No one daydreams about life insurance. But when you’ve got people you love and future plans that matter, it suddenly becomes one of the smartest decisions you can make. 

So instead of asking if you need life insurance, it’s really about who can give you the peace of mind you’re after. 

To help you cut through the noise, we’ve rounded up some of Wellington’s most trusted life insurance providers. If you’re ready to protect what matters most, keep reading.

1. Policywise

Policywise is kind of unique since they only focus on life insurance, health, and disability cover, not everything under the sun. Their advisers really understand the nuances most people miss, like what terminal illness clauses actually mean in real life. 

For us, it’s a big plus compared to banks or other brokers who offer all sorts of insurance but might not be experts in life coverage.

That said, since you’ll probably work mostly with an adviser and not just online tools, it might take longer to get your final quotes and reports. It can be frustrating if you want answers right away, but at least it’s thoroughly done.

They also don’t just push one company’s policies. Instead, they show you options from all the big life insurers in New Zealand. 

We also liked that they don’t just compare prices. They look at the details, including what’s covered, special benefits like funeral advances, and how good the insurer is at paying claims. 

For transparency, we also appreciate the one-page reports they offer. We reviewed a few samples and found them concise but rich in detail. It’s definitely helpful for clients trying to weigh their options without diving into 40 pages of fine print.

Professional, friendly and helpful all the way through

“A fantastic experience with Calder at Policywise, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone. Professional, friendly and helpful all the way through, and he always followed through with his promises. Information and emails were sent when he said they would be, helping to make what can be a confusing process a much more enjoyable experience. Many Thanks!”

Paul Bonham, Google review

Explained everything and answered any questions

“George was amazing to deal with, and I highly recommend you get in touch with this company if you want friendly customer service with a stress-free and easy sign-up. George worked around the hours that worked for me. He explained everything and answered any questions or concerns I had, and was also very compassionate. George provided a breakdown of each company and who he thought would be best for us personally. It took the stress out of knowing who would be the best company to go for. Thanks again, George, I’ll be recommending you to family and friends”

Alicia Andrews, Google review

2. Super Sure

What we liked the most about Super Sure was how they don’t just sell a standard policy and call it a day. They really take the time to understand their clients’ situation. 

We’ve heard they even factor in things like childcare and grief support, which most people don’t usually think about until it’s too late. 

That said, since they only have one adviser on their team, they might not be the best choice if you want to make a decision fast. Most clients we spoke to had a great experience with Murray, their adviser, but a few did mention delays in getting replies. 

They’re also not tied to one insurer. That means they find the best deal from all the major life insurance companies in New Zealand. 

This is especially useful if you’ve got a health condition that could make things tricky.  They know which companies are more flexible about certain medical issues and can help you navigate that.

It’s also a big deal for us to know that they focus on level premiums, which means your insurance payments won’t skyrocket as you get older. 

A lot of people end up dropping their policies later in life simply because they can’t afford them anymore. It’s nice to know they’re committed to helping people avoid that trap.

Super professional and there was no pressure whatsoever

“I had wonderful service from Murray, in the comfort of my own home and at a time that suited me best. He was super professional, and there was no pressure whatsoever, which is so important to me. Best of all, he found me ways to save money, and ensure I had the insurance and levels of insurance that I actually needed. I would highly recommend Super Sure!”

Nadine Henderson, Google review

We are thrilled with the service and attention to detail that Murray provides

“Super Sure has been handling all our insurance & financial matters for over a decade now. We are thrilled with the service and attention to detail that Murray provides, and his annual follow-ups. We must be one of his smaller and least lucrative clients, but we always feel like the red carpet has been rolled out and our patronage is keenly valued.”

Andrew London, Google review

3. Alpha 1 Insurance Brokers Ltd

One thing we liked right away about Alpha 1 is how detailed their princess is. Michael, their adviser, really digs into your personal situation. He’ll look into your job, family, and financial goals to make sure the advice fits you properly.

