A new study shows New Zealanders may appear to place greater value on their assets than their lives, household income and their family's future.
Financial Services Council chair Dame Jenny Shipley told a conference of the Australasian Life Underwriters and Claims Association in Auckland on Sunday that the findings come from research undertaken by Nielsen.
The council will issue full details of the research as part of its comprehensive study into Insurance and New Zealanders attitude to it.
Dame Jenny said more than 95% of homes and cars are insured, but only 57% of New Zealanders insure their lives and only one fifth have income protection insurance.
Nearly two thirds find personal insurance too hard.
Dame Jenny said part of the problem is the jargon used by the insurance industry and the complexity of the products on offer.