Introduction

Were back with another item analysis - this time for Aplastic Anaemia.

Please find our proposed sub-items below.

Sub-items rating review

Notes

A defined treatment option is a commonality across all insurers, excluding Asteron Life who have a more open definition when compared to their competitors. We have included a sub-item for those insurers who require diagnosis from a medical specialist along with a deduction to those that do not offer an additional treatment option. Aplastic Anaemia is a lowly weighted item in our database; however, our proposed rating aims to emphasise the difference in the definition between insurers, rather than focusing too much on ranking them from best and worse.  

Your feedback

We value getting your feedback on how these wordings are being applied to claims you may be aware of. Please email us with details of any recent claims to help us update our understanding.

Doreen Dutt, Research Analyst, Quality Product Research Limited, researcher@qpresearch.co.nz

nib announced the launch of Kids Cover Free, a new nibAPPLY platform campaign. Kids Cover Free is intended to help New Zealanders prioritise health by offering a free base cover for a child under 21 for 12 months with every adult insured under a new Easy Health, Ultimate Health or Ultimate Health Max policy through nibAPPLY. The offer is available through nib’s adviser partner network. nib CEO, Rob Hennin, has said that the offer reflects nib’s mission of improving the health of New Zealand families. Hennin also highlighted that the campaign is intended to improve the peace of mind of parents. The campaign is valid from today until 31 October 2021.

“Leading health insurer, nib New Zealand (nib), has today launched a new campaign via its nibAPPLY platform, to help Kiwis better prioritise the health of their families. The Kids Cover Free offer is available through nib’s adviser partner network and provides free base cover for one child for 12 months with every adult insured under a new policy.

nib Chief Executive Officer, Rob Hennin, said the special offer reflects nib’s mission to support the better health of Kiwi families and aims to provide members with greater peace of mind, knowing their child’s health is cared for.

“As a parent, taking care of the health and wellbeing of your children is one of your greatest priorities, and biggest concerns. We know from our own 2020 State of the Nation Parenting Survey, that at least three-quarters of Kiwi parents are more mindful of their family’s physical health because of COVID-19,” Mr Hennin said.

“Investing in private health insurance for your children is one way parents can significantly reduce these sorts of stresses, giving them the peace of mind that their child’s regular check-ups or unexpected healthcare needs are likely to be covered and that they’ll have access to timely and efficient care. We hope our Kids Cover Free offer helps take this burden off Kiwi parents, especially after a really difficult year,” he added.

Research from BNZ in 2018 estimates that the average cost of raising a child in New Zealand is just under $16,000 annually or around $285,000 up until the age of 18. Furthermore, IBISWorld uncovered that childcare, clothing and footwear costs had increased by up to 60% from 2013/2014 to 2018/2019.

nib’s own claim statistics also show that the number of healthcare claims for children has increased by 5% in the past 12 months* at a cost of more than $10 million.

The most common claims for children during the period* were:

• Specialist services (consultations including seeing a dermatologist about skin issues such as eczema, dermatitis or an ENT specialist due to tonsils or ears issues) – 3,500 claims, totalling $915,000
• Treatment by General Practitioner – 1,300 claims, totalling $45,000
• General diagnostic –700 claims, totalling $205,000

And individual claims for children can be quite large. nib’s three largest claims for members under the age of 21 during the period* were:

• Fusion to treat scoliosis - $90,000
• Jaw surgery - $69,000
• Electrophysiology and ablation to treat racing heart and restore normal heart rate - $58,000

“We know raising a child doesn’t come cheap, even more so if you’re faced with the need to pay for unexpected healthcare costs out of pocket. Common conditions such as grommets can often set parents back between $2,200-$3,500 and wisdom teeth extraction can cost on average $3,500 - $5,200.

“Making sure your children are insured early means that many of these conditions may be covered, as they have a policy in place before they become pre-existing conditions - which are excluded from most health insurance policies. That’s a huge benefit and one that enables parents to provide greater certainty around their child’s access to quality healthcare for the future,” Mr Hennin said.

The Kids Cover Free is valid for one designated child (under the age of 21) per every adult insured under a new nib policy between now and 31 October 2021. The offer which applies to base cover only is applicable for new members who apply for nib’s Easy Health, Ultimate Health or Ultimate Health Max policies through nibAPPLY (usual underwriting conditions and terms and conditions apply).

