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

Frequently asked questions when buying a home Frequently asked questions when buying a home Contact Us Should I get an appraisal? Yes. An appraisal is an opinion of the value of the property you are planning to purchase. It's one of the requirements needed to apply for a home loan. Should I pay for a home inspection to check the house? Yes. It is a must to have a professional house inspector check the house first before you decide to buy to get your money's worth. We all want some peace of mind when buying something important like buying a house. Should I use an Agent to buy a house? Yes and No. Yes, because an agent can help you with finding a home that will suit you by giving you a list of available homes within your price range and can also give you some information about the housing market. However, be careful to choose by comparing background, experience and agencies. Or you can ask someone you can trust. No, if you want to do it personally and are ready to take on some house shopping yourself. Should I go directly to the bank or other mortgage lenders to borrow? You can go directly to your bank and ask about their mortgage lending criteria. Or you can let us help you by getting the best offer without the hassles of going through the all the rudiments of getting a home loan. How much can I afford? The answer to this depends on your income and your liabilities (debt). Ideally, most home buyers purchase a house that costs between 1 ½ to 2 ½ times their annual income. However sometimes, there are no houses available in your ideal price range. If this is the case, you may need to spend a bit more. Just keep in mind that your monthly mortgage repayment can't exceed 29% of your gross monthly income and your total debt payments (mortgage payments, car payments, credit cards and hire purchases) can't exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. How much can I borrow? It depends on a number of factors and these may include: The value of the home Your income and your ability to repay the mortgage How much you have saved towards your deposit If you are eligible for a First Home Loan Type of home you are planning to purchase How much should I offer for a house? Each property is unique on its own and the ideal offer will depend on how the buyer perceives the value of the property. If a particular house is overpriced an offer below the listing price would be appropriate. If it's just within the ideal price range, an offer at the asking price or just below the listing price will be fine and if it's priced below the actual value, then you are in for a good bargain (get it while you can soonest!). 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

How to know you have the right insurance cover - Life Insurances How to know you have the right insurance cover - Life Insurances Contact Us Which life-insurance should I go for? Term life insurance or a whole of life policy, which one should you go for? The obvious advantage of a whole of life policy is that it's like a savings account. You pay your premiums, and at a certain age you get something back. The disadvantage is that, for all that time, the premiums are higher. The question to ask when deciding which policy to go for is this, "If I go for the cheaper (term life insurance) policy, what will I do with the money saved?" If the answer is that you would squander it, then an endowment policy with the compulsory savings component is perfect for you. If, however, you're able to be more disciplined and put that money aside in some sort of investment for the future, then you might consider doing that and going for a term life policy. Insurances to protect your income: We almost always insure our most valuable assets-it's crazy not to! So, you've probably taken out insurance on your house, your car, your possessions... but none of these are your most valuable asset. Your most valuable asset is your ability to earn an income, and this needs to be protected because without it, you cannot pay your bills. There are two ways to protect your income: Income protection insurance, sometimes called disability insurance. Most income protection policies will, in the event of you being unable to work as a result of illness or injury, pay you up to 75% of your previous taxable income for a pre-specified term. As part of the policy, you can usually choose a stand-down period of four, eight, or 13 weeks before any income is paid out. The length of stand-down you select will be reflected in the premium you are charged - the longer the stand-down, the lower the premium. So, income protection means you continue to get a weekly payment despite being unable to work. Trauma or crisis insurance, sometimes referred to as critical illness insurance. This policy provides a lump sum on the diagnosis of certain specified critical conditions such as, serious cancer, heart disease and stroke. Some people say, it's like life insurance, but you don't have to die! What this means is, if you're seriously ill and need to take time off work, you'll be paid a lump sum to help with medical expenses, living expenses etc. That lump sum is agreed at the time you purchase the policy and, the greater the lump sum, the higher the policy premiums. So, in short, income protection pays a percentage of your income; trauma insurance pays a lump sum. Do I need to protect my income? The simple answer to this is, "Yes." Everyone needs to protect their income in case of an accident or illness. However, when considering income protection insurance you need to consider the value of it by weighing up your income, occupation and any offsets such as ACC payments and the like. For instance, if you are earning $40,000 per year, it may be that you would be eligible for that amount via a sickness benefit should you become ill. It nullifies the need for income protection insurance. One thing is for sure: Whenever you take out insurance, read all documents carefully so you know what's covered and what's not. To get proper advice on life insurances we recommend that