In New Zealand, the core products are similar across providers, but the details, service, and fit can vary. A licensed adviser helps you navigate those details, trims the jargon, and stands beside you if you ever need to claim. Take this list to your first meeting, ask for straight answers, and build cover you understand and believe in. Talk to an independent adviser at NZ Insurances today.
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