In addition to the special offer, nib also provides child only cover options for families looking to cover just their children.

For more information and to view the terms and conditions advisers can visit nib.co.nz/adviser/ or contact their nib Adviser Partner Manager.” Click here to read more

In other news

Lifetime: Once in a lifetime business - Take two

Medical Assurance Society: Do insurers fully understand the realities of customer vulnerability?

RBNZ: Reserve Bank's stress testing plans for insurers revealed

Introduction

Following on with our recent theme of revising ratings, we have reviewed Coma, re-assessing the item based on modern definitions.  A rarely claimed on benefit, yet significant coverage in the media when the insurer decides not to pay out.  

Below are the proposed items for Coma.

Notes

Momentum life is the only provider that requires the insured to be in a coma for 96-hours, while Westpac uniquely requires a permanent neurological deficit. Three insurers, Fidelity, Pinnacle and Westpac specifically exclude medically induced comas and a similar definition is observed in the use of life support systems and response to internal and external needs.

Few insurers continue to use the Glasgow Coma Scale in their definitions – here is a quick overview of what the scale demonstrates https://medictests.com/units/glasgow-coma-score

Your feedback

We value getting your feedback on how these wordings are being applied to claims you may be aware of. Please email us with details of any recent claims to help us update our understanding.

Doreen Dutt, Research Analyst, Quality Product Research Limited, researcher@qpresearch.co.nz

AIA NZ has announced that employees will be joining the Relief Run, a global initiative for those in India affected by COVID-19. AIA NZ alongside AIA Australia will contribute $30,000 to World Vision’s COVID-19 India crisis appeal. Employees will also complete 5km near the AIA House on 9 June 2021. AIA NZ CEO Nick Stanhope has said that it is important AIA joins this movement.

“AIA NZ are joining their Australian colleagues in the global initiative Relief Run, as the trans-Tasman business contributes $30,000 for the people of India devastated by COVID-19.

On Wednesday 9 June, the AIA NZ team will be running or walking 5km around the Smales Farm precinct in Takapuna, Auckland, and encourage participation from anywhere in the world.

“This is a global virtual event so anyone can take part from wherever they are,” says Nick Stanhope, AIA NZ CEO. “The scale of the tragedy in India is devastating, and we have family members, friends and colleagues directly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. I feel it’s important we join this movement, and take this small step to make a difference.”

Australian AIA Vitality Ambassador and endurance athlete Samantha Gash is the co-creator of Relief Run, which last year raised more than AU$1 million in support of Australian bushfire relief efforts. Locally the Relief Run will be supported by AIA NZ Vitality Ambassadors Dame Valerie Adams and Ian Jones.

“It’s great to be able to get involved in supporting my fellow AIA Vitality Ambassador Sam Gash, and the Relief Run,” says Ian Jones. “I know the funds raised will have a big impact on the relief effort in India, and will undoubtedly save lives.”

All funds raised by Relief Run will go towards the World Vision’s COVID-19 India crisis appeal, which is sourcing equipment and supplies including beds, oxygen concentrators, food vouchers and tents for temporary COVID-19 care centres.” Click here to read more

In other news

AIA: $597m in claims was paid in 2020. This includes COVID – redundancy, income protection and death claims

MAS: MAS is sponsoring the ILANZ: In-house Lawyers Young In-House Lawyer of the Year award

Asteron Life: Jacques Van Heerden joins Asteron Life as BDM

From Good returns: Keeping up - but not with the Kardashians

KPMG has published a document that is based on insurer information ranging from market position, revenue, profit growth, capital strength, as well as profit and capital company. The document was prepared using publicly available data obtained from audited financial statements filed with the New Zealand Companies Office. There were several requirements applied to determine which insurer qualified to be included. These requirements are:

·       Currently registered as a licensed insurer in New Zealand on 31 December 2020;

·       Filed financial statements with the Companies Office; and

·        Described its main activities in the audited financial statements as either selling or reinsuring life insurance products. 

Those included were categorised into three groups:

·       Top 10 Direct;

·       Other Direct;

·       Reinsurers

Click here to read more

In other news

AIA: Senior Learning Designer role advertised

FMA: Liam Mason appointed as new General Counsel

MAS: PX Administrator/Project Coordinator role advertised

A reader has queried whether QPR takes the sum insured into account in our Research Ratings.  And the answer is yes, we do consider the amount paid by each insurer. In fact amount paid are a vital part of a value-based assessment approach - and something we capture much better than simple feature lists of benefits do. 

