moneyblog

Not So Simple

Russell Hutchinson — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:59:37 +1300

Recently someone said that life insurance was so simple anyone could buy it. I think that's an aspirational statement - many insurance products are simple enough to buy without advice, but I've just been reviewing a bank life product policy...

Thankyou Matt McCarten

Russell Hutchinson — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:08:29 +1300

Matt McCarten's recent publicity (article in the NBR, by Matt Nippert) around his insurance policy has been helpful to the life insurance industry, and also to many consumers that will have insurance policies and may not be aware of their...

Why is medical cover so expensive in the US?

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:06:28 +1300

So why is medical cover so expensive in the US? There are certainly many reasons. You can point to legal claims. You can point to the simple fact that GDP per capita is higher. Another point is mandates. Here in...

FNZ Continue to Shine

Russell Hutchinson — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:58:47 +1300

FNZ, who have offices in Wellington, and were started here in New Zealand, continue to win new business in the platform sector, by Natalie Holt, at Money Marketing. Anyone who doubts the ability of New Zealand companies to operate at...

Product Rate Changes

Russell Hutchinson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:01:59 +1300

AXA have put through a minor life rates change which takes effect today. Life pricing comparison subscribers will see their database updated by the end of the week. TOWER and Sovereign medical rates both go through scheduled updates, TOWER's effective...

TNP Professional Association

Russell Hutchinson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:52:07 +1300

Well, this is interesting. TNP has decided to launch a professional association. Good for them! Their decision will raise issues and challenge the other professional associations to think about the value that they offer. I think the article by Jenny...

Friday Fun - Merely Wealthy vs Influencers

Russell Hutchinson — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:01:00 +1300

This piece has something very useful and hilarious to say to all those who believe in vast conspiracies, by W.W. at The Economist.

The 10 Things Customers Should Know about Income Protection

Kelly Pulham — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:06:04 +1300

Money Marketing UK have listed the top 10 list of things consumers should consider when purchasing Income Protection Insurance. Click here to read the full article.

75,000 page views

Russell Hutchinson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:45:00 +1300

This blog just passed 75,000 lifetime pageviews. I used to be pleased when I got five readers a day. Today I am surprised to see daily page views regularly between 40 and 70, especially as I'm focused mainly on insurers.

ETITO's Frampton is Right About Training

Russell Hutchinson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:14:00 +1300

In this article by Niko Kloeten, at goodreturns, Michael Frampton expresses some exasperation at the focus on the minimum in terms of continuing education. Without a plan for continuing skills this is natural, if regrettable. Correctly he identifies the real...

Underinsurance in the UK

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:23:33 +1300

Martin Werth and UK Money Marketing has this on the opportunity presented by underinsurance and the switch to unisex rates coming in the UK. Link.

Comparison Websites

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:32:30 +1300

It is a trend which isn't going to go away - internationally price comparison websites are providing information to inform the purchase process, but interestingly, they aren't driving a 'race to the bottom' in terms of price. Insurance Insight has...

Paying Quality Commissions

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:02:44 +1300

There is a certain creeping sense of shame about commissions amongst some people who haven't sold things for a living, and so I was cheered when Naomi Ballantyne used the term 'quality commissions'. Although I think there is plenty of...

Congratulations NZMBA and PAA

Russell Hutchinson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:21:21 +1300

Congratulations to these two on forming their joint professional association.

Quotemonster 800

Russell Hutchinson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:33:38 +1300

www.quotemonster.co.nz is continuing to gain users and usage - with the number passing 800 registered and at any moment of the day you can expect that there are about 20 people doing all-market quoting concurrently. We're getting feedback now that...

Cavalcade of Risk 150

Russell Hutchinson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:05:43 +1300

The current cavalcade of risk (number 150) is up at My Wealth Builder.

Complexity in Policy Wording

Russell Hutchinson — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:45:24 +1300

Obvious problems with most policy wordings: No guide is given to the reader - adviser or consumer - as to what is more important. Unit standards for the sale of insurance applying to financial advisers require them to talk about...

AFA Foundation Supports Victims of Christchurch Earthquakes

Russell Hutchinson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:47:42 +1300

From the AFA Foundation: "The AFA Foundation yesterday presented a $A10, 000 cheque to the New Zealand (NZ) Consul General, Martin Welsh, for the NZ Prime Minister’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal at the AFA’s Sydney GenXt Road Show. AFA foundation chair,...

FMA Cracking Down on Adviser Advertising

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:18:30 +1300

Niko Kloeten at Goodreturns has this piece on the FMA crackdown on advisers using the terms RFA or AFA in their advertising. The comment by Sue Brown is telling: "I cautioned against use of the initials by advisers to indicate...

Unclaimed Benefits

Russell Hutchinson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:04:45 +1300

A reinsurer has taken the step of going public about the unclaimed benefits attached to life policies. Not the main benefit (although they are unclaimed in some circumstances) but the extras such as bereavement support and financial planning. "...RGA says...