How to know if a reverse mortgage is for you How to know if a reverse mortgage is for you Contact Us So, is it a good idea for me to take out a Reverse Mortgage? This is a decision only you can make. There are, however, a few things you need to consider; Is there some other way to raise the cash you require? Reverse Mortgages are expensive. If the amount of cash required is small such a loan is not worth the cost of the setup fees etc. Even for a larger amount of money, it makes better financial sense, if you can afford the repayments, to take out a standard mortgage or personal loan, or free up cash by downsizing your home. Find out how portable the loan will be; i.e. if you move home do you have to immediately repay the loan, or can you attach it to your next home? Before entering into a Reverse Mortgage (Home Equity Release Mortgage) make sure you seriously consider the effect it may have on your future, especially as regards any move you may wish to make and the capital you'll need to make that move. Also consider how important it is for you to be able to leave something to your children in respect of an inheritance of some sort. Some companies offer what is known as a no-negative-equity guarantee which is exactly what is says; a guarantee that ensures that when you sell your home, if you receive less for the home than the value of the outstanding loan, neither you nor your estate will have to make up the shortfall. Get professional advice in this regard if you need it. Shop around for a good deal. Make sure you read the contract well and understand exactly what the deal you're offered really means before you sign anything. If you're on the pension (and Reverse Mortgage recipients usually are) make sure that receiving funds such as these do not jeopardise the receipt of your benefit. The Bottom-line: Reverse Mortgages are not a bad idea, but neither are they necessarily a great idea. If you have an urgent need for cash, e.g. for a surgical operation or the like, then a loan like this can be perfect for your needs. However, make sure you understand the drawbacks. They are expensive, and much of the expense is invisible. That is, it is in the form of interest repayments which are constantly growing without you realising it. Also, if you have no family and no one you want to leave your home to you may as well spend your money before you go! In that case, a Reverse Mortgage may be perfect for you. However, if you have family or others you are hoping to leave a nest-egg to, beware. If you have a need for some extra cash, perhaps a better scheme would be for those who you're wanting to leave money to, to take out a loan on your behalf. That way it's like they're making an investment in a property that should increase in value over time. For more information on home loans, refinancing your loan, or interest rates, contact the team at Futurisk, enquiries@futurisk.co.nz . You've probably heard of a Reverse Mortgage, sometimes called a Home Equity Mortgage. With our aging population, they are becoming more common. Reverse Mortgages can be a good way to free-up money to spend on things you want - provided you're aware of the many pitfalls. What is a Reverse Mortgage? A Reverse Mortgage enables you to borrow money against the equity you have in your home, up to a proportion of the value of that property.Repayments on the loan are made when you leave the property; that is often when a person sells, moves into a retirement home, or dies. How much can I borrow? The lender will calculate the maximum amount you can borrow according to your age and the value of your home. If you're aged between 60 and about 65, you will usually be able to borrow about 20% of the home's value. This proportion increases as you get older, so that by the time you're over 85 it can be as much as 45% of the house value. How is the loan paid out? A Reverse Mortgage loan may be paid out in one of three ways; a lump sum, which is great if you are borrowing for a particular one-off purchase; small regular payments, which is perfect if your retirement income is not enough to cover your regular expenses. This option is not offered by all companies, however. a line of credit or a revolving credit loan. Would I be eligible? To be eligible for a Reverse Mortgage, you must own your own home and, usually, be 60 years or older. Are there other things I should know? Setting up a Reverse Mortgage can be expensive. You will be required to have your home valued, that will cost around $400. Some companies insist you do this every five years or so which can become quite a sizable on-going expense. Then there will be set-up fees for the loan. These can vary from around $1000 to $2000 plus legal costs. What's more, most companies will insist that you keep up with payments for insurance on the home, and that property maintenance is kept to their standard What about the interest rate? Be careful! This is where things can get expensive. You do not make regular repayments on a Reverse Mortgage loan. The loan is repaid in full when the home is sold or you no longer have control over it. Your interest rate will be higher than a normal mortgage rate and, as it compounds, you can quickly lose the equity in your home. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Secure your financial future with Total Permanent Disability Insurance from Futurisk Insurance. Get coverage that supports you in case of permanent disability. Total & Permanent Disability Insurance Our Solutions > Personal Insurance > Total & Permanent Disability > Total & Permanent Disability Insurance takes care of you and your family’s future if you become permanently disabled. Total & Permanent Disability Enquire Now Benefits of Total & Permanent Disability Insurance Lump sum cover Cover your Own Specified Occupation Renewable to Age 70 Worldwide coverage What can it cover? Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) provides financial peace of mind by providing a lump sum payment should you become totally and permanently disabled and unable to work as a result of accident or illness. If you are so incapacitated that: a. cannot do your own or another job to which your skills may be suited; or b. cannot perform at least two activities of daily living without the physical assistance of someone else such as: Bathing and showering Dressing and undressing Eating and drinking Using a toilet Moving from place to place by walking, in a wheelchair, or with a walking aid Options Total and Permanent Disability Insurance has two options depending on your situation. If you are so incapacitated that: Own Occupation – if it is unlikely you will ever be able to work in your own specific occupation Any Occupation – if it is unlikely that you will ever be able to return to work in your own or any other occupation or gainful employment for which you are reasonably suited by education, training or experience Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a personalised insurance plan. Talk to an adviser Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Payment Alternatives Payments > Credit Card Pay your insurance online with a Visa or MasterCard. A convenience fee of 2.7% of the total amount + NZ$0.30 will be applied. We do not receive any income from the convenience fee. Please note: You will need your Policy Number and Transaction Reference Number. It is displayed on your invoice. Pay Now Debit Card Pay your insurance online with a Visa or MasterCard. A convenience fee of 2.7% of the total amount + NZ$0.30 will be applied. We do not receive any income from the convenience fee. Please note: You will need your Policy Number and Transaction Reference Number. It is displayed on your invoice Pay Now Bank Transfer Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at +64 0800 17 18 19, and we'll be delighted to assist you in establishing a bank payment direct debit.

Futurisk Insurance offers expert insurance and mortgage solutions for Kāpiti residents. Get personalised financial advice today. Futurisk Kāpiti Our Solutions > Kāpiti > We are your local Kāpiti advisers who live and work in your community. We work for you, not the insurer or the bank. We’ll guide you through insurance and mortgage solutions with honesty you can trust and advice you can count on. Contact 0800 367 467 +64 6 364 6123 enquirieskapiti@futurisk.co.nz 153 Main Highway Ōtaki PO Box 134, Ōtaki 5542 Enquire Now A partner of choice We strive to be partner of choice - for our customers, insurance companies and employees looking for long-term relationships built on a foundation of trust. Our Values, Ethics, Morals, and Integrity - at Futurisk these are the most important factors of our business. Our dedicated team support one another - we learn together, and share each other’s success! We have high standards of achievements and have commitment to the company. We keep our Advisers well informed - they receive continuous education for new products that come up onto the marketplace, we hold regular team meetings, extensive trainings and outings. Our Kāpiti Team Based in Ōtaki, Futurisk Insurance is an insurance brokerage company dedicated to providing "personalised service for a personalised solution". To us, you're not just a policy number, you're our valued client. We are an independent insurance brokerage company which means we do not work for the insurance companies and can find you the best possible insurance solution. Our Principal Adviser, Rex Duckett began his journey in the financial services industry in 1989. Rex started out with two phonebooks, an Insurance Rate book, and an idea. With these 3 books and a lot of hard work and late nights, he built a successful business and friendships that would last a lifetime. After so many years in the industry and two office locations, Ōtaki and Levin, Rex decided to amalgamate with Joe Singh from Futurisk Insurance Ltd and they have created a new and improved company, Futurisk Insurance (Kāpiti) Ltd. Rex is happy to align his business with Futurisk and be a part of an expanded and growing team of professional and friendly advisers who are dedicated to putting in place and improving our new and existing clients’ insurances. Supported by a friendly administration team. Futurisks ambition is to provide the best possible service to all clients, helping them understand their insurances and protecting what matters the most - their health and financial wellbeing. By aligning these businesses, it has allowed us to utilise the strong alliances we have formed over time with various insurance providers and giving us access to new providers already working with Joe, this helps give us security and the right tools to put the best covers into place for our clients in a timely manner. We also have been assigned Key Accounts Mangers (KAM) with these companies who are dedicated in assisting us as efficiently as possible. Our Kāpiti Office Meet our Kāpiti specialists Our advisers are all accredited and have a number of years industry experience behind them. They will work with you to create an ideal insurance plan for you and your