Home / Reviews / Fidelity Life
⭐ In-Depth Review | Updated March 2026

Fidelity Life Reviews

Fidelity Life is New Zealand's largest locally owned life insurer, founded in 1973 and backed by the NZ Super Fund. A sale to Partners Group Holdings (owned by Dai-ichi Life) was announced in September 2026 and is pending regulatory approval. We've assessed their financial strength, claims record, product range, and customer reviews to give you the full picture.

Visit Fidelity Life Alternatives
Last reviewed: 10 March 2026 • Sources: Trustpilot, AM Best, ANZIIF, Fidelity Life
N/A/5
Poor Average Excellent
6
total reviews
"Fidelity Life paid out my life cover claim quickly after my husband passed. The process was handled with care and professionalism during a very difficult time."
Editorial summary, 2025 ★★★★★
"My adviser explained the Trauma Multi Cover option clearly. Knowing I could claim up to five times for unrelated conditions gave me real peace of mind."
Editorial summary, 2025 ★★★★★
"The application process through my adviser took longer than expected. Good cover once it was set up, but not a quick process to get started."
Editorial summary, 2024 ★★★☆☆
"My premiums have gone up every single year since I turned 60. The increases feel excessive and there is little transparency about how they are calculated."
Trustpilot, 2024 ★☆☆☆☆
"Filed a trauma claim and the process dragged on for months. Communication was poor and I felt like I had to chase every update myself."
Trustpilot, 2024 ★☆☆☆☆
N/A
Limited consumer review data

In This Review

Company Overview Ratings Breakdown Customer Review Highlights Products Offered Pricing Deep-Dive Pros & Cons How Fidelity Life Compares Alternatives to Fidelity Life Who Is Fidelity Life Best For? Our Verdict Frequently Asked Questions Our Methodology

Company Overview

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 49.62%, with Ngai Tahu Holdings holding 24.93%. In September 2026, Partners Group Holdings, the parent of Partners Life and part of Japan's Dai-ichi Life Group, agreed to buy Fidelity Life for NZ$630 million. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals, with completion expected between March and July 2027 (1News).

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.

Ratings Breakdown

How Fidelity Life rates across review platforms and industry metrics

Trustpilot
3.2
★★☆☆☆
6 reviews (five 1-star, one 5-star)
Unclaimed profile; very small sample
AM Best Financial Strength
A-
★★★★☆
30 consecutive years
Claims Acceptance (FY25)
93%
★★★★☆
$247.7M paid to 2,279 customers
ANZIIF Award
3x Winner
★★★★★
Life Insurer of the Year 2017-2019

Note on Trustpilot rating: Fidelity Life's Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only 6 reviews, five of them 1-star and one 5-star (TrustScore 3.2, checked September 2026). That is too small a sample to produce a meaningful customer score, so no overall customer rating is shown for Fidelity Life. The 93% claims acceptance rate across 2,279 customers in FY25 and the A- AM Best rating held for 30 consecutive years are shown separately and are not customer ratings. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.

What Customers Are Saying

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.

Editorial summary, 2025 ★★★★★

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.

Editorial summary, 2025 ★★★★★

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.

Editorial summary, 2024 ★★★☆☆

The cancer support services were genuinely helpful. Cancer Companion and Cancer Coach provided emotional and practical support during treatment.

Editorial summary, 2025 ★★★★★

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.

Trustpilot, 2024 ★☆☆☆☆

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.

Trustpilot, 2024 ★☆☆☆☆
93%
Claims acceptance rate (FY25)
97%
Life cover claims accepted
84%
Trauma claims accepted
69%
TPD claims accepted

Points labelled "Editorial summary" summarise themes in claims and adviser commentary and are not quotes from individual customer reviews; Trustpilot points are paraphrased. Claims acceptance rates are from Fidelity Life's FY25 published data. Trustpilot has a very small sample size (6 reviews) and may not be representative of typical customer experiences.

Products Offered

Fidelity Life specialises in life and health insurance - no general insurance products

🛡️ Fidelity Life Cover

Available

Lump sum payment on death or terminal illness diagnosis (less than 12 months to live). Choose between YRT (yearly renewable) or Level Term premiums.

Lump sum on death
Terminal illness benefit
YRT or Level Term premiums
Flexible payment frequencies
Varies by age & cover amount
Visit Website Compare Life Insurance

💰 Fidelity Life Income Protection

Available

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.

Up to 75% of income replaced
Illness & injury cover
Flexible benefit periods
Choice of waiting periods
Varies by income & occupation
Visit Website

❤️ Fidelity Life Trauma Cover

Available

Lump sum payment on diagnosis of any of 40+ serious medical conditions. Includes cancer, heart attack, stroke, and more.

