Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Fidelity Life open applications for training programmes
Fidelity Life has opened applications for Advice Masters, Professional Pathways, Practice Manager Masterclass and Career Connect.
Fidelity Life has opened applications for Advice Masters, Professional Pathways, Practice Manager Masterclass and Career Connect.
Applications are open for Advice Masters, Fidelity Life's intensive training and personalised professional development programme designed for experienced business owners in the financial services industry. The programme encompasses a wide range of topics: M&A; capital raising/funding strategies; high performance for business leaders; leading high performing teams; business strategy design and execution; governance; board craft; director skills and sustainability; business efficiency; technology and AI. The 30 available spots are by invitation only – interested people can talk to their business manager or apply here.
Professional Pathways is Fidelity Life's customisable extended training and development programme designed for motivated advisers, who are dedicated to growth and achieving their business goals. Over a 9-month period the programme will take participants through key topics – developing their business; advice and planning; business sales and growth; business efficiency. The programme consists of skills based workshops, self-paced learning through courses, resources and quizzes, online webinars and interactive online workshops.
Practice Manager Masterclass are targeted at admin staff and will help to improve workflow and productivity.
Career Connect is Fidelity Life's comprehensive education and skills programme designed to develop the next generation of financial advisers. Career Connect equips participants with relevant qualifications, practical skills and knowledge, and industry connections. The 2025 intake will commence in May and will run for 6 months. Applicants will be invited for an interview and the fee for the programme is approximately $1650.
More news:
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'Shaping the future of financial advice' 11 December
Unimed offer customers My Food Bag discounts
Russell Hutchinson reviews a game to teach financial literacy
Sam Friggens appointed general manager climate transition at ASB
Health NZ proposing to lay off 1500 staff in restructure proposal
Fidelity Life announce product enhancements and digital, service, and retention initiatives
At Fidelity Life’s Engage 2024 conference, Fidelity Life announced a range of product enhancements, digital, service and retention initiatives and other news.
Trauma and Life covers: The entry eligibility for the Inbuilt Child’s Trauma benefit has been reduced from two years to three months, allowing more families to receive early protection. A new, separate benefit specifically for newborns facing trauma has also been introduced. Fidelity Life will also trail a premium discount for defined exclusions on trauma covers in the coming months.
Condition Definitions: Refinements have been made for clarity, and Terminal Illness has been introduced as a defined condition across the trauma range, including Child's Trauma.
Bereavement and Child’s Funeral Benefits: The Bereavement Benefit has been increased from $15,000 to $25,000, and the Child’s Funeral Benefit has been increased from $3,500 to $15,000 for children aged 10 to 20.
Grief Counselling Benefit: A new benefit offering an additional $2,500 to the sum insured.
Financial Planning Benefit: Easier access by removing thresholds and extending the claim period.
New Specific Injury Cover: A low-cost solution that pays a lump sum for any of 30 defined injuries.
Live Chat: Quick and easy access to New Business and Underwriting teams via Adviser Centre.
New-Look E-App: A modern and intuitive user experience launching in March 2025. The E-App’s latest upgrade goes live later this month, with the new ‘share’ feature enabling advisers to send a link to their customers, allowing customers to complete all or part of the application on their own.
Dedicated Adviser Service Team: A team committed to servicing all adviser needs.
Enhanced Retention Tools: Including renewal reminders and automated SMS reminders for customers. There will be additional roles created too.
Expanding adviser support roles: Fidelity Life are creating new roles, including a National Partnership Manager for mid-sized and corporate firms, as well as an Auckland Business Manager and a Desk-Based Business Manager, to provide more tailored support and drive closer engagement.
Adviser Edge Programme: New additions to the programme include an invitation-only overseas study tour and new practice manager masterclasses for admin staff.
Grow Together programme: Coming in early 2025, the invitation-only Grow Together programme will provide dedicated, prioritised support across key areas including new business, underwriting, and retention. Advisers in the programme can expect to benefit from dedicated support resources, exclusive benefits, and access to a wide range of support tools and professional development opportunities.
