Should I keep private health insurance taken with employer after redundancy?

immy1

Hi all

Been mulling this over for a while and still can't make my mind up so I would be grateful for any help.

I have private health insurance with my employer but I am about to be made redundant. The insurer states that if I can continue with the policy I will automatically be covered for any existing conditions.  I have a single policy and I am in my sixties. They have told me to keep the policy on would cost me in the region of £150.00 a month. 

If I decide to keep it on would it be better to stay with my current insurer as they will cover existing conditions or should I still shop around?

Thanks

theoretica

A key question would be whether you have any pre-existing conditions and how much you want them covered.

immy1

Yes I do have pre-existing conditions and want them to be covered. My spouse also has pre-existing conditions but does not currently have health insurance.  Maybe it would be better for me to stay with my current insurer and then shop around for a provider for my spouse? Are two single health cover policies normally cheaper than a joint policy? Thanks

Floss

Shop around on the basis of you and/or your husband, and also ask your existing provider about adding on your husband.

immy1

Thank you to both for your advice.

helensbiggestfan

hi. A joint policy is likely to be cheaper, but obviously shop around.  As well as trying the various online quotes, you could also try a broker.  They can sometimes get terms not available to everyone. 

FYI. I am female, aged 69 and currently pay £59.60 a month with Aviva.  I am happy with that, I have a £250 excess, and am not covered for extras like physio. I pay for that kind of thing  as I go along.  

Technically I am pre diabetic (but working on getting my blood sugar levels down).  I have fully disclosed this to Aviva.  I have actually lost 1.5 stones since taking out the policy so come renewal date (May) I will let them know.  I am expecting the premium to increase this year because I shall be hitting 70 but hopefully the weight loss might help keep the new Premiums down a bit.  

Mine also includes limited dental cover.  I think around £300 per year.  

Just shop around. 

justworriedabit

Interesting thread.
I was intialy inclined to say, stay with the company. But reading on, yes, do shop around and be very detailed
as they ask many questions. Not saying you will but we can forget the quick chat with doc
about a pain, tingle etc and therefore request from do
an encounter report, print out.
Also ask if they are fixed or rising premiums. I'm not sure if they do fixed or both as mine
and my family's covers are all via our employment.

immy1

helensbiggestfan said:

hi. A joint policy is likely to be cheaper, but obviously shop around.  As well as trying the various online quotes, you could also try a broker.  They can sometimes get terms not available to everyone. 

FYI. I am female, aged 69 and currently pay £59.60 a month with Aviva.  I am happy with that, I have a £250 excess, and am not covered for extras like physio. I pay for that kind of thing  as I go along.  

Technically I am pre diabetic (but working on getting my blood sugar levels down).  I have fully disclosed this to Aviva.  I have actually lost 1.5 stones since taking out the policy so come renewal date (May) I will let them know.  I am expecting the premium to increase this year because I shall be hitting 70 but hopefully the weight loss might help keep the new Premiums down a bit.  

Mine also includes limited dental cover.  I think around £300 per year.  

Just shop around. 

As mentioned,  I too have exisiting conditions and unfortunately one of them has just flared up again so I am seeking a consultation.  Due to this when I rang for a quote for my new policy for after I leave my employer,  the price for a single policy had tripled to over £450.00 a month!  What I am having to do now  is pay for a private consultation myself as I cannot get an appointment before my corporate policy ends.  Then if all goes well I need to phone back my existing provider within 60 days of my work plan ending to see what the quote is like later. Then if all is well health wise I think I will shop around and see what comes up for a joint policy quote. Thanks again to all.

helensbiggestfan

ouch......that's a lot.  

I have just had my renewal notice.  The new premium will be £61.11, up from £59.60. With an option to get a reduction next year, if I join their "healthy living" programme.  Sign me up. 😂🤣.   

Seriously I'm really happy with that, because with me being 70 soon I expected a much bigger increase.  

So, once you've got your current issues sorted, definitely shop around.  I found an online broker, by going through the comparison websites. 

immy1

Hi again. I am definitely going to try the broker route once my current health issue is sorted as there is no way I can afford the price they quoted. Would you mind me asking which company you ended up choosing? Thanks

gettingtheresometime

I suppose I have what would be called a hybrid private health insurance with Benenden & costs me about £11 a month.
I've got cover for my mum (78) who has used it once when she had problems with her mouth and is looking into using it again to deal with her cataracts.