Quick Question about Aviva, AXA,Vitality Health Insurance or Cash Plan?

loutus_flower

Hi,  

I'm in the process of looking for health insurance.   I've spoken to a broker yesterday and she has suggested  Aviva Healthier Solutions  and recommended that I consider Vitality Health. 

Both cover eye tests, dental  but in patient and also physio therapy  and other more complex things should the need arise.  I've  also  chosen I won't pay any excess either.  

In the past I had a cash plan with simply health ( it was very good for eye tests, etc) .  However I damaged my shoulder and needed treatment for it and they would not help with the costs of that.   

So my question is the following: 

1.  if anyone has used Aviva Healthier Solutions, what has your experience been like? I saw some horrible reviews online (Aviva not covering the insurance costs when they are ill etc).    I mentioned this to the broker I spoke to, she said that rival companies will do that.  I was quite shocked by that!  However, I'm open minded and would appreciate any honest feedback from this forum.   

2.  I would also like to hear people feedback about Vitality Health.  Were they quick to cover the costs of any treatments you had, were the customer service professional etc?  I was recommended this policy but its close to 100 pounds so I want to know I will get value for money and that I won't have to fight them to cover any costs. 


I'm also still considering going back to my cash plan with simply health.  I've been with them on and off  for over a decade.   They are great, but I'm wondering if at my age its better to go for something more comprehensive.

I hope what I said made sense and I appreciate any honest feedback you can give me.  


 

 

dunstonh

What are you more attracted to- Private medical insurance coverage or cash plan style benefits?

Online reviews are a bad way to decide how to buy insurance.  Often the negative reviews are not because the insurer has done something wrong but because the issue was not covered.    For example, an insurance could have a budget option and a comprehensive option.   Or an option with things you can bolt on.   If you buy the budget version with no bolt ons then you will not get the coverage of the comprehensive option (or with bolt ons).  Yet some people will give a bad review because they bought the budget option and it didn't cover them. 

Sometimes reviews are based on completely the wrong product to what you could be buying.   The Aviva current product may be what you are looking at but it could be that the person reviewing has an ex AXA or Friends Provident plan that is lower quality but it now branded under Aviva.  Sometimes the reviewer may be talking about PHI instead of PMI.  Or HCP instead of PMI.

The "broker", if an advised service, should be finding out what you are after and giving you a single recommendation that fits your needs.   If it is non-advised then its up to you to filter.   To do that, you need to decide what you want from your plan.

csgohan4

I avoid cashplans myself, for the price you pay it doesn't offer much cover. For example Benenden, does not offer hip replacements. I am probably more like to need one as I get older.  They bamboozle you with covering 100+ procedures, but the important ones they don't

I have PMI myself, not cheap and thanksfully haven't needed to use it, but if i need a hip replacement I know I won't be waiting 2-3 years for one and therefore out of pocket due to no work

Rosie48_2

I have Vitality health insurance  When I had an inexpensive treatment earlier in the year I asked the agent (recorded call) if this would increase my payments  significantly and if so, I would pay myself.  I was told, and wrote this down at the time, that it would not significantly , if at all, affect,my payments. I consider the 25% increase they have just made because of my claim (about 500£/year) to be significant. It's more than the cost of the treatment  I cannot change Insurers at the moment because I have an ongoing issue( being treated by the NHS) that wouldn't be covered and I don't want to exclude it. As soon as possible I'll change and have already advised my sister and others who I told to change to Vitality to go elsewhere.

csgohan4

Any claim on PMI will increase your premiums generally and likely will lock you into that insurer as new insurers will not cover pre exisiting illness. That is pretty normal, Vitality or not.