Insuring hearing aids - HELP!

suziewuzie

My mum, who is nearly 90, recently pruchased digital hearing aids for both ears - these cost a LOT of money. (£3,000!!!). They are guaranteed for 2 yrs for breaksown, parts, general maintenance, Now the company keep pestering her to take out a one year insurance plan - to cover loss and accidental breakage etc - another £90. This seems very steep to me. Could they be added to household contents or something like that. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks in advance. :money:

maclean2

Adding it to house contents insurance but to the personal possessions covered in the home and also away from the homeis the easiest way to cover the hearing aids but the charge may be not far short of £90.00.

HTH

Savvy_Sue

I would also be thinking how likely she is to lose them or accidentally break them! I know I'm very careful with my (NHS) aid and always put it in its box, but I suppose other people might be more cavalier.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I'd strongly urge you to put them on the household contents insurance, it won't cost a lot as they're about the same value as a top of the range PC and far less likely to be stolen or have a cup of coffe spilt over them! Make sure the cover is for accidental damange and for if she's in hospital - the NHS is famouse for losing personal possessions.
I'd also suggest contacting Age Concern Insurance Services to check how much they would charge to insure them - could be a lot cheaper than £90, which is exhorbtant for £3000 of hearing aids.

suziewuzie

Thank you all for your thoughts. I will investigate the Age Concern Route and also household contents. Just hope the company stop ringing my mum up about the £90 option!! Thanks for the tip about NHS Dora the Explorer - we've had experience of them losing medication etc in the past when mum has gone in to hospital. I do feel the aids need insuring as they were expensive and I have visions of one falling down the loo or into a mug of tea!!

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Glad to be of help, and they can get dropped in baths and washbasins ! I'm a bit concerned the company is putting some pressure on your mum to insure with them. Perhaps you might like to consider phoning them, giving them a stiff piece of your mind, and informing them that if they don't stop you will consider it elder abuse and report them to Trading Standards.
I dislike private hearing aid companies intensely as they only provide, digital hearing aids, what they NHS provides for free and take advantage older people with slick sales talk and a superficial caring manner.

suziewuzie

Following your advice I will be adding these aids to mum's household insurance - they have offered to do it for about £36ish covering all accidental damage or loss anywhere! That's a saving of around £54 for may mum! So glad to have deprived the hearing aid people of any mor of her money. Thanks to the above money savers for the tips.