Health insurance – lifestyle choices

Whilst it would be nice if everyone was fit and healthy, life’s just not like that. In some cases, we have no control over the diseases we catch or the conditions we inherit, but there are ways that we can reduce the risk of contracting some forms of illness. If you can show that you’re doing your best to make the right lifestyle choices, you could see a financial benefit from your health insurance provider.

Health insurance and lifestyle

Health insurance providers are interested in your lifestyle. They don’t need to know what car you drive or which shops you use, but they are keen to know how you treat your body and whether you are in a job which could adversely affect your health. That’s because the more likely you are to be ill, the more likely the health insurance policy will need to be called upon. If your health insurance company assumes it’s going to be paying out for your health care fairly frequently, it will almost certainly charge you a higher premium. That’s why it makes sense to evaluate your lifestyle before you apply for health insurance in the first place.

• Smoking – whether or not you smoke is one of the biggest issues that concerns health advisers. Smoking is known to be the root cause of a number of serious and often terminal illnesses. If you are a smoker, you must declare it to the health insurance company. If you need treatment for a smoking-related disease and you haven’t declared that you smoke, your health insurance provider may choose not to pay for your treatment. The best thing to do, of course, is to try to give up smoking altogether. You may still have to declare that you have been a smoker in the past, but you will automatically be making a better lifestyle choice and your healthcare provider will appreciate that and may reflect it in your premium costs. There are plenty of places you can go to get help to stop smoking. Try your GP to begin with and enlist the help of family and friends to make a start on a healthier life.
• Drugs – many people use recreational drugs of all sorts. There are many claims and counter-claims about the dangers or otherwise of drugs, but a health insurance company is unlikely to pay out on your policy if your treatment is related to illegal drug use. If you are an occasional user, try to cut it out. If you think you have a bigger problem and you need to confront it, and get help to quit, talk to your GP or go to a specialist drug counselling centre where you can get the support you need.
• Drink – most of us see drink as a way to relax and chill out with family and friends, but it’s becoming an increasing problem to health professionals. That’s why health insurance companies want to know about your average weekly alcohol consumption. Many health conditions can be traced back to excessive alcohol and if your estimated weekly intake is above average, your health insurance company may raise your premium to cover the likelihood of your needing treatment. Try to limit your alcohol intake to the recommended weekly amount so that you feel healthier and get a better health insurance deal.

These are just three of the major lifestyle issues that can affect your ability to get affordable health insurance. Changing your habits isn’t just about saving money; it’s about possibly saving your life.

Looking for health cover? Speak to Right to Health

Right to Health is a leading UK health insurance intermediary, helping individuals and businesses find the best private health insurance cover. With access to the UK’s top health insurance companies, Right to Health has advised thousands of clients and can help you to get great health coverage for a competitive premium. Right to Health is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means you can be confident that the recommendations you are given really are in your best interests. To find out more or to get a review of your current health insurance, call us on 08000 753 999 or click the Get Quotes button at the top of the page.