People often ask us does private health insurance cover covid? Well, the answer isn't as simple as a yes or no.
Private medical insurance can often cover the covid testing (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody tests) costs. One of the reasons they do this is because research has shown that going into some medical procedures while testing positive for covid can cause increased risk of complications and the insurance providers may have to pay for these complications which is why they'll often pay for the testing before the medical procedure.
With regards to getting medical cover for the actual treatment of Covid-19 it's currently unlikely that it would be covered under most policies, whether a customer is treated at NHS or private facilities.
If you have a medical condition and its made worse by covid-19 then you may by entitled to cover however that claim will be managed in line with policy terms and conditions in the usual way and subject to the satisfaction of applicable policy underwriting.
COVID-19 cover, existing-condition exclusions and treatment pathways vary between policies and can change. Get a free quote to start a search with a specialist broker, then check the current insurer documents for the exact cover, exclusions and claim process.
A broker can compare suitable policies available through its service, but its insurer panel and remuneration matter. Some receive insurer commission and some may charge fees, so ask what applies before proceeding.
They will know all the deciding factors when looking for covid-19 cover. For example...
- There might be policies/insurance companies that offer Covid cover for certain ages - a broker will know which ones do.
- Do you reside in many different postcodes? Some will give you a cheaper premium than offers. I broker will be able to advise whats best.
- Do you have a hobby that may invalidate your insurance policy? A broker will know this vital information.
- If you are a couple and one of you have claimed on your policy this year would it be cheap to separate you both onto two different policies?
- If your health has changed, a broker can research the policies available through its service and identify the underwriting questions and wording to check.
A broker can help compare cover and price, but cannot guarantee that a policy will meet every need or be the cheapest. Only an insurer's current written terms can confirm cover.
If a broker presents a discount, cashback or commission rebate, compare the full policy cost and terms. Ask for its fees and remuneration, the offer conditions and a like-for-like comparison with any direct price available.
So you can see there are clear reasons why brokers are such a great option when you're looking for Covid-19 cover. Their expertise is simply invaluable.