BUPA reduces critical illness premiums

by Gill Montia

Story link: BUPA reduces critical illness premiums

BUPA, the private healthcare operator, has reduced premiums on its Individual Protection insurance, with immediate effect.

Premium rates for its critical illness policies bought alongside a mortgage have reduced by around 7.3%, while for stand-alone critical illness cover the reduction is around 5.7%.

The changes mean that a female non-smoker aged 30 next birthday, taking out £75,000 of critical illness cover alongside a 30-year mortgage, will now pay £17.91 a month (£19.21 previously).

The same person taking out stand-alone critical illness cover will now pay £29.94 a month (£31.64 previously).

Meanwhile a government adviser is recommending a fundamental overhaul of the support given to workers who are off work through illness.

Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work, estimates that ill-health is costing the UK economy £100 billion a year.

In a report commissioned by ministers, Dame Carol is calling for a new fit-note system as well as fit for work schemes to help people return to work.

The report also recommends that businesses should do more to facilitate flexible working, such as allowing a shorter working week or a change of duties, for staff off long-term sick.