Our 5 Preferred NZ Seniors Insurance Policies
David Sims
| Last Updated: December 2020 It’s more beneficial than ever to be insured as you get older. That’s why we’ve collated NZ seniors insurance policies here for you.
There are different types of cover for seniors insurance—life, funeral, and travel cover. But given your unique needs and situation, as well as the myriad of products out there, it can be hard to know which policy is best for you.
To help you out, we’ve written a guide on how to choose seniors insurance policy. This will make it easier for you to pick from our options later on.
How to Choose Seniors Insurance Cover
When it comes to seniors insurance, it’s all about your family or business. You want to protect them and make sure that they are financially covered in case something happens to you.
No matter what you want to protect, we’ll help you find the right policy for you. Anyway, here are the things you need to know about seniors insurance cover:
1. Types
If you’re talking about seniors insurance cover, it refers to either life, funeral, or travel insurance. Which one do you think you’ll need?
- Life Insurance
This cover pays a lump sum in the event that you die or are diagnosed with a terminal disease. The payout can be used to make up for lost income, pay daily bills, mortgage, and rent.
- Funeral Insurance
Funeral insurance simply provides a payment to the beneficiary to cover funeral expenses. It is paid out if a loved one has died from an accident or disease.
- Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is vital for seniors in case of health emergencies abroad, flight delays, travel cancellations, luggage theft, and the like.
You can receive proper medical aid to help you get better, especially during your trip overseas. Also, you will be covered for treatment and medical costs.
2. Age
The older you are, the harder it is to get approved for a policy, especially life cover. For example, if you are 60 and have pre-existing conditions, the premiums are likely to be higher.
Each policy has an age limit that you have to be aware of. The younger and more physically fit you are, the lower your premiums will be.
In relation to your age, you have to get quotes from different insurers to find the best price.
3. Benefits
Each policy has a different set of built-in and additional benefits. Before buying a policy, you should ensure that it has most of the benefits that you need and can use.
You should also take the time to read the terms of the benefit. One insurer’s accidental death or bereavement cover terms usually varies from that of another.
Also, take note of the amount that the benefit can cover up to. Here’s an example: if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition, you get a partial payment of the insured sum.
Knowing these, you can work, travel, and enjoy with peace of mind because you know that you are covered in the things that matter the most.
4. Payment Term
A payment term is the period within which you have to pay your insurance. You can usually select how many years you would like to pay the premiums.
Also, they let you select whether you prefer a rising premium or leveling premium. If you want to be able to save in the long run, you can opt for the level premium.
5. Policy Wording
It can’t be stressed enough that reading the policy wording is important. This will make clear the benefits you can make a claim on and what you are entitled to.
6. Special Discounts
Paying for cover is already expensive enough. Having a discount of some sort with your policy can help you get more value for the premiums you pay.
You can get discounts from memberships, having multiple policies, and even from living healthy, among others.
NZ Seniors Insurance Policies
After reading our guide, you now know how to pick from our policy selection. So if you’re ready, here are NZ seniors insurance policies!
1) Cigna Life Cover / Life Income Cover
For Seniors Insurance for Life Cover
With Cigna’s Life / Life Income Cover, you can feel at ease, knowing that your family will be provided for if you pass away or have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Your family will be paid a lump sum for Life Cover or monthly sum for Life Income Cover. These insurance policies are open to people from 10 to 70 years old.
The money can be used to pay off your mortgage, compensate for lost income, and answer for the healthcare and educational expenses of your grandchildren.
The policy features several benefits which include a life cover benefit, financial and legal support, bereavement support, advance terminal illness benefit, and more.
There’s only one optional benefit, though—the option to increase your insured sum every 2 years. And yes, there’s no need for any health assessment for this benefit.
Pros
- Pays you a sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Life and Life Income Cover products is available
- Easy and cost-effective life cover
- Access to Cigna Client Benefits
- Maximum entry level is age 70
- No maximum cover amount for ages 16 years or older
Cons
- Limited optional benefits
- Unhelpful customer service
2) Southern Cross Life Insurance
For Seniors Life Insurance for Discounts
Looking for excellent life insurance protection? Try Southern Cross Life Insurance.
Underwritten by Cigna, the Southern Cross Life Insurance can cover seniors for up to $1,000,000. Cigna will be responsible for the approval and payment of your claim.
Take note that the premiums will increase each year to adjust for inflation. However, they will level them out for good on the policy anniversary after your 65th birthday.
You are protected with an Accidental Death Cover from the moment you buy the policy. In case something happens to you, your family won’t be financially troubled.
Plus, you get healthy living and membership discounts with the Southern Cross Life Cover. These will give you a nice 10% off of the insurance base premiums.
Pros
- Cover amount up to $1,000,000
- Offers a 10% healthy living discount
- Early payout for terminal illness
- Accidental Death Cover offered right at time of application
- Has funeral cover up to $15,000
- Gives a 10% member discount off your base premium
- Ages 18 and over can apply
- Has a 30-day Free Look Period
Cons
- Only covers the main life benefits
3) 1Cover Seniors Travel Insurance
For Seniors Travel Insurance for Frequent Travellers
Whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond, you can travel to beautiful destinations and not have to worry if something goes wrong.
