After years of very low inflation, the rapid increase in recent months has taken some people by surprise. Many households are managing higher costs in their budgets, including higher interest rates on their mortgages.
If you have income protection insurance, or mortgage and rent cover, it might be a good time to check whether the amount you would be paid in the event of a claim would still be enough. Mortgage and rent cover can be increased to cover higher repayments, and you might be able to lift your income protection cover if you are not at the maximum insurable amount. If you think you might more protection, we can help you determine what could be possible.
When was the last time you thought about what you need to protect yourself against? If it’s been a while since your last review, now is a great time to book in for a chat. It might be that you took out your policies when you were single, or before you had dependents. If your life has changed recently, whether that’s because you’ve taken on a new mortgage, you’ve had kids or you have your own business, it’s a good time to make sure that you have all the protection you need.
As we go through life, the things we are working towards change. Are you still aiming for the same targets that you had when you took out your policies? If you’re currently focused on something different – maybe saving for a house deposit, or helping your kids get a great financial start in life – it may be a good idea to talk about how your insurance can support you in those goals.
As part of that cost-of-living pressure we mentioned earlier, you might be feeling the squeeze in your budget. But it’s important not to let your insurance cover go. If you’re worried about the affordability factor, get in touch. We can talk through the options to allow you to keep the cover in place in a way that works for you. You might be able to extend the wait time for a payout, perhaps, or reduce the cover amount.
Once an insurance policy lapses, if you then want to take out another policy in the future, you may not be able to be covered for any health conditions that have arisen since you took the first policy out, so it’s almost always worth holding on.
Whatever the time of year, we are always happy to schedule time for a check-in on your insurance cover. Insurance isn’t something you should “set and forget” – it should be reviewed regularly to make sure it’s a good fit as your circumstances change through your life. Get in touch today for your mid-winter checkup.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
Link Financial Group Ltd trading as Mortgage Link and Insurance Link FSP 696731 holds a licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority to provide financial advice. Insurance Link (NZ) FSP 446867 is authorised by that licence to provide financial advice. Please visit www.insurancelink.co.nz/available-disclosure for more information and Disclosure information.