AIA New Zealand has launched a new trauma insurance product covering only the most severe medical conditions, priced 60-70% lower than its comprehensive cover for most customers.
The Severe Trauma product covers high-severity conditions including cancer, heart attack and stroke - the three most common causes of trauma claims. It does not cover the broader range of medical conditions included in AIA's comprehensive trauma insurance.
The product targets younger adults entering the insurance market, older customers considering dropping cover due to cost, and existing policyholders looking to adjust their protection without new medical underwriting.
AIA chief product and marketing officer Alex Kühnast said the product responds to customers downgrading or cancelling trauma cover due to affordability pressures.
"We've seen a clear trend of customers downgrading or exiting trauma cover due to affordability," Kühnast said. "Severe Trauma gives them a way to stay protected without compromising on the quality of cover for the most serious conditions."
The severity threshold required to make a claim is the same or higher than comprehensive trauma cover in most cases, enabling the lower premium. The discount reduces for older customers.
Severe Trauma can be purchased as a standalone policy or added to existing trauma cover. It joins AIA's existing trauma products - Critical Conditions (comprehensive cover) andProgressive Care (severity-based cover).
The launch follows other affordability measures from AIA including a specialist and testing support benefit and a $10,000 health cover excess option.
AIA chief executive Nick Stanhope earlier told Good Returns that rising claim numbers and cost-of-living pressures were forcing insurers to rethink their product offerings. He said Cancer Care, another lower-cost AIA product, was 60-70% cheaper than its full private health cover.
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