Which underwriting should I disclose on private medical insurance

Greg89

I wish to ask which underwriting option should I disclose on private medical insurance? 

Moratorium or full medical underwriting?

DullGreyGuy

Depends on your medical history and your concerns around "and associated conditions"

Richard1212

Naturally I don't know your age , medical history and whether you have had any ongoing health condition for several years. Much depends on that information ( well, all of it depends on that actually).

Going for the moratorium option means that any claims you make in future will all be delayed whilst insurer checks all the details with your GP-----and if you have had the health condition or treatment or medication for it in the past 2 years or more (times vary ), you won't get paid at all. If you have a recent few years of multiple ailments, a moratorium seems pointless. BTW, insignificant ailments , viruses , broken legs, one-off bronchitis ( if not a smoker) etc etc etc will not be bothered with.

The only reason why I would suggest the moratorium route is if you have not had any medical symptoms, treatment, medication, etc etc for any health condition that you may claim for in future for as many years as the terms and conditions stipulate. In such a case, you will benefit, normally, from a cheaper premium and a much quicker ( and positive) decision on your application. If you're a 20 year old in good health , this is for you.

Otherwise, and it is the usual path to private health insurance, I advise you to disclose any ailments, treatments, medications etc as set out in the application form. If in doubt, and depending on your age and health, the potential insurers will ask for a full report from your doctor ( at their expense) and give you a full policy ( if all OK), a higher-premium policy if there are some doubts, a limited policy excluding what they view as pre-existing conditions ( usually those in last 2-5 years), or turn you down completely.

It might be a good idea to fill out about 6 applications simultaneously and let them all consider the applications at the same time ( your GP won't mind the companies writing to him as he gets paid a lot for very little work). I am with Exeter and my wife is with BUPA, just to put 2 candidates forward as a start. Good luck and stay healthy.

HelathHelper

@DullGreyGuy Please make sure you review your policy each year to make sure you're getting the best price. You can do this by contacting a broker and they will search the market for you. Providing you have nothing planned or pending and not seen a specialist in the last 12 months you can "switch" between insurers whilst keeping your original underwriting. If you need any help with this please let me know. I work with BUPA, Aviva, AXA, Vitality and The Exeter Group. 

DullGreyGuy

HelathHelper said:

@DullGreyGuy Please make sure you review your policy each year to make sure you're getting the best price. You can do this by contacting a broker and they will search the market for you. Providing you have nothing planned or pending and not seen a specialist in the last 12 months you can "switch" between insurers whilst keeping your original underwriting. If you need any help with this please let me know. I work with BUPA, Aviva, AXA, Vitality and The Exeter Group. 

@helathhelper I'm sure the post may well disappear as spam for digging up a historic thread and not sure why I am tagged given I never said if I do or do not hold PMI 

As someone with a congenital medical condition I'll never go 12 months without seeing a specialist even if that is a 5 minute appointment, a blood test and a letter that hasn't changed other than my age for the last 25 years.  So options for my switching is highly limited.

Given the importance of accuracy I'd be concerned with a "Helath Helper" as that really looks like a typo