Stress is natural – how to survive it

Stress can be defined as our physical and emotional response to the demands of our environment and our everyday lives, and goodness knows the people of Christchurch have endured more than enough in the past 12 months.

Stress is a natural part of how we survive and cope with situations but left to get out of control, it can have serious consequences for our health.

People tend to talk about stress as if it’s all bad. It’s not. A stressful situation, or a threat to our safety, triggers a primal response that leaves us breathless, heart pounding and mind racing, primed to escape danger. When the stressful situation ends, hormonal signals switch off the stress response and the body returns to normal.

This has been no ordinary year. Many of us harbour anxiety and worry about daily events and uncertainty. Stress hormones continue to wash through the body at damaging levels. Research now shows that such long-term activation of the stress system can have a hazardous, even lethal, effect on the body – increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, depression and a variety of other illnesses.

There are many and varied ways of relieving stress by:
• making sure you’re getting enough sleep
• regular cardiovascular exercise – to release tension and pent-up frustrations
• meditation and relaxation techniques to promote self control and calm
• yoga, tai chi and similar disciplines provide gentle, low impact exercise, incorporating controlled breathing and promote relaxation and poise
• massage therapy provides soothing, deep relaxation and can improve important physiological processes such as circulation
• psychologists today are increasingly recognising the mental health benefits of spending time in the natural world. Activities such as tramping, gardening, golf and      observing animals in the wild are all ways to connect with nature and improve your state of mind.

It’s also easier to relax knowing that you and your family will be able to cope in the event of unforeseen illness or misfortune, by having the right insurance cover to safeguard your health and livelihood and provide for those who depend on you. Knowing you’re covered, come what may, is one of the best forms of stress relief there is.

Policy Glossary

The wealth of policies in the marketplace and what they cover can seem overwhelming. Here’s a brief snapshot of what each policy is designed to do.
 
Life Cover – a lump sum payment in the event of death or terminal illness.
Life Income Cover – a monthly payment in the event of death or terminal illness.
Mortgage Replacement Cover – a monthly payment to cover the cost of your mortgage if you are unable to work because of a disability.
Income Cover – a monthly payment if you are unable to work because of a disability.
Trauma Cover – a lump sum payment if you suffer one of a number of listed conditions.
Complete Disablement Cover – a lump sum payment if you become totally and permanently disabled.
Premium Cover – covers the cost of your premiums if you are unable to work because of a disability.
Medical Cover – provides for the reimbursement of non-acute major medical expenses.

Nothing beats a phone call to your Eric James & Associates advisor if you want to know more about the best policy for your needs.

Change in personal circumstances? Time to review

Changes in our personal circumstances usually mean changes in our financial circumstances. Many of us wouldn’t even realise the impact of this in terms of our insurance cover. After all, we put insurance in place for peace of mind, then forget about it.

But, if you’ve had any changes like:
• having a baby
• getting married or divorced
• taking out a new home loan
• increasing an existing mortgage
• becoming responsible for the full-time care of a close relative
…it’s a good idea to review your insurance to ensure it remains relevant to your circumstances today.

It could be that you need to ‘top up’ your existing cover, which will result in an increase in your premiums for improved levels of cover and, depending on the insurer, you may need to provide evidence of the special events mentioned above.

There may also be limitations, such as the time period in which you can make an increase to your cover or the amount you can increase your cover by. An age restriction may also apply.

Talk to your Eric James advisor for more information and advice on hassle-free top-ups.

Did you know?

Medsafe is the Government agency responsible for registering drugs for safe use in New Zealand. Pharmac is responsible for selecting which of those drugs will be funded in the health system. There are many Medsafe registered drugs that are not funded in the health system and not all insurers cover the cost of these drugs either.

Talk to your advisor about the right health policy for you and your family.

 
Congratulations to…

Our latest Auckland barrel draw winner Danielle Middleton (picture left), seen here with our Auckland Regional Sales Manager Rick Willis.

Congratulations also to Gregory and Fran Downing of Cracroft (picture right), presented with their prize by Eric James and Associates Advisor Elaine Smuts (centre).

If you’ve moved, let us know

Amidst the upheaval of moving house, finding a new school and navigating the potholes of life’s highways, it’s easy to overlook tasks that are vital to your well-being, such as having adequate insurance cover, and advising us of your change of address.

