Asteron Life’s ‘Heart Coach’ offers eligible customers free personalised support that promotes heart health and wellbeing.

New Zealanders are diligent when it comes to insuring their possessions. Most of us don’t think twice about covering our car, house … even our pets. But when it comes to protecting something far more valuable – our income, health, and lives – many of us
are not up to scratch.

That’s the finding of the Financial Services Council’s latest Money and You research, which paints a picture of a country that’s well-prepared for a broken windscreen, but not for a major health or life event. According to the survey, New Zealanders are far more
likely to have insurance for physical items than for life, income protection, or trauma cover.

It’s a curious gap, especially when you consider the financial consequences of serious illness or injury. A stolen car is inconvenient, but losing your income due to a heart condition, cancer diagnosis, or long-term disability can derail your financial security for years and often impact those you love.

Risks we don’t insure against

For many families, income is the single biggest financial asset. It’s what pays the mortgage, puts food on the table, and funds the future. Yet unlike cars or homes, income can’t be replaced if it’s lost – unless it’s insured.

Health events, in particular, pose a growing risk. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for one in three deaths each year. Around 180,000 New Zealanders are living with heart disease according to the Heart Foundation, and risk factors such as family history, high cholesterol, and lifestyle habits can raise the odds significantly.

Despite this, many people don’t take proactive steps until a health crisis strikes. By then, financial stress often compounds the emotional and physical toll of illness.

This is where life, income and trauma insurance steps in. It’s not just about preparing for the worst – it’s about creating a safety net so families can cope, recover, and rebuild.

Insurance meets prevention

Traditionally, insurance has been viewed as reactive: a payout after something has gone wrong. But the industry is shifting towards prevention and wellbeing, offering services that help people stay healthier for longer.

Asteron Life is one of the insurers leading that shift. Alongside its traditional life and income protection policies, the company now offers Connected Care, a suite of virtual health services available to eligible customers at no extra cost.

One of the most notable additions is Heart Coach, a programme designed to help people take charge of their heart health before problems escalate.

Heart Coach – a new tool for heart health

Launched in partnership with Teladoc Health, Heart Coach provides personalised support for Asteron Life customers who may be at risk of heart disease. The service connects customers with a dedicated cardiac nurse who guides them through lifestyle changes, tracks their progress, and provides ongoing encouragement.

As Mike Morris, country manager for Teledoc Health New Zealand explains, the process is simple.

“The process begins with a risk assessment, followed by an intake consultation if the person is eligible. Anyone over 35 years will automatically be eligible.”

The programme takes a holistic approach. Participants are asked to complete a heart health check with their GP (at their own cost) to capture key stats like blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI. The cardiac nurse then works with the individual to build a tailored care plan.

“Customers are entitled to four, monthly check-ups with the cardiac nurse after the initial assessment – the cost of this is all covered by Asteron Life, through Connected Care. Their care plan can also access and utilise other tools in the Connected Care suite, such as nutrition and fitness consultations.”

The programme also includes access to a specialist heart health app, technology manufactured by Cardihab, giving customers digital tools to monitor their progress and stay motivated.

At the end of the journey, the nurse provides a review and summary report – essentially a roadmap for maintaining better heart health into the future.

Why it matters

For many, the idea of heart disease feels distant until it becomes personal. But risk begins to climb around age 40, especially for those with a family history or existing conditions. Lifestyle factors – diet, exercise, smoking, and stress – play a huge role in determining long-term outcomes.

Asteron Life recognises that prevention is just as valuable as protection. Heart Coach supports their customers to make healthier choices today that can reduce the likelihood of serious health events tomorrow.

It’s also a reminder that life insurance can be more than a “payment after tragedy”. Done well, it’s about equipping people with the tools and support to live healthier lives.

For New Zealanders, the challenge is twofold. Not only do we need to think more seriously about insuring our lives and incomes, we also need to embrace the growing role insurers can play in wellbeing.

As the Money & You research shows, too many households remain vulnerable to the financial impact of illness or disability. Life insurance is one way to close that gap. Services like Heart Coach are another – helping people take control of their health before issues become crises.

The question isn’t whether we should insure our possessions – it’s whether we’re also protecting the things that matter most: our health, our ability to earn, and our family’s future.

With initiatives like Heart Coach, Asteron Life is helping to reframe what life insurance can be – not just a safety net, but a partner in living well. Anyone who takes out a life insurance policy with Asteron Life is eligible for additional Connected Care services and there are no restrictions around how many times you can access the full suite of services.

Connected Care

Asteron Life Connected Care provides free expert medical advice from the comfort of home. Connected Care is available to those with an eligible Asteron Life policy and the suite of services are as follows.

• Medical – expert medical opinion and “ask a GP”.
• Mental health – mental health navigator and “ask a mental health clinician”.
• Wellbeing – nutrition consult, fitness and recovery coach, and heart coach.

“The addition of Heart Coach to our Connected Care offering underscores our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our customers by providing meaningful value and timely care when it matters,” says Asteron CEO Grant Willis.