How do I choose the best trauma insurance? (What to consider)
Choosing trauma insurance isn’t quite the same as choosing from a brunch menu on a Sunday morning. But as much as you need that flat white and smashed avocado toast, it’s important to be well covered for the unexpected (and recent times have surely proved it!). Insurance policies and medical jargon can make things complicated though, and there’s a bunch of options that are sure to get even the most savvy customer’s head in a spin.
If you’re deciding which provider and policy is best for you, how much trauma cover to get, or whether you need trauma insurance at all, here’s a list of factors to consider:
Finances
Often with insurance, it’s not so much about what you can afford, but what you couldn’t afford to go without. How much cover you take out depends on what you can fit into the budget, but also how much you would require in the long-term to sustain an illness if you aren’t able to work.
If you have substantial savings that could cover some of this, you might opt for less trauma cover
If you don’t have an adequate safety net, you might opt for higher trauma cover.
Debt
Ensuring the mortgage gets paid, even in the event of a serious illness, is a key reason many Kiwis get cover. How much debt you have, along with other expenses, will help you determine your level of trauma cover. As your debt decreases, and your financial situation improves, you might be in a position to reduce your trauma cover.
Existing cover eg. Life, income protection, medical insurance
Life cover, income protection, health insurance and trauma cover all manage different risks, but can complement each other. What you already have in place should be considered when taking out trauma cover. For example, if you have life insurance, you will need to choose between ‘accelerated’ or ‘stand-alone’ trauma cover. If you have comprehensive medical insurance, you might not need as much trauma cover since you’ll likely have less medical expenses.
Occupation
Trauma insurance covers you for specific conditions, regardless of whether you’re able to work or not. In some more dangerous occupations, income protection isn’t an option, so adequate trauma cover can ensure you’re covered.
Family situation
A lump sum payment during a critical illness can be a real helping hand, especially if you’ve got kids to support. Trauma cover can also include kids, meaning financial support if your child is diagnosed with a specific condition. Different insurers have different policies when it comes to children’s trauma cover, so it’s best to know the difference.
What’s covered
Before signing up for any insurance, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand exactly what’s covered. Trauma insurance is very specific in terms of what conditions are covered, and all policies vary, meaning it’s an important step in choosing what’s best.
Get the right advice
Finding the right trauma insurance can be complicated! To ensure you’ve got the right cover for your situation, have a chat to a local financial adviser. They work with a range of policies and insurers to get the best fit and price. Best of all, the service is 100% free to you.
If you would like to talk with someone that can give you advice on the type of cover to use then you can search for an adviser based on your age, amount of cover and location.
Important: All information on this site is of a general nature only. When you compare or complete the assessment online, we will connect you with an advisor who can give you advice at no charge. All advisers who are authorised to use this site, for their marketing purposes, are authorised financial advisers. A full list of advisers and what they can advise on is listed here under our terms & conditions of this site usage.