Adviser Council: Fidelity Life are inviting advisers to express their interest in joining their Adviser council, which meets quarterly with Fidelity Life’s leadership team to discuss industry updates, share market trends, and provides objective feedback on their initiatives.
Adviser relationship survey: To better understand market perceptions and Fidelity Life are launching a bi-annual Adviser relationship survey to provide key insights into advisers' experiences and expectations and where Fidelity Life need to improve.
Group Solutions enhancements: From early 2025, Fidelity Life will be launching a quarterly industry insight, Group IQ; holding an annual onsite Group HQ conference for the top 30 group advisers; and launching a new group solution designed for small businesses, providing enhanced tools and technology for a smoother experience and better outcomes.
Bronwyn Kirwan, Fidelity Life's Chief Commercial Officer, said
"We are thrilled to introduce these new product enhancements and initiatives. They are a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing our advisers and customers with the best possible support and value.
These enhancements deliver more value, greater accessibility, and increased choice."
More info:
Chubb Life change underwriting process for Mortgage Repayment Cover
Partners Life are holding Summer Roadshows in November & December
AIA has launched new Specified Accidental Injury Cover product
AIA survey advisers around the need for terminal illness cover
AIA Vitality members can get up to 40% off Garmin and New Balance
The FSC has recorded a small deficit of almost $46,000 before tax over the 12 months to June 30
ICNZ has welcomed the passage of the Contracts of Insurance Bill
Financial Advice NZ's national adviser conference is on 1 - 3 April 2025
mySolutions webinar 'Why Chubb?' 27 November
Lyka Burr & Vincent Zhang join TAP's compliance and governance team
Unimed offer psychologist led introductory sleep workshops
Ashleigh Buchanan from Southern Cross Health Insurance named Emerging Leader of the Year
New Active Benefits are now available to Accuro policyholders
Accuro Policyholders now have access to a range of Active Benefits, as part of their UniMed membership.
Accuro Policyholders now have access to a range of Active Benefits, as part of their UniMed membership. While policy cover remains the same since the transfer of Accuro’s insurance portfolio to UniMed on 31 May, Accuro members can now access a range of UniMed member benefits. Benefits include:
20% off sitewide Parachute first aid (available until 31 Oct 2024)
15% Off Allianz Travel Insurance
20% Off MoleMap Checkups
30 days free at Snap Fitness
Get an intro to 9Round Fitness
Free Hearing Health Checkups
Discounts at Specsavers Optometrists
More news:
FSC webinar 'Cultivating mental wellness at work' 10 October
ANZIIF offer an Insurance Risk Management Study Course
TSB are looking for a Head of Customer Operations
Entries to the Southern Cross Wayfinder Awards close 30 September
Terry Ball says Robo-advice has a long way to go
KiwiSaver passes milestone of $100 billion of funds under management
The Banking Ombudsman Scheme saw a record number of cases
Calls for a public education campaign around consumer data right (CDR) regime
Asteron Life rating downgraded
S&P have lowered Asteron Life's financial strength and issuer credit ratings to 'A' from 'A+' and given them a stand-alone credit profile of 'a-'.
S&P have lowered Asteron Life's financial strength and issuer credit ratings to 'A' from 'A+'. After a review, S&P has given Asteron Life Ltd a stand-alone credit profile (SACP), which reflects the insurer's satisfactory business risk profile, of 'a-'.
The reason given for the downgrade is an expectation of reduced support from Suncorp Group Ltd in the leadup to the sale of Asteron Life, due to be completed at the end of January 2025. S&P have stated that the ratings on Asteron are on CreditWatch because they believe they will likely lower the ratings if the sale proceeds, with a likely outcome of a one notch ratings downgrade.