They work with a bunch of well-known providers like AIA, Partners Life, and Southern Cross. This means they can help you compare options and pick the one that’s best for you.

We also liked that they don’t charge you anything upfront. They get paid by the insurance company through commissions, so you can get advice without having to pay out of pocket.

Just so you know, the commission they earn is usually between 180% and 230% of your first year’s premium.

That said, they do provide a written document explaining why they’re recommending a certain policy, which helps keep things transparent and easy to follow.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that they don’t seem to automatically help with claims unless you ask. 

We came across a client who was too sick to handle the claims process himself. The company stepped in to assist, but it sounds like that kind of help is offered on request, not as a standard part of their service. 

Always responsive, professional and patient

“What an outstanding company! Always responsive, professional and patient. Michael especially exceeded all of our expectations and did his job with the utmost honour and integrity.”

Jahan Ghadami, Google review

He tailors the plan for us perfectly

“Thanks, Michael, for providing a professional insurance adviser using his experience and expertise. Most importantly, I can see that he delivers his service for our interest, and he tailors the plan for us perfectly. He will maximise the value for the money you spent.”

Ling Zhao, Google review

4. Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand Limited

Chubb Life’s policy has some great features. You can increase your coverage after big life events without having to go through extra health checks. 

That’s really handy because life changes fast, and your insurance should keep up. You can take advantage of it when you’re getting married, having a child, or buying a house. 

They also offer extra help that many insurers don’t, like free mental health support, legal advice, and financial counselling for you and your kids. 

We also liked that there’s a 30-day period to cancel the policy if you change your mind. The policy also clearly states what is and isn’t covered, which helps avoid surprises.

On the downside, some clients have had trouble with the company’s customer service. One person mentioned they were charged after cancelling their policy, and it took weeks and many calls to get their money back.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the policy renews every year. While this means you can cancel anytime, it also means your payments might go up as you get older. So it’s important to think about this and how it’ll affect your costs in the long run.

Very competitive and great solutions

“Fantastic and innovative company, very competitive and great solutions. Highly recommend”

Ioan Muresan, Google review

Will continue to recommend them to my clients

“I am a certified financial adviser and have worked with the team at  Chubb for about 10 years. My clients love the ‘Client Benefits’ that Chubb offers its policyholders. It allows my clients to get Wills and EPOAs done with little or no cost. Chubb will continue to be a Life Insurance Provider that I recommend to my clients in the coming years without hesitation.”

Shonna Ross, Google review

5. LifeDirect

LifeDirect lets you choose between stepped and level premiums. Stepped premiums start off cheaper but go up as you get older. Level premiums stay the same for many years, so they can be better if you’re thinking long-term.

We liked that they give you both options since everyone’s financial situation is different.

They also have an indexation option, which increases your coverage a bit each year to keep up with inflation. That means your insurance stays useful over time, which is smart.

But just remember that your premium will also go up if you choose this. It’s not always made clear at the start, so keep that in mind if you’re on a tight budget.

Although they are mainly a self-service platform, we appreciate how you can still talk to a licensed financial adviser over the phone or via video call. It’s a great backup if you have questions or want help deciding on a policy.

They also allow for flexible policy ownership. You can have the policy in your name or share it with a partner, and you can change ownership later if needed. This flexibility isn’t always offered with the other companies we’ve looked into.

However, some long-term customers said that communication is a problem. One person who had been with them for over 10 years felt like they were being ignored sometimes. 

I’m impressed at the quality & care the team provided

“LifeDirect bought my business, Compass Life, and I joined the team. I’ve been impressed at the quality & care the team provide, whether a client wants to be in control of the quality cover options that are available or use the skill, expertise & advice of the team who genuinely care about getting the best possible client outcomes. The cashback offer is generous & the app works really well.”

Tony McCombs, Google review

Very attentive, responsive & easy to deal with

“Strongly recommend LifeDirect as very attentive, responsive & easy to deal with. Sonya looked after me with respect & tenacity. If you want the best customer service, price & authenticity – see LifeDirect !!”

Jan Moylan, Google review

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