Are you a chronic overthinker? Try these 6 tips
It’s quite normal to hash things out in your head, but when it starts to become a destructive habit that impacts your mental health, that’s when you might need to make a change. So how can you get out of your head and take action? Try these tips to help you beat overthinking.
How to choose the right life cover for you and your family
With so many different life insurance providers and products out there, it can be difficult to know just what cover you need. Whether you already have life insurance and are looking for a better option, or you’re just getting started, here are some helpful tips to show you how to compare life insurance to get the right cover for you and your family.
Safety tips for lithium-ion batteries
More and more accidents involving lithium-ion batteries are being recorded around New Zealand, including a fire caused by a charging e-scooter and a lithium-ion battery from a drill spontaneously combusting. To help you prevent these kinds of accidents from occurring, we’ve put together a few key safety tips to keep in mind when using lithium-ion batteries.
Nib share their top claims for June, plus a great new offer for pre-existing conditions
When it comes to health insurance, you’ve likely heard myths such as insurance doesn’t pay out, or you can’t claim after a certain age. However, the latest claim figures from insurance provider nib definitely prove otherwise.
The numbers of nib’s top five health insurance claims for June this year are in, and they serve to prove the true value of getting cover sorted as soon as you can.
7 ways to combat the winter blues
We’re now past the halfway point of winter, but we’ve still got a few more weeks of the cold and gloomy season. If the winter blues have been creeping up on you and you’ve been feeling under the weather both physically and mentally, we’ve put together some tips that just might help.
How to conduct a health WOF
If you think of your body like a vehicle, you’ll be able to figure out several parts of it that should be checked to keep you healthy. Similarly to your car, you should be conducting a health WOF regularly to make sure your human engine is running smoothly. Here are a few essential checks that should be part of your next health WOF.
5 reasons why union members should get life insurance
There are plenty of reasons why people don’t get life insurance sorted, but the reasons you have life insurance far outweigh these. It only takes one decision to get advice and get it sorted, and you can rest assured that you and your family will be protected should the worst happen.
Busting 6 myths about gut health
Everywhere you look, there’s an article or opinion piece on gut health and what we should and shouldn’t be eating. One week, you’re told eating more fibre is good for you, the next, it’s not. It can be easy to get confused about how to keep your gut healthy, so to help you make sense of some of these ideas, we’re putting six common myths about gut health to the test.
The power of preparing for the ‘just in case’
When 24-year-old Denham Wisdom and his partner Rhi took out insurance, they did so ‘just in case’ something were to happen to them. Three years later, a motorcycle accident changed their world.
Speaking about his experience, Denham has some wise words: “I think getting life insurance is very important, especially when you own your own home or have a family. You never know when something could go wrong.”
Life insurance for new parents
With life insurance, you’re paid out a lump sum which can contribute to sustaining your family financially in the event of an unfortunate incident. Having life insurance when you’re young and don’t have any dependents might seem unnecessary, but the second you start to build a family, it’s important that you protect those who depend on you financially.
If something were to happen to you, you want to ensure that your family is taken care of; you might want to make sure they’re able to continue to live in the family home, or that childcare costs are covered.
Some insurance providers also offer great benefits for your children when you take out life insurance, including 6 months of free cover for newborns, and even free trauma insurance for children.
4 ways men can help themselves this Men’s Health Week
It’s Men’s Health Week! Did you know that New Zealand men are 20% more likely to die from heart disease than women? Or that 1 in 4 men won’t live to see retirement? Those are some pretty scary statistics, so this Men’s Health Week is all about the things men can do now to help improve their health outcomes.
We’ve put together a few ideas to get you started on your journey to becoming a healthier, happier Kiwi man.
Don't be held to ransom by Pharmac
New Zealand news sites are inundated with stories of those who are diagnosed with cancer and are required to spend thousands upon thousands (if they can) for treatment that isn’t funded by Pharmac.
Pharmac is often painted as the bad guy in many of these situations, and in a lot of cases, it’s easy to see why. However, to avoid being held ransom by the entity that must make many complex decisions about whether certain treatments should be subsidised, it’s important to know what your options are. Don’t rely on Pharmac to get the treatment you need, because it’s not always that black and white.
Has your attitude to risk changed this year?
With all of the unprecedented weather events that have happened this year, it’s no surprise that many Kiwis are now reevaluating their appetite for risk. A survey commissioned by the Financial Services Council found that 76% of respondents said that recent weather events have prompted them to think about how they protect themselves and their families.
More and more people are seriously considering their financial position and what they would do if things were to go wrong. Where once they may have dismissed the idea of getting insurance in favour of spending money elsewhere, New Zealanders are now prioritising getting the right cover sorted.
7 insurance claim FAQs
Making a claim on your insurance is the sole reason to get insurance in the first place, so it’s important to understand just how the process works, and what it involves.
Of course, every insurance provider will have a different way of dealing with claims, but we’ve put together some general answers to the most commonly asked questions about insurance claims to give you a better understanding.
How to make the most of your lunch break
Lunch breaks are absolutely key, no matter what industry you’re in, but we often get so busy that we forgo taking a break and grab something on the go instead. Taking a lunch break is actually more important for your physical and mental health than you think. It’s a good chance to rest, reset, and fuel your body for the afternoon ahead.
To help you make the most of your lunch break and avoid fatigue and burnout, try some of these great tips.
5 ways to save money on your health insurance
With the cost of living for the average Kiwi household increasing by 8.2%, it makes sense that we would be thinking of ways to lower our everyday expenses. During times like these, many people decide to forgo getting their health insurance sorted, or they cancel their cover entirely to have money for other things.
This is understandable, but having the right health insurance in place is especially important during tough economic times - if something goes wrong, you want to know that you’ll be able to afford the treatment you need.
To help you save on your health insurance so you can keep costs down whilst also keeping yourself protected, we’ve put together some tips for you to consider.
How to stay active at work during winter
Winter tends to be a time when we slow down and are much more sedentary, because who wants to be out in the freezing rain? However, to try to keep any winter colds at bay, we need to keep as active as possible. So how can we stay active when we’re working and it’s miserable outside? Here are a few easy things to try.
I have a pre-existing condition - does that mean I won’t be able to get insurance?
This is a question that’s asked a lot by Kiwis, and it’s an important one to consider. Many people often dismiss the idea of even trying to get insurance if they know they have a condition that’s likely to not be covered. But they don’t take into account the fact that the insurance provider might just surprise them.
Receive a $100 voucher when you work with us!
At Union Plus, we work for you and negotiate on your behalf. Our advisors are skilled at finding the best solution for you - not just selling you the most expensive cover!
We understand that each situation is unique, and ‘every dollar counts’. Put us to the test today, and see how much you could save.
As a Union member you have exclusive financial benefits available to you - simply book in for free, no-obligation financial advice with one of our trusted advisers today and receive a voucher to match your first month’s premium (up to $100).
4 ways to boost your vitamin D intake
Known as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, vitamin D is naturally produced in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight. Because we need a good dose of vitamin D to strengthen our bones, muscles, and overall health, it’s important that we get enough of it - especially when the sun’s rays are sparse.
To help you make sure you’re getting enough of this wonderful vitamin, here are a few ways to increase your vitamin D intake and give your health a boost!