Life Insurance
If something happens to you, life insurance is the lump sum that clears the mortgage, replaces income, and keeps the household running. We compare cover across the insurers we work with and write a recommendation in plain English.
How the cover actually works.
A tax-free lump sum paid to your nominated beneficiary or estate on death, generally within a few weeks once the claim and any probate paperwork are complete
Most policies include an early payment option if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, usually defined as a life expectancy of under twelve months, so funds arrive sooner
Cover stays in place for as long as premiums are paid, and you can usually choose level premiums so the cost is locked in rather than rising every year
The sum insured is chosen by you to match your debts and income needs, and can usually be indexed to inflation each year if you elect that option
This page is for you if…
Parents with dependent children, especially with a mortgage
Couples where one income covers most of the bills
Business owners with debt or shareholder agreements
Anyone who’s the primary income earner for a household
Two ways to get life insurance sorted.
Going it alone
You compare policy wording and exclusions yourself, insurer by insurer.
No one flags it when your circumstances change and your cover no longer fits.
If a claim is ever declined, you deal with the insurer directly.
The cheapest premium today isn't checked against what it actually covers.
With a Smiths adviser
We compare life insurance across the providers we work with, in plain English.
We review your cover again as your circumstances change, not just once at the start.
If you ever need to claim, we deal with the insurer on your behalf.
You get one recommendation based on your situation, not a single insurer's product.
Talk to an adviser about this.
Thirty minutes with a licensed Smiths adviser, no obligation. Leave your details and we'll be in touch, usually within one working day.
Full audit of your existing cover, fund, and policy wordings
Comparison across the providers we work with
A clear written recommendation in plain English
Implementation paperwork handled by us, not you
Why this is easier with an adviser.
Calculate cover from your actual debts, dependants, and income replacement need, not a generic online sum.
Compare policy wording across the insurers on our panel, including Partners Life, AIA, Fidelity Life, Asteron, and Chubb.
Structure stepped vs. level premiums for your specific budget and time horizon.
Run the claim when it happens: we’re the point of contact, not you.
The providers we work with for this cover.
Life insurance
Our advice covers the providers shown here, not every insurer or KiwiSaver provider in New Zealand. The panel can change, and we'll always confirm it when we give you advice.
Common questions about life insurance.
Premiums are set at entry age. Locking cover in your 20s/30s costs a fraction of waiting until your 40s, and your health is rarely cleaner than it is right now.
Average NZ KiwiSaver balance is around $36k. That doesn’t clear a mortgage or replace 15 years of income.
Stepped premiums start lower but rise sharply with age. Level premiums are higher upfront but usually cheaper over the full life of the policy.
It depends on debt, income replacement and dependants, not a single rule of thumb. An adviser works through your actual numbers rather than a generic multiple of salary.
Premiums are priced on your age and health when you apply, so cover is usually cheaper the earlier you arrange it. Reviewing cover regularly keeps it matched to your circumstances, not just the age you first bought it at.
Other services in this area.
Talk to the team.
Book a free review with Craig, Guy or Henry. No fees, and we're there if you ever need to claim.