For many New Zealand households, personal insurance is no longer something you set up once and forget. Premiums have surged — with some health insurers increasing prices by 20% or more this year — forcing families to rethink what they can realistically afford. Life cover, health insurance, income protection and even home insurance have climbed into the same stress-category as housing costs, groceries and rising interest rates.
Why the jump?
The drivers are real and unavoidable:
- Medical inflation is climbing fast.
- Our population is ageing.
- COVID-era delays in diagnosis and treatment have produced a wave of more complex claims.
- Demand for faster access to private care continues to rise.
- General inflation has pushed up the cost of everything, including insurance.
Faced with these pressures, many Kiwis are increasing excesses, trimming benefits, or cancelling cover altogether. But cutting the wrong type of protection can leave families dangerously exposed when illness, disability or sudden loss of income hits. Getting the balance right — staying protected without overpaying — is now a crucial financial decision.
This is where a skilled insurance adviser makes all the difference
A good adviser doesn’t simply “sell insurance.” They analyse your risks, compare insurers, and structure cover so your money goes where it matters most. No unnecessary extras. No blind spots. No guesswork.
An experienced adviser can:
- Tailor protection to your unique family or business needs.
- Compare a wide range of providers (not just the one you happen to look up online).
- Highlight smarter, more affordable cover structures.
- Help negotiate terms or find alternatives you may never have known existed.
UProtectNZ’s own guide — The Six Universal Rules of Life & Health Insurance — is designed precisely for this purpose (copies available on request).
And when you need to claim — that’s when an adviser truly proves their worth
Navigating insurer paperwork, meeting evidence requirements, and arguing your case when a claim is questioned can be stressful and overwhelming.
A seasoned adviser becomes your advocate, standing with you through the process to ensure you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to.
The bottom line?
Yes, premiums are rising — and will likely continue to. But going without cover is a gamble most families simply can’t afford. A knowledgeable, independent adviser helps you protect what matters most, without blowing your budget.
Smart decisions, not guesswork.
Security and peace of mind — for you, your family and your business.
It’s what we do.
“Come as a client, leave as a friend.”
Theo Simeonidis
UProtectNZ Insurance Services