Naomi Lowe Insurance and Financial Adviser

In what’s been a huge year of three major surgeries for me, I’ll admit I’m limping to the year end exhausted. However, the year was some of the most amazing family times and memories with my kids including travelling to The Gold Coast twice for waterpolo for my eldest son including playing in the NZ u17 team in the Australian Stare Champs. Seeing him also hold the role of Head Boy of his school bought some special parent moments. Life is full of ups/downs and times in between and 2024 held incredible highs and lows but so greatful in so many ways. Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and New Year ahead. I’m going to think about what’s in the year ahead once it hits.

One of my most favourite parts of insurance is ringing people when they are at a personal low time in life and full stress to tell them late on a Friday afternoon that their trauma cover is being paid out and a large amount of money will go into your account. Client asked me to repeat how much it was (a graded old style policy) and more than she was expecting. She couldn’t be happier and neither could I as the payment will make a huge difference to help her and her young family out.

Life is a journey…..last week saw the last time my eldest two will ever play waterpolo together as boy/girl siblings at our NZSS school mixed team entry. It’s easy to miss the key moments that help shape kids with sports and a chance to be part of their journey. As adults we get side tracked and when life goes well we forget how precious life can be and change. Currently I’m grateful for the distraction on life issues kids sport brings to me personally.

Happy New Year to all my wonderful clients/supporters. I’m hoping that 2024 is a great one! For now enjoying downtime on the Gold Coast and here to watch my son play waterpolo next week in the Australian Youth Champs. Stormy weather here is due to pass soon…..had to adapt first few days of holiday but tonnes to do that isn’t the beach or pool.

Wishing all my wonderful clients/friends/contacts a blessed Christmas season and time with loved ones. Covid nearly stole Christmas this year but we managed to recover with a couple of days to spare. Im looking forward to some down time with kids after a few months of surgery recoveries and drama life throws. Eternally grateful for each of you in this holiday season and wishing you safe and happy travels in the coming weeks

I’ve been a bit quiet in recent weeks recovering from a large knee surgery off the back of an ulner nerve transposition surgery on my elbow in August. It’s been a lot of time with leg up resting but now 7 weeks in and started rehab and returning to activity. None of us know what’s around the corner, however I’m one of our offices largest insurance claims currently and am grateful for the financial protection and the benefits I’ve received from this often grudge purchase. Not a space I thought I’d be in but that’s life. Many amazing things from family and kids goes on in the background and my forever faithful cat Anise has been by my side or on my knee for months!

For a bit of fun......big sorry to all the Karen's out there it seems they are no where near the top 15 on the complaining list and in fact only two women's names make the list.....turns out men are more likely to complain

These are the names of the biggest complainers - and no one is called Karen A recent UK survey has revealed the names of the nation’s most prolific online complainers, and Karen is nowhere to be found.

Such a common occurrence-people don’t fully understand there is minimal financial assistance in the event of sickness or medical events such as strokes. The gap can only be filled financially by trauma or income protection and private insurance.

Stroke survivor: 'Terrifying' to rely on husband's income to live KiwiSaver funds are almost gone, so the question now is what happens next.

Sadly this is so familiar - a person has an accident that is genuine and causes injury and hiding behind this is an undiagnosed neck injury she knew nothing about. ACC refusing surgery on the grounds the issue is now her degerative condition they discovered post accident. This could be any of us and is super common in ACC declining claims. She has private insurance that can pay - if it was me I'd give up the fight with ACC and just get on and get fixed but many don't have this choice and hope ACC will be there for them. They always cover the small stuff like investigations straight off then come in for a fight in lots of cases. So hard on so many people out there!

‘It’s ludicrous’: ACC refuses surgery for woman injured in dodgem car crash She was sitting in a stationary bumper car when she was rammed from behind.

High blood pressure comes up frequently with people I deal with. Interesting facts of why keeping it in check and taking medications prescribed may save other aspects of your life.

Six life-changing reasons to take your blood pressure seriously Telegraph: High blood pressure affects an estimated 30 per cent of adults worldwide.

Happy Chinese Year to you all in the year of the Rabbit which three of our family were born in including me. Just back from a reasonably remote break away to refresh with the family and am grateful the weather turned itself right up after a dismal summer earlier January. So many amazing places to discover anywhere you choose to travel in NZ.

It’s had to be a quiet road in the lead into Christmas for me but much to be grateful for my loved ones, family and friends who have been there in so many ways this last 1.5weeks. May all of you have a special Christmas and holiday season with the special people in each of your lives. Life is an uncertain path-make sure you tell those close to you this Christmas just what they mean to you. May you all get a refreshing break in this holiday time ahead.