Transform tomorrow
Facing a health scare without any insurance cover in place motivated Diana McIntyre to become an insurance specialist with Rapson Loans & Finance, to help others avoid the same shock.
Facing a health scare without any insurance cover in place motivated Diana McIntyre to become an insurance specialist with Rapson Loans & Finance, to help others avoid the same shock.
Life can throw you curveballs. When my brother died suddenly, his foresight in taking out life insurance saved our family from financial heartache on top of grief. But when I faced my own health crisis, I did so as a solo mum and breadwinner, with nothing to protect my financial security.
Many Kiwis insure their homes and vehicles but we are much more reluctant to insure our most valuable asset – ourselves. I now know that health, trauma and income protection insurance can literally save the day.
A good health insurance policy will give you access to non-Pharmac drugs without having to sell your home or beg others for help via Givealittle. And it will ensure you are seen quickly without languishing on public waiting lists while your condition worsens.
According to Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora, 180,000 people were waiting for a first specialist appointment last December – and 68,000 of those had waited longer than the 40-day target. New Zealand’s health system is overloaded and focused on critical need. But you don’t have to be critically unwell to be debilitated.
I am privileged to work with clients every day to cover their risks while balancing their budget. A solo mum in her late 30s was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. As her household’s only financial provider, her $100,000 trauma cover financially saved her.
Another local couple in their 40s, with children from previous relationships, took out a joint life insurance policy. Less than 12 months later, he died. But the insurance payout meant his new partner could continue living in their home, and his children received an inheritance.
While no-one likes to think this could happen to them, the reality is it could. In today’s economy, I can help you sustainably manage your premiums. If you’re under 45, it’s worth taking out some ‘level’ of trauma or life cover which won’t increase each year in line with your age. It will give you more certainty on cost and help you plan for the future.
Once you’re over 50, right when you’re likely to need cover, your premiums will be sustainable. If you’re older, you could consider increasing your health insurance excess if you need to reduce your monthly premium.
My best advice is to sit down with a knowledgeable insurance specialist such as myself. I can take a holistic and pragmatic look at your circumstances and help you strike the right balance between cover and cost.
It’s important to set up insurance that meets your needs now, as well as strategically looking ahead to the future.