More news:
Incentives for those advising consumer clients set to change on 31 March 2025
mySolutions webinar 'Asteron ConnectedCare' 4 September
UniMed Breakfast Series 'with Conrad Goodhew 8 October
Fidelity Life release details of their customer engagement forum
Fidelity Life announce Apollo enhancement
Financial Advice NZ Professional Ethics Workshop 26 September
Apex Advice looking for an experienced Marketing & Communications Specialist
Fidelity Life announce the recipients of its 2024 Career connect scholarships
Fidelity Life has announced the seven recipients of its 2024 Career connect scholarships. The adviser training scholarships, worth up to $5,000 each, are awarded to new-to-the-industry applicants from underrepresented groups in the financial services sector.
Fidelity Life has announced the seven recipients of its 2024 Career connect scholarships. The adviser training scholarships, worth up to $5,000 each, are awarded to new-to-the-industry applicants from underrepresented groups in the financial services sector.
Pounamu scholarship – for an outstanding Māori applicant: Awhina Scott - Awhina is dedicated to improving the financial (and overall) wellbeing of Māori communities through better access to quality financial advice.
Kōwhai scholarship – for an exceptional Pasifika applicant: Jenny Silva - Jenny is passionate about empowering others to make informed financial decisions and contributing to the future financial stability of individuals and families within Pasifika communities.
Rural scholarship brought to you by FMG: Grace McIntyre - Coming from a rural community herself, Grace is passionate about raising awareness of the importance of advice and insurance in safeguarding rural livelihoods.
Women in Finance scholarship brought to you by Kaplan Professional: Anna Devereux - With a background in finance, Anna understands the need for people to receive advice from someone they trust. She looks forward to helping more New Zealanders achieve financial literacy and security.
Paua scholarship – for applicants who demonstrate excellence: Marna Breetzke - Marna is passionate about helping others and looks forward to being able to educate more New Zealanders on the importance of financial advice.
Toe Toe scholarship – for outstanding young applicants: Sydnee Taylor – Sydnee's background in the health and fitness industry ignited her passion for enhancing others' wellbeing and building strong relationships. She hopes to now leverage these skills to help others make informed financial decisions, resulting in financial wellbeing and security.
Rangi Po scholarship – for underrepresented identities in our industry: Taylah Marr – Passionate about supporting others, Taylah wants to help more New Zealanders get ahead financially and gain peace of mind over their financial futures.
Southern Cross Health Insurance CMO talks about biggest challenges and opportunities
Southern Cross Health Insurance Chief Marketing Officer Regan Savage has been interviewed by Campaign Asia about the biggest challenges and opportunities they’re facing and where they're investing marketing budgets this year.
Southern Cross Health Insurance Chief Marketing Officer Regan Savage has been interviewed by Campaign Asia about the biggest challenges and opportunities they’re facing and where they're investing marketing budgets this year.
Savage calls out high inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and proving the value of premiums even when people aren’t claiming as the three biggest marketing challenges right now. In terms of opportunities, Savage mentions investing in newer, more capable communications platforms, how they are proactively offering members options to manage premiums as their needs change, and looking for opportunities to utilise AI to automate repetitive tasks.
More daily news:
Pinnacle Life are looking for a Head of Finance
The new Fidelity Life E-App is up and running
mySolutions webinar 'The Thousandth Client' 5 June
Southern Cross recognised at the 2024 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand awards
Jon-Paul Hale says it's time to review how commission is paid when clients move to a new adviser
The Brand Experience Gap Study found insurers were among worst performers in NZ
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'Post Budget Webinar - Economic and Consumer Impacts 5 Jun
MAS is calling for nominations for the role of Practitioner Trustee of MAS Members’ Trust
Bell Gully summarise the Customer and Product Data Bill that has been introduced to Parliament
New Zealand is 485 GPs short, with this number expected to grow
Zurich develops AI systems to streamline life insurance applications
UniMed give followers a chance to win a double pass to the Crusaders game this Friday
MAS publish their latest Member-exclusive quarterly magazine, OnMAS
UniMed gets approval from RBNZ to take on Accuro’s portfolio
UniMed has received approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to take on the portfolio of insurance co-operative Accuro.
