The short answer
Four comparisons account for most of the confusion in the New Zealand market. Each one is a real trade-off with no universally right answer — which is why we have written them as comparisons rather than recommendations.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30
Income protection vs mortgage protection
One replaces your income, the other replaces one bill. The gap between them is your grocery budget.
Trauma vs income protection
A lump sum on diagnosis, or a monthly payment while you cannot work. If you can only have one, this page is the decision.
ACC vs income protection
What you already have, versus what you do not. Start here if you have never looked at the gap.
Using an adviser vs buying direct
Same premium, usually. Very different process, and a very different claim.
Health insurance vs the public system
You will be treated either way. What you are buying is timing, choice and non-funded drugs.
Life cover vs trauma cover
One pays when you die, one pays when you are diagnosed. Most households eventually want both, in different sizes.
The hard question is never which insurer. It is which problem you are solving.
A shortcut, if you want one
Ask what would break first, and in what order:
Then size each one to the actual gap rather than to a round number. The cover calculator and the income runway calculator both exist to make that concrete.
Keep reading
This page is general information about how insurance works in New Zealand. It is not regulated financial advice and it does not take your situation into account. For advice about your own cover, talk to a licensed financial adviser.