you speak to an accredited insurance agent. Life insurances can be pretty confusing. There are so many products out there, and you never quite know which ones are best for you. And then, having decided on the type of insurance, there's the question of how much should you insure for? And when should you start with life insurance? One thing is for sure, however, living without any form of life-based insurance cover leaves your personal and business finances in a dangerous position. One of the most common ways of falling into debt is through the unexpected need to replace a lost or damaged asset that was not insured, and your greatest asset is your ability to earn. If that was suddenly removed from you, debt could quickly follow. Here's Futurisk's quick guide to life-based insurances. In terms of life-based insurances there are two aspects of cover you should consider to avoid potential debt for yourself or your dependents. The first is life insurance; this protects your dependents in the case of anything happening to you. The second is income protection insurance; this protects you and your dependents in a situation where you are unable to work because of some sort of illness. Let's look at these insurances more closely: Life insurances: The important thing to remember about life insurance is that it's not for you. Sure, it's your life that's insured, but the policy is for the benefit of your dependents. It's to ensure that they are able to live with some quality of lifestyle in the event that you're not there to provide for them. There are two types of life insurance policy: Term life insurance: Term life insurance agrees to pay your dependents or your estate an agreed amount if you die. The policy usually runs for a set term. That means, when you reach a certain age the cover ceases. You know longer pay premiums and you're no longer covered. Most people choose an age of about 65, a time when they no longer have children dependent on them, and have some income because they're receiving the pension. Because the insurance company realises the chance of you dying before this age is relatively slim, premiums are adjusted accordingly. This is why the premiums are usually lower than for the second type of life insurance. Whole of life or endowment insurance: Whole of life insurance (sometimes called endowment insurance) tends to be more expensive than straight life insurance because it combines life insurance with a savings or investment component. Endowment policies still mature when you reach a previously nominated age (usually 65), but you receive a lump sum. At that point the policy and premium payments cease. If you die before reaching that age, your estate receives the agreed insurance pay-out. 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

Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Contact Us Your One‑Minute Insurance Check Take a moment and ask yourself: Have I bought anything valuable in the last 12 months? Have rebuild or replacement costs increased since my policy began? If I needed to claim tomorrow, would my excess still be affordable? If you hesitated on any of these, it may be time for a quick review – give your Futurisk Financial Advisor a call. Small adjustments now can make a big difference later. Behind the Scenes: Why Clarity Matters As advisers, one of the most important aspects to our role isn’t the help we give at claims time; it’s doing the foundational work to ensure there are no surprises when that moment arrives. Understanding what isn’t covered is just as important as knowing what is. Insurance works best when expectations are clear from the start, allowing you to live each day with confidence rather than uncertainty. Contact your Futurisk Financial Advisor today and ask for a free, no obligation insurance review. Each year, as we move into autumn, we usually see a noticeable rise in home insurance claims, particularly those caused by burst pipes and unexpected water damage. The good news is that many of these claims are preventable. Something as simple as insulating outdoor taps or making sure gutters are clear of leaves and debris can make a powerful difference. A few minutes of preventative care today can save thousands in repairs tomorrow. After all, the easiest claim you’ll ever make is the one you never have to. The Most Common (and Costly) Mistake We See One issue continues to appear time and again: underinsurance, especially when it comes to contents cover. Over the past few years, building costs and replacement values have risen dramatically. What was adequate cover when your policy was set up may no longer reflect today’s reality. A quick review with your Futurisk Financial Adviser could be the difference between peace of mind and a stressful shortfall when you need support the most. 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

Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Contact Us The right structure can save you thousands The way your home loan is structured can make a huge difference to the amount of interest you pay over time. When structuring a home loan thought needs to be given to: The mix of fixed and floating rates. The length of your fixed terms. Whether or not you would benefit from have a revolving credit facility. Your stage of life and your financial goals. Despite these considerations, many homeowners stick with the same setup year after year, unaware of the potential savings a smarter structure could bring. That’s why it makes sense to let your Futurisk mortgage adviser help you reassess your mortgage structure in light of current rates, lifestyle changes, and financial goals. Peace of mind in uncertain times Finally, a mortgage is the biggest financial commitment most of us will ever make. Let’s face it, even an average sized mortgage is a lot of money. It’s no wonder some people feel overwhelmed. Getting professional advice from your Futurisk adviser will give you confidence that you’re making informed decisions. If you’re about to refix or restructure your home loan, or if you or someone you know is about to take