Insurance

The following is a selection of articles mainly from January 2005 to the present. To explore this topic in more depth and access earlier columns, please use the search box.

Articles

Syndicated column 1 December 2012 - Self-insurance eases the pain

Have you ever thought, as you pay hundreds of dollars yet again for car or house insurance that you never claim on, that it would be better to bank the premiums and use that money if something went wrong?

Syndicated column 3 November 2012 - KiwiSaver's flexibility is a plus - up to a point

KiwiSaver is many things - mostly good. But I hadn't thought of it as a type of insurance policy until recently, when I was talking to an authorized financial adviser in Christchurch.

NZ Herald 14 July 2012

Q&As: Use accessible KiwiSaver money to repay credit card debt, and probably mortgage too
- What exactly does growth in GDP mean?
- 3 readers are unhappy with charities asking for more ...
- And a fourth points out how complicated it can get
- An error last week about donations to St Johns?
- Reader happy with his healthcare insurance

NZ Herald 7 July 2012

Q&As: Tax rebates worth having - but are some charities greedy?
- Some health insurance might be too lean and mean
- KiwiSaver employees over 65 should ask the boss to keep contributing
- Is KiwiSaver balance likely to go backwards after retirement?

NZ Herald 30 June 2012

Q&As: How to reduce the cost of medical insurance - and other insurance
- Do tax and morality mix?
- Poor communications a good reason to skip a KiwiSaver provider

NZ Herald 21 January 2012

Q&As: 2 Q&As suggest it's not always easy to go into the motel business, or other tourism or hospitality businesses
- Should couple stop health insurance and set up their own fund to cover medical expenses?
- Is KiwiSaver still worth being in, given changes that make it less attractive?

NZ Herald 15 October 2011

Q&As: Is it wise not to save because if you do you'll lose some government subsidies - and to spend the money on cars instead?
- Our chances of ending up in a rest home. And could there be insurance to cover the costs?
- Last week's "oily ragger" should do her own thing
- No bargain is quite so good when you consider how much you really had to earn to buy it
- Update on a reader's predictions of NZ's exchange rate and gold and silver prices

NZ Herald 28 November 2009

A way to make friends and relatives happy at Christmas
Changes to invitation to Capital Market Taskforce meeting
Q&As: Less insurance can save big money and work well - if you are healthy and careful
Gradually get rid of preference shares you don't want any more

NZ Herald July 11 2009

Q&As: KiwiSaver still great for children, even though the fee subsidy is gone
Now might be an okay time to get into a rental property - for family in the right circumstances
Should young retiree switch some savings into a share fund?
Two Q&As offer advice - on school fees and insurance - to woman with dying husband

NZ Herald July 4 2009

Q&As: Mother seeks advice on financial steps to take after husband is diagnosed with terminal illness
Investor in KiwiSaver cash fund hasn't done as badly as he thinks
Happy landlord reaps rewards from treating tenants well
Advice from this column about loans within families has saved time for a reader time - and money for her parents

Holm Truths spring 03

Life, limbs and livelihood - How much life, disability and income protection insurance do you need?

Also in this issue: Great Debate - Australian v international shares

Holm Truths summer 02-03

Lessons from past mislead: Investing in what did well last year, or selling what did badly, usually does more harm than good

Also in this issue: Great Debate - Low v high insurance excesses