40+ conditions covered
Lump sum payout
Cancer support services included
Partial payments for some conditions
Varies by age & cover amount
Visit Website

🏅 Fidelity Life Trauma Multi Cover

Unique Product

Fidelity Life's standout product - allows up to 5 payouts for unrelated trauma conditions under one policy. A genuine differentiator in the NZ market.

Up to 5 separate payouts
Unrelated conditions only
Same 40+ conditions as Trauma
Cover continues after each claim
Varies by age & cover amount
Visit Website

🏠 Fidelity Life Mortgage Repayment Cover

Available

Covers your monthly mortgage repayments if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Keeps your home secure during difficult periods.

Monthly mortgage payments covered
Illness & injury protection
Flexible benefit periods
Standalone or add-on
Varies by mortgage & occupation
Visit Website

👨‍👩‍👧 Fidelity Life TPD & Survivor's Income

Available

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.

TPD lump sum payout
Survivor's ongoing income
Standalone or add-on options
Specific Injury Cover also available
Varies by circumstances
Visit Website

Pros & Cons

The good and the not-so-good based on claims data, industry ratings, and customer feedback

👍 Pros

  • NZ's largest locally owned life insurer with a 52-year track record since 1973
  • A- (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating held for 30 consecutive years
  • 93% claims acceptance rate with $247.7M paid to 2,279 customers in FY25
  • Unique Trauma Multi Cover allowing up to 5 payouts for unrelated conditions
  • Backed by NZ Super Fund (49.62%) and Ngai Tahu Holdings (24.93%), pending the announced sale to Partners Group
  • Comprehensive cancer support services including Cancer Companion, Coach, and Caregivers
  • Flexible premium structures with YRT or Level Term options

👎 Cons

  • No general insurance products - does not cover car, house, contents, travel, or pet
  • No direct-to-consumer online quoting - must go through a financial adviser
  • Too few customer reviews to rate (6 on Trustpilot, five of them 1-star)
  • Annual premium increases (5% in 2025) on top of age-based rises for existing customers
  • TPD claims acceptance rate notably lower at 69% compared to 93% overall
  • Premium escalation complaints from older policyholders, particularly after age 60
  • Slow application processing and poor communication during active claims reported by some

Pricing Deep-Dive

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).

👩

Young Professional

30 years old, non-smoker
$500,000 life cover
Level Term premium
Adviser quote required
YRT starts lower, increases yearly
Level Term locks in your rate
👨

Family Provider

40 years old, non-smoker
$300,000 life + income protection
YRT premium
Adviser quote required
Level Term costs more upfront
Bundle multiple covers for value
👨‍🦱

Pre-Retirement

55 years old, non-smoker
$200,000 life cover
YRT premium
Adviser quote required
Premiums increase with age on YRT
Consider reducing cover as mortgage decreases

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.

What Affects Your Fidelity Life Premium?

📅

Age

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.

🚬

Smoking & Vaping Status

Smokers and vapers pay significantly higher premiums. Non-smoker rates apply after 12 months of being smoke-free in most cases.

💼

Occupation

Higher-risk occupations attract higher premiums, particularly for income protection and TPD cover. Office workers typically pay less than tradespeople.

🏋️

Hobbies & Activities

High-risk activities such as skydiving, motorsport, or scuba diving may increase premiums or require exclusions.

🏥

Health History

Pre-existing medical conditions, family history, and BMI all influence premium calculations. Full medical disclosure is required at application.

💵

Cover Amount & Type

Higher cover amounts cost more. Adding trauma, income protection, or TPD to a life policy increases the total premium.

How Fidelity Life Compares

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 Fitch A (Excellent) AM Best A+ Fitch 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 NZ-owned (sale to Partners Group pending) Global (AIA Group) Global (Dai-ichi Life) Global (Nippon 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.

Alternatives to Fidelity Life

Other NZ life insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities

AIA NZ logoAIA NZ

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.

Life, trauma & income protection
Vitality wellness programme
Global financial backing
Broad adviser network
Get Quote Read Full Review
Partners Life logoPartners Life

NZ-based life insurer with a strong focus on adviser relationships. Known for competitive pricing and innovative product design in the NZ market.

Life, trauma & income protection
NZ-based operations
Strong adviser network
Competitive pricing
Get Quote Read Full Review
Asteron Life logoAsteron Life

Established adviser-distributed life insurer, part of the Nippon Life-owned Acenda Group. Offers a full suite of life and risk insurance products and is due to rebrand as Acenda Life, targeted for 1 February 2027.

