Make your $$$ Count - Get the Right Insurance Mix

Andrei from

All of us wonder from time to time whether those insurance policies we pay for are really necessary. They can be a big chunk of the budget and all the more galling if you never lodge a claim.
Of course, if you've had it when you needed it, you're always thankful for it. Insurance can be a comfort when an unexpected sickness or accident happens.
However, covering every possible risk is unaffordable so most people need to think carefully about their mix of insurance policies.
I believe insurance is all about preserving your standard of living, so every circumstance has different needs and one size doesn’t fit all.
It's not an easy task, which is why I suggest using a financial adviser who will advise on your personal circumstances.

To start with,  ask yourself What's your greatest asset? You might be surprised to hear that it's probably not your house or your car. It's almost certainly your income.
Yet most Kiwis would rather insure their assets than their lifestyle. Almost all home owners and 95 per cent of car owners are insured, while less than one in five has income protection.
Another is a perception that the Government will come to the party. The ACC scheme is relatively generous for accidental injury, but if you fall prey to illness, a family income-tested sickness benefit is likely your only form of support.

Once again, the different stages of life come into play.
If you're single and you have no dependent children, needs are different compared to having a young family and a mortgage, or if approaching retirement with an empty nest. So  best speak to an adviser for options.

What are the odds?
Research by the Financial Services Council in 2012 shows that over the past five years:
- Nearly a third of households had someone who had been unemployed for three to six months.
- One in seven households had someone who had lost income after experiencing a serious illness which meant they could not work for 3 months or more
- Once sick leave and annual leave ran out, a fifth of households would not be able to meet all their expenses after one week
-After four weeks, 55 per cent of households would be unable to maintain their lifestyle
- Only 20 per cent of households would be able to cope for more than 12 months