Get your health insurance policies on the ready ladies, because at this year’s Women & Agriculture Conference, Dermot Goode from Total Health Cover is determined to save everybody money.
“Ahead of the conference, I am encouraging everyone attending to dig out the name of their policy and on the day, we’ll have a roving microphone in the room where you can tell me which one you’re on and if it’s not the best one for you, I’ll be able to tell you which one to switch to, how much you can save and how this switch could actually increase your coverage, rather than decrease it.
“With 600 women in the room, there is bound to be an overlap of people on the same policy so even if you don’t want to talk in public, just listen out for your policy to get direct advice. If your query is more detailed, for example, there has been a change in your health circumstances and you would like a policy that could benefit you more in respect of that in the future, please also email your query to cleahy@farmersjournal.ie, ahead of the conference.”
For the second time in six months, health insurers are again increasing their rates
Dermot could help policy holders save as much as €600 or €700 and this may be badly needed for many.
After a year or two recess in which health insurance premiums stabilised – and even dropped their prices – increases are once more being announced. This means the savings you may have made in the last 24 months will be wiped out.
Dermot says: “For the second time in six months, health insurers are again increasing their rates. Irish Life Health announced increases in June, Laya in July and Vhi in August.
"Now Laya have announced another increase from 1 November (1.7% average) and we can’t rule out further increases from the rest of the insurers before Christmas. Depending on the plan held, this could cost families from €85-€640.”
The first is if you are insured on the same plan for three years or more
Switching and saving could cancel out these increases. There are three key factors that indicate you and your family may be paying too much. Dermot says.
“The first is if you are insured on the same plan for three years or more. The older the plan is, the less benefits there are for you. Older plans can be up to 10% more expensive.
“Just looking at the price can help you see if you’re over insured. If you are paying more than €1,800 per adult, chances are we can help you get a better deal.
“And finally, if you have young adults on your policy on the same cover as their parents, this needs to be reviewed. A 20-year-old’s health requirements could be very different to their parents and there is no need to have the same high cover.”
One million people will renew in January alone
This really is the time of year to review. “We are now approaching peak renewal period from November to February in which over 50% of all members will need to brace themselves for more price hikes.
“One million people will renew in January alone. For many, they are busy with Christmas, January creeps up on them fast and their policies just auto-renew. Some companies won’t let you change after 14 days which means you are locked into your policy for yet another year. So before the Christmas madness kicks in, do your research.”
Do not auto-renew or you will be hit immediately for any price hikes.If you’re worried about these pending hikes, but more worried about switching, get a trusted friend or family member to help you review the cover.Corporate plans are available to all consumers, so don’t be put off by any confusing plan names which give the impression that you aren’t entitled to join such plans.Consider taking on a small excess.If you would like to email your health insurance query to the Irish Country Living team ahead of the conference, please email cleahy@farmersjournal.ie
Get your health insurance policies on the ready ladies, because at this year’s Women & Agriculture Conference, Dermot Goode from Total Health Cover is determined to save everybody money.
“Ahead of the conference, I am encouraging everyone attending to dig out the name of their policy and on the day, we’ll have a roving microphone in the room where you can tell me which one you’re on and if it’s not the best one for you, I’ll be able to tell you which one to switch to, how much you can save and how this switch could actually increase your coverage, rather than decrease it.
“With 600 women in the room, there is bound to be an overlap of people on the same policy so even if you don’t want to talk in public, just listen out for your policy to get direct advice. If your query is more detailed, for example, there has been a change in your health circumstances and you would like a policy that could benefit you more in respect of that in the future, please also email your query to cleahy@farmersjournal.ie, ahead of the conference.”
For the second time in six months, health insurers are again increasing their rates
Dermot could help policy holders save as much as €600 or €700 and this may be badly needed for many.
After a year or two recess in which health insurance premiums stabilised – and even dropped their prices – increases are once more being announced. This means the savings you may have made in the last 24 months will be wiped out.
Dermot says: “For the second time in six months, health insurers are again increasing their rates. Irish Life Health announced increases in June, Laya in July and Vhi in August.
"Now Laya have announced another increase from 1 November (1.7% average) and we can’t rule out further increases from the rest of the insurers before Christmas. Depending on the plan held, this could cost families from €85-€640.”
The first is if you are insured on the same plan for three years or more
Switching and saving could cancel out these increases. There are three key factors that indicate you and your family may be paying too much. Dermot says.
“The first is if you are insured on the same plan for three years or more. The older the plan is, the less benefits there are for you. Older plans can be up to 10% more expensive.
“Just looking at the price can help you see if you’re over insured. If you are paying more than €1,800 per adult, chances are we can help you get a better deal.
“And finally, if you have young adults on your policy on the same cover as their parents, this needs to be reviewed. A 20-year-old’s health requirements could be very different to their parents and there is no need to have the same high cover.”
One million people will renew in January alone
This really is the time of year to review. “We are now approaching peak renewal period from November to February in which over 50% of all members will need to brace themselves for more price hikes.
“One million people will renew in January alone. For many, they are busy with Christmas, January creeps up on them fast and their policies just auto-renew. Some companies won’t let you change after 14 days which means you are locked into your policy for yet another year. So before the Christmas madness kicks in, do your research.”
Do not auto-renew or you will be hit immediately for any price hikes.If you’re worried about these pending hikes, but more worried about switching, get a trusted friend or family member to help you review the cover.Corporate plans are available to all consumers, so don’t be put off by any confusing plan names which give the impression that you aren’t entitled to join such plans.Consider taking on a small excess.If you would like to email your health insurance query to the Irish Country Living team ahead of the conference, please email cleahy@farmersjournal.ie
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