Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for some of the more commonly asked questions, if you need more information please call or email us.
Common Questions
- How much cover do I need?This varies for every person we deal with, the best thing to do is run through the simple planner we have developed.
You can get started right now by completing the simple enquiry form to the right hand side of this page. We will then come back to you with some additional questions that will help us to establish the amount of cover you need for your personal situation. - How do I contact you?
- What is usually covered?A good health plan will cover 100% of your major medical expenses, minus any "excess" (the part of the hospital bill that you pay). This includes things like surgery, hospital charges, etc. It's also common for plans to cover specialist and test costs both before and after your treatment in hospital. In addition, plans will often pay for a range of "major diagnostic" costs (like MRI scans, CT scans, angiograms, etc), even if you don't need treatment in hospital.
- What extra cover is available?
Usually you can choose an extra "Specialists and Tests" add-on. This means that specialist and test costs are covered, even if you don't need to go to hospital (for example a referral by your GP to have a test done or have a consultation with a specialist). This can be a good add-on to have because multiple specialist visits or tests can be quite expensive. - Who can apply?
Usually any New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or people on a 2 year Work Visa can apply. - Why have my health Insurance rates gone up so much?Health Insurance rates increase on average 10% per year because of medical Inflation.
They also increase because of age.
If you are part of a group scheme and the claims experience of the group is higher than the average, further increases may be applied.
If you are concearned about your health insurance costs please contact us for a review, there may be better options available. - What options do I have for health insurance if my rates are getting too expensive?The best thing to do is call me.
Options include applying for other cover through the many options we have available, however if you have pre-existing conditions these may be excluded off the new policy. - What is the definition of a disability?In most cases the definition is, " The inbility to perform your usual occupation for more than ten hours per week".
Please read your policy wordings for a full definition. - Am I covered if I'm out of the country?Life , Income Protection , Trauma and Total and Disablement cover, usually cover you anywhere in the world 24 hours a day, Health insurance only covers you for treatment in New Zealand.
Special conditions sometimes apply please check your policy wordings for full details. - My Insurance premiums are going up, is there an option to make the premiums level?Yes, you can now get level premiums for most benefits, call us for more information, we can probably convert existing cover without the need for further health questions.
- How likely am I to become disabled or pass away before age 65 ?Five in 10 males are likely to become disabled due to an illness or
accident before they turn 65, preventing them from working for at
least a month.1
Seven in 10 females are likely to become disabled due to an illness
or accident before they turn 65, preventing them from working for
at least a month. Of these, nearly a third will still be on claim 12
months later.1
One in nine men will be disabled and off work for more than
12 months before age 65.2
One in five women will be disabled and off work for more than12
months before age 65.2
Fifty-one per cent of males will suffer a critical illness before the
age of 70.3
Thirty-three per cent of females will suffer a critical illness before
the age of 70.3
Sources:
1 Davies Financial and Actuarial Limited
2 Insurance Alert, Winter 2000
3 GenRe LifeHealth Australia, 2005 - What is a buy-sell agreement?A buy-sell agreement is a written agreement between you and your business
partner(s) setting out what each of you intends to do with your business
interests should one of you leave the business. Essentially, it is a will for
your business.
The buy-sell agreement is commonly ‘triggered’ by one or more of the
following events:
Death
Disablement
Traumatic illness
Retirement or resignation.
The agreement provides a plan for the future should any of these events occur
and, just as importantly, outlines how the agreement will be funded – usually
through insurance or savings. Without the funding mechanisms in place, the
buy-sell agreement cannot fulfil its purpose. - What does accelerated benefit mean?This means that when the benefit is paid out, it will reduce another benefit by the same amount (usually your life cover). This is common and helps reduce the overall cost of cover.
- What is a buy back benefit?Usually included with accelerated Trauma, serious illness, critical illness. This benefit allows you to get your Trauma cover reinstated after a period of time, usually 13 months, at the same rates and terms you were originally covered, minus the condition you have claimed for (conditions apply, read your policy wordings).
- What is a Life buy back benefit?A life buy back benefit is usually included when accellerated benefits are attached to a life insurance policy. When these benefits get paid out, the Life cover reduces by the same amount, the buy back benefit allows you to get that life cover back, at the same rates you were paying before you were diagnosed with the cancer or had a heart attack, stroke etc, (conditions apply please read your policy wordings).
- What does specific injury or illness benefit mean?Some policies include a specific injury or illness benefit, thsi means you receive a guaranteed payment amount based on the type of injury or illness you sustain, for example a broken wrist might pay you 1.5 times your monthly benefit whereas a cancer will pay 6 months, see your policy for full details and call me if you have any questions.
- What does TPD (total and Permanent Disablement) Booster mean?If this benefit is included with your policy, it means that a disability resulting in your not being able to ever return to work in your usual occupation ever again, and you are not in fact working, after a period of usually 12 months they will increase your benefit payment by 1/3. Policy wordings differ please contact us with any questions about your cover.
- Under my monthly disability cover (Income protection or Mortgage repayment cover) it says I have a Total and Permanent Disablement benefit, what does this mean?If a life assured has been receiving a total disability benefit for a continuous period of at least twelve (12) months and they are certified by an appropriate Medical Doctor or Specialist as being totally and permanently disabled and Partners Life has accepted the claim, Partners Life will pay a Total and Permanent Disability Benefit of 24 times the monthly sum insured.