out a new home loan, get the best advice you can – talk to your Futurisk qualified mortgage adviser. Good Advice Matters Good news! Interest rates are finally starting to ease. That means, many Kiwi mortgage-holders are asking whether now is the right time to restructure, re-fix, or refinance their home loans. While lower rates can offer the opportunity to reduce your monthly repayments or pay off your mortgage faster, navigating the options isn’t always straightforward. That’s where good advice from your Futurisk mortgage adviser can make all the difference. Here’s why good mortgage advice is essential: Every mortgage is different Home loans aren’t all the same. That’s because, when setting up a loan, your current financial situation, your long-term goals, and the structure of your existing loan(s) are all taken into account to ensure the best move for the next period of your life. But situations change as we go through various life stages. Depending on your current situation, it may make sense to break your fixed-term mortgage and lock in a lower rate. However, not always. Breaking a loan early can trigger costly break fees that outweigh the savings. You Futurisk mortgage adviser will help you calculate the real costs and benefits, and tailor a strategy that fits your situation—not just for now, but for the years ahead. Timing is everything The Reserve Bank signalling a lowering of the OCR (Official Cash Rate), is good news and we would expect interest rates to gradually trend downwards. During times of adjustment in interest rates, banks move independently and those movements can be unpredictable. So, when should you refix or restructure your loan? The temptation is always to grab a lower interest rate as soon as you see one. However, fixing too soon or for too long can mean missing out on later interest rate decreases. Your Futurisk mortgage adviser will track market trends, explain what’s likely to happen next (although there are never any certainties), and help you strike the right balance between risk and opportunity. 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 Navigate New Zealand’s Changing Investment Markets. How to Navigate New Zealand’s Changing Investment Markets. Contact Us Equity Market Outlook The NZX 50 index has had some ups and downs lately — you’ve probably noticed your KiwiSaver and other investments dipped slightly in the first quarter of this year. The outlook remains positive, however, and you will have also noticed that, in the past month or two, your investments have started to pick up again. With interest rates coming down, shares are becoming more attractive to investors, and company profits are expected to improve as the economy continues to recover later in 2025. This is good news for investors so keep your eye on your investments. Government Initiatives to Attract Investment A further encouragement for investors is the policies that the government has implemented to attract foreign investment. These include easing 'golden visa' requirements and positioning New Zealand as a 'safe harbour' for investors amidst global economic volatility and uncertainty. Globally, New Zealand is perceived as a socially cohesive, safe, and stable nation which has revitalised the economy and bolster investor confidence. Conclusion So, it’s true that recent shifts in New Zealand's investment markets have caused concern for many. However, the underlying economic indicators and proactive government policies suggest a trajectory towards recovery. At Futurisk, we advise investors to stay informed and, as is always the case with investment funds, maintain a long-term perspective, because the current financial environment presents numerous opportunities for growth and resilience. If you have any questions or concerns about your KiwiSaver or other investments, please give your Futurisk Financial Adviser a call. Caution, not panic is the key. New Zealand's investment markets have experienced notable shifts in the opening months of 2025. Many of these shifts have been as a result of overseas events which are out of our control, such as changes of governments, inter-nation conflicts and changes to international trading conditions. It’s natural that such changes will lead to some investor concern but there’s no need to panic. In fact, at Futurisk, we believe there are real reasons for cautious optimism. Economic Recovery Underway 2024 was a challenging year. Phrases like “looming recession” made many of us nervous and we watched with concern as our investment savings dipped a little. As we progress through 2025, however, the country’s economy is showing definite signs of recovery. In the fourth quarter of 2024, GDP grew by 0.7%, surpassing expectations, with projections indicating growth of 1.4% in 2025 and an acceleration to 2.7% in 2026. On top of this, the Reserve Bank reduced the Official Cash Rate to 3.75% with the aim of stimulating economic activity. 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

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

Does Your Insurance Still Fit? Does Your Insurance Still Fit? Contact Us Get advice – not just a quote The radio is full of advertisements for quick insurance quotes. One promises that three questions is all you need to answer before purchasing a policy. That sounds very convenient, until claim time when you discover the exclusions and fine print conditions contained in many of these quick-sell insurances. Talking with a Futurisk qualified insurance adviser is invaluable. Rather than selling you a quick product, our advisers will walk you through the insurance process, helping you to understand what you’re paying for and explaining the benefits of your insurance protection. We will also compare policies across multiple providers ensuring that you receive the best advice and best value; not the cheapest option, but the policy that best suits your situation. Finding value for money – not the cheapest policy, but the best During tough economic times, it can be tempting to save money by cutting back on, or even cancelling, insurance. Futurisk’s