Private health insurance.

agent_orange_2

I was speaking with my mother (71 years Old) yesterday, when she said, she was considering canceling her BUPA private health care cover.
She first started her cover in 1997 and has been fortunate enough not to have made any claims against the policy. She's still in fine fettle, but obviously the older you are the more likely things are to go wrong.
I didn't have a clue how much she was paying and it turns out to be
£277 pounds a month. I'm obviously aware health care doesn't come cheap but this seems a considerable amount of money.
Is this the best value for her money?

Thanks for any advice.

dunstonh

Is this the best value for her money?

she is 71. So, its not going to be cheap.

Is it a comprehensive level of cover or a budget plan (there are multiple levels to suit budgets)?

Brize

I can tell from the premium you've quoted that your mother is on the top-level BupaCare plan, a legacy product that's no longer competitive.

Certainly, your mother could realise a significant saving by moving elsewhere, but much depends on her medical history. There's little point in saving money if the new policy won't cover any serious pre-existing conditions. Exercise caution in this regard.

If your mother needs to remain with Bupa, she should have the option of downgrading her cover, which may be preferable to cancelling altogether.

agent_orange_2

Brize wrote: »

I can tell from the premium you've quoted that your mother is on the top-level BupaCare plan, a legacy product that's no longer competitive.

Certainly, your mother could realise a significant saving by moving elsewhere, but much depends on her medical history. There's little point in saving money if the new policy won't cover any serious pre-existing conditions. Exercise caution in this regard.

If your mother needs to remain with Bupa, she should have the option of downgrading her cover, which may be preferable to cancelling altogether.

Hi Brize, thanks for your response. My Mum has no pre-existing conditions. On that premise, would it be wise to shop around?

cheers

Brize

You're very welcome - glad to be of assistance.

Yes, from the information you've provided, I think there's a good chance that your mother could improve her terms. Tread carefully, though - it's unusual for someone in their seventies not to have any medical history. Bear in mind that high blood pressure, for example, can result in the exclusion of cardiovascular conditions, even when controlled by medication.

Three general points:

1. Bupa offer more extensive cancer cover then most other insurers.

2. Unlike most newer plans, the premiums for BupaCare are not claims-related.

3. Be wary, therefore, of a saving that is contingent on a high no-claims discount.