Common questions

You can buy some cover directly, but it’s easy to end up with too much, too little or the wrong type. An adviser looks at your whole situation, compares options across several insurers and explains the fine print in plain English. Just as importantly, you have someone in your corner if you ever need to claim.

Nothing. I don’t charge fees for my advice. When you take out a policy I’ve recommended, the insurer pays me commission, and I’ll always tell you the maximum commission I may receive. You can read more in my disclosure information.

Trauma cover pays a one-off lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, a heart attack or a stroke, whether or not you can still work. Income protection pays a regular monthly amount if illness or injury stops you working. Many people have both, because they do different jobs.

It depends on what you’d want the money to do, such as clearing the mortgage and other debts, replacing income for a period, or covering future costs like children’s education. We work this out together based on your situation, so you’re not paying for more cover than you need.

ACC only covers injuries caused by accidents. It doesn’t cover illness, such as cancer, heart conditions or mental health, which is a common reason people end up off work for long periods. Personal insurance can fill that gap.

The public system provides excellent emergency and acute care, but it’s under pressure, and waits for specialist appointments, scans and non-urgent surgery can be long. Health insurance helps you get diagnosed and treated sooner, at a time and place that suits you. Whether it’s worth it depends on your budget and priorities, and that’s something we can talk through.

Yes, it’s one of the most common things I help with. I’ll check whether your current cover still fits your life and compare it with other options. If changing would make sense, I’ll explain exactly what you’d gain and lose. Please don’t cancel any existing cover until new cover is confirmed.

Get in touch as soon as something happens. I’ll check what your policy covers, help with the forms and deal with the insurer on your behalf, keeping you updated along the way. You’ll have one point of contact, so you can focus on what matters most.

Not necessarily. Depending on the condition, an insurer may still offer cover, sometimes with an exclusion or a higher premium. It’s important to tell insurers about your health history in full when you apply, and I’ll guide you through that so your cover holds up at claim time.

Generally, no. You need to tell the insurer about anything relevant up until your policy starts. Once it’s in place, a change in your health doesn’t usually need to be disclosed and won’t affect the cover you already have. If you later apply to increase your cover or add a new benefit, the insurer will ask about your health again at that point. I’ll let you know what applies to your policy.

In most cases you can keep your cover going. Life, trauma, income protection and TPD cover with the insurers I work with generally cover you worldwide, and you can claim from overseas without needing to come back to New Zealand. There can be some conditions, so let me know before you go and I’ll check the details of your policies.

Health insurance is different. It usually only covers treatment in New Zealand (and with some plans, Australia), so it’s worth talking through whether it’s still worth keeping before you leave.

Yes. I regularly help people who are moving here from places like South Africa, Europe and the United States, often before they’ve even arrived. We can meet online so you understand how insurance works in New Zealand, including what ACC does and doesn’t cover, and have a plan ready. That way the right cover can be put in place soon after you get here.

Yes. Business owners often rely on their own health and ability to work more than anyone. I can help protect your personal income, and arrange key person and shareholder protection so your business can keep going if illness, injury or death affects you, a business partner or a key person. I also help employees work out what extra cover they need on top of any cover provided through work.

No. I work with clients all over New Zealand, in person or online.

I work with AIA, Asteron Life, Chubb Life, Fidelity Life, Partners Life, nib, Accuro and Southern Cross. I compare options across these insurers to find the cover that suits you best.

Book a free, no-obligation review. Call 021 765 223 or email enquire@solacefinancial.co.nz, and we’ll find a time that suits you.