The 1Cover Seniors Travel Insurance gives those under 80 unlimited medical cover as well as cancellation cover. Grandkids going with you also get the same benefits at no extra cost!
The comprehensive policy is great for single trips and frequent travels. These are flexible and can be tailored to your lifestyle and travel needs.
You can also add optional benefits such as Cruise Pack, Winter Sports Pack, or Additional Rental Vehicle Excess. You can also choose different durations for the frequent traveller product from 21 days up to 90 days.
Pros
- Covers seniors of all ages (but exclusions apply)
- Has a comprehensive guide about travelling and the risks to avoid
- Useful selection of benefits
- Insures you for long trips
- Unlimited cancellation cover
- Covers your grandkids at no extra cost
- You can also customise your seniors travel insurance
- Professional and knowledgeable customer service
Cons
- Doesn’t cover COVID-19
Customer Reviews
On Feefo, customers raved about 1Cover’s awesome service, prompt replies, and helpfulness, as well as their comprehensive and competitively-priced policy.
Let’s see this customer feedback for 1Cover’s seniors travel insurance:
“When traveling we always shop around for the best price now that we are on the pension and find that 1cover is consistently cheaper than anyone else. The cover is comprehensive and suitable for our needs.”
In addition, let’s hear about Sharon’s review:
“I always get 1Cover for all my travel insurances. For more than 10 years, their customer service is consistently professional and very knowledgeable. They are always prompt in responding to all my queries and claims. Their people are very reliable. I really hope they will continue to do their bests and their business will expand to many more countries. I will always have high regards to 1Cover and
to its affiliate business partners.”
4) TINZ Seniors Travel Insurance
For Seniors Travel Insurance for Value
Heading off on a dream holiday trip with your friends? Since there are travel risks that can be costly, it’s always wise to be covered by a seniors travel insurance.
TINZ Seniors Travel Insurance covers you where it matters. It’s up to you whether you want to be insured for only the essentials or the whole package.
The benefits for the comprehensive policies include 24/7 medical assistance, cancellation cover, and cover for loss of income.
If you’re on a domestic trip, you can add the domestic travel pack. This policy covers personal belongings, rental car excess, luggage, and lost deposits.
With the TINZ Seniors Travel Insurance, you can travel without stressing over potential hospital, medical transfer, and doctor consultation costs.
Pros
- Affordable rates
- Comprehensive seniors travel insurance
- Covers no matter what age you are
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Covers 35 existing medical conditions
- You can select from choices of cover
- Grandchildren are also covered under your policy
- Domestic travel and ski insurance options are available
Cons
- Doesn’t cover COVID-19
Customer Reviews
TINZ has garnered positive reviews from clients. They were praised for their affordable policy and for giving a personal and supportive service.
Kylie shared her experience with TINZ:
“We unfortunately had to make a claim on our travel insurance due to a family member passing away a few days before our trip was due to start. I submitted the forms online and was contacted that night confirming they had the claim and needed another document, once I submitted the extra information I was contacted again quickly and advised our claim was reviewed and accepted. Fast and friendly service from Ben in customer service. Thanks so much for sorting this quickly.”
Also, here’s an excerpt from Rod W.’s review:
“From the moment we first notified TINZ of our predicament, they gave us assurance that they were able and willing to deal with our situation and kept in constant contact with us by email and telephone. I would like to make special mention here of Andres and Michelle at the Travel Claims Emergency Operations Centre who were our case managers. Andres and Michelle dealt with our situation extremely professionally but at the same time retaining that human touch that is so often absent in big business.”
5) AA Life Funeral Cover
For Seniors Funeral Insurance for Ease of Application
For the simple reason that you don’t want your family to be burdened with having to arrange your funeral, you can use AA Life’s Funeral Cover.
You immediately get a payout for accidental death. However, for non-accidental death and terminal illness, you will get a payout after a period of 24 months.
Anyone from ages 50 to 79 can apply for AA’s Funeral Cover. You can do so by phone or by physical appearance at the AA Centre.
Other than that, you’re covered whether you’re in NZ or on the far side of the globe. The funeral policy is payable until your 90th birthday and free after that.
Pros
- You can take out cover for yourself, someone else, or both
- Up to $30,000 of cover
- Double payout for accidental death
- After two years, early payout is given to the insured if he has a terminal illness
- Available to anyone aged 50 to 79
- Simple application process
- Gives you a tax-free lump sum payment
- Premiums become free of charge after your 90th birthday
- Covers you anywhere in the world
- Special offer: You can receive a Prezzy card with $100 balance before 31 Dec 2020
Cons
- Costly insurance premiums
And that’s it for our list of NZ seniors insurance policies. When you’re insured, you’ll be able to leave all your worries behind and focus on living the best life you can!
Do you have any questions or comments regarding our list? If you have one, please leave us a comment, and we’ll get back to you in a flash.
Moreover, you can check out our list of funeral insurance in NZ. We have more choices there to cover for funeral costs and associated expenses.
