As insurance advisors (also known as "brokers"), we know the market. We do the hard work for you, so you  save time when choosing the right insurance provider. We help you compare your options across multiple leading insurance providers, answer any questions you may have along the way and advocate for you and your family on your behalf, should you need to raise a claim.

A general rule of thumb is 10X your annual salary in life cover; however, your unique situation and needs may differ. You don't want to overpay for insurance that you don't need, and you certainly don't want to be underinsured. As licensed financial advisors, we can help you tell the difference.

Generally speaking, your age and health play a major factor in the cost of your life insurance policy. The life insurance providers that we work with use a variety of models to work out your risk, which  affects  your premiums (monthly payments). Basically, the healthier and younger you are, the cheaper your policy will be, so it pays to stay healthy and get insurance when you are young before you develop any ailments.

Term life is insurance valid for a certain time period only, for example 20 or 30 years. Permanent or Whole Life is a policy that is valid for your whole life, meaning that no matter your age when you pass away, your policy will be paid out according to the terms and conditions of your policy. While term life insurance is usually cheaper, it doesn't always pay off in the end. This is why we advise working with a licensed financial advisor (like us!) to make sure you understand the true costs and benefits of your policy.

The best question to ask yourself here is 'Do I have dependents or anyone who relies on my income?' If you were to pass away, would loved ones be left with debt to pay back or any other financial burdens? Would your loved ones be able to sustain the lifestyle they currently have, or would you like to leave them a legacy gift to ensure their financial future? These are good questions to ask yourself, if your answer is 'yes' to either of these questions you might consider getting life insurance.

Having a stepped premium means that your monthly payment for your life insurance (your "premium") stays the same for one year at a time. As you get older each year, the premium increases.

Having a level term premiums means your monthly payment for your life insurance (your "premium") stays the same for as long as your policy is in place.

That depends on the premium structure you choose when you take out your insurance policy. If you take out a policy on a level term basis, your premiums may start out higher, but will be fixed for the life of the policy. If you take out a policy on a stepped premium basis, your premium will start out lower, but will generally increase yearly as you age. Generally, stepped premium structures are more expensive over the entire policy lifetime, but are easier to afford in the beginning.  Level premiums, on the other hand, often work out cheaper over the policy lifetime. This is why it pays to have an advisor (like us!) on your side to help you assess your options and figure out what works best for you.

We believe that the best way to get insurance is through an insurance broker who is licensed to provide financial advice. At Buffer, we have a team of licensed insurance brokers dedicated to ensuring your insurance experience is the best yet.

Alternatively, you can contact New Zealand insurance providers directly. However, these providers will advise you only on their own company's products, as they are unable to compare policies across multiple providers. Because insurance providers offer very different products, comparison is key to ensure you get the policy that is right for you.

It is common for leading insurers to request a new client to undergo a "medical", or medical examination. This is to assess your physical health and fitness. Medicals usually take around 30 minutes to complete. At Buffer, we organize your medicals for you, be it the nurse visiting you at home, your place of work, or the local medical centre.

This depends on a few factors, but a lot comes down to how effectively the company or advisor you choose works on your behalf to get an application submitted. For our clients, we find that the whole process, from initial consultation to policy approval, usually takes about two weeks. It really isn't much time to set aside for protecting your loved ones!

Also, keep in mind that we offer virtual electronic consultations as well as in-person, so we can work with your schedule to provide a convenient and streamlined process.