About Nicki
So why am I not your average broker? I think it comes down to one thing- heart.
For years and through two businesses I’ve worked on portraying a professional image that will- in theory- bring people flocking to me in droves asking for squillions of dollars worth of what it was I was selling. The only problem was- it didn’t. I didn’t tell people about me- the fact that I’m a mum of two amazing (and sometimes infuriating) kids. That I have challenges in my life, just like my clients. So my approach is now to let you see who I am and what makes me tick- because since I intend to look after every one of my clients for years I figure you’d better like me or this is going to be painful!
Of course who I am and loving what I do doesn’t mean I’m the right person to be your broker. You also need to know that I know what I’m doing. After being in the industry for over nine years I’ve learnt a lot- but mostly that I’ve still got lots to learn. (Funnily enough the great brokers that I look up to that have been around for 10+ years all seem to say the same thing- so I figure I’m in good company there!) I am really proud of what I have achieved already, and to get recognition from the people I admire most is quite humbling and exciting all at the same time. I’ve earned several industry awards in NZ, as well as qualifying to be part of a worldwide financial advisers organisation called MDRT- a truly humbling experience to be able to mix with the best of the best in the world!
No matter what sort of a person I am and what I’ve achieved though, I still think it’s important that if we’re thinking about working together, we take the time to make sure we are the right people to work together. I believe that you have the right to meet with me to decide if you want me to help you with what could turn out to be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. And here’s something you may not have heard often before: I believe I have the right to decide if I want to work with you! (Whoa! Did she just say that??? Yes- you heard right- I did!) I want to work with people who are prepared to be honest with me. With people who will tell me what they’re thinking when I give them my recommendation- especially if they don’t agree with it for some reason. Who will make a decision within a reasonable time-frame. I want to work with people who want me to help them!
Does it cost you anything to work with me?
I do not charge fees, expenses or any other amount for any financial advice provided to my clients! Yippeee!
Some things to know about me!
I, Nichola (Nicki) Kane (FSP393727) am a Financial Adviser, and I give advice on behalf of my company Spence Assets Ltd trading as Planning Pros (FSP1001743).
I provide advice to my clients about their life and health insurance, as well as providing advice around ACC levy structures for the self-employed. I ensure I always work within the provisions of the Privacy Act 2020.
I only provide financial advice about products from certain providers:
- For life insurance, I work with five companies – Partners Life, Asteron Life, AIA, Chubb, and Fidelity Life.
- For health insurance, I work with four providers – Partners Life, nib, AIA and Accuro
In providing you with financial advice, I will only consider your existing term life, trauma, income protection and health insurance policies (if any). I will not provide advice on existing whole of life or endowment products, so you will need to consult a specialist if you would like advice on those products.
As part of my process, you will receive a report (or multiple reports if your situation warrants it) from QPR (Quality Product Research Ltd) on a range of insurers in the market, to enhance your ability to make a good decision (the report may also contain information about providers that I don’t have contractual agreements with, ensuring you get the fullest picture possible about the recommendation I will be making). QPR provide research on the vast majority of life and health insurers in NZ in an easy-to-understand format, allowing you to see the difference between them on key points. QPR is independent from both Insurers and Financial Advisers, giving you the reassurance that they are not influenced by either side. I consistently attend training from my providers as well as industry groups and various experts to ensure I am not solely relying on QPR reports to make my decisions on. I also regularly re-read policy wordings etc to ensure I have unbiased knowledge of policies and other relevant documents.
Complaints handling and dispute resolution
If you are not satisfied with my financial advice service you can make a complaint by emailing me at nicki@planningpros.co.nz, or by calling me on 0272455133. You can also write to me at: PO Box 1602, Whangarei, 0140. (Please note an email or phone call is preferred to allow me to deal with the complaint in a timely manner) When I receive a complaint, I will consider it following my internal complaints process:
- I will consider your complaint and let you know how I intend to resolve it. I may need to contact you to get further information about your complaint.
- I aim to resolve complaints within 10 working days of receiving them. If I can’t, I will contact you within that time to let you know I need more time to consider your complaint.
- I will contact you by phone or email to let you know whether I can resolve your complaint and how I propose to do so.
If I can’t resolve your complaint, or you aren’t satisfied with the way I propose to do so, you can contact my disputes resolution scheme provider: Financial Dispute Resolution Service. Financial Dispute Resolution Service provides a free, independent dispute resolution service that may help investigate or resolve your complaint if I haven’t been able to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction. You can contact Financial Dispute Resolution Service by emailing
enquiries@fdrs.org.nz, or by calling 0508 337 337. You can also write to them at Freepost 231075, PO Box 2272, Wellington 6140.
Conflicts of interests and incentives- how do you know I’m really doing what’s best for you?
I receive commissions from most of the providers on whose products I give financial advice on (ie insurers- however neither ACC nor anyone else pays me for the financial advice I provide in regards to ACC covers). If you decide to take out insurance the provider will pay a commission to me and in some cases also my company (Spence Assets Ltd, trading as Planning Pros). The amount of commission is based on the amount of the premium. Some providers may pay more than others, and from time to time, product providers may also reward me for the overall business I provide to them. They may give me tickets to industry events and trainings, social events, gifts, or other incentives.
(For clarity: I do not receive any reward (financial or otherwise) for referring you to another expert outside my fields of expertise (Insurance, ACC reviews) to assist you where I can’t- I do it because I trust the person or company I am referring you on to, and I believe they will look after you as carefully as I would. For this reason, if you are disappointed by anyone I refer you on to please let me know so that I can address the issue and ensure the high standards expected of referral partners are maintained.)
When I work with ACC covers, even though I do not get paid for this directly, it may mean that because of the reduced spend on ACC levies, clients may be prepared to spend more on the insurance I recommend.
To ensure that I prioritise my clients’ interests above my own, I follow an advice process that ensures my recommendations are made on the basis of each client’s goals and circumstances. I also provide a comprehensive written summary of how I came to the conclusions I did, so that you can assess my decision making process, as well as the advice itself.
I undergo annual training about how to manage conflicts of interest. I undertake a compliance audit on a regular basis, and a review of my compliance programme is undertaken at least annually by a reputable compliance adviser.
Duties Information- the legal bits of what I must do for you!
I have duties under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 relating to the way that I give advice.
I am required to:
- give priority to your interests by taking all reasonable steps to make sure my advice isn’t materially influenced by my own interests
- exercise care, diligence, and skill in providing you with advice
- meet standards of competence, knowledge and skill set by the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services (these are designed to make sure that I have the expertise needed to provide you with advice). I currently hold the NZ Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) (Life and Health Insurance), and I hold full accreditation standards with all the providers that offer this.
- meet standards of ethical behaviour, conduct and client care set by the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services (these are designed to make sure I treat you as I should, and give you suitable advice).
This is only a summary of the duties that I have. More information is available by contacting me, or by visiting the Financial Markets Authority website at https://www.fma.govt.nz.
