Switching insurer before renewal date

K

Knorp

Registered User
Messages
33
Hi,

I would like to know the effect that switching health insurer before the renewal date has on out-patient expenses incurred before that date. If I switch, will I still be entitled to claim those expenses? If the answer is yes, how does it work? This is normally done at the renewal date...

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi, not sure about claiming expenses after leaving an insurer but I am certain you can change to any health insurer at any time without penalty or loss of benefit or incurring a waiting period. Hibernian health have an offer this month and I believe this offer will reduce the cost of cover on two dates at end of month - if you want I can check out those dates but ring your local hibernian insurance broker and if they do business with hibernian health they should be aware of the offer this month. Note: A health insurer cannot bind you into a health insurance policy for a contract term eg 12 months - suggest if they try that with you seek information from the financial regulator or insurance omb office in Dublin - google their contact details
hope this helps.
 
EASTCORK said:
Hi, not sure about claiming expenses after leaving an insurer but I am certain you can change to any health insurer at any time without penalty or loss of benefit or incurring a waiting period. Hibernian health have an offer this month and I believe this offer will reduce the cost of cover on two dates at end of month - if you want I can check out those dates but ring your local hibernian insurance broker and if they do business with hibernian health they should be aware of the offer this month. Note: A health insurer cannot bind you into a health insurance policy for a contract term eg 12 months - suggest if they try that with you seek information from the financial regulator or insurance omb office in Dublin - google their contact details
hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Thanks EastCork. I know there is no penalty and I cannot be bound. However, I've already incurred in significant expenses that my current insurer will have to pay for sure if I remain with them (at least until the renewal date). My question is if I will lose my entitlement to claim those on the event of moving immediately to another insurer.

Thanks.
 
I honestly dont know the answer to that but you could ask the insurer and they give you a load of XXXXXXX you can ring the regulator whom will advise you whom to speak to - sorry cant be more help on this..
 
you can claim for what you incurred while you were with the other insurer. that goes for hospital treatment or gp visits, etc.

if you had an operation and were discharged the day before you switch, it would have to be covered by the insurer you were with at the time.

same for gp visits etc the excess will be pro-rata as well, eg if you insured with one comp for 6 months, then half the annual policy excess would apply, and you can claim back all bills while you were insured with each company
 
Hi,

Thanks for the answers so far. My question for scuby would be when would I be able to claim my out-patient expenses from the insurer I'm leaving? The day after leaving as opposed to the theoretical renewal date?

I have to be honest with you guys. In reality, I have in my mind as a possibility giving up health insurance completely. I may switch to a cheaper different insurer temporarily, but it's unlikely. I have decided to leave Ireland in the next few months and it doesn't make much sense to me to keep on paying insurance here as it won't make any difference if I try to get health insurance elsewhere. It didn't make any difference here that I had been insured for all my life in my home country.

Thanks.
 
You should be able to submit a claim any time after cancellation. Anything you have had from last renewal to cancellation should be included for benefit/claiming back
 
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