If you have relocated or plan to relocate, it is crucial you let us know. We will not only update your records, but advise your insurer/s, leaving you with one less thing on the list to do.

Either phone or email us admin@ericjames.co.nz

Shaken and stirred – and doing what’s important

The September 4 Canterbury earthquake proved to be the dress rehearsal for a far more devastating event, which, on February 22 shook the city of Christchurch and its people, causing death, destruction to vast areas of the central business district and eastern suburbs, and placing enormous strains on infrastructure.

From the devastation, remarkable stories of survival and of community generosity and kindness have emerged. It’s been a time for impromptu family reunions, regular check-ins with friends and neighbours, and community playgrounds alive with the sounds of families spending time together.

Our condolences and kind thoughts go to those who have lost a loved one, colleague or friend; to those whose homes have been damaged or deemed unliveable, whose business or employment activities have been disrupted – we recognise this is a time of great uncertainty for you all.

At Eric James HQ it’s business as usual, our Ferry Road premises are undamaged, although our neighbours down the street haven’t fared so well. While we’re outside the Red Zone, our PO Box is no longer accessible (please address all  correspondence to us at 5/211 Ferry Road),  the gridlocks to get here are challenging and we thank staff for their dedication and ability to work through challenging personal situations to show up daily to serve our clients. We also wish to thank our clients, colleagues and friends from throughout New Zealand, who have reached out to us with offers of support. Yes! You have helped.

What a difference 20 seconds makes
It is sobering to realise that ‘it will never happen to me’ has happened. Our immediate priorities become (1) food on the table (2) a roof over our heads, and thinking (3) ‘are our insurance premiums up to date?’

If you think you need more health, trauma or life insurance, please don’t wait until you receive an annual call from us. Protect yourself and those you love against the unexpected by phoning Eric James and Associates today.

Is your cover keeping pace?

Life doesn’t stand still – so it is important your insurance cover keeps pace with your changing lifestyle.

Have you got married recently, or divorced? Had a baby? Taken out a home loan, or increased your mortgage? Perhaps you’ve taken responsibility for the full-time care of a family member. 

Changes in your personal circumstances usually mean changes in your financial circumstances, and many of us wouldn’t even realise the impact of this in terms of our insurance cover. After all, we put insurance in place for peace of mind, and then we forget about it. That’s what it’s for. But, if you’ve had any changes, it’s a good idea to review your insurance to ensure it remains relevant to your circumstances today.

It could be that you need to ‘top up’ your existing cover. Of course, there will be an increase in your premiums for improved levels of cover and, depending on the insurer you may need to provide evidence of the special events mentioned above.

There may also be limitations, such as the time period in which you can make an increase to your cover (typically one event every year) or the amount you can increase your cover by (generally up to 50% of the original sum). An age restriction may also apply.

Talk to an advisor at Eric James & Associates for information and advice on hassle-free top-ups.

Why we ask questions about your health

Here are the reasons why we ask questions about your health and lifestyle when you apply for insurance cover.

Insurance relies on good faith. You are insured on the basis of what you tell your insurer. It’s your duty to provide truthful and complete information about your health and medical history. Non-disclosure can become an issue at claim time because, when you make a claim, your medical history may be investigated more closely.

Answer questions as fully as you can, including information relating to all and any conditions you currently have, or have had in the past. If you don’t disclose something that might affect your premium, the terms of your cover, or an insurer’s decision to provide you with cover, this can lead to delays. At worst, your claim may be refused or your insurance cancelled.

If you’re unsure of the relevance of any information, it’s best to include it on your application form, just to be safe. If you don’t know something, say so. Your insurer will then need to obtain the information from somewhere else, e.g. your doctor, your dentist, your employer, ACC or other government departments. Under the Privacy Act 1993, you must be asked for consent before information about your medical history is sought.

And please keep us up to date. If your circumstances change during the period between making an application and receiving your policy documents, be sure to let us know. Your obligation to disclose everything you know about your health doesn’t end until your policy has been issued.
 

Many Kiwis underinsured

Forty-five percent of New Zealanders have just enough savings to cover one month of outgoings, according to recent research by Dun and Bradstreet. For the large number of households where income is generated through personal effort, disablement or death leads to financial risk.

