Private Health Insurance

Private Health Insurance

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bad company

Original Poster:

18,671 posts

267 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
Mrs BC and I used to self insure but she wanted to buy cover so a year ago we did. We went with WPA who came well recommended, we took a 'Flexible Elite' policy which came to £2628 + insurance tax.

This year the renewal is £2860 + insurance tax. I have deliberately quoted the figures net of tax as the renewal letter makes a point of blaming the tax for the increase. In fact the net increase is nearly 9%.

When the AA do this at renewal we change to RAC then back again alternate years but health insurance is different in that surely it's good to have continuous cover?

Any thoughts?

Mr Pointy

11,255 posts

160 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
Think yourself lucky. My premium went up by 20% this year & I haven't had a claim for years. I was told 15% of that was 'medical cost inflation' so it looks like you're getting a good deal.

Edited by Mr Pointy on Wednesday 17th May 11:02

craig1912

3,322 posts

113 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
That increase doesn't seem too bad- from the price I'm guessing you are in your early 60's.
Might be worth looking at alternatives (WPA aren't the most competitive) especially if you have had no claims.

bad company

Original Poster:

18,671 posts

267 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
That increase doesn't seem too bad- from the price I'm guessing you are in your early 60's.
Might be worth looking at alternatives (WPA aren't the most competitive) especially if you have had no claims.
Thanks for that, as you say we're early 60's. We have no claims but just completing our first year of cover. Apparently we had 25% discount the first year which is now reducing to 15%. We have a cheaper quote from Aviva but as I said I wonder if it's a good thing to change?

craig1912

3,322 posts

113 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
You can generally change on the same underwriting terms so shouldn't be any worse off. Aviva have a no claims discount which may be beneficial at next years renewal.

del mar

2,838 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
You need to watch what they do with pre existing medical conditions. They are normally excluded for a period of time, if you move you may need to restart the waiting period.

del mar

2,838 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
You need to watch what they do with pre existing medical conditions. They are normally excluded for a period of time, if you move you may need to restart the waiting period.

craig1912

3,322 posts

113 months

Wednesday 17th May 2017
quotequote all
del mar said:
You need to watch what they do with pre existing medical conditions. They are normally excluded for a period of time, if you move you may need to restart the waiting period.
Not true- as I said above you can usually switch on the same underwriting terms- e.g. Continued Medical Exclusions or Continued Moratorium - so you don't have to start any "waiting period" (your words not mine)

bad company

Original Poster:

18,671 posts

267 months

Friday 19th May 2017
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
Not true- as I said above you can usually switch on the same underwriting terms- e.g. Continued Medical Exclusions or Continued Moratorium - so you don't have to start any "waiting period" (your words not mine)
Thanks for your help Craig.

I now have a quote from Aviva which is nearly £1000 cheaper than WPA. I can't see the difference. confused

craig1912

3,322 posts

113 months

Friday 19th May 2017
quotequote all
bad company said:
Thanks for your help Craig.

I now have a quote from Aviva which is nearly £1000 cheaper than WPA. I can't see the difference. confused
There may not be a difference (or very little) but go through the benefits line by line. Looking at both, the core elements are the same. Aviva don't automatically include dental and optical but it is an option. WPA have something called shared responsibility (a bit like an excess which you may or may not have). Neither have psychiatric/ mental health cover (as in/day patient) as standard but Aviva have it as an extra cost option and do include some outpatient cover.
Overall there is little or nothing in it and for a £1000 saving I know what I would do.

Oh and double check with them that they are switching you on the same medical underwriting terms (and not treating you as starting now)- either continued moritorium or continued medical underwriting (depend how your WPA policy was done as they offer both).

Edited by craig1912 on Friday 19th May 10:22

Supersam83

620 posts

146 months

Friday 19th May 2017
quotequote all
PM me and I will help you out with this.

We specialise in Private Medical Insurance and have a relationship with all the major insurers.

You can still keep your existing underwriting and switch providers.