Top Tips for Buying Health Insurance

In the United Kingdom the average waiting time for an out-patient appointment on the National Health Service is thought to be around seven weeks.  It is for this reason that many people now opt for a private health insurance policy.  These policies are in place to ensure the cost of private health care treatment, for illnesses which are deemed as short term and curable.  Private health insurance should not be viewed as an alternative to the National Health Service in England but as an addition.  This insurance will ensure that you get the care that you need and want more quickly.  So if, for instance, you are needing an MRI scan on the NHS, which is deemed as being non-urgent, then it is worth knowing that you could be waiting for up to 7 weeks on the NHS, and while a GP has probably deemed this scan as a non-urgent one, if it is a scan that you want and need then a private health insurance could help you get this scan in less than a week in some cases.

What benefits could I expect from Private Health Insurance?

•    The fact that you will gain from no waiting lists, meaning prompt access to the treatment which you are eligible for.
•    Insurance cover for private cancer care within the United Kingdom.
•    Quick and quality access to medical treatment from specialists and consultants.
•    Gain from having access to in excess of 400 comfortable and clean recognised hospitals within the United Kingdom.  
•    Also gain from access to eligible treatments and groundbreaking drugs.

The above will differ from company to company, and will be subject to terms and conditions, which can usually be found on the insurer’s website.

Where would I find good health insurance?

The internet is a fantastic place to start looking for health insurance, there are many companies out there on the web, who are all willing to offer you a competitive price on the product, which you are looking for.  

How do I find the best price?

The best way of getting a good, competitive deal is to extensively surf through all the companies on the internet.  This, however, is very time consuming, but there is an alternative to doing all the leg work yourself.  There are many companies on the internet, such as, www.insurance64.co.uk who have taken the time out to review these companies on your behalf and come up with a list of health insurance companies, who they deem to be the best.  Another way of finding a good quote is to visit one of the many price comparison sites, whom are also on the web such as www.gocompare.com (which www.insurance64.co.uk have also reviewed on your behalf.

How does a price comparison website work?

The site itself will run through a list of questions with you, the quotes that the price comparison website comes up with, usually depends on the answers, which you provide.  The site will usually ask you questions such as:

•    Your name, address, telephone number, email address etc.
•    About the product which you are looking for (ie. health insurance).
•    The site will then come up with a list of companies, who can provide you with this insurance.
•    The price for the product is usually listed at the side of the company’s name.  

Before committing, remember:

Before committing to any insurance product it is imperative to look through the terms and conditions on the company’s website.  Never commit to a product before knowing exactly what you are getting.  If the price on the company’s website seems extraordinarily cheap, then there is probably a reason for this, and it may not have the full cover you are looking for.

In summary, the best way of getting a good deal on health insurance, is to shop around the internet, compare prices, and if necessary phone the companies up to barter the price down.  Looking at sites, such as, www.insurance64.co.uk is a good way of saving time.  Always make sure the deal that you are offered online suits all of your needs.