Insurance comes in many colours and not just the colours used by the insurance companies.

Though blues and greens tend to prevail with the providers and red has a smattering with a couple. Funny enough black does not feature too much in the mix for some obvious reasons.

Insurance, particularly life insurance is often a dark subject. Why invite it in by talking about it is often a very natural human response. I do not want black and grey in my life; I want bright colour, light and sunshine.

When it comes to financial advice, and sales in general, there are typically five approaches that sales people take.

1. Ideal world
2. Client budget
3. Average first
4. Replace with cheaper
5. Next step

We are firmly an ideal world advisory firm, as we like to consider ourselves advisers, rather than just sales people. 

Sales people sell stuff; we collaboratively weave you a risk protection plan that is driven by your desired outcomes.

If you are looking for the '13% level of funding in New Zealand' Article, it's moved here due to some changes with our web software, if not, read on ;)

An estimated one in four New Zealanders will at some point suffer from anxiety during their life according to the Mental Health Foundation. As the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition in our country, anxiety is also a condition many people do not seek medical assistance with. Yet excessive anxiety can cause significant disruptions to the life of an individual, making early recognition and treatment essential.

What does this really mean for you?

For many, it is about getting the kids to school and you to work. There are going to be some goals along the way and Christmas is coming again.

Insuring your home seemed to be an easy task. You’d ring up an insurance company, they’d tell you what your home is worth and then you’re covered. If you make a claim, they pay up and you can repair or replace your home exactly how it was. But wait, because just like an infomercial, there’s now more to it.

One-Third of Kiwi Homes May Be Underinsured

A very common question I hear is; "Why should I have life insurance" and "When should I get life insurance"?

Similar themes on the same thing, relevance. Relevance to them and their situation. Alternatively, more the point they do not have enough knowledge about the subject to make a reasonable decision. 

I suggest a well-informed decision rather than a reasonable decision, but that is just me, the risk adverse risk guy.

Often this is a question about 'Am I protected?' The person is looking for reassurance that the insurance they have taken and have been paying for is going to work.

It is also a very practical question.

If you have been relying on your recently deceased partner's income to pay the bills, it is a really valid question.

As an insurance adviser, insurance premiums are part of what we cover with clients every day.

You know what, it does not matter how young or old you are, how rich or poor, the conversation around premiums is universally the same.

Let me get something clear out front. I am an insurance adviser, not an insurance agent.

This means, frankly, I do not care what cover you take or have, who it is with or how much you spend on it; so long as it is the right benefit at the right level at an acceptable premium for you.

I’ve said for many years Kiwi’s love being self-employed, and we seem to switch between employed and self-employed a lot. Some succeed, some have a change of direction, some it’s about a change of situation. The point is, change is inevitable.

What will surprise you; typically, there are over 45,000 start-up businesses each year in New Zealand. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that a large number of these businesses are registered with the Companies Office early in the new year. Unfortunately, a lot of these businesses will simply fail due to cash-flow constraints. Some will be because the business isn’t sustainable, but the more likely reason is someone got injured or was prevented from working due to a disability.

It is that time of year, its fresh and new and the possibilities await!

My question to you is what are you going to do different to ensure you achieve the things you want?

Someone somewhere has said, "To repeat the same thing over and over and expect a different result is the definition of insanity." So what are you going to do to avoid the insanity of repeating the last few years?

Change, it seems to be the only constant. Innovation and new products from businesses seem to be a constant stream. 

In the world of insurance and risk, it is much the same. In 2015 ACC paid $718,000,000 to cover the cost of work-related injury claims.

I am doing a presentation to a group of business people shortly around planning for Health & Safety risks and what implementing a Health & Safety Plan is about.

One of the things I have done is to get out to the WorkSafe website and see what they say on the subject. It is pretty good!

Their around the block tool is a handy, easy interface to the site for those who want to dig at specific examples of what relates to their business.

They say all is fair in love and war. 

And it was first said by Miguel de Cervantes who made the comparison in 1604 in Don Quixote when he wrote, "Love and war are all one . . . Which was translated from the original Spanish used.

Variations have been used since, though it was not until 1850 that we saw the exact phrasing we know today.

Frank Smedley wrote in his novel, Frank Fairlegh: Scenes from the Life of a Private Pupil:

So you have existing medical insurance cover but you are concerned about unfunded and non-Pharmac subsidised medicines, especially for cancer.

You are concerned because your present cover is either limited or non-existent for this area of your medical treatment. 

If you are fit and healthy then this is not quite the issue it could be and moving to a plan that does cover this is relatively straight forward. 

But that’s not the reason you are reading this either.

I'm doing Movember this year, raising funds and awareness for men's health, please support the cause here mobro.co/willowgrove

I want to raise awareness about mens health and getting regular medical checks, even when you feel fine.

As a life insurance adviser, dealing with preventable conditions, particularly with men, is one of the most frustrating things I encounter.