Moving to NZ?
Inform is proud to be a member of Global Footprints. Global Footprints is a network of NZ businesses that together can help make your move to NZ stress free and easy. Registering for this unique service is totally free - you can find out more please check out www.globalfootprints.co.nz.
Inform is the Insurance Partner for Global Footprints. We work extensively with people who are moving to NZ. Our service is free, simple, and comprehensive. Plus with Inform you can have your insurance organised before you even reach NZ! Here’s how it works:
Complete a secure online ‘fact-finder’
Inform recommends carefully selected insurance plans from 8 of NZ’s key insurers. The secure fact-finder gathers the info (your date of birth, smoking status, etc) that we need to outline your options and quote premiums.
Review your insurance report
This will explain in plain English the ins-and-outs of the different options, so you can identify the best value for money insurer. Plus you’ll see how independent research rates the plans on offer.
Apply for insurance
Once you and your adviser have selected an insurer and discussed any questions, you can apply for cover. We work closely with you and the insurer to make the application process smooth and as quick as possible.
All done! Ongoing service begins
Once your cover has started we offer ongoing service – including regular reviews of your insurance and immediate personal assistance if you ever need to claim.
For more, please click here
Suggested Timeframes
For “personal” insurance (health, life, critical care, etc) we suggest that you start the process two months before your NZ arrival date. If you don't have this long then we just need to get started as soon as possible!
On the other hand “asset” insurance (house, contents, car, etc) is usually quick to set up and can be done on arrival.
Why Inform?
We have information about why to use Inform on our website, but the best description of our service comes from our clients! Here’s an example:
"I'm from the UK where often it seems insurance companies and teams of financial advisors are just out to get as much out of their clients as possible, with little thought to customer service or in fact, the policy they’re selling in the first place. So thank you for your speedy service and informative approach. Can you also thank our adviser for us - he was full of helpful advice and we are in his debt!" - G & L Gray-Lockhart
For more testimonials, please click here.
NZ Insurance - A Quick Summary
While insurance in New Zealand is similar to that in the UK, there are some differences. He’s a quick guide to the types of cover that are available and the terms used to describe them.
Health Insurance
NZ provides a (mostly) free public health system, however waiting lists are long and access to treatment can be unpredictable. As a result NZ has one of the world’s highest rates of private health insurance ownership.
Health insurance pays for the cost of private hospital treatment, so you can avoid public waiting lists and have treatment when and where you need it.
Income Protection
NZ has a publicly funded system (ACC) to assist people who are injured and unable to work. However ACC covers accidents only, which makes income protection insurance a wise choice.
Income Protection pays a percentage of your income if you’re unable to work because of sickness or disability. It doesn’t typically cover ‘non-health related’ issues like redundancy, though this is available from some insurers.
Trauma Insurance
This is very similar to Critical Illness Cover (and some insurers actually use this name).
Trauma insurance will pay a lump sum if the insured person suffers one of a list of covered conditions (cancer, heart attack, or stroke for example).
Life Insurance
This is the simplest kind of insurance and the most similar to the options available in the UK.
Life insurance simply pays a lump sum if the insured person passes away or (with most insurers) is terminally ill. Premiums can be “stepped” or “level”. A stepped premium increases every year with age, while a level premium does not increase with age (in the shorn term a level premium costs more, but in the long term typically saves money).
Arranging Insurance in NZ
NZ has a large number of insurers offering the options above. Some insurers have their own sales force and sell their products direct to the public, however most operate through insurance brokers or advisers. Some brokers and advisers are ‘tied’ to a particular insurer, while others use a wide range of insurers.
Insurance plans differ significantly in cost and quality of cover, and to ensure you get top value for money, we recommend consulting an insurance adviser that can advise you on a range of insurers – rather than only one or two.
Please note:
Under UK and NZ law, Inform cannot provide specific insurance advice to people outside NZ. However we are able to assist immediately with general information, and once you’re in NZ we can provide more specific advice.
Find out more about Global Footprints here www.globalfootprints.co.nz.