Why Annual Health Insurance Reviews Save You More Than You Think

Private medical insurance isn’t something most people revisit once it’s set up. Life gets busy, policies renew automatically, and as long as everything seems to be ticking along, it’s easy to assume nothing needs changing. But in reality, an annual review of your health insurance can save you far more than you might expect — not only financially, but in terms of protection, clarity, and peace of mind.

At Assure-u, we regularly see clients save hundreds of pounds a year, improve their cover, or avoid unnecessary premium increases simply because they allowed us to review their policy before renewal. And because we don’t charge admin fees, and our commission is paid by insurers (without being added to your premium), your annual review costs you nothing.

Here’s why reviewing your policy each year matters more than you think.

1. Your Health and Lifestyle Change — So Should Your Policy

A lot can change in a year: your health, your job, your family, your budget, or even what you want from your cover.

Common life changes that affect your policy include:

• Moving home

• Getting married or divorced

• Having children

• Developing a new medical condition

• Switching jobs or going self-employed

• Changes in financial circumstances

If your policy isn’t updated to reflect these shifts, you could end up either over-insured, paying for benefits you no longer need, or under-insured, missing out on cover that’s now important.

A broker can help you make sure your policy evolves with your life — without you having to sift through documents or phone insurers.

2. Medical Inflation Means Premiums Drift Upward — A Review Keeps Costs Down

Premiums often rise each year, and without a review, many people simply accept the increase. But a renewal letter doesn’t tell you whether:

• The premium is fair

• Your insurer has adjusted benefits

• There are better-value options for your needs

• A different underwriting style could reduce costs

• Another insurer would cover you for less

Every year, we help clients reduce the impact of medical inflation by exploring alternatives, negotiating options, or adjusting elements of their cover without compromising their protection.

This is one of the biggest reasons people use a broker — because doing this yourself takes significant time, and insurers won’t always tell you when you’re overpaying.

3. Insurers Update Their Products — Often Quietly

Private health insurance changes constantly. Providers introduce new digital GP services, expand mental health support, or add options like enhanced outpatient cover. Meanwhile, older features may become outdated or removed.

If you haven’t reviewed your policy in years, you might be paying the same or more for benefits that have been surpassed by modern equivalents.

An annual review ensures:

• You’re always aware of updates

• You can access the newest services

• You don’t miss out on perks your insurer now includes

• You’re not stuck in an outdated product unnecessarily

As a broker, we keep track of these changes across multiple insurers, so you don't have to.

4. You Could Be Overpaying for Add-ons You Don’t Use

Many policies include optional extras such as:

• Therapies

• Dental and optical

• Mental health upgrades

• Worldwide travel cover

• Private GP access

• Additional outpatient benefits

These can be incredibly valuable — but only if you use them. If certain add-ons no longer fit your lifestyle, removing them can significantly reduce your premiums.

During a review, we work with you to strip away unnecessary extras while keeping the services that matter to you.

5. Underwriting Options Can Change Over Time

Your original underwriting decision may no longer be the best fit. For example:

• You might now qualify for moratorium if you previously needed full medical underwriting.

• You might have completed the exclusion period for certain conditions.

• You may now benefit from switching insurers with continued cover.

This is an area where expert guidance is crucial. Switching underwriting incorrectly can risk losing cover for existing conditions — but switching correctly can reduce premiums or expand your benefits.

This is exactly the type of nuance a broker handles for you.

6. Reviewing Helps You Avoid Being “Auto-Renewed” Into a Bad Deal

Many people are unknowingly paying more each year because they:

• Miss renewal deadlines

• Assume the price is non-negotiable

• Don’t realise when benefits have been reduced

• Don’t recognise that their needs have changed

• Haven’t time to compare providers

A yearly review prevents this by giving you clarity before renewal happens — with enough time to make meaningful changes.

7. It Saves You Hours of Work — At No Cost

Comparing quotes, reading policy wording, and speaking to insurers is time-consuming and frustrating. Brokers do it all for you:

• We compare the market

• Explain all options in plain English

• Handle paperwork

• Liaise directly with insurers

• Make sure nothing is missed

And again — Assure-u never charges admin fees, and our commission is paid by insurers without being added to your premium. Whether you stay with your current insurer or switch, you don’t pay us a penny.

Final Thoughts: An Annual Review Protects Your Health and Your Wallet

Private medical insurance is an investment in your wellbeing — but like any investment, it should be checked regularly. A short annual review can:

• Reduce your premiums

• Improve your cover

• Ensure you’re not overpaying

• Update your benefits to match your life

• Offer clarity and peace of mind

• Save you hours of admin

If it’s been more than 12 months since you reviewed your policy, now is the perfect time to take a fresh look.

Need a Free, No-Obligation Policy Review?

Assure-u can review your current policy, compare options, and help you understand whether you can save money or gain better cover — all with no fees and no pressure.

📞 03300 100 441

📧 sales@assure-u.com

We're here to make health insurance simpler, clearer and more cost-effective.