A single night out changed everything for a self-employed dad-to-be—until a well-structured plan kicked in. We sit down with adviser Blake Sutton to unpack how income protection, trauma cover, and private health insurance work in the real world, not just on paper. Blake’s three-generation insurance story takes us from hospitality floors to claim forms, and from corporate constraints to building Ridgeline Insurance around people, not policies.You’ll hear the anatomy of a claim that mattered: a king-hit concussion, a four-week wait, six months paid upfront, and a surprise 56k trauma payout that kept a young family steady. We contrast ACC’s limits with private income protection, explaining partial disability benefits and why the incentives around rehab and return-to-work actually help recovery. Then we get practical about health insurance in New Zealand’s stretched system—why faster diagnostics, specialist access, and reduced wait times can mean earlier treatment, fewer complications, and a calmer headspace.We also tackle the myth of self-insuring and the quiet danger of set-and-forget policies. High earners with big mortgages are often most exposed, and claim stats don’t lie: cancer leads payouts, and mental health frequently compounds other conditions. The message is clear and actionable—review regularly, disclose fully, and match cover to your real life so cash flow holds when health doesn’t. If you’ve wondered how to balance premiums with protection, or what actually happens when you claim, this conversation gives you a grounded framework to protect income, choices, and the people who rely on you.If this helped clarify your cover, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Your questions and stories shape future episodes—what’s the one insurance myth you want us to test next?Send us a text Support the showBuy your first home in NZ Weekly Webinars You thought it's not possible or the dream is too far away? Come to my webinar and I will show you, you are much closer to your dream, than you think you are! Join Here - https://bit.ly/4m9SL72

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