A woman on a mission
Annette Lewis, Chubb Life’s new Head of Product and Pricing, is a woman on a mission to simplify life insurance. Annette says she wants to make it more accessible so more New Zealanders see life insurance as a natural part of their financial plan.
“Insurance shouldn’t be something ‘over there’ - complicated and intimidating, something only for wealthy people,” she says.
Annette sees financial advisers as central to that mission. She says working with an adviser during her own separation and divorce showed to her the value of independent financial advice.
“Advisers are incredibly important because they know their customers, their life goals and risks. My adviser helped me make good decisions at a really important moment, when emotions were high because my life circumstances were changing so fundamentally.”
Annette joins Chubb Life at a time when New Zealand’s level of underinsurance by global standards has been highlighted by the recent Financial Services Council report. Annette believes improving understanding and trust will be key to closing that gap.
“Affordability matters, but underinsurance isn’t just about cost. It’s also about trust and a product’s relevance to people’s lives. Building that trust and relevance is where simplification comes in. For many people, insurance still feels complex and difficult to understand. A big part of my role is helping demystify it, which makes it easier for people to see why it matters and how it can support them when life changes.”
Beyond work, Annette says her life is continuing to evolve as her two children are now in university, leaving her space to indulge her passion for travel.
“I’m looking forward to the next chapter of travel that’s more about me first. I’m an active relaxer - so when I’m away I like to balance doing things with switching off from work,” she says.
But right now, she’s only a few weeks into her new role and 100% focused on helping Chubb Life make a bigger impact on New Zealand. She says what attracted her to Chubb Life was the clarity of the company’s direction and its focus on innovating for the future while continuing to look after existing customers.
For Annette, that balance matters. “It’s not just about creating something new and shiny,” she says. “It’s about improving what we already have, listening carefully, and making sure we deliver better outcomes for customers and Advisers alike.”