An American study found that the poverty rate of women in the US rose from 9% to 42% over the two years following the death of their husbands and that one-third of all families between the ages of 22-39 suffered at least a 40% drop in the standard of living as a result of the death of the primary income earner.

In a country such as New Zealand, that endeavours to provide a minimum standard of living for all its citizens, the cost of underinsurance is ultimately borne by society – not just in the cost of providing a minimum income for families that have not made provision for themselves, but in all associated costs that can arise from families living under financial stress – poorer health, lower education and higher mortality.

The big question is: why are New Zealanders prepared to spent almost twice as much on gambling such as a weekly lottery ticket, than on life, trauma and disability insurance premiums, when the amount of claims paid by life insurance companies is double that of the value of prizes paid in gambling?

You gotta wonder!

More prize winners

Congratulations to Cherie Duane and Stuart McKenzie of Riccarton, who were the Christchurch winners of our December barrel draw. Cherie is seen here (picture left) receiving her cheque for $1000 from Eric James advisor Mike Fenton.  Auckland December barrel draw winner Treena Tetava of Epsom (picture right) is seen here with daughter Charlotte receiving a cheque from our Auckland Sales Manager Rick Willis.

Have you moved?

We appreciate that some of our Christchurch clients will receive this newsletter via a mail redirection service. If you have relocated, please advise us of your new address so we can update our records. Best wishes to you all.

‘She’ll be right’ often isn’t

Did you know that over a lifetime, fathers have seven fewer Father’s Days than mothers have Mother’s Days? This is because men generally start parenting later in life and because women have a longer life span.

Recent research confirms a marked gap in life expectancy between men and women. Although 61% of males believe they will live above the current average life expectancy of 78 years for men, compared to only 53% of females who expect to live above the average life expectancy of 82 years for women, the facts are that on average, Kiwi men die four years younger than women.

Why do women live longer? Because men make fewer visits to the doctor than women – with most waiting days, or weeks, before seeking medical treatment – even when they are feeling unwell.

Men in general lack awareness of the importance of health screening to help detect preventable diseases and deaths from conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Father’s Day may have been and gone, but at Eric James & Associates, we say that any time of the year is a good time for a check-up. And if it sounds daunting, we hope the article in this newsletter will stir you into action. You’re worth it!

Insurance payout a lifesaver

A skiing accident seven years ago turned Matthew’s world upside-down, leaving him with a head injury that meant he could no longer work in his successful law practice. But thanks to the insurance risk programme he already had in place, financial difficulty was one trauma that he and his family did not have to face as they started to put their lives back together.

‘Our insurance risk programme literally saved our lives – we would have been bankrupt without it,’ Matthew says. ‘We would have lost our home and my wife Christine would have had to go back to work while also looking after me.

Instead, the couple was able to focus on rebuilding their lives without the worry of how the family was going to make ends meet or how the practice was going to cope without Matthew being there.

Matthew’s income replacement insurance and business expense cover meant the cashflow for the practice was largely unaffected. His partners no longer needed to provide an income for him and his share of the regular running costs for the business were covered.

Eventually, the partnership cover he had put in place just eight weeks before his accident was used to pay off existing business debts, purchase his share of the business, and provide funds to both Matthew and his partners. A permanent disability policy also provided funds to clear Matthew’s personal debts and general ongoing passive income.

Matthew credits his insurance advisor with providing expert risk management advice on how best to cover his business and personal risk needs. He recommends that ‘everyone’ in business has such a programme in case of illness or injury.

‘You may think that this will never happen to you but why take the chance when you can do something to protect yourself, your family and your business from the financial impact it could cause if it did,’ he says.

Income Protection is designed to replace a proportion of your income if you were to become unable to work due to an illness or injury. Your weekly benefit is calculated based on your income from personal exertion, to a maximum of 75% for Indemnity cover and 55% for Agreed Value cover. You will need to supply proof of your current income when applying for Income Protection. If you are a business owner this may include a set of financial accounts for the business to determine the level of your insurable income.

Need a mortgage? Talk to us!

The mortgage market appears to be returning to ‘business as usual’ with two of the leading trading banks now suggesting they’re looking for market share.

What does that mean for the house purchaser in today’s market?

Good news, in that all of the trading banks are lending to at least 90% of the value of a property, a number are now lending to 95%, and it is still possible to borrow 100% in certain circumstances.

So why use Eric James & Associates to arrange your mortgage?

