Meet the team: Rebecca Turner

What keeps you busy at MAS? 

I often find myself buried in spreadsheets! Leading the pricing function of the General Insurance business, I am constantly looking at data, identifying trends and monitoring the performance of the products. The other side of my role is keeping on top of market movements and being aware of what other insurers’ product offerings provide. Valuable Member insights go a long way, ensuring we are able to provide the cover that our Members need. 

What’s something you wish more people knew about insurance? 

Underinsurance is a serious problem. It is a hard conversation to have with people when the cost of living is where it is currently. Making sure that the level of cover is right to fully replace a home, vehicle or all your contents in the event of a total loss is a hard thing to balance against the cost of that cover. But I think education on the consequences of underinsurance is key – not to scare people but to draw attention to real-life scenarios where underinsurance meant that the level of cover was not sufficient to fully replace everything at claim time. These are the conversations that our frontline teams have with Members every day. 

What does life look like outside the office? 

I have 2 teenage children who are mostly self-sufficient these days, but it still pays to keep abreast of what they are up to on a day-to-day basis! We also have a property that allows us to have a couple of animals, including chickens. We are fairly new to having chickens, but they have quickly got used to us and come running for treats, plus there’s the added bonus of daily eggs. 

What’s your favourite summer treat? 

We love having BBQs, but for me, it’s not complete without a decent pavlova for dessert. The ones I whip up are always a hit and seem to get demolished quickly so I must be doing something right. My go-to pavlova recipe is straight out of the Edmonds cookbook, just like my Mum and Nana used to make. 

What’s your most prized possession? 

Probably my motorbike. After we were licensed, my husband and I splashed out on new matching bikes, one in silver, the other in black. They both take pride and place in the garage, and I think they look pretty cool parked up next to each other. After driving a car since I was 16, a motorbike has been a completely different experience. I had to start from square one when it came to learning to ride. My riding instructor told me to imagine I was on a bicycle, and that all the muscle memory of shifting gears with your feet and accelerating with your hand will come with practice. As they say, practice makes perfect. I prefer to say it helps us to improve. 

Your top spot for a weekend getaway? 

Rotorua. I love the thermal pools for a bit of relaxing. There are some great walks with thermal activity bubbling away close by and of course some lovely lakes. It’s also perfect for a road trip, with a stop-off at Lake Taupō.