family that supports your lifestyle, or the cashflow that your business would need to keep going should something happen. Rex Duckett Principal Adviser 027 444 2733 Bio Rex has been in the insurance industry since 1989, 34 years! He has always been an adviser and has seen many changes over the years, most recently the introduction of new qualifications for licensing. He has recently gained a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services qualification in General Insurance, Life, Health and Disability Insurances. Rex enjoys V8s and has been drag racing for the last 22 years, his personal best is a 6 second ¼ mile at 205mph. He enjoys spending time with the growing family when he is not racing or hot rodding. FSP103124 - (Financial Services Provider Number) Email Becky Spiller Financial Adviser and Executive Manager 0800 367 467 ext 2 Bio Becky has worked in the insurance industry for over 12 years in an administration and management role, she primarily works with the personal risk clients, assisting with underwriting, quoting existing business and claims. She has recently gained a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services qualification in General Insurance, Life, Health and Disability Insurances and Investments. Becky and her husband have one daughter, currently completing her Masters at Victoria University. Becky enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with her friends and family. Email Monique Duckett Financial Adviser and Finance Manager 0800 367 467 ext 1 Bio I have been in the industry for 25 years and have a good understanding of all the facets of this industry. I have Level 5 in Financial Services. I am currently working in the Otaki office alongside my husband Rex in the finance side of the general department. Email Terri Watson Financial Adviser 0800 367 467 Ext 207 Bio Terri has been working in the Financial Services industry since 2011, beginning her career as a Personal Assistant and Paraplanner. In between having and raising her kids, she kept building her experience and knowledge in the industry, which has given her a real understanding of the pressures families can face when it comes to money and protecting what matters most. She is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their financial future, in a way that feels simple and supportive. Terri has a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services qualification in Life, Health and Disability Insurances and Investments and is about to start working towards her General Insurance qualification On weekends you will find Terri in the garden with the chickens and ducks, watching the kids at football, tennis or ballet, or at Mitre 10 finding the items for her next DIY task. Email Marjie Pacan General Administrator 0800 367 467 ext 5 Bio Marjie emigrated to New Zealand from Poland in 2010 after living in England for 10 years, working a range of jobs including nursing and hospitality. Since emigrating to New Zealand she has worked in administration, early childhood centre and continues working as senior barista. Marjie has been in the insurance industry for 2 years as a receptionist and general administrator Outside of work I enjoy, hiking, cycling, throwing glamorous parties, flower arrangements and spending time with my two gorgeous children and greyhound. Email Deb Greaves Claims Administrator 0800 367 467 ext 4 Bio Deborah has mainly worked in hospitality from hotel management, conference administration, hospitality supplies, front of house and a wide range of other admin jobs. She loves spending time with her adult daughters. Deborah and her husband Kelvin enjoy travelling in their caravan with their fur baby Bonnie. When not travelling she enjoys gardening, reading and going out for brunch and trying out different restaurants. Email Mallery Henderson General Administrator 0800 367 467 Bio I have worked in various roles including customer service, marketing, and office management as well as volunteering for charities that support families when my family and hobbies leave me enough time. I’m a mum of 3, my hobbies include Roller Derby Officiating (national and international), Cross stitch and sewing. Email Get in touch with our Kāpiti team today, for local support on your insurance or mortgage needs. Get in touch Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Safeguard your home and belongings with comprehensive home and contents insurance from Futurisk Insurance, serving clients across New Zealand. Home & Contents Insurance Our Solutions > Personal Insurance > Home & Contents Insurance > For Owner Occupied, Rental Dwellings and Holiday Homes. Covers you against losses to your most prizes possessions and important assets. Home Insurance Enquire Now Benefits with Futurisk We can help at claim time Let someone else pay to replace or repair your valuable possessions You choose the excess What can it cover? After the Canterbury earthquakes, all insurers changed to sum-insured policies. These policies make the owner responsible for calculating the costs to rebuild and insuring it for this amount. As your home is one of your most valuable possessions, insuring it for the right amount is not something you want to get wrong. Sum Sure Calculator This tool can assist in helping you to calculate your home Sum Insured - Sum Sure Calculator . You also want to know that when you need to make a claim, that you have people that will help you get that claim processed as soon as possible. Futurisk can match you up with the provider that will give you the benefits you need when you need them and get you competitively priced premiums and support you through the claims process. Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a personalised Home & Contents plan. Talk to an adviser Enquire Now Benefits with Futurisk We can help at claim time Let someone else pay to replace or repair your valuable possessions You choose the excess What can it cover? If you own a rental property, you are vulnerable to the same risks of any homeowner. You’re also vulnerable to damage that tenants can do to your home and contents. Loss of Rent cover can support during a claimable event when you can’t rent out your property while it’s being repaired or if your tenants break the lease without required notice. It pays to have landlord insurance, which is designed to protect owners of investment properties. Benefits with Futurisk We can help at claim time Let someone else pay to replace or repair your valuable possessions You choose the excess What can it cover? Contents insurance provides protection against damage, theft or loss of your personal possessions. This may include anything from a pair of designer sunglasses to a flatscreen TV, to your furniture. The team at Futurisk will let you know what can be covered, and you can select the excess to reduce your premium. Contents Sum Insured Calculator No more guessing, no more time-consuming calculations, and no more under insurance! Click on the below link to calculate the level of cover you need for your Home Contents - Contents Sum Insured Calculator Freephone 0800 17 18 19 Insurance Benefits Protects your business on construction sites Protects the building under construction from natural disasters or damages caused by theft or vandalism the turnover that is lost so you can recover and rebuild Contract Works is an Important cover for commercial, industrial and domestic builders, sub-contractors, and property owners against damage, natural disasters, theft and product or public liability. What can it cover? Depending on your policy, contract works insurance can cover you against: Natural disasters Damage to property Broken glass Defects Liability Landlord’s insurance is designed to protect owners of investment properties. Landlord's Cover Enquire Now Contents Insurance provides cover for accidental loss or damage to your personal belongings. From basic cover to comprehensive cover, landlord contents and holiday home contents. Contents Insurance Enquire Now Important cover for commercial, industrial and domestic builders, sub-contractors, and owner-builders against damage, natural disasters, theft and product or public liability. Contract Works Enquire Now

Futurisk's Hot Tips for Saving Money on your Insurances Futurisk's Hot Tips for Saving Money on your Insurances Contact Us 4. Increase your excess. For most insurances (not life insurance), you will almost always have to pay an excess when you make a claim. By agreeing to pay a little more if and when you make a claim you can often get a discount on your insurance premiums. The one thing to be careful of is that whatever the excess is, you are able to meet that amount should you have to make a claim. 5. Work out the best way to make your payments. Insurance companies will often give a discount if you pay your insurance premiums in a yearly lump sum. That suits some people while others may prefer weekly or monthly payments. You need to do what is best for you. One thing is for sure though; there are savings to be made if you can pay annually. By the way, if you pay yearly it is good to spread the renewal dates for insurances throughout the year. If they all come due in one month it can be quite a stretch financially. 6. Review your insurances regularly. I can say with a degree of certainty that most people, if they haven't reviewed their insurances in the last three years or so, can save money by getting new quotes and reinsuring. It's worth taking an hour or so occasionally to contact a few insurance companies and ask for quotes on your insurance needs, in particular, vehicle, house, and contents insurance. 7. Go with one company. Many insurance companies will give generous discounts if you place all your vehicle, house, and contents insurances with them. When you buy an insurance policy, make sure you ask the question, "What discount will you give me if I put all my policies with your company?" 8. Use an expert! There is nothing like an expert to define what you require and discover where the best price can be found. Find a broker you can trust and get him/her to regularly review your insurances. If we were buying a new appliance or vehicle, we'd shop around. If we wanted some new computer gear or were renovating our kitchen, we'd look for the best deal. So why don't we do that with insurance? It seems many New Zealanders think of insurance as coming in a fixed package at a fixed price, but there are some practical things you can do to save money on your insurances. Here are six hot tips. 1. Work out what you need. Insurance premiums are calculated on the value of what you insure, so the higher the value, the higher the insurance premiums. To insure something for more than what it's worth means you are throwing away money every month. Whether it's for your life, car, home, contents or something else, work out what you want insured and how much it is worth. Don't be one of those people who waste money by over-insuring and so paying premiums that are higher than they need be. Also be careful not to risk a financial crisis by under-insuring and receiving money that doesn't cover the loss of an item. 2. Get quotes. If you are arranging your own insurance, get quotes from a few different companies. Especially for vehicle and house and contents insurance - the cost can vary greatly from company to company. One good way to know if you are getting a good deal is to work through a broker. They have usually sourced the best deals and may even be able to offer discounts because of the number of deals they put through. Remember though, the cheapest price may not equate to the best deal. That's where tip number three comes in. Read on.... 3. Make sure you know what you're buying. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Cleaning up after Christmas Cleaning up after Christmas Contact Us The Futurisk plan to escape Christmas debt: Make escaping debt a priority. This is the most important step: make a conscious decision that you are going to do whatever it takes, and make whatever sacrifices you need to make, to get out of debt as quickly as possible. Work out what you can do without. To become debt free as soon as possible will require some short-term sacrifices. Think about some things that you could do without for the sake of being debt free. Maybe you only buy coffee twice a week at work instead of every day. Maybe you don't buy that weekly magazine for a little while. Maybe you don't go out for dinner until the bill is paid. Whatever sacrifice you make, it will be worth it to escape the stress and financial cost of credit card debt. Just make sure you put the money saved towards paying off that debt. Pay off more than the minimum. This is the biggest mistake made by people with credit card debt. They believe that, by paying the minimum payment required each month, the debt will quickly disappear. While it will eventually disappear, it will be a long and costly process. The quicker you pay off debt, the more you save in interest and the better off you are financially. Having decided what sacrifices you will make with your spending, calculate how much you can put towards paying off your debt each month, and stick to it. Don't add any more to your credit card. The temptation is always there to treat yourself. "It's only a few dollars," we say. But all those few dollars add up. When the credit card interest rate is added to that, we are just prolonging our time in debt. Set a goal. Having made the decision to be debt free; and worked out where you can economise; and calculated what is the most you can repay each month; and having determined not to add anything to your card, set a date at which you can be debt free. Circle that date on your calendar or in your diary; keep that date at the forefront of your mind... it's the day you'll feel a great sense of release--you'll be debt free! Celebrate. Being debt free is something worth celebrating. Plan a celebration for the day you pay off your debt - but don't make it an expensive celebration, and don't put the cost of celebrating onto your credit card! The team at Futurisk would love to talk to you about all aspects of your personal finances and insurances. Beware Christmas debt! As we wander around the shopping malls leading up to Christmas, it's so tempting to pull out our credit card to buy gifts and treats for family and friends. Of course, our intention is to quickly pay off the amount owing as soon as we get back to work in the New Year. Problem is, for many New Zealanders that doesn't happen. Some credit card statistics Leading up to Christmas last year the New Zealand Herald reported: New Zealanders were collectively paying more than $600 million a year in interest on personal credit card debt. New Zealanders collectively owed $5.542 billion on plastic cards at the end of July 2012. Of this $5.264 billion was on personal credit cards. Nearly two-thirds of personal credit card debt is incurring interest. Despite credit card rates of just 12% being available, the average interest rate on outstanding balances is 17.8 per cent. That equates to $638 million in payments going into the pockets of financial institutions over the past year. Credit card debt is dangerous Now, I know most people will say, "But I pay off my card every month before it incurs any interest." The reality is, most people don't! Much of the debt loaded onto credit cards occurs in the period leading up to Christmas. Last December, we collectively loaded over 5 billion dollars onto our credit cards. Did we pay it all off within the month? No. In January this year we still owed over 3.5 billion dollars of that, plus the interest it was accruing. Credit card debt is dangerous because of the high interest rate it incurs. For many people, going into debt on their credit card puts them into debt for a long, long time. It makes sense to limit the use of your credit card leading up to Christmas, but just in case it's too late, here are a plan to help you clean up after Christmas if you find yourself in debt when January 2014 arrives. