Tamsyn Parker: Relying on your man for your insurance plan?

Both women and men need to take responsibility for their finances. Photo/ NZPA Ross Setford.

I'm not the sort to leave organising the insurance up to the hubby no matter how tempting it might be to shove the onerous task onto someone else's plate.

When we reviewed our policies a year ago I sat through the two meetings we had with our financial adviser and felt confident we had it all sorted.

But when it came to getting approval it was my pre-existing conditions that held up the process of switching to a different provider.

It seems those annoying "women-only issues" can get in the way for insurers too.

Diana Clement's piece this week is a great reminder of the challenges we women face when it comes to getting and paying for insurance.

Check it out here.

Some readers have been quick to point out that women generally get cheaper insurance for cars.

As a couple the different charges for men and women probably even out and as individuals I guess men would save money in some areas and women others.

It's all statistically guided so you can't argue a case for sexism.

But the fact remains both women and men need to take responsibility for their finances and unfortunately insurances are part of that.

FEAR FACTOR
Another KiwiSaver fear raised its ugly head in Mary Holm's column this week with one reader concerned about their bank being able to tap into their retirement savings to pay off debt.

Savers have flocked to the bank-run KiwiSaver schemes with the ANZ and the ASB the two largest players in the market.

Many cite the reason for moving as the ease of having all their accounts in one place and the ability to see their KiwiSaver balance online alongside their mortgage and cheque account.

The banks are also very well known brands in New Zealand compared to many of the other KiwiSaver providers.

But what provides a comfort for some also creates concern in others.

Holm also addresses concerns raised by those who are applying for New Zealand Superannuation and need to declare if they have worked overseas and could be eligible for a foreign government pension.

This has the potential to affect many who undertake an OE in their working lives.

OZZIE LOOPHOLE
If you think the property market is too hot in Auckland and are planning a move to Australia you may be able to use your KiwiSaver cash to purchase your first home across the ditch, according to the answer in this week's KiwiSaver Q&A.

I was surprised to read about this loophole in the law but at least one bank says it has received applications for it to happen.

Unless you are genuinely planning a move to Australia to live I'm not sure there would be much point in using the loophole to buy over there and then selling up to come back home.

Australia has a number of property taxes like capital gains and stamp duty which New Zealand doesn't have which could end up costing more in the long run.

What do you think?