In trauma insurance, some companies pay the full benefit for an item, others only make a payment of 10% or 20% of the sum insured because the condition was not severe enough to warrant a full payment. Our score is varied according to how much would actually be paid. In the scenario for Child Trauma, we have a claims amount of $100,000 and calculate how much would be paid out by each insurer.  

Furthermore, based on adviser feedback we have corrected our ratings to reflect the fact that Asteron does include the option to convert their child cover to adult trauma at age 21. Interestingly, if the parent is on Trauma Recovery (TR) and considering converting their child cover to TR with Early Trauma they are required to complete an application. 

Your feedback

We value getting your feedback on how these wordings are being applied to claims you may be aware of. Please email us with details of any recent claims to help us update our understanding. 

Doreen Dutt, Research Analyst, Quality Product Research Limited, researcher@qpresearch.co.nz

Introduction

The World Health Organisation states that 130 different types of brain tumours exist. A benign brain tumour is a non-cancerous growth in a distinct area of the brain. The survival rates for patients with benign brain tumours are higher than others, however this depends on the size and location of the tumour within the brain.

Proposed sub-items

Notes

There are some noticeable differences between insurers such as whether partials exist, or if the spinal cord or tumour on the pituitary gland is covered. We have tried to make the sub-items clearly demonstrate the variation between insurers.

Why is this important?

Although QPRs weighting of this item is low, it would be of high interest to those that have a family history of brain cancers. With a lot of insurers now having specialised cancer products we would like to ensure that our rating is relevant. 

Your feedback

We value getting your feedback on how these wordings are being applied to claims you may be aware of. Please email us with details of any recent claims to help us update our understanding.

Doreen Dutt, Research Analyst, Quality Product Research Limited, researcher@qpresearch.co.nz

Introduction

Inflation is often overlooked when customers are looking to purchase Life Cover. Although it may not be necessary for short term policies, it is however, a valued feature for long term policies (i.e., those that are in place for 20 years or more). 

Sub-items rating review

Following up on adviser feedback, we have recently added the optional Inflation Adjustment feature to MAS increasing the accuracy of our rating for Life cover for this insurer.

Please note we currently only show the pricing difference between indexed vs non-indexed (as shown below) and the rating for optional items are excluded from the total rating you will see on your research report.

Notes

The Inflation Adjustment benefit does not significantly vary among providers. Companies differ in expiry age, with Pinnacle being the only that expires at age 60. ANZ bank seems to be the only provider with a deduction for the sub-item “Excludes when premiums are waived”. A significant difference is whether the benefit is optional or included.    

Why is this important?

The benefit would be of high value for those looking to purchase long term policies. To not have this option would have a great impact in the future as you would understand that the cost of living will only increase as time goes on (and so should our Life cover). 

Your feedback

We value getting your feedback on how these wordings are being applied to claims you may be aware of. Please email us with details of any recent claims to help us update our understanding.

Doreen Dutt, Research Analyst, Quality Product Research Limited, researcher@qpresearch.co.nz

In light of the past two months, Martin Stokes, MAS CEO, has said that the insurer is open to the idea of remote working. Stokes highlights the slow adoption of flexible work options in past years has been accelerated by the lockdown. MAS will use events during the lockdown to inform future working arrangements.

“Medical Assurance Society (MAS) chief executive Martin Stokes (pictured) says that the past six weeks have been a kind of mass social experiment, and, as a result, the workplace flexibility trends that were already emerging have been accelerated massively. He says the level of productivity in some areas has been surprisingly high in a remote environment, and, as a result, a much higher level of flexibility will become the norm.

“This situation has identified for us the opportunities that would otherwise likely have emerged over a much longer period of time,” Stokes told Insurance Business.

“Social trends would have influenced people’s thoughts around where they wanted to work, flexibility, different working arrangements, etc. But that’s really been concentrated into a six week-long social experiment where everybody’s had a taste of what that’s like enforced upon them.” Click here to read more

In other news:

Will corporates embrace remote working? - will this moment change everything, or will they slip back into old ways of working?

TAP: are offering to help advisers with claims

FMA: FMA urges public to pay attention to terms of insurance relief

Pepper Money: Pepper writes 600 NZ loans in first year

Here you can find details of how MAS are helping their customers facing financial hardship during COVID-19.