Engage Mutual Health Cash Plan
Harrogate based Engage Mutual, part of Homeowners Friendly, has streamlined its health cash plan to offer three levels of cover and a range of benefits.
Cover is European Community wide, as long as the customer is travelling for business or pleasure up to 28 days a year. There is a 24 months initial period before the life assurance benefit comes into effect.
Children get limited dental and optical benefits only. They get up to £50 a year for each of dental and optical costs, with the pot split between all eligible children.
The full benefits are:
Benefit Cash back amount Everyday
£10 a month (£120 a year) Deluxe
£14 a month (£168 a year) Superior
£18 a month (£216 a year)
Optical cover 100% per year up to £100 up to £150 up to £200
Dental cover 100% per year up to £100 up to £150 up to £200
Complementary therapies 100% per year up to £250 up to £375 up to £500
Life cover n/a £1,000 £1,500 £2,000
Personal accident cover (worldwide) n/a up to £10,000 up to £15,000 up to £20,000
Accidental death (worldwide) lump sum £10,000 £15,000 £20,000
The life cover pays on death and is subject to fairly standard industry exclusions. The personal accident cover pays up to the limit shown, on a severity basis.
For example, on a Superior plan, loss of one eye or one hand or foot would result in a payout of £10,000, whereas accidental death, permanent total disablement, loss of entire sight of both eyes or permanent and incurable insanity would see a payout of £20,000. The minimum payout would be £150 for a broken arm or leg.
The complementary therapies covered are acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy.
The plan is available to UK residents aged 17-65 when they apply for cover. Pre-existing conditions are excluded (except for dental and optical benefits).
Plus points: Includes life cover (albeit small sums) and PA (personal accident) too; Pays for 100% of dental, optical and therapy costs up to an annual limit, with three price points; Simple to understand and buy.
Not so plus points: Life cover is low and then only after two years (except in the case of accidental death); Offers little that is new, and does not include some benefits that are now common on other health cash plans.
Website: http://www.engagemutual.com.
Rating (max 10): Innovation: 6. Overall: 6. Bronze