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Do you have an emergency nest egg? Do you have an emergency nest egg? Contact Us Most financial gurus and advisers these days recommend having a separate account that’s just for emergencies, and they’re not hard to set up. In fact, most banks will let you do it online. Just log in to your banking website and create a brand new internet account.But having the account is only half the job – now it just needs some money. Because many people live from pay day to pay day, putting a couple of hundred dollars aside into your emergency account is much easier said than done. Instead, consider starting an automatic payment, so every week or fortnight even as little as $5 is transferred into your emergency account without you having to do anything. $5 doesn't sound like much, but within 10 weeks you’ll have more than enough to put petrol in your car and buy some lunch if your pay doesn't come through. One of the key pieces of advice given about keeping an emergency accounts is to make it a little harder to access than your regular accounts. If you had a card in your wallet that had access to your emergency account, the temptation to spend the money would be too great. Instead, make it so that the only way to access that money is to have to transfer it from the special account into your regular account. So next time you need some emergency cash in a hurry, all you’ll need to do is whip out your smartphone, transfer some money and you’ll be away laughing. Earlier this year this was a glitch with ANZ’s payment system, and a whole lot of New Zealanders woke up on payday to discover they hadn't been paid. It didn't take long for the issue to be resolved, and everyone was paid by lunchtime, but the ANZ Facebook page was still inundated with complaints and tales of tragedy as people claimed they were now starving, cold and unable to put petrol in their car because of ANZ’s mistake. If you woke up on payday and found yourself in this situation, what would your day be like? Would you be going to work hungry because you couldn't afford to buy food for lunch? Would you have to walk to work because you had no money to pay for petrol or a bus? Or would you just transfer a few dollars from your emergency account and go on your merry way? For many, waking up on pay day to find their account empty should be a wake-up call, and one of the best things you can do if you’re scared of ever being in this situation is to create an emergency account. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

How to decide before you buy something How to decide before you buy something Contact Us THREE: What will this item really cost me? If ever you decide to buy something on credit, the first question you should ask it this: "What will this actually cost me?" Recently I saw a lap-top that I'd quite like. It cost around $1,000. But there was a deal - the store said I could have it for just $10 a week spread over three years. $10 a week didn't seem much, until I worked it out. Spread over three years, $10 a week is a lot more than $1,000 - it's $1,560! You see what I mean? It wasn't such a great deal after all. I was paying one and a half times what the lap-top would have cost if I paid cash. Avoid purchasing anything on credit, but if you do, calculate the actual cost of the item - it may make you change your mind! FOUR: What can't I have if I buy this? We all have a limited amount of money to spend. That means, when we spend money on one item, we have to go without something else. So, before you buy anything ask yourself, "What is it that I won't be able to afford to buy?" Then ask which of those items you'd rather have. Remember this, if we buy a luxury item with cash, but then have to put our weekly groceries or petrol on our credit card, we have, in effect, gone into debt for that luxury item. FIVE: Will buying this item blow my budget? This question is like a summary question of the previous four. Living without a budget is dangerous for our personal finances. But a budget is only worth anything if we stick to it. So, if you don't have the available money to buy that treat, put off buying it until you do, it could save a lot of heartache in the long term. If you'd like any advice on your personal or business finances, contact the team at Futurisk. "Your money is burning a hole in your pocket." That's a phrase my mother used to use. It's another way of saying, sometimes we just feel like buying something! And, we've all felt like that at some time or another. We're down at the mall and we see something we'd like. We say to ourselves, "I've got to have that, and it only costs..." The reality is this, every time we purchase anything it impinges on our future lifestyle and living standard. That's why we need to pause and ask ourselves a few searching questions before we pull out our eft-pos card. Here's Futurisk's five questions to ask before you buy anything: ONE: Do I really need this? Impulse buying can quickly lead to regret, especially when a credit card is used. While there's nothing wrong with buying the occasional luxury, we need to ensure those purchases are within our budget. The best thing to do is set aside some money for those treat-type items, and stick to your budget no matter what! TWO: If I buy this, will I go into debt? The answer to this question is always, "yes," unless you're buying with cash, eft-pos or debit card, or you can clear your credit card before the next due date. New Zealand is facing a debt crisis and this is the number one way ordinary New Zealanders get themselves into trouble with their personal finances;we overspend on our credit cards. It only takes a small luxury here and another small one there, and before you know it - you're struggling to repay your credit card debt. The simple rule is - avoid going into debt View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Car Insurance hiccups Car Insurance hiccups Contact Us 3. Taking your vehicle off-road Most would assume this rule doesn't apply to them – when was the last time you took your hatchback 4-wheel driving? However, off-road doesn't just mean doing jumps and doughnuts in the mud. If you try to do a U-turn in a paddock and a stampede of cows damages your car, that’s counted as driving off-road. If you park on the beach and your car gets damaged, that’s also counted as off-road, and is all the insurer needs to decline your claim. 