Key takeaways
- Premiums rise with age, so over-50s policies are exactly where a review pays off most.
- Loyalty isn’t rewarded in private medical insurance — long-held policies are often the least competitive.
- You can usually switch on a continued-cover basis that preserves conditions already covered.
Saga arranges private health cover aimed at the over-50s, and for many people it’s a perfectly good policy. But premiums climb with age, and a plan that was competitive when you took it out can quietly drift out of line over a few renewals. If you’ve held Saga cover for a while, here’s a five-minute check on whether it’s still the right deal.
1. When did you last review it?
If the answer is “when I took it out,” that’s the clearest sign it’s worth a look. Premiums rise every year — and they rise fastest as you move through your 50s, 60s and beyond — while new plans and insurers keep entering the market.
2. Does the cover still match your life?
- Are you paying for a wide hospital list, including London hospitals, that you’ll never realistically use?
- Is your outpatient limit higher — or lower — than you actually need?
- Have your health needs changed in a way your current plan doesn’t reflect?
3. What’s your excess — and does it still fit?
If you rarely claim, a higher excess can bring the premium down. If you claim more often, a lower excess may serve you better. The excess set years ago is rarely the one that suits you now.
4. Can you switch without losing cover for existing conditions?
Usually, yes. Most people can move on a continued personal medical exclusions (CPME) basis, where a new insurer broadly mirrors your existing terms — so conditions covered under Saga generally stay covered. The key is switching on the right underwriting basis and timing it around your renewal, which is where impartial advice earns its keep.
You wouldn’t auto-renew your car insurance without checking. Over-50s health cover, where premiums rise fastest, deserves the same five minutes.
ComparePMI compares your Saga policy across a wide panel of insurers so you can see where it stands. If you’d like advice, or decide to switch, we introduce you to an FCA-authorised firm who provides it and handles the move so nothing falls through the cracks. It’s free and there’s no obligation.
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This article is general information, not personal advice. Cover, terms and availability vary by insurer and individual circumstances. ComparePMI is the trading style of ComparePMI Limited (company no. 16755241), an independent comparison and introduction service, not tied to any insurer. We do not provide advice or arrange cover ourselves and are not FCA-regulated; we introduce you to FCA-authorised and regulated firms who provide the advice and arrange your cover.