• We now have access to a non bank lender, with interest rates currently 0.20% to 0.25% lower than bank interest rates.  They will also credit $500 towards your legal costs if you use their in-house conveyancing service, as well as provide a free Will.

• We have access to discounted interest rates you won’t see advertised in the media.

• Among our range of some 30 lenders, two banks are now offering up to $1000 towards professional costs, and up to $500 towards structural surveys or building reports.

• We offer a free service for residential lending.*

• Your place or ours – our mobile lending service will find you.

• Commercial loans, development loans, investment property loans, vehicle or plant & equipment loans – we’re ideally placed to give you a mortgage structure that best suits your commitments, aspirations and lifestyle.

Whether you’re a home owner, property investor, business owner or property developer, talk to us first. Call Eric James & Associates on 0800 374 252 for a no obligation chat.

* Some commercial or development loans may incur a fee.

FAQ

Let’s take a moment to tackle a question we are often asked… in case you’ve ever wondered…

I’m no longer able to afford my premium. What options do I have?

In the first instance we recommend that you contact us, as we can work out the most appropriate cover to match your budget. In the meantime here are some tips that might be helpful.
• Smokers pay a high premium, so if you’ve been a non-smoker for 12 months or more you can ask to lower your premiums.
• If your health has improved since you took out your policy, ask for a review of any loadings or exclusions that apply to your policy. We may be able to reduce your premiums.
• Because people’s circumstances change so frequently, we recommend a regular review of your policy. Talk to us about what options are available to you and see if you can find a way to alter your policy to suit your circumstances.

Congratulations to…

Our popular information stands at shopping malls, trade shows and exhibitions continues to reward new clients with a chance to win in one of our great prize draws.

Congratulations to our recent winners in Christchurch and Auckland. Dianne Mason (picture left) of Parklands receives a cheque for $1000 from Eric James & Associates advisor David Hume.  Colin and Belinda Vosloo (picture right) of Pakuranga also received a cheque for $1000 from our Auckland sales manager Rick Willis.

Want the best home loan? Then talk to us!

Confused as to where to start looking for the best home loan?  Well don’t be!

For some time now, Eric James & Associates have been providing clients with our independent mortgage service. This includes home owners, property investors, businesses and developers.  With Eric James & Associates independent home loan service it might cost you less than going direct to a bank. Plus saving you considerable time, confusion and worry as to whether you are getting the best loan possible to suit you.

Free Service*

No hidden mark-ups or fees will be added to your home loan. The loan we achieve for you is exactly at the same cost as if you had approached the bank or lending institution direct.  In fact, given our special volume transaction relationships with all of New Zealand’s major lenders we can, depending on circumstances, often save you money on establishment and administration fees associated with taking out a loan.
* Some commercial or development loans may incur a fee.

Quick, Easy & On-line

In most cases we can discuss your options by phone. No inconvenient appointments, waiting areas or interviews.  Once you have all your options and we have all your details we’ll simply make the best recommendation, then arrange for the paperwork to be completed as required.  It’s that easy. Of course in a few circumstances, a face to face meeting could be advisable particularly if the loan is a bit more complex. It’s simply then a matter of calling your Eric James & Associates Mobile Mortgage Advisor.

Security & Independence

Unlike some better known mortgage brokers, who only have a few lenders on offer, we have the widest range of lending options available. That includes some major banks that won’t deal with other brokers. More importantly when we negotiate the best home loan on your behalf the legal contract and payments are made direct to the bank or lending institution giving you that added security.

Why Us?

The biggest advantage of using Eric James & Associates for your home / business loan is the best value (and right advice) is not taken in isolation of your other financial commitments, lifestyle or protection needs.  Because we know you through our financial / protection services, we are better placed to give you the mortgage structure that best suits you commitments, aspirations and lifestyle.  So if you’re looking to buy a home (or business) for the first time or renegotiating an existing loan, call us at Eric James on 0800 374 252 for a no obligation chat.

STOP PRESS
A Moving Experience!

We’ve just moved our Head Office premises to 5/211 Ferry Road, Christchurch.  All our contact numbers, telephone, postal and email remain the same (which you’ll find on the back of this newsletter). If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, drop in as there will always be a warm welcome.

A Great Time to Buy?

