Rating based on 9 reviews

Life Direct

Updated
Life Direct homepage
Author Life Direct. Screenshot of Life Direct website.
[Accessed August 22, 2023]

About Life Direct

Life Direct has partnered with leading insurance firms in New Zealand to offer a diverse range of options.

This includes life insurance amongst other products like disability cover and income protection. With a team of experienced financial advisers, Life Direct is committed to guiding you through the insurance journey, ensuring you find the coverage that suits your needs.

Making insurance simple and stress-free for Kiwis

Life Direct, a trusted name in the insurance industry, is dedicated to simplifying the insurance acquisition process for New Zealanders. Established in 2005 by a dynamic duo of Financial Advisers, Life Direct has been assisting countless individuals in comparing, purchasing, reviewing, and claiming on their insurance policies. Their mission is clear: to make insurance straightforward and stress-free.

No fees, just friendly service

Life Direct believes that quality insurance advice should be accessible to everyone. That's why they don't charge any fees for their service. Instead, they receive a commission from the insurer when you proceed with a new insurance policy.

This commission is used to compensate their dedicated financial advisers, who work diligently to establish and manage your insurance policy. Life Direct also receives a recurring commission each year for providing ongoing support, answering questions, and assisting with modifications or claims. 

Your choice, your pace

Understanding that everyone has their own preferences, Life Direct offers a fully digital 'DIY' platform for those who prefer a self-guided approach. However, if you need guidance along the way, Life Direct's friendly team is just a live chat or phone call away.

Their financial advisers are ready to assist through telephonic consultations or video calls, helping you identify the most suitable insurance options and ensuring you have the right coverage.

Trusted and transparent

Licensed by the Financial Markets Authority, Life Direct ensures that their financial advisers possess the knowledge and expertise to provide reliable advice. They prioritise your interests, tailoring recommendations to your unique objectives and circumstances. With Life Direct, you can have peace of mind, knowing you’re in safe hands.

Experience the Life Direct difference

Life Direct invites New Zealanders to discover how easy and hassle-free insurance can be. With their commitment to simplicity and stress-free service, they’re dedicated to making insurance accessible to all.

Life Direct Services

Life insurance is a crucial financial safety net, whether you're a new parent, a homeowner, a newlywed, caring for elderly relatives, or simply looking out for your own future.

Life Direct's life insurance product is designed to protect your financial stability and prevent undue burden on your loved ones in the event of your inability to earn or, unfortunately, your passing.

The essence of life insurance

Life insurance is a financial provision made upon your death or if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than a year. This one-time payment serves as a financial buffer, ensuring your loved ones aren't left in a precarious financial situation.

The concept of indexation

Life Direct's life insurance product incorporates a feature known as "indexation". This means that your insured sum will increase annually in line with inflation.

For example, if your coverage is $100,000 and inflation is 3%, your coverage would increase to $103,000. This ensures your coverage keeps pace with the rising cost of living. However, this increase is optional and can be declined if you so choose.

Fixed life insurance: Stepped vs. level

When you take out a life insurance policy with Life Direct, you can choose between two types of premiums. One option is named rate for age which is also known as stepped and the other option is called level.

With a stepped policy, your premiums increase with age on each policy anniversary. If your insured sum also increases, this will slightly raise the cost. On the other hand, with a level policy, your premiums do not increase with age.

Level premiums typically stay fixed until age 65/70/80, after which they transition to rate for age.

If you need to reduce your cost, you can decrease your coverage level. Importantly, your insurer cannot increase your premiums if you fall ill after initiating your insurance.

The choice between the two depends on how long you plan to maintain your coverage.

Stepped premiums are cheaper initially but increase annually, making them more expensive over an extended period. Level premiums start higher but can be more economical over the long term, offering predictability for budgeting purposes.

Life Direct – Life insurance

  • Product Life Insurance
  • Options
    Diverse insurance options from leading firms
  • Advice
    Expert financial advisers for personalised guidance. Accessible financial advisers via chat or call.
  • Online Platform
    Digital 'DIY' platform for self-guided users

Benefits of Life Direct

  • Financial security for your loved ones
  • Peace of mind with reduced financial stress
  • Safeguarding your family's financial future
  • Coverage for funeral expenses
  • Ensuring your family can keep their home
  • Replacing lost income due to illness or disability
  • Reliable advice from a licensed authority
  • A 14-day grace period for policy cancellation with a full premium refund

Taking control of your future by applying for Life Direct’s life insurance

Securing your loved one's future is a step away, thanks to the easy and straightforward application process offered by Life Direct. With a variety of NZ's premier life insurance providers to choose from, you can compare and contrast their proposals, all from the convenience of your preferred space.

Navigating the application process

  • To initiate the application, it's as simple as providing personal details such as your: gender, age, tobacco use status, and desired coverage amount. On average, most people choose a coverage amount of approximately $500,000.
  • This information, coupled with your identity, email, and contact number, is essential for generating a tailored life insurance estimate from multiple providers.
  • Upon selection of your preferred provider, you'll proceed to complete an application form housed on Life Direct's secure website.

Noteworthy is the control you enjoy over policy ownership, with the flexibility to own it independently or jointly with a partner. Changes to ownership can also be made at any point. Your payment schedule is also adaptable, allowing you to decide how frequently you remit your premium payments.

Calculating your premiums

Your premiums are contingent on several personal factors including your:

  • age
  • gender
  • tobacco use status, among other lifestyle hobbies and habits or if you partake in any high-risk activities
  • health and if you have any chronic illness or serious medical condition
  • and the extent of insurance you seek

Health evaluations and documentation

Yes, a health evaluation is part and parcel of the process. This evaluation is largely based on the medical details you provide during your application, and you must present any medical information. Occasionally, your insurer may seek supplementary data, contact your physician, or even require a health check, for which they will bear the costs.

Do note, that smokers usually incur higher premiums, though there’s an opportunity to reduce this cost once you've been smoke-free for a year.

Claims and policy changes

In the event you need to submit a claim, the Life Direct team is readily available to assist. They will liaise with your insurer and initiate the claims process on your behalf. Moreover, should you experience changes in your life circumstances, it's important to communicate these updates to them to ensure your policy remains up-to-date.

Rethinking your decision

Life Direct understands the importance of making informed decisions, offering you a 14-day grace period after receiving your policy document, during which you may cancel the policy and receive a full refund of any premiums paid.

man holding thumbs up

Life Direct is a trusted & reliable provider of life insurance

In our review, we found Life Direct to be a company licensed to provide life insurance products and services, and is regulated by the RBNZ.

✅ Life Direct is a registered and licensed insurance provider in New Zealand: FSP724353

Life Direct Contact

Physical Address


Postal Address

  • Freepost 232299 PO Box 11050 Manners Street, Wellington, 6142, New Zealand

Opening Hours

  • not available