19 Jun 2023

What you need to know about insurance exclusions

Life and health insurance policies are essential for providing financial protection against a range of potential risks. However, did you know there could be exclusions on your policy, based on your specific situation, including your medical history.  By fully understanding the exclusions you may have, you can make informed decisions about additional coverage you may need, and in some cases, even apply to have certain exclusions reviewed and removed after a set period of time. 

Understanding insurance exclusions

If you do have any exclusions, they will be outlined in your insurance policy, which will detail the specific situations and conditions not covered by your insurance. They are a necessary part of the insurance process as they help insurers manage known risks which would increase the potential for a claim.

When it comes to personal insurance like health or life cover, common exclusions can include circumstances related to your health, such as pre-existing medical conditions, or risky hobbies or jobs. It’s crucial to read through your policy thoroughly to know exactly what is and isn't covered.

Not quite sure where to look at? Get in touch: we can walk you through the fine print to identify whether you do have any exclusions and what they are.

Why it’s important to review your cover

Regularly reviewing your insurance policies – with the help of an insurance adviser – checks that your cover continues to meet your needs, particularly as your circumstances change over time. Importantly, regular reviews can help you identify any gaps in coverage that might arise due to policy exclusions and assess whether you need to take out additional or alternative cover.

What’s more, in some situations, it may be possible to have certain exclusions or premium loadings reviewed and removed: for example, an exclusion related to a health condition might be reconsidered if you can provide evidence of improved health.

Once again, we can help you understand what’s covered and what’s not, and how it relates to your changing circumstances. 

Here to help

As insurance advisers, we know and understand personal insurance policies down to the finest detail. By knowing your situation, we can identify any potential coverage gaps, and guide you through liaising with your insurer if you’d like to request certain exclusions to be removed.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us, and remember: your peace of mind lies in the details of your policy.

 

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.