GoodReturns.co.nz - Insurance News

Fidelity exec to become Apex CEO

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:36:00 +1200

Fidelity Life has reshaped its leadership team following the departure of an executive.

Where do all the life insurance premiums go?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:37:00 +1200

[OPINION] Last year $1.64 billion was paid in life premiums but only $539 million in income protection premiums – differences in life product premiums hint at great adviser opportunity.

New insurance comparison tool hits the market

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:49:00 +1200

KAN has revamped and relaunched the late Graeme Lindsay's Strategy insurance research business.

Is protecting retirement provision a life adviser’s duty? Part One

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:08:00 +1200

Opinion: Early death, disease and disability is a risk that can destroy the ability to retire with more than NZ Super.

AIA claims stats released; Heart claims high

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:57:00 +1200

AIA pays $790 million in total claims in 2025 as heart disease continues to impact thousands of Kiwi families.

Fidelity Life’s Career connect 2026 signals strong industry backing for future adviser talent

Tue, 12 May 2026 06:38:00 +1200

Fidelity Life has announced the Career connect 2026 intake, with almost 60 applications received from across New Zealand and a new cohort of aspiring financial advice professionals now placed in the programme.

AIA says new product adviser-driven

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:09:00 +1200

AIA has launched a new trauma product which it says is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

When a night is not a night

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:08:00 +1200

[OPINION] A short while ago, I wrote about an insurer’s disability product policy wording requiring that the insurer be notified if the life insured’s occupation changes. Something not mandatory with other mainstream providers as far as I can tell.

Fidelity postponses Engage

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:46:00 +1200

Fidelity Life postpones Engage 2026 to protect event quality and adviser experience.

Pricing and reviews: regulatory interest in Australia may emerge in New Zealand too

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:46:00 +1200

Russell Hutchinson says the insurance market has been through the busiest period of base rate changes, perhaps ever. But more change may be on its way.

FANZ to up the ante against NZ’s soaring medical inflation

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:11:00 +1200

Action starts on tackling the rising costs of medical inflation and health insurance premiums.

Special Events Benefits; great for clients and advisers but beware the time limits

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:16:00 +1200

Opinion: There are benefits and options in life, trauma and disability products that allow cover to be increased without underwriting.

Fidelity building register to help firms connect with Career connect graduates

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:42:00 +1200

Fidelity Life marks 2025 Career connect milestone with record 29 graduates

AIA’s new product designed for life

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:48:00 +1200

While AIA’s new Cover for Life looks like a level premium product it is something different the company says.

Chubb fills leadership team with surprise appointment

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:21:00 +1200

Chubb now has a full executive leadership team including one high-profile appointment from a competitor.

AIA rolls out tweaked level policy

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:26:00 +1200

AIA has released, Cover for Life, a level premium policy with some new tweaks.

Customers doing it tough, Partners postpones conference

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:20:00 +1200

Customers are doing it tough, Partners Life says, and it is not appropriate to hold a conference this year.

Partners Life tells advisers it’s working on lifting service levels

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:13:00 +1200

Partners Life says it’s continuing to work on improving its service levels, implementing a number of reviews and plans to go paperless by mid-year.

Life cover benefits can be at risk of terminal illness

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:18:00 +1200

[Opinion] Life cover benefits designed to support surviving family members on the death of a client can be at risk if they are used ‘early’ to fund terminal illness, perhaps even to the point where the family is left with too little, resulting in a failure of the insurance to perform its purpose.

nib back in profit and recovering

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:56:00 +1200

Health insurer nib says its New Zealand subsidiary is back in profit and its recovery continues at pace.

Advisers question whether churn still an issue

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:33:00 +1200

Advisers say the Financial Markets Authority is right to take action on any cases where policies are being replaced irresponsibly – but it’s unlikely to be widespread.

Fidelity Life is refreshing the structure of its Adviser Council

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:20:00 +1200

The refresh is designed to ensure the council remains future focused and responsive to rapidly changing customer expectations, technology shifts, regulatory developments and broader market dynamics.

Southern Cross CEO steps down

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:03:00 +1200

After 10 years in the role Southern Cross's Chief Executive is stepping down.

Client reviews – what is expected of advisers?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:03:00 +1200

[Opinion] A complaint against an adviser who did not know his client had two life policies has led to some discussion on the importance of regular reviews.

Lessons for life insurers from 1918

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:04:00 +1200

A researcher who published a paper on the US life insurance industry in the 1918 flu pandemic says there are some messages that are relevant to the situation currently facing the New Zealand life insurance industry.

ICIB Brokerweb picks up Chch-based advice firm

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:56:00 +1200

ICIB scales up; Christchurch-based Chris Boon scales down.

Adviser complaint a reminder of importance of reviews

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:41:00 +1200

A complaint against an adviser who did not know a client had two life insurance policies is being called a good reminder of the importance of annual reviews.

Fidelity v Partners: Who pays out the most in claims?

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:17:00 +1200

In this article we compare Fidelity Life and Partners Life claims payouts to see how they compare.

Southern Cross is updating its life insurance offering

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:55:00 +1200

Southern Cross Life Insurance launches new life and living product.

Partners Life grabs Chubb's COO

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:34:00 +1200

Chubb's chief operating officer moves to competitor Partners Life.

MDRT Academy tightens criteria after first NZ year

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:11:00 +1200

Rick Willis says smaller groups with seasoned mentors and stricter selection criteria will help the programme achieve better results, with 60-70 mentees expected in 2026.

Removing FBT on insurance would cut premiums, FSC says

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:03:00 +1200

The FSC is calling for changes to Fringe Benefit Tax rules, arguing the current settings discourage businesses from offering health and life insurance to employees.

Life expectancy should be bigger news than it is

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:19:00 +1200

What makes a difference in life expectancy?

AIA launches cheaper trauma product aimed at cost-pressed customers

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:30:00 +1200

The new trauma product costs 60-70% less for most customers, but only covers severe conditions.

Another FAP licence taken away

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:46:00 +1200

An adviser collected over $37,000 in upfront commissions obtained through misleading clients, while others overpaid for two same or similar policies.

Partners Life named top life insurer

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:37:00 +1200

Partners Life, Blanket Advice, Folio and Insurance Advisernet New Zealand were among the major winners at the ANZIIF insurance awards last week.

[Steve Wright] Why advisers must read policy wordings - Part One

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:16:00 +1200

[Opinion]: What wording might be lurking the policy you recommend? AKA why advisers must read policy wording. Part one.

Another FAP licence taken away

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:53:00 +1200

An adviser collected over $37,000 in upfront commissions obtained through misleading clients, while others overpaid for two same or similar policies.

Rising costs require fresh thinking, AIA NZ CEO says

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:23:00 +1200

Nick Stanhope has met with various Ministers throughout the year and says the conversations have been promising.

Asteron Life gets ratings boost

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:57:00 +1200

Backing from Japan’s largest life insurer has given Asteron a stronger claims paying rating in Australia and New Zealand.