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Willowgrove Consulting Limited
Insurance Agents / Brokers, Occupational Safety
Insurance Agents / Brokers, Occupational Safety
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This week we discovered Southern Cross had been acting less honorably than we would expect from our largest medical insurer.
Removing a benefit that enables policyholders to access new private hospital treatments when they become available. This isn't experimental treatment; this is … View moreThis week we discovered Southern Cross had been acting less honorably than we would expect from our largest medical insurer.
Removing a benefit that enables policyholders to access new private hospital treatments when they become available. This isn't experimental treatment; this is MedSafe Approved and Pharmac Funded. Making it more difficult for about 1 in 5 people that have cover with them.
It might be okay for them to make the changes; their policy wordings say they can. More, the problem is how they did it without effective notice and left policyholders and the financial services industry to figure it out.
On the basis that neither clients calling nor product research houses have picked it up in nearly three years, this is more about how it was done than it is about people picking it up and understanding it.
I discussed the happenings around WorkSafe and Covid-19 last August in the article, and not a lot has changed. Businesses still need to address their H&S risks reasonably.
However, we have two key changes to consider from the latest Level 4 lockdown and government directives:
1. Contact … View moreI discussed the happenings around WorkSafe and Covid-19 last August in the article, and not a lot has changed. Businesses still need to address their H&S risks reasonably.
However, we have two key changes to consider from the latest Level 4 lockdown and government directives:
1. Contact tracing with an effective recording of all workers and visitors to your business.
2. The discussion and the slippery slope of vaccine passports, something I hope will not become a normal thing in New Zealand.
With the court decision on MIQ workers being sacked, there is a theme that businesses may have to address the vaccine status of their workers on an H&S basis.
This potentially puts businesses at odds with the H&S laws if they have an unvaccinated worker cause an outbreak in the workplace. Something I am sure we will see again.
I feel this is a step too far, but I don't make the rules, so we need to watch this space on what guidance we get from the authorities.
We have a position opened up for an experienced administrator working in our office.
Financial services or insurance industry experience is desirable but not expected, more that we need an experienced administrator who can start and learn what's needed quickly.
The role is part-time and… View moreWe have a position opened up for an experienced administrator working in our office.
Financial services or insurance industry experience is desirable but not expected, more that we need an experienced administrator who can start and learn what's needed quickly.
The role is part-time and flexible on hours and working/contract arrangements. We understand life happens and for us it is about getting the job done without setting a crushing routine.
We are aiming at school hours typically, so would suit someone with kids looking to return to work but still needs flexibility.
Essential skills needed are:
General administration, printing, filing, mail, email and website (use not design) skills.
As we are a highly automated business and strong computer skills are essential.
Experience with Microsoft Office
Cloud-based tools and systems experience is essential, though specific cloud app experience is not necessary as these are industry systems and training will be provided.
We run an Apple environment, so experience with an Apple Mac would be an advantage but not essential.
The role is expected to grow and increasing hours and scope of the job is expected. Which may suit someone looking for fewer hours now with the opportunity to grow or increase them later.
If you think this is something you would like to discuss further, please contact J-P through this link www.wgcl.live...
For many people, there won't be an insurance response until people are admitted to hospital.
Which also means that people are compromised in their ability to access advice and claims as isolation restrictions will reduce physical access and communication options.
Being prepared and … View moreFor many people, there won't be an insurance response until people are admitted to hospital.
Which also means that people are compromised in their ability to access advice and claims as isolation restrictions will reduce physical access and communication options.
Being prepared and understanding what you may be entitled to, or making preparations for your partners and family to respond is useful.
Not because there is a high-risk of this personally, more that if it does happen you don't create additional distress for you and your loved ones.
There are a number of things you need to address before you get to the sick and hospital stage:
* Address what insurance cover you have, this isn't necessarily about new cover, though we can help with this if it is needed, more that knowing what you have will make for better decision making.
* Sort out your Power of Attorney, somewhat challenging now in lockdown as it needs lawyers and witnesses, at the same time something that needs discussion and a chat with your lawyer.
* Sort your Will out, we know some 30-40% of deaths in New Zealand don't have a Will in place. It is a simple document to do and we do have a facility for very simple Wills can be done. Anything slightly complex will need a lawyer.
More specifically on the response from insurance, we put together the attached article at the beginning of March to help our clients understand how their insurance is going to respond, this is still relevant.
The only addition to this is now we are in lockdown some insurers have come to the party with premium holiday options that protect cover while enabling it to be claimed if you are faced with a need to claim. The specifics need to be discussed with your adviser or insurer, and some are better than others.
We are open online and by phone, happy to chat to answer questions, help people understand what they have, and arrange additional cover if it is needed. (We do have some heavy restrictions on placing new cover that will respond to Covid-19)
We face unprecedented times and there is a shortage of good information around.
We've been watching this train wreck happen since it started in China and we have compiled a resource of well-supported information for people so they can come up to speed on this far quicker.
The measures … View moreWe face unprecedented times and there is a shortage of good information around.
We've been watching this train wreck happen since it started in China and we have compiled a resource of well-supported information for people so they can come up to speed on this far quicker.
