Life Insurance for Seniors 🇳🇿

Protect your loved ones and cover final expenses with life insurance designed for New Zealanders over 65. Compare policies from leading providers with guaranteed acceptance options and no medical exams required.

What is Life Insurance for Seniors?

Life insurance provides a cash payment to beneficiaries when the insured person dies. Seniors aged 65-85 can get guaranteed acceptance policies (no medical exam) with coverage of $20,000-75,000. Costs $35-150/month depending on age and amount. Protects family from funeral costs, outstanding debts, and provides inheritance or estate liquidity.

Guaranteed Acceptance Available

Several providers offer no medical exam policies for seniors. Get coverage with guaranteed acceptance, regardless of health conditions. Premiums from $42/month.

Compare Life Insurance Providers - 2025

Compare New Zealand's leading life insurance providers for seniors. All offer policies suitable for ages 65+ with flexible coverage options.

AIA New Zealand

🌐 aia.co.nz | 📞 0800 942 942
(1,456 reviews)
LEADING INSURER
$58
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

Vitality rewards programme
No medical exam options
Terminal illness benefit
Premium freeze at 65
Comprehensive cover options

Pros & Cons:

✓ Leading life insurer in NZ
✓ Innovative Vitality wellness programme
✓ Strong financial stability
✗ Higher premiums than some competitors
✗ Complex policy structures

Fidelity Life Assurance

🌐 fidelitylife.co.nz | 📞 0800 88 22 88
(892 reviews)
BEST VALUE
$42
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

Over 65s Life Cover
Guaranteed acceptance
Fixed premiums for life
Immediate coverage
No medical questions

Pros & Cons:

✓ New Zealand's oldest life insurer
✓ Guaranteed acceptance policies
✓ Competitive premiums
✗ Coverage amounts may be limited
✗ Waiting periods for natural death

Cigna Life Insurance

🌐 cigna.co.nz | 📞 0800 333 774
(634 reviews)
$51
per month (estimated)

Key Features:

Flexible premium options
Terminal illness acceleration
Online policy management
Family income benefit
24/7 claims support

Pros & Cons:

✓ Flexible payment structures
✓ Good customer service
✓ Digital policy management
✗ Smaller market presence in NZ
✗ May require medical assessment

💡 Choosing the Right Policy

  • Consider your health: If you have pre-existing conditions, guaranteed acceptance policies (like Fidelity Life) are ideal
  • Coverage amount: Calculate funeral costs ($10,000-15,000) plus any debts or financial support needed
  • Premium affordability: Ensure premiums fit your budget long-term - most policies require payment until age 90+
  • Compare benefits: Look at terminal illness benefits, waiting periods, and exclusions

Why Life Insurance Matters for Seniors

Life insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection for you and your loved ones. Here's why it's important for New Zealand seniors:

Cover Funeral Costs

Average NZ funeral costs $10,000-15,000. Life insurance ensures your family isn't burdened with these expenses during a difficult time.

Clear Outstanding Debts

Pay off remaining mortgages, personal loans, or credit cards. Protect your estate and ensure assets pass to beneficiaries debt-free.

Support Dependents

If you have a spouse, disabled family member, or grandchildren you support financially, life insurance provides continued income.

Leave a Legacy

Provide an inheritance for children or grandchildren, donate to charity, or fund education. Life insurance creates an instant estate.

Peace of Mind

Know that your family is protected financially. Reduce stress and worry about burdening loved ones with expenses or debt.

Quick Acceptance

Guaranteed acceptance policies require no medical exams or health questions. Get covered quickly, regardless of age or health status.

Types of Life Insurance for Seniors

Understanding the different types of life insurance helps you choose the right coverage for your needs:

1. Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance

Best For:

Seniors with pre-existing health conditions, those who don't want medical exams, or anyone seeking quick approval.

✓ Advantages:
  • • No medical questions or exams
  • • Acceptance guaranteed (ages 50-80)
  • • Fixed premiums for life
  • • Quick application process
  • • Can't be cancelled due to health
✗ Considerations:
  • • Higher premiums than traditional
  • • Lower maximum coverage ($15,000-30,000)
  • • Waiting period (2 years for natural death)
  • • Accidental death covered immediately
Example Provider: Fidelity Life's Over 65s Life Cover - $42/month for $15,000 coverage

2. Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Best For:

Seniors in reasonable health who want higher coverage amounts without a full medical exam.

✓ Advantages:
  • • No medical exam required
  • • Higher coverage limits ($50,000+)
  • • Immediate full death benefit
  • • Better rates than guaranteed
  • • Fast approval (days not weeks)
✗ Considerations:
  • • Health questions required
  • • Can be declined for health issues
  • • More expensive than fully underwritten
  • • Age limits (usually up to 75-80)
Example Provider: AIA's Simplified Life Cover - various options with health questionnaire

3. Traditional Underwritten Life Insurance

Best For:

Healthy seniors willing to undergo medical exams for the best rates and highest coverage amounts.

✓ Advantages:
  • • Lowest premiums for healthy seniors
  • • Highest coverage limits ($100,000+)
  • • Most flexible policy options
  • • Additional riders available
  • • Best value for healthy applicants
✗ Considerations:
  • • Medical exam required
  • • Longer approval process (2-6 weeks)
  • • Can be declined or rated up
  • • More complex application
Example Provider: AIA's full Life Insurance - from $58/month with comprehensive coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Do seniors need life insurance?

