Asteron Life offering support and flexibility as tough times get tougher  

2 February 2023

Please note, the Best Doctors service is now known as Asteron Life Connected Care. For more information, check out the latest media release here.

Asteron Life is reminding advisers of the range of built-in premium relief options available to the majority of its customers, to manage premium costs while retaining core benefits. These include taking premium “holidays” for up to six months, or the ability to temporarily suspend premiums and cover, for applicable products.

With the recent flooding events in Auckland and much of the upper North Island, the insurer recognises the immediate need to confirm its flexible and affordable options for premium relief, and the additional support it provides to its customers.  

Grant Willis, Executive General Manager Life at Asteron Life is encouraging advisers to ensure customers are fully aware of all available options to ensure they can manage costs at this time without impacting their cover.  

“Our whole industry is focussed on helping customers and providing insurance cover to ensure they’re protected in the good and the bad times” says Willis. 

“We know that through tough economic times insurance may seem like an extravagance for many people, but for those customers who may face financial hardship after the recent extreme weather event, our products and flexible options demonstrate their real value.”  

One such option is activating Asteron Life’s built-in premium relief benefit which is available to eligible personal and business customers. This benefit includes a premium holiday for lump sum cover and premium and cover suspension for disability income. Both can ease financial pressures through tough times and customers are urged to speak to their advisors for more information.

Hardship often extends to personal wellbeing, and Asteron Life’s Trauma and Income Protection customers and advisers can access the Best Doctors tele-health offering for free. The service provides access to a global network of leading medical experts and local GPs whose help can be invaluable in increasing resiliency and supporting mental health. 

Willis also stresses the importance of the role of the adviser in reviewing customer needs when looking to make premiums more affordable.

“By considering options such as level premiums or stepped premiums, advisers are able to make a huge difference for our customers as their premiums can either increase each year or be spread out more evenly over the policy term.”

“For customers who may be experiencing vulnerability, talking about finances, and particularly asking for help, can be uncomfortable, but the potential benefits of these conversations can be huge” says Willis. “We’ve trained our customer facing teams to look for clues when affordability can be an issue, and to ensure all options and the assistance available to them via advisers is explained.”  

With a challenging future ahead, it is crucial customers understand and consider all support options available to them so that they do not need to cancel their policies, and potentially sacrifice their long-term financial resilience. 

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