Written by · Reviewed by Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver — licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931) · Last updated 2026-10-20

Life insurance for wheelchair users in New Zealand

Yes, wheelchair users in New Zealand can get life insurance, but the terms depend on the underlying cause, because underwriters assess the condition rather than the wheelchair. There are three routes. Underwritten cover through an adviser is decided by the insurer. Momentum's Funeral Insurance (ages 40 to 75) has no health questions and pays only for accidental death in the first 24 months. Momentum's Quick Life (ages 18 to 65) has no health questions, but death related to a pre-existing condition is not paid in the first 2 years.

In short

Does using a wheelchair affect life insurance?

Using a wheelchair is not itself a medical diagnosis. It can result from an injury, a neurological or muscular condition, a stroke, an illness or something present from birth. Each of those carries different underwriting questions, and the same person could receive different offers from different insurers. For that reason, a published "yes, up to this amount" would be wrong. No insurer we reviewed publishes terms for wheelchair use or for the conditions that lead to it, so we do not describe loadings, waiting periods or acceptance rates for any cause.

What is published is the process. Asteron Life says that where a person has an existing condition, it can usually still offer cover, by adding a stand-down period, raising the premium, or excluding the condition permanently or for a set time (Asteron Life). Fidelity Life says a pre-assessment is not an offer of cover and not a binding final assessment (Fidelity Life). Fidelity Life's guide tells advisers to contact its underwriting team about occupation classes or cover availability not listed in its adviser system.

The three routes compared

Underwritten cover (via an adviser) Momentum Funeral Insurance Momentum Quick Life
Ages Varies by insurer 40 to 75 18 to 65
Health questions Yes, with possible medical evidence None None
What decides the terms The insurer's assessment of the cause Nothing; acceptance is guaranteed Nothing; acceptance is guaranteed
Amount Set by need and underwriting $3,000 to $30,000 $50,000 to $300,000 (rising 3% a year to $500,000 per person)
Early restriction Any exclusion or stand-down in the offer First 24 months: only accidental death within 90 days of the accident is paid First 2 years: death related to a pre-existing condition, and suicide, are not paid
Terminal illness Depends on the policy Not included Paid if death is expected within 12 months
Premiums Stepped or level Level to the 89th birthday (rate changeable for all policyholders on 30 days' notice) Stepped to 75, then fixed

Momentum Life Limited issues both Momentum products. Sources: the Funeral Insurance wording and the Quick Life wording, retrieved 17 October 2026. Over 75, neither product accepts new applicants.

How the Quick Life 2-year rule applies

The wording says no benefit is paid if the life insured dies, or is diagnosed with a terminal illness, within the first 2 years and the cause is "directly or indirectly related to" suicide or intentional self-harm, or a pre-existing medical condition. A pre-existing condition is any illness, condition or symptoms you had in the 2 years before the policy started, including anything you had treatment or advice for. Three illustrations of how the clause is worded, not predictions of any claim:

Situation in the first 2 years What the wording says
Death in an accident Accidental death is covered
Death from a condition that arose after the policy started and is unrelated to the underlying cause New conditions are covered
Death from complications of the underlying condition that was present before the policy Falls within the pre-existing exclusion; if death happens in the first 24 months and no claim is payable, premiums are refunded

Momentum decides each claim on its facts, and "directly or indirectly related to" is broad. After 2 years, pre-existing conditions are covered, except some specific conditions that can be permanently excluded and listed in the policy schedule. Quick Life's own page says it is not available to someone diagnosed with a terminal illness or in palliative or hospice care. Cancelling and rejoining restarts the 2 years. Our Quick Life page sets out the plan.

How the Funeral Insurance 24-month window applies

This is a funeral benefit, not full life cover. Funeral Insurance pays $3,000 to $30,000 and has no health questions and no pre-existing-condition clause. For the first 24 months, only accidental death is paid, and it must happen within 90 days of the accident. An accidental death pays 3 times the benefit ($9,000 to $90,000), at any time, not only in the first 24 months. Any other death in that period pays no benefit and all premiums for that person are refunded. After 24 months, death from any cause is paid. An increase starts a new 24-month window for the increase.

This is not a savings or investment plan. Depending on how long you keep cover, the total premiums you pay could exceed the benefit, and the benefit may not cover the cost of a funeral. FDANZ's 2026 report gives an average of $4,700 for an unattended cremation, $11,700 for a full funeral with cremation for 50 guests and $14,300 with burial (FDANZ). Setting money aside is the other way to prepare. Our guide to funeral insurance explains the product, and the funeral insurance hub has the rest. Note that Funeral Insurance accepts New Zealanders aged 40 to 75, with its own residency rule set out in the wording.

How to apply for the right cover

  1. Start with the question "what is this for?" A mortgage or dependants point to life cover. A funeral and final costs point to funeral cover or savings.
  2. Ask an adviser for a pre-assessment before applying. A licensed adviser can approach insurers with your details before a formal application. Fidelity Life says its pre-assessment is not an offer and not binding, so treat the answer as guidance.
  3. Disclose the cause and history in full. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman publishes cases in which insurers avoided or reduced claims after non-disclosure (IFSO). Our guide to pre-existing conditions and life insurance covers this.
  4. Compare side by side: underwritten offers, Quick Life and Funeral Insurance, on amount, early restrictions and premium type.
  5. Keep existing cover running until any new policy is in force, as the Financial Markets Authority advises (FMA).

A healthy person can usually get more cover for less with fully underwritten cover through a licensed adviser. For a wheelchair user, whether that holds depends on the cause, which is why the pre-assessment comes first. Guaranteed acceptance suits people who would be declined or heavily loaded elsewhere, or who want cover in place without questions; our life insurance with a disability page looks at that decision more broadly, and the eligibility checker tests age limits. Compare the two routes on our guaranteed acceptance hub.

Who we are and how we are paid

Advice is provided by Craig Smith Business Services Limited, trading as Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver, a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FSP712931). This page is general information, not advice. QuoteHub is a Momentum Life partner, and Smiths Insurance & KiwiSaver may receive a commission if you buy a Momentum policy through our link; see how we are paid and our disclosure. Momentum Life Limited has an A.M. Best financial strength rating of B (Fair), affirmed on 11 February 2026, which Momentum's own table places in its "Vulnerable" range; the rating is not a recommendation (see its financial strength page). The buttons on this page open Momentum's online application. If you have a dispute with Momentum, complain to Momentum first and then to IFSO, which is free. Written by the QuoteHub Editorial Team and reviewed by the QuoteHub Adviser Team; last reviewed 20 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can a wheelchair user get life insurance in NZ?

Yes, but the route and the terms depend on the cause and on the insurer. Underwritten offers are decided case by case; Momentum's two products ask no health questions for applicants who meet their age and residency rules, though Momentum's site says Quick Life is not available to someone diagnosed with a terminal illness or in palliative or hospice care.

Will I be declined?

On underwritten cover, an insurer may decline, add a loading, add a stand-down or exclude a condition. We cannot say how any cause will be treated. Guaranteed-acceptance products ask no health questions for applicants who meet their age and residency rules, and restrict the early years instead.

What if I die in an accident?

Both Momentum products cover accidental death in the early windows. Funeral Insurance pays 3 times the benefit if death occurs within 90 days of the accident.

Does terminal illness cover apply?

Quick Life pays if death is expected within 12 months, but not in the first 2 years where the illness is related to a pre-existing condition. Funeral Insurance has no terminal illness benefit.

References

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