Full life & health range
Nippon Life backing
Established NZ presence
Adviser-distributed
Get Quote Read Full Review
nib NZ logonib NZ

Health and life insurer offering online quoting and purchasing. May suit those wanting a more digital self-service experience alongside their life cover.

Online quoting available
Health & life insurance
Self-service digital platform
AU-listed financial backing
Get Quote Read Full Review
Are you an insurance marketing manager?Add or boost your brand on Compare.org.nz and reach thousands of Kiwis comparing insurance.
Advertise With Us

Who Is Fidelity Life Best For?

Fidelity Life may suit some customers more than others

🇳🇿

Those Wanting NZ-Owned Insurance

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. Note that a sale to Partners Group Holdings, owned by Japan's Dai-ichi Life, is pending regulatory approval.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Families Wanting Comprehensive Life Cover

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.

🏆

Those Prioritising Financial Strength

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.

⚠️

Not Best For

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.

Our Verdict

Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Fidelity Life

7.8
out of 10
Very Good
Our editorial score for cover, price and claims. It is separate from the customer rating.

Fidelity Life's greatest strengths are its NZ ownership, financial stability, and specialist life insurance expertise.

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 (49.62%) and Ngai Tahu Holdings adds further financial credibility, although the pending sale to Partners Group Holdings would bring Fidelity Life under Dai-ichi Life ownership if approved.

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 very limited customer review data (6 Trustpilot reviews, five of them 1-star). 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.

Financial Strength
9.0
Claims Record
8.2
Product Range
6.5
Pricing Transparency
5.5
Customer Reviews
5.0
NZ Ownership
10.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fidelity Life

Fidelity Life has a 52-year track record as NZ's largest locally owned life insurer. They hold an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best for 30 consecutive years and have paid over $2 billion in claims. Their FY25 claims acceptance rate is 93%. These metrics point to a financially stable insurer with a strong history of paying claims.
Fidelity Life offers life cover, income protection, trauma cover, Trauma Multi Cover (up to 5 payouts), Total & Permanent Disability (TPD), Monthly Mortgage Repayment Cover, Survivor's Income Cover, and Specific Injury Cover. They are a specialist life insurer and do not offer general insurance such as car, house, or contents cover.
Fidelity Life products are sold through financial advisers, not directly online. You can find an adviser through the Fidelity Life website or contact them directly. There is no online self-service quoting tool available.
Fidelity Life is an unlisted public company with approximately 150 shareholders. The NZ Super Fund is the largest shareholder at 49.62%, with Ngai Tahu Holdings holding 24.93%. It is currently New Zealand-owned. In September 2026, Partners Group Holdings, the parent of Partners Life and part of Japan's Dai-ichi Life Group, agreed to buy Fidelity Life for NZ$630 million. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals, with completion expected between March and July 2027 (1News).
In FY25, Fidelity Life's overall claims acceptance rate was 93%, with $247.7 million paid to 2,279 customers. Broken down by product: Life cover 97%, Income Protection 95%, Trauma 84%, and TPD 69%. Over its 52-year history, the company has paid more than $2 billion in total claims.
No. Fidelity Life is a specialist life and health insurer only. They do not offer general insurance products such as car insurance, house insurance, contents insurance, travel insurance, or pet insurance.

Our Review Methodology

How we research and rate insurance companies

Data Sources

This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:

  • Trustpilot: 6 reviews (TrustScore 3.2, five of six reviews 1-star), unclaimed profile, checked September 2026. Too small a sample to produce an overall customer score
  • AM Best: A- (Excellent) financial strength rating, held since 1996
  • ANZIIF: Industry award records (Life Insurance Company of the Year 2017-2019)
  • Fidelity Life website: official product information, claims data, and financial reports
  • Reserve Bank of New Zealand: insurer licensing and solvency data
  • Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO): complaint and dispute records
  • Companies Office NZ: company registration, ownership, and shareholder information
  • Insurance Business NZ & RiskinfoNZ: industry news, claims data, and market analysis

How We Calculate Scores

Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:

  • Financial strength (25%): AM Best rating, solvency margins, institutional backing, and track record of meeting claims obligations.
  • Claims record (25%): published claims acceptance rates by product type, total claims paid, and FY25 claims data from Fidelity Life's own reporting.
  • Product range & features (20%): breadth of life insurance products, unique features like Trauma Multi Cover, and support services offered.
  • Customer feedback (15%): aggregated reviews from Trustpilot and other sources, weighted by review volume. Small sample sizes receive reduced weighting.
  • Value & transparency (15%): pricing clarity, premium structure options, accessibility of information, and ease of obtaining quotes.

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 (6 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.

Compare Life Insurance Options

See how Fidelity Life stacks up against other NZ life insurers. Explore life insurance options on Compare.org.nz.

Compare Now →