nib’s Amanda Savill on how advisers can guide clients through rising claims and health system strain
Life & Health By Bennett Richardson May 22, 2025
When waitlists stretch into months and chemotherapy claims skyrocket, insurance advisers find themselves doing far more than comparing policies — they’re helping Kiwis navigate one of the most unpredictable healthcare moments in recent memory.
For Amanda Savill, head of adviser – life & health at nib, the adviser’s job is no longer just about coverage; it’s about carving out time, certainty, and options for clients when they need them most.
In a wide-ranging conversation with Insurance Business New Zealand, Savill unpacks how New Zealand’s strained public health system, combined with a sharp rise in insurance claims and mounting costs, is reshaping the way advisers support their clients.
Public Health System Challenges
According to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora’s quarterly performance report (Q2 24/25), wait times for first specialist appointments and elective procedures both grew quarter on quarter, with 4 in 10 people now waiting more than four months. This is outside the target range.
The report also revealed that around 15% of cancer patients waited more than 31 days to access treatment, showing little to no improvement from the same period the year before.
Impact on Insurance Claims
At nib, they’ve seen this impact firsthand. In the nine months to 31 March 2025, they saw a surge in chemotherapy claims, up 320% – 2,570 claims, their highest recorded – compared to the previous period.
Claims inflation has also climbed. The cost of delivering care is rising, as is the volume and frequency of claims. For example, nib health insurance claims saw a significant rise with the total number of claims increasing by 25%, reaching 222,615 claims, up from 177,606 in the previous period.
The Adviser’s Role
Savill emphasizes that advisers are crucial in this changing landscape. “Your clients are turning to you to help them navigate uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected,” she says.
Advisers should approach these industry changes by welcoming new opportunities so their clients can continue to receive the value they expect and deserve. Technology plays a significant role in this evolving landscape, with automated tools, online portals, and new digital processes streamlining workloads and enhancing client support.
Shift to Preventative Wellbeing
There’s also a shift towards a proactive, preventative approach to wellbeing. Advisers can evolve their role by having meaningful conversations with clients about prevention, early detection, and managing conditions long-term.
The True Value of Advisers’ Work
Savill reminds advisers that their work is vital. Every policy they help put in place has the potential to give someone the most important thing — time with their loved ones to focus on the things that matter.
In the public system, people wait weeks, sometimes months. With private health insurance, they can access timely treatment to focus on recovery and rehabilitation. Or, in more serious cases, life insurance can give them peace of mind that those left behind will be financially protected.
“When you give your clients more time, you’re giving them more hope. And that’s something to be proud of,” Savill concludes.
