The report on New Zealand Mental Health is a disappointing read. Yes, we need more funding in mental health, up there with no **** Sherlock. But the fundamental approach by those with the power to effect real change continues to ignore the suggestions from grassroots New Zealand on what is needed.

Mike King, by his own admission, is an addict and a bully, and after realising this is doing his piece to make a difference and address those things that cause many of the issues the report has determined they don't have a solution for. Mike has had some awesomely effective ideas, yet has been completely shut out of the process.

Right oh, if you are reading this from the perspective of trying to claim, we might be a bit shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Though there may still be things we can do, so do check out our claims advocation service. Where we can we help people get the support they need from what is available.

For those who are looking for life insurance and wanting to find the best deal on life insurance, this is the starting point. Knowing what you don’t know that can hurt you.

The best deal in life insurance is a policy that responds and works when it is needed, not the premium you pay. Because paying a cheap premium doesn’t necessarily mean you have the right cover. Nor does it guarantee you put it in place correctly.

Just when you thought you'd sorted out your business insurance, someone asks if you've got small business liability insurance. Well, thanks so much for that, not! Who would have thought that besides insuring your stock and your business premises that there were further policies to consider?

The thing is, when running a small business in New Zealand, you're exposing yourself, your employees and your clients or customers to risk. The level of that risk depends on the services or products you provide, but it's still there regardless. By keeping informed about the small business liability insurance cover available, we can make informed decisions for our businesses.

Hot subject and a very emotive one. As parents, we want to do the best for our children.

We want to keep them out of harm's way, and anything that threatens a child is liable to enrage the lioness in every mother and garners an emotional visceral and sometimes violent response, also in the fathers too.

Which is part of the challenge we have with the worldview of vaccines, a bit like the flat earth, Trump, and Jacinda having a baby, everyone has a strong view from one side or the other.

Stress. We live with it and many of us can’t live without it. It has that canny ability to follow us wherever we go. Work, home or school, stress builds a kind of tower, adding one more bit on the top until it gets so high it falls over. Then when that happens, we start suffering the effects of poor physical and mental health. That’s often the time when we decide it’s time to de-stress.

Here I am 12 months down the track from Dreamworld killing 4 of its visitors and reflecting on the last 12 months.

Yes, I’m back on the Gold Coast, in a virtual rinse and repeat of last years holiday. Mr 2 3/4 is now Mr 3 3/4 and we’re here at much the same time to do much the same things.

We’re even staying in the same place, Ashmore Palms, nice, quiet, cabin based family holiday park. More in the style of a classy camping park than a Gold Coast high rise apartment. Suits us just fine.

Ratings, company ratings, like those bestowed by Standards & Poors (S&P) and Moodys, often come up in discussion between advisers and insurers.

What's interesting about this discussion is it always seems to be about this company is rated better than that company. Without swearing too much, FFS, play the ball not the player.

Insurance adviser or insurance broker, what’s in a title?

Quite a bit actually. “Are you an insurance broker?” is a very common question. Yes, sort of, is the answer.

That’s because, under the regulations we have, we’re insurance advisers, not insurance brokers.

What’s the difference?

As an adviser, there are few things more challenging than sitting across the table from someone who has just been given the news they have bowel cancer asking “So tell me how is my plan going to work?”

When it comes down to it the right policy is only half of the solution. In this situation not only did we put the plan in place, when it has come to this point we have it right, exactly how they want it.

When we say we put our clients front and centre, we mean it. After answering ‘that’ question above, not only has our client taken the time to say thank you for persevering, they took the time to write the following.

Are you prepared for the worst-case scenario? It’s not something any of us like to think about, yet us business owners die and get sick too. We may also end up having to sell our business. Having a succession plan in place makes it nice and clear who gets what and what they must do. Writing one isn’t that hard and involves mostly two actions: transfer of assets and transfer of control. Let’s walk it through …

What is a Succession Plan?

When it comes to financial advice, and sales in general, there are typically five approaches that sales people take.

1. Ideal world
2. Client budget
3. Average first
4. Replace with cheaper
5. Next step

We are firmly an ideal world advisory firm, as we like to consider ourselves advisers, rather than just sales people. 

Sales people sell stuff; we collaboratively weave you a risk protection plan that is driven by your desired outcomes.

A very common question I hear is; "Why should I have life insurance" and "When should I get life insurance"?

Similar themes on the same thing, relevance. Relevance to them and their situation. Alternatively, more the point they do not have enough knowledge about the subject to make a reasonable decision. 

I suggest a well-informed decision rather than a reasonable decision, but that is just me, the risk adverse risk guy.

Often this is a question about 'Am I protected?' The person is looking for reassurance that the insurance they have taken and have been paying for is going to work.

It is also a very practical question.

If you have been relying on your recently deceased partner's income to pay the bills, it is a really valid question.

As an insurance adviser, insurance premiums are part of what we cover with clients every day.

You know what, it does not matter how young or old you are, how rich or poor, the conversation around premiums is universally the same.

Let me get something clear out front. I am an insurance adviser, not an insurance agent.

This means, frankly, I do not care what cover you take or have, who it is with or how much you spend on it; so long as it is the right benefit at the right level at an acceptable premium for you.

Change, it seems to be the only constant. Innovation and new products from businesses seem to be a constant stream. 

In the world of insurance and risk, it is much the same. In 2015 ACC paid $718,000,000 to cover the cost of work-related injury claims.