Why insurance without advice is like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual

(And why we need to protect people - not just things.)

Let’s face it - insurance isn’t exactly dinner party conversation material. But if you have people who rely on you (hello, mortgage… hi, kids), it’s something worth getting right. And spoiler alert: googling “cheap life cover NZ” isn’t the same as getting proper advice.

We live in a world where we insure our stuff without thinking twice. The house, the car, the phone - even the dog. But the one thing we often forget to protect is ourselves: the person earning the income that pays for all those things in the first place.

Here’s the reality: your house doesn’t pay the mortgage. Your car doesn’t do the grocery shop. The dog, as adorable as it is, contributes nothing to the power bill. You do.

So, what happens if you suddenly couldn’t work? Or if a serious illness turned your life upside down? Could you keep up with the life you’ve worked so hard to build?

We’ve seen the difference advice can make. Let me share a few stories that stick with me.

One family had life and trauma cover in place when Dad was diagnosed with cancer. Treatment was long. Life was flipped on its head. But because they had a plan, the mortgage was paid, the kids stayed in school, and the family had the breathing space to focus on what really mattered - being together, grieving, healing, and rebuilding.

Another family - same income, same lifestyle - didn’t have cover. When Mum got sick, it wasn’t just a health crisis. It became a financial one too. Bills mounted. Savings disappeared. Stress became overwhelming. The emotional weight of illness was now doubled by the reality of money running out.

Same situation, different outcomes. One had advice and insurance. The other one didn’t.

And then there’s a client who discovered a lump. The public system told her the wait for specialist care could be weeks - maybe months. But she had health insurance. Within days, she had a diagnosis, specialist appointments, and surgery booked. The cancer was aggressive, but caught early.

“If she’d waited,” her doctor told her, “she might not be here today.”

Insurance didn’t just give her access to treatment - it may have saved her life.

Then there’s our summer thrill-seeker. You know who you are: bombing down a mountain trail with your mates when you snapped your leg mid-jump. ACC covered the basics, but being off work for weeks left a financial gap. Thankfully, he had Specific Injury Cover. The payout arrived smoothly - no stress, no paperwork saga. Just support when it was needed.

And yes, he bought a new bike with it. Allegedly safer. Definitely faster. (We’ll take his word for it.)

Here’s the bottom line: personal insurance is less about fear and more about freedom. It’s not about doom and gloom - it’s about knowing that if life takes an unexpected turn, your world doesn’t have to fall apart with it.
That’s where good advice comes in.

A good adviser doesn’t just sell you a policy. They help you figure out what actually matters, avoid paying for things you don’t need, and keep premiums affordable without cutting corners. They help you make smart updates as life changes - because life does change. New homes. New babies. New risks.

Trying to buy personal insurance without advice? That’s like building IKEA furniture without the instructions. You might get something standing, but it won’t hold up when you really need it.

Because protecting your family, your future, and your peace of mind should never be a DIY job.

Not sure where to start? Talk to me. I know the insurance stuff, so you don’t have to.

 

Quick Tips & Watchouts

• Protect the income that pays for everything else.
  Your house and car have cover - what about the human paying for them?
• Don’t fall for the “cheapest is best” trap.
  Low premiums are great… until you find out what’s not included.
• Your advisor knows what your policy does.
  Misunderstood benefits = nasty surprises at claim time.
• Get advice before cancelling or changing anything.
  You might lose valuable benefits, or not qualify again later.
• Your cover should grow with your life.
  New job? New baby? Bigger mortgage? It’s time for a review.

 

Sandra Maddison
Financial Adviser
021 0308 146
sandra@maddisonfs.co.nz
www.maddisonfs.co.nz