DrMoriarty
Moderator
- Messages
- 5,173
Evening all,
I know this is a bit lazy of me, but... (where are the smilies gone?)
I've been with the VHI for ages, largely through inertia, but my renewal date is coming around soon and - having seen the renewal premium quoted - I'm thinking of moving to either Bupa or Viva. I know it's hard to compare policies and premiums directly, but would be interested in hearing any views on this before I go wading through the small print.
I've been quoted €1,104.52 (that's net of tax relief and of a 10% Group scheme discount) to continue on Plan A 'Options' for a family of seven - two adults and five kids; the 4th and 5th being free. I know that's pretty low-level cover; to be honest, it's only there to cover a worst-case scenario involving hospitalisation (we live in Limerick, and this plan entitles us to semi-private accommodation in all the main hospitals, or private if semi-private isn't available, as is often the case at the Regional...) Indeed, it hasn't even been worth my while to submit a claim in recent years, given the high excess and (pretty derisory) €20-per-GP-visit max.
We're all in pretty good health, thankfully. Typically, the bulk of our medical expenses consists of GP fees and prescription medicines and, as the youngest is now 6, even those have waned in recent years. Oh, and - having done more than our bit for the perpetuation of the Moriarty species - maternity benefit is no longer a consideration (..damn, where are those smilies gone!)
I'm still (as a responsible breadwinner!) reluctant to do without it altogether, but I can't help wondering whether I mightn't get better value with an alternative plan, and maybe some kind of HSA-type cover? My own salary - our only income, other than Child Benefit - is fully assured and insured, through an income continuance scheme, and all the kids are insured via their schools' schemes for accidental injury (24/7). Could I save myself a bit of money by opting for lesser cover? Or a plan that would reimburse me better for the kind of expenses that I most typically incur?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer..!
I know this is a bit lazy of me, but... (where are the smilies gone?)
I've been with the VHI for ages, largely through inertia, but my renewal date is coming around soon and - having seen the renewal premium quoted - I'm thinking of moving to either Bupa or Viva. I know it's hard to compare policies and premiums directly, but would be interested in hearing any views on this before I go wading through the small print.
I've been quoted €1,104.52 (that's net of tax relief and of a 10% Group scheme discount) to continue on Plan A 'Options' for a family of seven - two adults and five kids; the 4th and 5th being free. I know that's pretty low-level cover; to be honest, it's only there to cover a worst-case scenario involving hospitalisation (we live in Limerick, and this plan entitles us to semi-private accommodation in all the main hospitals, or private if semi-private isn't available, as is often the case at the Regional...) Indeed, it hasn't even been worth my while to submit a claim in recent years, given the high excess and (pretty derisory) €20-per-GP-visit max.
We're all in pretty good health, thankfully. Typically, the bulk of our medical expenses consists of GP fees and prescription medicines and, as the youngest is now 6, even those have waned in recent years. Oh, and - having done more than our bit for the perpetuation of the Moriarty species - maternity benefit is no longer a consideration (..damn, where are those smilies gone!)
I'm still (as a responsible breadwinner!) reluctant to do without it altogether, but I can't help wondering whether I mightn't get better value with an alternative plan, and maybe some kind of HSA-type cover? My own salary - our only income, other than Child Benefit - is fully assured and insured, through an income continuance scheme, and all the kids are insured via their schools' schemes for accidental injury (24/7). Could I save myself a bit of money by opting for lesser cover? Or a plan that would reimburse me better for the kind of expenses that I most typically incur?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer..!