advice is to first carefully consider the cost of not being insured should something happen. We do our best to help you find ways to adjust cover or restructure premiums to keep them affordable. Remember, a well-structured insurance policy is vital for protecting your family’s financial future should something unexpected happen. A Futurisk insurance review doesn’t mean buying more. It means, taking the time to ensure your cover is serving you the best way possible. The bottom line Insurance is there to protect you, your family, and your finances. However, it only works if it’s fit for purpose. A quick review with your Futurisk insurance adviser could make a big difference to both your budget and your long-term security. As the rising cost of living puts pressure on most Kiwi households, it's a good time to examine your regular expenses, and that includes your insurance. Whether it's life insurance, health insurance, income protection, or general cover, everybody’s insurance needs change over time. That means, we all need to review our policies to ensure they still match our circumstances. It could be you are paying for more than you need and could save money. Or it could mean there are gaps in your insurance cover that would leave you financially exposed if something happened. When it’s time you reviewed your insurance cover, here’s a few things to keep in mind. Life changes – so should your insurance cover Major life events can all affect how much insurance you need and yet, many people set up their policies and never give them another thought. Life events affecting your insurance needs include getting married, having children, buying a house, changing jobs, and paying off debt. If you’re paying for cover you no longer need, you can almost certainly reduce your premiums and save money. On the other hand, if your circumstances have changed and your cover hasn’t kept up, you may not be as protected as you think. That means, your insurance premiums may be lower than they should be but, if something goes wrong, you’ll be underinsured and could be out of pocket for years to come. 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 your bank decides to loan you money How your bank decides to loan you money Contact Us Equity (sometimes called Collateral). Equity is a measure of your net worth. It's the value of what you own minus the value of what you owe. In short, the bank wants to be sure that, if you can't repay your loan, you have enough value in your home so that, if they sell it, they can recoup the money you owe them. This is why part of the application form will include a measure of assets versus liabilities. In recent times this became a problem for the bank (and for the person they loaned money to). You see, the banks were loaning 100% on the value of a home. That meant, if the housing market dipped and a mortgage holder couldn't repay their loan, the bank would sell the property but not recoup all their money. So, the person who borrowed the money is now without a home, and still owes money to the bank. This is why there is so much talk about LVR; that is, your loan to value ratio. LVR is the amount you will owe on your house divided by the amount it is worth. LVR's vary from bank to bank but most will usually only loan up to 80% LVR. That means, if you want to buy a new home you will usually need at least 20% of the purchase price as a deposit. It also makes it quite easy to work out how much you can afford to spend on a house - just multiply your deposit by five. Character. For many banks, your financial character is the most important criteria used to assess whether you qualify for loan or not. Banks will look at your financial track record to determine whether they think they can trust you to repay a loan. They will take into account things like whether you have; previous defaults on any type of loan repayments, fines owing, a poor credit rating, a poor job history, or whether you are constantly going into unarranged overdraft. This is why banks ask for three months' bank transactions before giving out a loan - it's to check how well you manage your finances. This is an aspect of borrowing that many people underestimate. It's not just about having a deposit. The bank is more concerned about getting back the money it gives to you, and to prove that you will do that you need to have a good credit and banking record. The challenge. The challenge is simple; if you think you are going to want a bank loan sometime in the future, you need to be proactive now in ensuring you are an attractive client to the bank in these areas; Serviceability Equity, and Character. The team at Futurisk would love to talk to you about all aspects of your personal finances. You will have read in the news that banks are tightening up on lending money to home buyers. Not so long ago it was easy to get a loan, now many first home buyers are wondering how they will ever secure the money to get into their own home. There are, however, things you can do to make yourself more suitable for a bank loan. But don't leave these things until the last minute. If you think you may want to purchase a home in the future, think about these things now. The bank uses three criteria to assess whether to give you a loan There are three key criteria the bank will measure a potential borrower against; Serviceability Equity Character Serviceability (sometimes called capacity). Serviceability measures your ability to repay a loan. Basically, it is your income minus your expenses. This is why, when you apply for a loan, the bank asks you to complete an application form with records of your monthly earnings and monthly spending. Each bank will have a slightly different mathematical formula to calculate serviceability, and slightly different requirements regarding the surplus funds you should have at the end of each month. However, in general terms, banks will expect you to have a monthly surplus of around $300 after all your expenses have been paid. Two things will greatly affect your serviceability and therefore your chance of getting a loan. The first is overspending. If you're thinking of asking the bank for a loan, begin to economise now so that you can show you're able to live on a minimal budget. The second thing that will affect your ability to service a loan is existing debt. If you have debt, you will be making repayments. Those repayments will count against you being granted a loan; and that includes the debt from a student loan. Remember the old rule - pay off debt as quickly as possible. 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

