Impartial reviews on the latest products and how they can impact consumers.
February 2015 Friends Life: Other
We reviewed this as a Capita product last month, but it is now available through other advisers too and we now have full information about the plan as well. The plan is the first employer funded cancer-specific workplace benefit in the UK. It has a fixed sum insured of £25,000 per employee and pays out on diagnosis of a cancer as defined in the terms and conditions. That definition of cancer is based on the ABI model definition as used in critical illness insurance. This means it excludes cancers in situ, less advanced cases and non-malignant tumours but that it…
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February 2015 Aviva: iPMI
This product review covers three territories now included within Aviva’s international private medical insurance (iPMI) portfolio, although we focus on the largest – the Netherlands. An IPPR (Institute of Public Policy Research) 2013 survey estimated that there are around 48,000 British expats living and working in the Netherlands. As part of its programme to develop a global footprint in key expatiate markets, Aviva has entered into an arrangement with local Dutch insurer OZF Achmea. OZF is a small (40 employees) Dutch not for profit organisation that, since 2005, has operated within the Achmea Group in the Netherlands and provides health…
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February 2015 Old Mutual Wealth: CI
Old Mutual Wealth (previously Skandia Life) has brought in a number of changes to its existing critical illness insurance (CI) plan. These include: New full payment conditions. Ten new conditions have been added, which takes the total number of conditions covered up to 65. Full payment is now made on diagnosis of intensive care (provided it is of ten days continuous duration); Kennedy’s disease; neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic’s disease); Peripheral vascular disease (with bypass surgery), and spinal stroke. New additional payment conditions. Plans now make an additional payment for carotid artery stenosis (if treated by endarterectomy or…
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January 2015 Health Shield: HCP
Health Shield has introduced a number of changes to its health cash plans to refresh them for 2015. The changes include: The introduction of a PERKS reward website. This offers discounts and cashback on shopping, entertainment, travel and days out. A typical family of four could save over £1,500 a year and there are up to 4,000 offers available on the website, Health Shield says. An online GP service (Virtual GP Surgery) via a webcam. Members can book a webcam consultation from 8.30 to 6.30 weekdays only. GPs can raise an electronic private prescription and, where appropriate, a copy of…
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January 2015 Exeter Family Friendly: PMI
Exeter Family Friendly has launched an entry-level private medical insurance (PMI) plan for individuals, offering a simple and transparent approach to the sector. The plan covers: Unlimited inpatient and daypatient treatment. Post-diagnosis CT, MRI and PET scans. Outpatient surgery. Cancer cover. This is not included as standard, but is available at extra cost. Private ambulance. Home nursing. GP helpline. Parental accommodation with child up to age 18. NHS cash benefit of £250 a night (max £250 hospice donation. There is a compulsory excess of £100 per person per year but customers can increase this up to £1,000 a year (£100,…
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