The measures implemented by the government are welcomed and will help, however, like most things it is helped more by people doing what is asked of them and being informed to do it in the best possible way.
The Yogis not only stand on their heads but they also know the secrets to a great night sleep.
West meets East, and why learning from 3,000 years ago is relevant to us today.
Jon-Paul (J-P) financial adviser with 20 years industry experience will discuss what’s impacting our health and how … View moreThe Yogis not only stand on their heads but they also know the secrets to a great night sleep.
West meets East, and why learning from 3,000 years ago is relevant to us today.
Jon-Paul (J-P) financial adviser with 20 years industry experience will discuss what’s impacting our health and how western medicine and rehabilitation approaches this, to give you an insight into the biggest contributor to the western health crisis we face, your lack of sleep!
Only good sleep relaxes the nervous system and it's associated disharmony. Join us this evening as Vandana Sivaranjini takes us step by step to understand the philosophy and structure of sleep and your wellbeing.
There is much we can learn from these Eastern professionals in this mad, mad world of fast food, internet addiction, and sleeping pills!
Booking for the 23rd of September RSVP for your space here wgcl.live...
While writing our last article on redundancy cover and why it should be considered, we had some additional thoughts while reading the research.
It highlighted for the average punter, just getting on with life, that they didn't necessarily have the time, energy, or inclination, to do the … View moreWhile writing our last article on redundancy cover and why it should be considered, we had some additional thoughts while reading the research.
It highlighted for the average punter, just getting on with life, that they didn't necessarily have the time, energy, or inclination, to do the research I had done. And even if they did, they may not have understood what they were seeing.
Therefore we've put this together to help you understand what's going on with the world around you, as it is changing. Hopefully, we can help you understand some of the things that might be going on in the business you work for or the market you are working in.
I talked about the changes to be expected in outsourcing of roles in my last article, and the market is suggesting we have more than a few headwinds ahead of us.
We see and hear a lot of things from the market and people we work with, and on the most part its usually quite positive.
But recently we have had a raft of reports that suggest that we are in for some rough seas with our economy. Trade deficit double what was expected, tough housing market in … View moreWe see and hear a lot of things from the market and people we work with, and on the most part its usually quite positive.
But recently we have had a raft of reports that suggest that we are in for some rough seas with our economy. Trade deficit double what was expected, tough housing market in Australia expected to be tougher, housing here softening significantly, and general job data fairly stagnant.
Therefore we think we are in for some impact from unexpected directions. Which suggests people need to be thinking about redundancy insurance in their plan, if a 3-6 month job loss is going to put you under pressure.
Softening Aussie markets mean less spending, which means less income for NZ, which impacts businesses here, and that flows through to jobs in ways most don't expect.
We’re already seeing movements, and we are starting to see more redundancies than we normally would.
www.willowgroveinsurance.co.nz...
In the last few years, it has come to my attention that ACC's approach to weekly compensation claims for self-employed people is somewhat challenged.
This has been highlighted directly with a couple of situations with another colleague of mine and an ACC claim I have lodged myself.
Want to avoid the drama of notifying everyone when you move, this service is da bomb! Setup your profile and you can notify many on where you have moved to in 1 click! Willowgrove is listed here to make it easy for our clients to get it done! imoved.me...
We have been advised with well-placed sources that Worksafe NZ has planned a compliance blitz on NZ owned businesses in December and January.
WorkSafe is not being lenient on this and has been imposing some significant penalties for not being compliant. With the H & S law that has now been … View moreWe have been advised with well-placed sources that Worksafe NZ has planned a compliance blitz on NZ owned businesses in December and January.
WorkSafe is not being lenient on this and has been imposing some significant penalties for not being compliant. With the H & S law that has now been in place for 18 months, all business owners must be able to demonstrate upon request that they have a documented H & S plan that complies with the HSWA 2015 legislation in operation in their workplace.
Worksafe will be asking for an electronic version of the businesses systems and procedures to be supplied within 21 days.
This action appears to be a reaction by the new coalition government to stem the flow of the steady increase in workplace accidents and ACC claims over the past 12 months
What can you do, give us a call, we can mobilise to address this in your business quickly and cost-effectively.
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 … View moreStress. 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.
What does health & Safety mean to you? Pain in the butt or a way to get workers home at night? Probably both, but you do need to take action.
Ibrance (palbociclib) for treating breast cancer is one of the latest, at $6k per month it's expensive.
Some medical insurance providers will pay for this most existing policies won't.
It does need to pass MedSafe approval before insurers who do pay for unfunded medicines will fund… View moreIbrance (palbociclib) for treating breast cancer is one of the latest, at $6k per month it's expensive.
Some medical insurance providers will pay for this most existing policies won't.
It does need to pass MedSafe approval before insurers who do pay for unfunded medicines will fund it. More on the various treatment options here.
| Mon | 9:00am ~ 5:00pm |
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| Tue | 9:00am ~ 5:00pm |
| Wed | 9:00am ~ 8:00pm |
| Thu | 9:00am ~ 8:00pm |
| Fri | 9:00am ~ 3:00pm |
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