We recently put that question to Harcourts Senior Property Consultant, John Morrison.  Here’s John’s response …. “In line with seasonal trends, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of properties listed for sale since late-January.  Recent Government discussions about changes to GST and tax changes that will inevitably impact on property investors have contributed to a slowdown in demand from this sector. Continued ‘doom and gloom’ stories in the media have resulted in a marked slowdown in the overall market over the past few weeks, although this can vary from property to property. More sellers are turning to Auction to sell their properties, partly as a way of pre-qualifying the potential buyer(s) for their home. Many are also prepared to offer flexible settlement terms, which can be useful if you’re looking to buy another home but need to sell your present one. We’ve also noticed that more buyers are turning to Mortgage Brokers to save time and help them get a ‘Pre-qualified’ finance package best-suited to their particular needs. Barring any unforeseen developments, we expect the market to remain relatively flat throughout the remainder of 2010, with most economic commentators predicting an upturn in prices in 2011. So now is actually a great time to be buying property …especially if you’re able to be in a ‘cash’ position.  But as always; whether buying or selling; it pays to get good advice first.”  John Morrison can be contacted at Harcourts Holmwood, Ilam, Christchurch at (03) 351 3002 or 027 536 0012

Protecting Your Biggest Asset

For most New Zealanders, their home is both their greatest asset and greatest financial liability. That’s why it’s important to have a protection policy in place should you suffer from unforeseen circumstances such as death, illness or injury. So what are the options?

Mortgage Protection
Sometimes referred to as mortgage repayment insurance, for many property owners this is a very sensible form of cover. Depending on the level of your premiums, you can ensure up to the full amount of your mortgage.  Should there be a death; the outstanding amount of the mortgage will be paid out in full as one lump sum. Should you suffer an illness or injury, your cover will ensure your mortgage payments are maintained until you are able to return to work.  An important point to note however is that, this form of protection does not cover other expenses, just the mortgage itself.

Income Protection
Unlike mortgage protection insurance, Income Protection replaces a percentage of lost income as a monthly benefit in the event of an illness or injury.  This can be used to cover usual on-going expenses such as clothing, food, household expenses and of course, if possible mortgage repayments. Most Income Protection policies however will only pay out a maximum of 75% of lost earnings which in some cases can mean a shortfall.

Which Option?
Which form of protection best suits you will vary from person to person.  In some cases, a Mortgage Protection policy might be adequate if you have other sources of income to cover day to day living expenses. Alternatively, just having Income Protection may create a financial shortfall ultimately affecting your ability to continue to make mortgage repayments. The best option might be for your advisor to design you a protection package that incorporates both mortgage and income protection ensuring that all financial and living commitments are adequately covered.

More Winners!

Our popular information stands at shopping malls, trade shows and exhibitions continues to reward new clients with a chance to win in one of our great prize draws.

Congratulations to our recent winners in Auckland and Christchurch. Receiving a cheque for $1,000.00 from Eric James & Associates’ Anthony Lethlean are Logan & Yvonne Dyson (picture left) of Hoon Hay, Christchurch. And television’s never going to look better after Clyde and Bridgette Farr (picture right) of Bucklands Beach, Auckland, won this fantastic flat screen model.

The True Cost of Stay-at Home Parents

Just because a stay-at home-parent doesn’t earn a salary, it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt their family if they were to pass away.

Here are some statistics to help you when discussing the subject on insuring non working spouses. The site www.msn.com puts the value of a home-maker at $50,000 per annum!

Key costs to cover in the event of a death include:

Child Care
Day care centres for young children are not cheap and a full time nanny is even more expensive.  Typically they run at $ 200 per week, amounting to $ 10,400 a year.  Even if children are at school, arrangements may have to be made for after-school care.

Chef Duties
Due to work commitments, adding cooking to your daily routine can be quite impractical. Cooks can be hired at around $ 100 per week to cook your meals in advance.  This can cost up to $ 5,200 a year.

Maid Service
Cleaners cost about $25 per hour and are typically engaged for 3 hours per week.  That’s just under $ 4,000 a year.

Counsellor
Counselling services for family members should also be taken into account. Not is the homemaker the one that cooks, cleans and baby-sits. They are also the heart of the home. Losing them can be emotionally devastating and counselling is often required.  At upwards of $250 per hour, this can end up costing thousands!

You can also take into account the disruption to the surviving spouse/partner’s work and possible los of income. They’re unlikely to go straight back to work after the funeral, so taking a couple of months off is not uncommon.  For an income of $ 50,000 that could mean almost $.9.000 in lost earnings.

The average cost of all these services could obviously ruin the average middle income family with no life insurance coverage for the stay at home parent.  There are only 3 options for families that suffer the loss of a non-working spouse who doesn’t have cover……….

• Pay the expenses out of savings
• Add to the mortgage
• Take out a personal loan
• Sell your assets (boat, car, home)

But there’s a sensible, reliable and cost effective fifth option.  Ensure your stay at home partner has Life Cover – the most reliable option of all.

Talk to your Eric James advisor today as to how you can protect your family’s quality of life in the unforeseen advent of losing a loved one. FREE PHONE 0800 ERICJAMES

Sure We’ll Be Covered – Won’t We?

Someone said the other day “I probably don’t need Income Protection – ACC will look after me.”

Well, that’s not necessarily true.

ACC covers injury only, not illness.  And given the fact that illness prevents more than two thirds of people not being able to work, (with only about a third relating to injury) relying on an ACC payment, and all the restrictions that might go with it even if you do qualify), may result in inadequate compensation or possibly none at all.

In other words, there’s a far greater chance of not working as a result of an illness (which is not covered by ACC) than an injury.

That’s why many of our clients see having an Income Protection plan with us as a very wise choice.  The great thing about Income Protection is that it covers both injury and illness. Plus, it not only covers common, long term sicknesses, but also depression and mental illness.  And unlike ACC, you won’t face the prospect of being forced to seek alternative employment unrelated to your injury.

You can decide on your preferred level of contribution and the conditions that best suit your circumstances.  Income Protection can give you cover for up to 75% of lost income.  That means you will be able to:

• Pay your mortgage and protect the family home
• Pay food bills
• Pay essential services such as power, phone & rates
• Continue to provide any children with the day to day opportunities that are important.

There are of course some issues regarding existing medical conditions, And everyone’s circumstances are different we can then tailor make a policy that best suits you.  So why take the risk. Call us to today to find out how Income Protection is a very wise choice!

The Right Cover at the Right Time
There’s a saying that goes “the only constant thing in life is change”.  That’s why we believe that regular reviews of your existing cover is very important.

What was adequate or suitable say, 5 years ago, may not be now.  People’s lives are constantly changing and the level of protection combined with the right mix of benefits, needs to be relevant to your current lifestyle.

For example, you may now have a larger family or alternatively the kids have flown the nest.  Maybe there’s been a recent house purchase requiring a substantial mortgage – or your job and income has changed since taking out your original policy.

At Eric James & Associates we can, at no obligation, conduct a thorough, in-depth review of your current life-stage and recommend any changes to ensure the cover is up to date and relevant.  What’s more, we can develop packages that combine a number of products that can often result in a better level of protection and premium savings.

If your lifestyle and personal circumstances have changed since taking out your policy, please call us to arrange a comprehensive review.

Hang In There – It’s Your Future

As the media continues to predict gloom and doom in the economy, many New Zealanders are looking at how they can’ tighten their belts’ in an effort to cut spending where they can. And it’s quite understandable that insurance, along with other household spending, will come under the
spotlight with some of our clients. But the worsening economy now makes having adequate cover even more important. In fact, that’s why just about everyone takes out cover – to be able to protect their family, health & lifestyle in exactly this sort of economic climate.

In other words, during a recession when nothing is guaranteed, it can be much harder to make headway if something happened to your health
(therefore making it more difficult, if not impossible, for you to earn) than when things are buoyant. Therefore your insurance cover now plays a much more important role than ever. In fact, over the last few months we have experienced a significant number of clients actually increasing cover.

Flexibility’s The Key
Should you have no choice but to seriously consider cost savings, flexibility can be the key to continuing with protection. For example, you can temporarily downscale the amount of protection you have on your Life, Trauma or Income Protection policy resulting in lower premiums.

Alternatively, increasing the excess on a policy can also have savings benefits. Or maybe your family situation has changed with children no longer being dependant.