Once Accuro’s 30,000 members have been transferred to UniMed, UniMed will be the third largest health insurance provider in New Zealand, with combined membership of 140,000.
Once the transfer is finalised, members will transition to being part of the UniMed society, though the Accuro brand will remain. Accuro members will continue to have the same policies and healthcare benefits as they do now. Once the transer is complete Accuro will cancel its insurance licence and take steps to dissolve the Accuro Health Insurance Society.
UniMed Chair Peter Tynan says
“The additional scale will ensure UniMed is in the best possible position to create efficiencies, develop new services and products and meet the challenges of increasing member expectations all at a time when the cost of health services is rising, and the regulatory environment continues to evolve.”
More daily news:
The FSC publish their Regulatory Outlook for April
nib would welcome Medicines Act review and regulation to get more treatment options approved
AIA launch 2024 CEO Think Tank programme
AIA offer one month's premium free on new eligible policies issued by 17 June 2024
The New Zealand Society of Actuaries appoints Helen Mexted as chief executive
The role of financial advice in New Zealand
Take a look at the consumer case study and adviser case study videos Fidelity Life have produced to get another perspective on how kiwis view the financial advice industry.
We wrote about Fidelity Life’s Advice for good: Rethinking New Zealand’s relationship with financial advice report, here. Take a look at the consumer case study and adviser case study videos they have produced to get another perspective on how kiwis view the financial advice industry.
We’d love to hear your ideas on how to help shift the public’s perception of our industry and convey the value we offer.
More daily news:
Rob Flannagan will extend his term as independent Chair of the FSC Board
Unimed looking for Chief Corporate Services Officer and Chief Risk Officer
Andrew Bayly says government are reviewing a number of pieces of financial markets legislation
mySolutions webinar 'Commercial Insurances - What do FAPs need to know?' 9am 13 March
FSC CEO resigns
Richard Klipin has announced his resignation as CEO of the Financial Services Council of NZ (FSC).
Richard Klipin has announced his resignation as CEO of the Financial Services Council of NZ (FSC).
Klipin has led the FSC for the past seven years and he will remain in the role whilst the Board starts the search process to find a replacement.
Rob Flannagan, Chair of the FSC, says
“Under Richard’s leadership over the past seven years we’ve developed from a small organisation of 29 members to one that is now has 119, and living its purpose as the clear voice of the financial services sector and growing the financial confidence and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Richard has led this renewal in vision, strategy and purpose; and his strength as a community builder is evidenced by the active involvement of over 540 members across the many FSC Commitees, forums and working groups.
Richard is leaving the FSC in great shape, with a new strategic plan and a ‘Blueprint for Growth’ policy platform that unites the sector, and has support and backing from government and regulators.”
More daily news:
Fidelity life to launch improved e-App
46% of new Chubb Life customers have received the 10% Lifetime Reward discount
Chubb Adviser Resources Site has had a refresh
Women in Insurance Summit 2024 in Auckland on 27 February
UniMed partners with Snap Fitness 24/7 to give members a free gym trial
Nick Hakes reflects on the financial advice industry in Asia-Pacific
FSC webinar 'Will big data & AI change everything?' 27 February
The IFSO Scheme will partner with Banqer
FSC's CEO Richard Klipin to speak at FinTechNZ's Hui Taumata
The Reserve Bank is in the early stages of planning for the next five-year funding agreement
KiwiSaver providers sceptical potential changes KiwiSaver scheme will benefit members
Southern Cross Healthcare appoints Dr Erica Whineray Kelly as Chief Medical Officer
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission says political parties need to reach cross-party agreement
What do you want us to write about?
We’d love to find out what you’d like to read more of this year on the blog. Local industry news? Global insurance news? Health news? Insurtech?
We’d love to find out what you’d like to read more of this year on the blog. Local industry news? Global insurance news? Health news? Insurtech? Let us know here.
Our top read stories since we switched to the new look Chatswood website were Swiss Re’s take on sustainability in life and health insurance, Fidelity Life’s product enhancements and Accuro and Unimed's announcement of their proposal to combine.