THE TRUTH! From a seasoned PMI Adviser.
Hi, I’m Tiffany – or Tiff, I don’t mind! I’m 33, I have a full arm sleeve of tattoos, I listen to rock music, I love doing home DIY, making art and I was the lead singer of a touring rock band aged 16-25…maybe not who you had in mind to advise you on insurance? Well… I’ve been doing this job for nearly a decade now. Ten years of phone calls, policy documents, underwriters, and—most importantly—conversations with real people trying to make sense of an industry that doesn’t always make it easy.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in that time, it’s this: honesty isn’t just the best policy. It’s the only policy.
Let me explain what I mean.
I’m Not Here to Sell You Something You Don’t Need
I’ll be straight with you: I could have written a very different kind of blog post. One full of scare tactics about NHS waiting times, pushy calls to action, and vague promises about “peace of mind.” But you’ve probably seen that approach before.
But that’s not how I work. I’m not just another call handler, or voice on the end of a phone who sounds vaguely interested – and don’t get me wrong, we all need to start somewhere but you want an informed adviser who can answer your questions without putting you on hold every 5 minutes.
When someone calls me, I don’t see a sales target. I see a person – usually someone who’s a bit confused, maybe a bit sceptical, and wondering whether this whole private medical insurance thing is worth their hard-earned money. They’ve probably had bad experiences with insurance before. They’ve definitely been let down by someone who promised the world and delivered a pile of paperwork.
My job isn’t to convince you to buy something. My job is to figure out whether private medical insurance actually makes sense for you – and if it does, to find the policy that genuinely fits your life.
Sometimes that means recommending a comprehensive plan. Sometimes it means suggesting a basic one with a high excess. And sometimes – honestly – it means telling someone either, I can’t better their renewal, or it’s simply not the right product for what they need.
That last one surprises people. But I’d rather lose a sale today and earn your trust for the future than put you on a policy that doesn’t serve you.
The Dusty Document Dilemma
Thousands of people are paying for private medical insurance they don’t understand, don’t use, and wouldn’t know how to claim on if they needed to.
Their policy document is sitting in a drawer – or more likely, buried in an email folder – gathering metaphorical dust. They’re paying their premiums every month, vaguely reassured that they’re “covered,” but with no real idea what that actually means.
That’s not insurance. That’s a waste of money.
I do things differently. When I set someone up with a policy, we don’t just tick boxes and move on. I make sure you actually understand what you’ve bought:
- What’s covered and what isn’t
- How to make a claim when you need to
- Which hospitals and consultants you can access
- What your excess means in practice
- When to use your cover and when the NHS is the better option (yep! You may well have a policy but sometimes it’s still best to use the NHS for things like repeat prescriptions)
Because a policy you understand is a policy you’ll actually use. And a policy you use is one that’s worth paying for.
Real Talk: What I Wish More People Knew
After nearly ten years in this industry, there are a few things I find myself explaining again and again. So let me save us both some time and lay them out here.
Your employer scheme might not be as good as you think
Lots of people have private medical insurance through work and assume they’re fully sorted. But employer schemes vary enormously. Some are genuinely excellent. Others are bare-boned policies with significant gaps – no mental health cover, no outpatient benefits, limited hospital choices.
If you’ve got employer cover, it’s worth actually reading what you have. I have friends and family who’ve come to me with their employer policy documents and they’re titled ