Fidelity Life is New Zealand's largest locally owned life insurer, founded in 1973 and backed by the NZ Super Fund. We've assessed their financial strength, claims record, product range, and customer reviews to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Fidelity Life and who's behind it?
Fidelity Life is New Zealand's largest locally owned life insurer, founded in 1973 by Gordon and Shirley Watson in Auckland. It is an unlisted public company with approximately 150 shareholders. The NZ Super Fund holds 41.1% ownership, with Ngai Tahu Holdings also among the key shareholders.
Headquartered at Fidelity Life House, Level 4, 136 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, the company employs over 400 staff and protects more than 375,000 New Zealanders. Over its 52-year history, Fidelity Life has paid out more than $2 billion in claims.
Fidelity Life holds an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, maintained for 30 consecutive years since 1996. The company has also won the ANZIIF New Zealand Life Insurance Company of the Year award three consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019).
Fidelity Life is a specialist life and health insurer. They do not offer general insurance such as car, house, contents, or travel cover. Their product range includes:
Fidelity Life products are primarily sold through financial advisers rather than directly online. For more information, visit fidelitylife.co.nz or check the Companies Office and RBNZ insurer register for regulatory details.
How Fidelity Life rates across review platforms and industry metrics
Note on Trustpilot rating: Fidelity Life's Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only 5 reviews, all rated 1-star. This is an extremely small sample size and may not be representative of the broader customer experience. The 93% claims acceptance rate across 2,279 customers in FY25 and the A- AM Best rating held for 30 consecutive years paint a more complete picture. We weight data sources by volume and credibility in our overall assessment. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Common themes from customer feedback, claims data, and industry reports
The claims team was compassionate and efficient when we needed it most. Payout was processed within weeks of submitting the paperwork for our life cover claim.
My financial adviser walked me through all the options and the Trauma Multi Cover stood out. No other insurer offered up to five payouts for unrelated conditions.
Application took a long time to process. Had to provide extensive medical information and then waited weeks for a decision. Cover is solid once in place though.
The cancer support services were genuinely helpful. Cancer Companion and Cancer Coach provided emotional and practical support during treatment.
My premiums have increased every year and jumped significantly after turning 60. I understand age-based pricing but the rises feel steep and poorly communicated.
Filed a trauma claim that took months to resolve. Communication was lacking throughout and I had to repeatedly follow up for updates on my own claim.
Customer feedback is paraphrased from verified sources. Claims acceptance rates are from Fidelity Life's FY25 published data. Trustpilot has a very small sample size (5 reviews) and may not be representative of typical customer experiences.
Fidelity Life specialises in life and health insurance - no general insurance products
Lump sum payment on death or terminal illness diagnosis (less than 12 months to live). Choose between YRT (yearly renewable) or Level Term premiums.
Replaces up to 75% of monthly income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Designed to cover essential living costs during recovery.
Lump sum payment on diagnosis of any of 40+ serious medical conditions. Includes cancer, heart attack, stroke, and more.
Fidelity Life's standout product - allows up to 5 payouts for unrelated trauma conditions under one policy. A genuine differentiator in the NZ market.
Covers your monthly mortgage repayments if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Keeps your home secure during difficult periods.
Total & Permanent Disability provides a lump sum if you can never work again. Survivor's Income provides ongoing payments to loved ones after your death.
The good and the not-so-good based on claims data, industry ratings, and customer feedback
Fidelity Life premiums are set through financial advisers, not online self-service
Fidelity Life does not offer direct online quoting. All policies are arranged through financial advisers who assess your individual needs. Premiums are determined by factors including age, cover amount, smoking status, occupation, health history, and chosen premium structure (YRT or Level Term).
Disclaimer: Fidelity Life does not provide online quotes. All pricing is indicative only and must be confirmed through a financial adviser. Premiums vary significantly based on individual health, occupation, lifestyle, and cover amount. The 5% premium increase effective 1 April 2025 applies to existing Life, Trauma, TPD, and Income Protection policies. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Age is the primary driver of life insurance premiums. YRT premiums increase each year as you get older. Level Term locks in a rate but starts higher.
