OneChoice Funeral Insurance

Almost every NZ funeral insurance policy applies a non-accidental-death waiting period (commonly 12 or 24 months) before the full sum-insured pays. Death from accident is typically covered from day one. This is the single most important clause for buyers signing up while in poor health.

waiting period months: 12 accidental death cover from day one: Yes

NZ funeral policies offer different sum-insured options — typically low-to-mid five-figure cover. Maximum caps vary by entry age. This page documents each insurer's sum-insured offering verbatim.

sum insured range nzd: Up to a maximum of $30,000 (chosen Benefit Amount specified in Policy Schedule; maximum Funeral Insurance Benefit is $30,000)

NZ funeral premiums are mostly stepped (rise with age) or level (flat within a tier). The shape decides whole-of-life cost — stepped is cheaper at signup but compounds. Some policies stop charging premium past a defined age.

premium structure: Level premiums — 'Your premiums are level which means they are designed to stay consistent year on year, but will change if you apply to change your cover, or we change the premium rates for your Policy.' Premium is based on age at Commencement Date, Benefit Amount, and Insurance Plan chosen. premium continuation rules: 'When a Life Insured reaches age 85, and the Policy is still in force, cover for that Life Insured will continue, and premiums for that Life Insured are no longer payable.' Cover continues until the Life Insured's 100th birthday (at which point the Funeral Insurance Benefit is paid) or until another cover-ending event occurs.

Most NZ funeral insurers cap entry age in the late 70s or low 80s. Some products don't accept new business beyond a certain age band. This page documents each insurer's entry-age and renewal-age limits verbatim.

entry age max: 79 max renewal age: Cover continues until the Life Insured's 100th birthday, at which point the Funeral Insurance Benefit Amount (plus Bonus Cover) is paid and cover ends. No age-based renewal cutoff prior to that — cover is guaranteed to continue provided premiums are paid and Policy terms are met. entry age min: 18

Some NZ funeral cover is offered guaranteed-acceptance (no medical questions); others require a short medical questionnaire. The trade-off: guaranteed-acceptance pricing is higher and waiting periods longer. This page documents each insurer's underwriting approach verbatim.

guaranteed acceptance: Yes medical underwriting rules: No medical underwriting is required. The policy is available to any New Zealand Resident aged 18–79. There is a duty of disclosure obligation on the applicant, and failure to comply may result in reduced liability or Policy cancellation, but no medical examinations or health questions are referenced as a condition of acceptance.

Funeral costs rise over decades; a fixed sum-insured at signup may not cover the funeral at claim time. Some NZ insurers CPI-index the sum-insured; others leave it fixed. This page documents each insurer's indexation approach verbatim.

indexation rules: No CPI indexation mentioned. Benefit Amount is fixed as chosen, except that from age 85 a 25% Bonus Cover is automatically added to the Funeral Insurance Benefit Amount in force immediately prior to the Life Insured's 85th birthday, at no additional premium.

Standard exclusions across NZ funeral insurance: death by suicide in the first 12-13 months, war, criminal activity, intoxication-related death. This page lists each insurer's exclusion clause verbatim.

exclusions: • During the first 12 months after the Acceptance Date (or reinstatement date), no Funeral Insurance Benefit (or Accidental Death Benefit) is payable for death from any cause other than Accidental Death. • No Funeral Insurance Benefit is payable if a Life Insured is diagnosed with a Terminal Illness within 12 months of the Acceptance Date or within 12 months of the date on which the Policy is reinstated. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: an intentional self-inflicted bodily injury, suicide or attempted suicide. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: engaging in any criminal activities or illegal acts. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: the consumption of drugs (unless it was under the direction of a Medical Practitioner and not in connection with treatment for substance abuse, drug addiction or dependence). • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: the consumption of intoxicating liquor or other beverages, including having a blood alcohol content over the prescribed legal limit whilst driving. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: engaging in any professional sport (meaning the Life Insured's livelihood is substantially dependent on income received as a result of playing sport). • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: engaging in any motor sports as a rider, driver, and/or passenger. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: being a pilot or crew member of any aircraft, or engaging in any aerial activity except as a passenger in a properly licensed aircraft. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit is not payable if the condition results from: war (whether declared or not) or war-like activity, or taking part in a riot or civil commotion. • Accidental Serious Injury Benefit cover ends on the Policy Anniversary following the Life Insured's 75th birthday. • Blindness due to cataracts is excluded from the Blindness in Both Eyes definition under the Accidental Serious Injury Benefit.