Six Tips to Help You Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster Six Tips to Help You Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster Contact Us 3. Make repayments fortnightly, not monthly Most banks will set up your mortgage with monthly repayments; request fortnightly repayments. What that means is that, over a year, you’ll make 26 half-monthly repayments rather than 12 monthly payments – that’s two extra repayments per year. Over the course of a 30 year mortgage that can save you thousands of dollars. 4. Make lump sum repayments If you have a tax refund or some other windfall, put it on your mortgage. It will go straight towards paying off principal owed and save money on interest repayments. 5. Track your finances Many people could radically improve their personal finances if only they kept track of their income and expenditure – that means, keeping to a budget. Remember, even small amounts of money saved and put on your mortgage can save thousands over the period of your mortgage. 6. Set your mortgage up with part revolving credit Of all the tips to save money on your mortgage, this is the most effective. It can be tricky to set up properly and you may need some financial advice to do it. Once set-up, however, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars and many years of mortgage repayments. The team at Futurisk would love to talk to you about all aspects of your personal finances. Click here to contact Futurisk. I remember when I was about Intermediate School age (a long time ago), my mother would give me $20 each fortnight and I’d take it to the local building society. It was the mortgage money. Having taken out a mortgage, my parents faithfully paid back the required sum every fortnight until every dollar of the interest and principal were paid off. No thought was given to ways of saving on those mortgage repayments. These are, however, simple things you can do to speed up your mortgage repayments saving you both money and time. Here are Futurisk’s six tips to help pay off your mortgage faster: 1. Start early Whatever strategy you decide on, start as early on in your mortgage as you can. In fact, think about how you will repay your home loan before you even sign up for it. Perhaps get some advice from a financial solutions company like Futurisk or from your accountant. This is because, with a table mortgage, which most mortgage-holders will have, the early payments are mostly interest with little principal being repaid. Then, as time goes on, the proportion of interest per payment decreases, and the proportion of principal per payment increases. So, the sooner you begin on a plan to speed up the paying off of your mortgage, the more you save. 2. Each fortnight, pay a little more than the bank asks for If you pay any amount over what the bank asks you to pay on your mortgage, that amount will go straight into lowering the principal owed and therefore lower the interest you are paying. Over the life of your mortgage even a small amount of extra money paid per payment can save tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s another little trick: over time, most mortgage repayments will decrease. Many home owners look forward to this and see it as extra money in their wallet. However, by keeping your repayments the same throughout the life of your mortgage, a lot of money can be saved. 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

Ensure your business can withstand unexpected disruptions with business continuity insurance from Futurisk Insurance. Get expert coverage solutions in New Zealand. Business Continuity Insurance Our Solutions > Personal Insurance > Business Continuity > Business Continuity can protect your business from disruptions caused by sickness and injury. Business Continuity with Futurisk Enquire Now Additional Options Partial Disablement Benefit Provides additional income if owing to a continuation of the disability, you are working less than 20 hours per week and have been totally disabled for a period of at least two weeks. Peak Season Benefit If you are on claim during the pre-nominated three-month peak season period, you receive an additional 25% of the monthly benefit. Business Income Support Should you suffer a serious accident or critical illness and are unable to work long term, you will need cover additional to the Business Continuity Benefit. This cover can provide additional cover benefits and financial support to age 65. Benefits of Business Continuity Worldwide Cover Agreed Value Benefit Guaranteed Benefit Recurrent Disablement Benefit What can it cover? Most businesses protect their physical assets such as plant and equipment but may not protect human assets that are key to keeping their business running profitably. Business Continuity Insurance helps your business by providing monthly payments and support should a key person become disabled or unable to work due to ill-health. Offsets No offsets applied. Business Continuity Cover does not have ACC offset. Waiting periods The length of time between you becoming disabled and the time when you are eligible to receive a claim payment can vary to suit your personal requirements. Longer waiting periods can decrease your monthly premiums. We can offer waiting periods from 4 – 13 weeks. Benefit Payment Periods You can select the amount of time you receive payments. Selecting a shorter benefit payments period can decrease your premiums. We can offer from 6 – 24 month payment periods to suit your circumstances. 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