Smokers and vapers pay significantly higher premiums. Non-smoker rates apply after 12 months of being smoke-free in most cases.
Higher-risk occupations attract higher premiums, particularly for income protection and TPD cover. Office workers typically pay less than tradespeople.
High-risk activities such as skydiving, motorsport, or scuba diving may increase premiums or require exclusions.
Pre-existing medical conditions, family history, and BMI all influence premium calculations. Full medical disclosure is required at application.
Higher cover amounts cost more. Adding trauma, income protection, or TPD to a life policy increases the total premium.
Fidelity Life vs. other NZ life insurers
| Feature | Fidelity Life | AIA NZ | Partners Life | Asteron Life | nib NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | A- (Excellent) AM Best | AA- S&P | A (Excellent) AM Best | AA- S&P | A- S&P |
| Life Cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Income Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trauma Cover | Yes (40+ conditions) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Trauma Multi Cover | Up to 5 payouts | No | No | No | No |
| Online Quoting | No - adviser only | Limited | No - adviser only | Limited | Yes |
| NZ Ownership | 100% NZ-owned | Global (AIA Group) | NZ-based | Global (Sun Life) | AU-listed |
| Claims Rate (Overall) | 93% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| General Insurance | No | No | No | No | Health insurance |
| Cancer Support | Comprehensive | Some | Some | Some | Some |
Disclaimer: Comparison data is based on publicly available information as at March 2026. Product features and financial strength ratings may change. Verify details directly with each insurer or your financial adviser. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other NZ life insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities
Global insurer with a broad range of life and health products in New Zealand. Backed by AIA Group, one of the largest life insurance groups in Asia-Pacific.
NZ-based life insurer with a strong focus on adviser relationships. Known for competitive pricing and innovative product design in the NZ market.
Established life insurer now part of the Sun Life group. Offers a full suite of life and health insurance products with the backing of a global financial services company.
Health and life insurer offering online quoting and purchasing. May suit those wanting a more digital self-service experience alongside their life cover.
Fidelity Life may suit some customers more than others
As NZ's largest locally owned life insurer, Fidelity Life appeals to customers who value keeping their insurance with a New Zealand company backed by the NZ Super Fund.
Multiple life cover products including Trauma Multi Cover (up to 5 payouts), income protection, mortgage cover, and survivor's income allow families to build layered protection.
An A- AM Best rating held for 30 consecutive years and $2B+ in lifetime claims paid provide confidence that claims will be met when it matters most.
Those wanting general insurance (car, house, contents), online self-service quoting, or the lowest possible premiums. Price-sensitive customers concerned about annual premium increases may find alternatives more suitable.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Fidelity Life
With 52 years of operation, an A- (Excellent) AM Best rating held for 30 consecutive years, and over $2 billion in claims paid, Fidelity Life has a proven track record in the NZ life insurance market. The backing of the NZ Super Fund (41.1%) and Ngai Tahu Holdings adds further financial credibility.
The 93% overall claims acceptance rate is solid, with life cover claims accepted at 97%. However, the lower TPD acceptance rate (69%) and trauma acceptance rate (84%) indicate that some claim types face more scrutiny. The Trauma Multi Cover product - allowing up to 5 payouts for unrelated conditions - is a genuine differentiator in the NZ market.
The main drawbacks are the absence of general insurance products, no online self-service quoting, and concerning Trustpilot feedback (2.5/5, though from only 5 reviews). The adviser-led model suits customers who value personalised guidance but may frustrate those wanting quick online comparisons. Annual premium increases - 5% in 2025 on top of age-based rises - are a common complaint from longer-term policyholders.
Common questions about Fidelity Life
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Fidelity Life's Trustpilot sample size is very small (5 reviews) and may not be representative. Always verify details directly with Fidelity Life or a licensed financial adviser before making insurance decisions. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
See how Fidelity Life stacks up against other NZ life insurers. Explore life insurance options on Compare.org.nz.
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