It depends on your circumstances. Life insurance is particularly important if you:

  • • Have dependents: Spouse, disabled family member, or grandchildren relying on your income
  • • Have outstanding debts: Mortgage, personal loans, or credit cards that would burden your estate
  • • Want to cover funeral costs: $10,000-15,000 average in NZ - prevents financial stress for family
  • • Want to leave an inheritance: Create an instant estate for children or grandchildren
  • • Have limited savings: Life insurance can fill the gap if you don't have substantial savings
You may NOT need life insurance if:
  • • You have no dependents or debts
  • • You have substantial savings/assets to cover funeral costs
  • • Your pension/KiwiSaver is sufficient for your spouse
Is medical examination always required?

No, medical exams are not always required. It depends on the type of policy:

No Medical Exam Required:
  • Guaranteed acceptance: No health questions or exams (e.g., Fidelity Life Over 65s)
  • Simplified issue: Health questionnaire only, no exam
  • Coverage limits: Usually $15,000-50,000
  • Higher premiums: Pay more for convenience and guaranteed acceptance
Medical Exam Required:
  • Fully underwritten policies: Comprehensive medical assessment
  • Higher coverage: $100,000+ typically requires exam
  • Best rates: Healthy seniors get lowest premiums
  • What's involved: Blood test, urine sample, blood pressure, height/weight

💡 Tip: If you're in good health and want higher coverage, the medical exam route usually offers better value. If you have health issues or want quick approval, choose no-exam options.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Most New Zealand life insurance policies have a grace period to protect you from accidental lapses:

Grace Period (Usually 30 days):
  • Coverage continues: You remain fully insured during the grace period
  • Claims paid: If you pass away during grace period, claim is paid (minus owed premium)
  • Catch up: Simply pay the missed premium to keep policy active
  • No penalties: Most insurers don't charge late fees during grace period
After Grace Period:
  • Policy lapses: Coverage terminates and you're no longer insured
  • No refund: Premiums paid are not refunded (term life policies)
  • Reinstatement possible: Many insurers allow reinstatement within 2-3 years
  • Requirements: May need new health questions or medical exam
💡 Prevention Tips:
  • • Set up automatic payments from your bank account
  • • Pay annually or semi-annually (often includes discount)
  • • Keep contact details updated so insurer can reach you
  • • Review your budget regularly to ensure premiums remain affordable
Can I change my coverage amount later?

Yes, but with some limitations. Your options depend on your policy type and provider:

Increasing Coverage:
  • New application: Usually requires new underwriting
  • Health questions: Current health will be assessed
  • Higher premiums: Based on older age and current health
  • Guaranteed insurability: Some policies include increase options without underwriting
Decreasing Coverage:
  • Generally allowed: Most policies let you reduce coverage
  • Lower premiums: Your payments decrease accordingly
  • Cannot reverse: May need new application to increase again
  • Minimum limits: Must maintain minimum coverage (usually $5,000-10,000)
Policy Features That Help:
  • Guaranteed insurability riders: Allow increases at specific ages or life events
  • Flexible premium policies: Adjust premiums and coverage annually
  • Convertible term: Convert term to permanent without new health questions

💡 Best Practice: Start with coverage that meets your current needs. Many seniors reduce coverage as children become independent and mortgages are paid off. Build in flexibility from the start by choosing policies with adjustment options.

NZ Life Insurance Provider Pricing for Seniors (2025)

AIA NZ

Age 65 | $50k cover
$78/mo
Age 70 | $50k cover
$125/mo
Age 75 | $25k cover
$95/mo
  • ✓ Medical underwriting
  • ✓ Grief counseling
  • ✓ Loyalty bonuses

Fidelity Life

Age 65 | $50k cover
$72/mo
Age 70 | $50k cover
$118/mo
Age 75 | $30k cover
$110/mo
  • ✓ Guaranteed acceptance
  • ✓ Online applications
  • ✓ No medical exam

Cigna

Age 65 | $40k cover
$68/mo
Age 70 | $40k cover
$105/mo
Age 75 | $25k cover
$88/mo
  • ✓ Flexible premiums
  • ✓ Terminal illness cover
  • ✓ Premium holidays

⚠️ Important Note on Senior Life Insurance

After age 70, premiums increase significantly and coverage amounts decrease. Most insurers limit new policies to $25k-$50k for seniors 70+. Consider whether premium costs over time justify the coverage, or if saving that money directly might be more practical.

When Does Life Insurance Make Sense for Seniors?

✓ Good Reasons to Buy

  • Dependent spouse: Partner relies on your income/pension
  • Outstanding mortgage: Want to pay off home for family
  • Disabled child: Provide for special needs dependent
  • Business partners: Buy-sell agreements require coverage
  • Funeral costs: No savings, don't want burden on family
  • Leave inheritance: Want guaranteed amount for children

✗ Not Worth It If...

  • Single, no dependents: No one relies on your income
  • Significant savings: $100k+ can cover final expenses
  • Premium strain: Cost exceeds 10% of monthly income
  • Over 75 with savings: Premiums rarely worth it vs saving
  • Health issues: Guaranteed policies have low payouts initially
  • Adult children secure: No financial dependents

Ready to Protect Your Family?

Compare life insurance quotes from New Zealand's leading providers. Get guaranteed acceptance options and cover funeral costs from $42/month.

$42
Starting from/month
(Fidelity Life)
3
Leading providers
to compare
No Exam
Guaranteed acceptance
options available

Get Quotes Today:

AIA New Zealand
🌐 aia.co.nz
📞 0800 942 942
Fidelity Life
🌐 fidelitylife.co.nz
📞 0800 88 22 88
Cigna
🌐 cigna.co.nz
📞 0800 333 774