Stefan Rodrigues - Insurance Market Midpoint

13/04/2026

Love seeing initiatives like this supporting our tamariki 👏

The AIA Healthiest Schools programme is a great way to build healthy habits early — not just physically, but mentally and environmentally too.

Free resources for teachers + the chance for schools to win funding to support wellbeing initiatives… it’s a win-win.

If you’ve got kids at school or know a teacher, definitely worth sharing 👇

👉 ahs.aia.com/nz

Tag a school or teacher who should jump on this

07/04/2026

This oil crisis has been a bit of a wake-up call…

Even essential things can run out faster than we expect.

Which got me thinking about the conversations I have every day with first home buyers and young families.

I always ask:
What’s your Plan B?

Because once you’ve got a mortgage, kids, and bills…

there’s not a lot of room for things to go wrong.
If you couldn’t work due to illness or injury:

How long would your savings last?

Would the mortgage still get paid?

What happens after that?

It’s not a fun conversation, I get it.

But it’s one of the most important ones you can have.

A plan isn’t just something you think about…

It’s something you put in place before you actually need it.

If you’ve been meaning to sort this but haven’t got around to it yet, now’s a good time.

DM me if you want help putting a Plan B in place

24/02/2026

Over summer I took time to step back and be present with family. Coming back into the year has reminded me exactly why I do this work.

Most weeks I speak with people who are buying their first home, growing their family, or trying to keep everything on track financially.

The conversation is rarely about policies or premiums.

It is about one thing: if something unexpected happens, will the people they love and the home they have worked hard for be okay?

That is what good insurance advice should do. Give you clarity, a plan, and the confidence that your family is protected.

Right now there are also a few strong offers in the market, which makes this a practical time to review your cover or put something in place properly.

If you have been meaning to sort your insurance, don’t leave it sitting on the list.

Book a time or send me a message and we will get it reviewed and structured for you properly

18/02/2026

With nib, you can protect your family’s health and future — and for a limited time, get 2 months free when you sign up for a new Health Insurance policy*. Even better? Bundle your health and life cover together and you’ll receive an exclusive 10% discount on your health insurance. *

Don’t wait — offer ends 30 April 2026. Contact your adviser today. Contact ^10% off Health Insurance Premiums when bundled with any new Health Insurance and Ultimate Life & Living Insurance.

*Credit for 2 months free premiums is applied to the policy in the 2nd month after the policy is issued. New policies only. Offer available exclusively through nibAPPLY. Ends 30 April 26’. T&C’s, eligibility criteria & exclusions apply

20/11/2025

Lately it feels like everything is getting more expensive, groceries, petrol, power bills, you name it.

So I decided to take my own advice and review my personal insurance.

One of the small tweaks I made was changing my Trauma Cover from standalone to accelerated.

That little change saved me about $20 a month.

It’s not a huge amount, but every bit helps, especially with how things are at the moment.

Sometimes it’s just about adjusting what you already have, not starting from scratch.

If you haven’t looked at your cover in a while, it might be worth checking if there are ways to make it work better for you.

13/10/2025

CPI Increases – Helpful or a Hidden Cost?

I came across an interesting article on Stuff this week about how insurance policies automatically increase your cover each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This means that unless you actively decline the increase, your sum insured (and often your premium) will go up each year. The intention is good, it helps your cover keep up with inflation so the value of your protection stays relevant over time.

But for some people, these automatic increases can add up quietly and cause premiums to rise faster than expected.

That’s why it’s so important to review your insurance regularly. As part of my service, I reach out to my clients each year to make sure everything is still up to date, affordable, and right for their situation.

If you haven’t reviewed your cover in a while, now’s a good time to check whether those CPI increases are still working in your favour.

It might be time to check the small print on your life insurance policy, writes Damien Venuto.

01/10/2025

New from AIA NZ: Specialist and Testing Support (STS)

With the rising cost of living, many Kiwis are rethinking private health insurance. At the same time, longer public hospital wait times mean delays in getting answers when you need them most.

That is why AIA has launched Specialist and Testing Support (STS), an affordable option that helps bridge the gap.

✅ Up to $10,000 a year for specialist consultations
✅ Up to $100,000 a year for diagnostic tests and procedures (for example MRIs, colonoscopies, ECGs)
✅ Faster access to diagnosis and treatment pathways
✅ Optional excess to help reduce premiums
✅ Health screening allowance every three years

It is the first standalone specialist and testing cover in New Zealand, designed for those who want access to faster care without paying for full comprehensive health insurance.

This could be a great option if you are cost conscious but still want peace of mind knowing you can see the right specialist quickly.

If you would like to explore whether STS is the right fit for you, get in touch with me today.

26/09/2025

Daylight Savings & Heart Health – A Timely Reminder

When we “spring forward” and lose an hour of sleep, studies show there is a noticeable spike in heart attacks, strokes, and even accidents. It is a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant, sometimes from something as simple as disrupted sleep.

Just like adjusting your clocks, this is a great time to check in on your insurance cover. If something unexpected happens, the right protection can make sure your family stays secure while you focus on recovery.

Book a free consultation today and make sure your safety net is in place.

P.S. For me, daylight savings means more time for long family walks in the evenings, which is a good reminder of what we are all really protecting

25/09/2025

School Holidays = Family Time

School holidays are here, and that means more time with the little ones.

Whether it is heading out on adventures, lazy mornings, or just soaking up those moments together, it is a reminder of why we work so hard in the first place.

It is also the perfect time to pause and think: If something happened to me, would my family still be taken care of?

Insurance is not just about policies and paperwork. It is about making sure your kids still get the same love, care, and opportunities no matter what life throws at you.

If the holidays have reminded you of how precious family time is, maybe it is also time for a quick insurance review. A chat now could mean peace of mind for years to come.

Keen to review your cover? Drop me a DM and we can make sure everything is in place for your family.

13/09/2025

When thinking about cancelling cover…

I recently saw a post where someone cancelled their insurance only to be diagnosed with something serious not long after. It really got me thinking about a client of mine and some advice I once heard from a BDM.

One of my clients, a hardworking builder, was ready to cancel his cover. I said before you do that, go and get a health check just to be sure. Good thing he did. His bloodwork showed early-stage prostate cancer. Talk about a curveball for someone who was fit, active, and thought he was bulletproof.

Because his cover was still in place, he was able to:
✔️ Get treatment straight away
✔️ Receive a payout that supported his family
✔️ Focus on recovery and get back to life

That is the thing about insurance. It is not about “what if.” It is about what now when life suddenly flips the script.

So if you are ever tempted to ditch your cover to save a few bucks, maybe have a chat first.