Health insurance
Protecting your health with cover that puts you first
Health insurance helps you access medical care faster, with more choice, and without the financial strain that often comes with unexpected health issues. It covers a wide range of medical costs - from specialist consultations and diagnostic tests to surgery, cancer treatments, and everyday healthcare needs. In New Zealand, public wait times for elective procedures and specialist appointments can be long, and not all treatments or medications are publicly funded. Health insurance gives you the ability to choose when and where you receive care, helping you avoid delays and large out‑of‑pocket expenses.
Choosing the right health insurance depends on your budget, the level of cover you want (hospital, dental, physio, everyday care), and how much excess you’re comfortable with. Our team works with a range of insurers to help you understand your options and find a plan that fits your needs whether you’re protecting yourself, your family, or your employees.
At C&R Insurance, we’re serving the health and life insurance needs of Central Otago and Southland. Because we believe insurance should be personal, we come to you and value face‑to‑face conversations that help us understand your health priorities, lifestyle, and long‑term goals. We also review your policy regularly, making sure your cover keeps pace with changes in your health, family circumstances, or financial situation.
Your health is worth protecting. Let us review your cover for free and help you access the care you need, when you need it.
Understanding Health Insurance
Health insurance is designed to give you faster access to treatment, more choice, and financial protection from unexpected medical costs. Below are the key areas to consider when selecting the right plan.
What Health Insurance Covers
Coverage varies by provider and plan, but typically includes:
Hospital & surgery: major surgeries (e.g., hip replacements, cancer procedures), minor surgeries, specialist consultations, and private hospital stays.
Diagnostics: MRIs, CT scans, X‑rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests.
Cancer care: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, specialist cancer treatments, and access to non‑Pharmac funded medications.
Everyday health: GP visits, prescriptions, dental care (check‑ups, fillings, orthodontics), physiotherapy, and optical needs (glasses, contacts).
Specialist care: consultations with cardiologists, dermatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and other medical specialists.
Why You Need It
Health insurance provides access, choice, and financial protection.
Faster access: avoid long public waitlists for essential treatments and elective surgeries.
Choice: select your preferred specialists, surgeons, and treatment locations.
Financial protection: reduce the risk of large medical bills during unexpected health events.
Peace of mind: know you can get care without financial stress.
Broader treatment options: access medications and treatments not funded by the public system.
What to Consider When Choosing a Policy
Selecting the right plan depends on your needs, budget, and expectations around care.
Your needs: decide whether you want hospital‑only cover, everyday care (dental, physio), or a combination.
Budget: premiums vary — consider what you can comfortably afford each month.
Excess: higher excesses lower your premiums but increase your upfront costs at claim time.
Waiting periods: some benefits require a set waiting period before they apply.
Provider networks: some insurers require you to use specific hospitals or specialists for full coverage.
Pre‑approval: always obtain pre‑approval for major procedures to avoid claim issues.
Public system gaps: understand what ACC covers for injuries and what the public system provides — health insurance fills the gaps.
Eleviate the stress by letting us assist you with your Health cover needs.