HEALTHY OPTIONS

Younger folk fork out for insurance they generally don’t need, but post-50 is when its true value really kicks in. So sign up for a good plan – you may need it in the future. Here are three of the best mid-range plans:

They all give cover for public and private hospitals and routine medical expenses.

For example, Laya’s Simply Connect Plus allows you to claim €1,000 back for 50% of optical, dental, physio, hearing tests, reflexology, homeopathy and many other general medical costs. Over-50s should also consider a cash plan such as the Hospital Saturday Fund which pays out a set sum if you need medical treatment, and again is not age-rated.

The classic switcheroo trick for over-50s who want to save money is to get off one of the old plans that have become poor value and get onto a snazzy new one with all the ‘bells and whistles’.

The VHI’s HealthPlus Extra (the old Plan B Options) offers similar benefits to Company Plan Plus Level 1.3 but costs twice as much.

The benefits are not exactly the same and some differences may not suit you, so check with your insurer and/or adviser first. You can also compare plans on hia.ie.