Cancellations Cost
Taking the drastic action of cancelling your policy will certainly cost you ‘peace of mind’ but could also have significant financial consequences in the future. That’s because nearly all our policies are “’ guaranteed renewable.’ For instance, if you took out a policy 5 years ago and your health was good, the conditions of cover continue each time you renew- even if your medical situation has since changed. But if you cancel now,
only to take up the policy when things get better, you’ll start from scratch again both in terms of premium cost and a medical reassessment. For some that can result in up to a 200% increase.

Your bottom line?
First, consider your current circumstances and if finances allow, increase the amount of protection you currently enjoy to further offset the economic uncertainty. Alternatively, if you have no other choice than to make cost savings, talk to your advisor as to how your current policies
can be fine-tuned temporarily to meet your situation.

And finally, if you are tempted to cancel, think seriously about the severe consequences of doing so, and talk to your advisor before making such a drastic decision.

At Eric James & Associates we’re happy to sit down with you at any time to review your current situation and ensure you continue to enjoy peace of mind regardless of your current financial situation.

FREE PHONE: 0800 ERIC JAMES (0800 374 252) or (03) 977 4400

What Cover Best Suits You?

More Prize Winners Enjoy the Benefits of Protection with Eric James & Associates If you are considering giving you and your family greater protection in these uncertain times or simply reviewing your current situation, the following is a general list of the types of cover available and their benefits.  All the types of cover differ in regard to terms and conditions, lump sums and payment options.

As individual circumstances differ from person to person, your Eric James & Associates’ Advisor can tailor–make a package that is unique to your lifestyle, financial situation and aspirations. Plus provide regular reviews to ensure your cover always remains relevant and cost effective.

Life Cover
This is a lump sum payment in the event of death or a terminal illness. It provides your family with a payment that replaces lost income or repayment of a debt (e.g. mortgage).
Life Income Cover
In the event of death or terminal illness, this type of policy provides your family with a regular monthly payment (to replace the loss of income so they don’t have to worry about their financial future.

Income Protection
A monthly payment if you are unable to work due to a disability as a result of an accident or illness. It allows you to maintain your lifestyle and
continue to plan for your future despite suffering a disability.

Medical Insurance
This provides for the reimbursement of major medical expenses. It allows you to gain immediate access to the best care available at a time when the last thing you want is to end up on a long, hospital waiting list.

Trauma Insurance
If you were to suffer a major event such as a heart attack, cancer or stroke for instance, this lump sum payment will give you the financial freedom to control you own destiny; seek alternative treatment; get the help you need or replace lost income.

Mortgage Replacement Cover
A monthly payment to cover the cost of your mortgage if you are unable to work due to a disability. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your home will remain secure.
Total and Permanent Disablement
This is a lump sum payment if you become totally or permanently disabled. You can use this sum to pay off debt, replace lost income, pay for
rehabilitation or any additional help you might need.

Waiver of Premium
Paying for your insurance will be one less thing you need worry about as this cover pays for your premiums if you are unable to work because of a disability.

Heart disease continues to be the number one killer of New Zealanders.

Here’s some general tips as to how you can help enjoy a healthy heart and active lifestyle.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

1. Stop smoking
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a person can do. If you are a smoker, you are twice as likely to have a heart attack than a non-smoker.

2. Cut down on salt
Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

3. Watch your diet
A healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and can also help increase the chances of survival after a heart attack. You should try to have a balanced diet, containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

4. Monitor your alcohol
Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and also lead to weight gain. Binge drinking will increase your risk of having a heart attack.

5. Get active
The heart is a muscle and it needs exercise to keep fit so that it can pump blood efficiently round your body with each heart beat. You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a day.

6. Manage your weight
The number of people who are overweight is rising fast. Carrying a lot of extra weight increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. Try to become more active.

7. Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked by your GP
The higher your blood pressure, the shorter your life expectancy. People with high blood pressure run a higher risk of having a stroke or a heart attack.

8. Learn to manage your stress levels
If you find things are getting on top of you, you may fail to eat properly, smoke and drink too much and this may increase your risk of a heart attack.

9. Check your family history
If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity,  obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

10. Make sure you can recognise the early signs of coronary heart disease
Tightness or discomfort in the chest, neck, arm or stomach which comes on when you exert yourself but goes away with rest may be the first sign
of angina, which can lead to a heart attack if left untreated.

The winner of our recent Auckland promotion was “Jamie Kitzen & Justine Kaaka” of Papakura.
And in Christchurch our prize winner was “Jikita de Schot” of Halswell.