2083 days ago

Buying a house - what insurance do you need?

Garry Tranter from Price My House for Free Limited

If you’ve recently bought your first home, or upgraded to a new home, your lender or mortgage adviser may have talked to you about life or mortgage insurance.

But do you know the difference between them? Here we take a look at these two types of cover, and how each can benefit you and your family.

MORTGAGE INSURANCE

Depending on the policy (some will cover you for mortgage repayments if you are off work ill or injured as well), you might find that this type of cover only pays off your mortgage in the event of your death.

The payment will go straight to the lender, rather than to any loved ones. This means that, at the very least, your family will have a freehold house they can live in – and possibly sell to downsize and free up some capital. Mortgage insurance, however, doesn’t usually give your loved ones any additional funds for other needs.

LIFE INSURANCE

Unlike mortgage insurance, life insurance is not linked to your mortgage. The money either gets paid out to the policy owner or into the insured’s estate – meaning it can be used for whatever the beneficiary (receiver of the money) decides they want to use it for.

Another feature of life insurance is that you can have as much cover as you can either afford or demonstrate you have the need for. This means that not only can you make provision for the mortgage to be paid off, you can also include some additional funds to cover funeral costs, other debts or childcare or education costs.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.6% Yes
    85.6% Complete
  • 13.3% No
    13.3% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2030 votes
4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

BLACKHAWK CORGI RACES SUNDAY NOV 17

Michael from Trentham

Who is the fastest Corgi in NZ?

This will be decided on Sunday, November 17 at Belmont Domain, Lower Hutt with racing starting at 2pm.

Thirty Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis will take to the 60 metre track for racing like no other.

Competition comes from as far away as Auckland and Whanganui and if you want to stretch it a little - Scotland - with the very recent arrival of Skye and his owners from the other side of the world.

The youngest to compete is 7 month old, Atlas whilst Bonnie at 14 years is part of the seniors (nine and over) event.

Spectators very welcome to this sixth annual championship organised by the Wellington Welsh Corgi Club.