4. Driving in unroadworthy conditions If you have an accident and upon assessment your tyres are declared to have had insufficient thread, your claim can be denied. It doesn't matter if you have a Warrant of Fitness, or if bald tyres had nothing to do with your accident. 5. Driving recklessly Burnouts and hand-brakies are a favourite past-time of many young folk these days, but attempting to do a manoeuvre in a car that goes wrong is means to have your claim declined almost immediately. There are a number of key things to remember when driving a car: always put on your seat belt, give way to traffic on the right, and make sure you've read the fine print of your insurance policy documents. These days you’d have to be pretty foolish to drive around without insurance. Damaging your car, or even worse, someone else’s, without insurance is a fast-track to debt. But something so many drivers forget is that even having insurance is not always a get-out-of-jail-free card. Your insurance policy will have so many special clauses and exclusions to give your insurer all they need to deny your claims, and put you out of pocket. Here are a few key exclusions to remember. 1. Breaching license conditions If you’re on a restricted license, and you have an accident while illegally carrying a passenger, your insurance claim can be declined. Even though your passenger had nothing to do with the accident, it still gives your insurer all they need to decline your claim. 2. Not securing your vehicle If your vehicle gets stolen, but you’d left the door unlocked or the window down, that’s another reason to have your claim declined. This one can get a bit tricky because there’s often nothing for the insurer to go on other than your word, so you could say it was locked – but that wouldn't be honest. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover Contact Us Accidental Injury Cover is typically added to an existing policy, such as Life Cover or Trauma Cover, with a minimum lump-sum amount. If you already have cover in place, you may be able to add this benefit to enhance your protection and build a more comprehensive safety net giving peace of mind that your finances are protected. Whether you're active, out and about working, or simply going about your day, this cover helps enable you to focus on recovery — knowing your finances are supported. How It Works: Tiered Injury Categories Injuries are classified into categories based on severity. The more serious the injury, the higher the payout: Category 1: Minor injuries like a fractured ankle may pay 1–2× your chosen benefit. Category 5: Severe injuries such as permanent loss of hearing in both ears may pay up to 12× your chosen benefit. This tiered approach ensures the financial support reflects the true impact of the injury — whether it’s a temporary setback or a life-altering event. Accidental Injury Cover is a smart, cost-effective way to enhance your protection and gain peace of mind. It’s designed to respond when you need it most — helping you recover with confidence, knowing your financial wellbeing is taken care of. Contact your Futurisk Insurance Adviser to find out more. In New Zealand, ACC provides excellent support for a wide range of injuries. However, it may not cover every expense, and the financial impact of an injury can still be significant. That’s where Accidental Injury Cover (also known as Specific Injury Cover) comes in — offering a valuable layer of protection to help ease the burden. With Accidental Injury Cover, you select the level of your maximum lump-sum payout, and any subsequent payout is then based on the severity of the injury, giving you confidence that your financial support will match the impact of the event. With flexible benefit levels, you can tailor your cover to suit your needs — and it’s surprisingly affordable. Accidental Injury Cover provides a lump-sum payment for specific injuries such as fractures, burns, or the loss of limbs. For example, a hip fracture could trigger a payout of up to three times your selected benefit amount, helping cover medical costs, home support, or lost income during recovery. A lesser or more significant injury would trigger a payout of a lesser or greater amount accordingly. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Protect your business with tailored insurance solutions from Futurisk Insurance. We offer coverage for various industries across New Zealand. Business Insurance options with Futurisk Our Solutions > Business Insurance > Book a free appointment here Business Insurance options Business Interruption Contract Works Material Damage Cyber Insurance Commercial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Rural Insurance Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a personalised Business Insurance plan. We are local financial advisers who live and work in your community Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19 Why choose a Futurisk Adviser? At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer or the bank. We are local financial advisers who live and work in your community. We guide you to the right solution, at the right price. And when it’s time to claim, we’ve got your back. Find out more