AIA NZ launches new Severe Trauma product

Affordable cover for life’s most serious health events

AIA NZ is proud to introduce AIA Living Severe Trauma, a simplified, cost-effective insurance solution designed to support New Zealanders through the most serious medical diagnoses, without the high premiums of traditional comprehensive trauma cover.

Launching today, Severe Trauma provides focused protection for severe medical conditions that have a lasting impact on customer’s life and includes high-severity conditions such as cancer, heart attack and stroke, the three most common causes of trauma claims.

“As market leaders in insurance, we’re committed to keeping protection accessible and relevant for all New Zealanders,” says Alex Kühnast, AIA NZ Chief Product & Marketing Officer.

“With cost-of-living pressures and growing awareness of serious health conditions, Severe Trauma is a timely and targeted solution that helps customers manage the financial impact of major diagnoses.”

Severe Trauma can be purchased as a standalone or accelerated product or can be added to an existing Trauma policy for layered protection. It complements AIA NZ’s existing trauma range – Critical Conditions (comprehensive cover) and Progressive Care (severity-based cover) – by offering a more affordable entry point.

The severity threshold and criteria to meet a claim is the same or in most cases higher than comprehensive trauma, which means it is available at a significantly lower premium. While the discount reduces at older ages, for most demographics it offers a 60-70% lower premium than AIA’s Critical Conditions cover, making it a compelling option for cost-conscious customers.

This new option is particularly relevant for younger adults entering the insurance market, older customers who may be reconsidering their cover due to affordability, and existing policyholders looking to adjust or retain protection without undergoing new underwriting.

Severe Trauma covers fewer medical conditions than Critical Conditions and the severity thresholds required to meet a claim is also higher for most conditions, enabling AIA NZ to offer it as an affordable and meaningful safety net for major health events. This approach supports sustainability and customer choice, particularly for those who may otherwise reduce their sum assured or lapse their cover entirely.

“We’ve seen a clear trend of customers downgrading or exiting trauma cover due to affordability,” says Alex. “Severe Trauma gives them a way to stay protected without compromising on the quality of cover for the most serious conditions.”

The launch follows other recent enhancements to AIA NZ’s product suite, including the Specialist and Testing Support Benefit and the introduction of a $10,000 health cover excess option, both designed to improve affordability and flexibility.

“We’re proud to support advisers with more flexible trauma options that meet evolving customer needs,” says Alex. “Whether sold alone or bundled with comprehensive trauma cover, Severe Trauma is a smart, sustainable solution for today’s environment.”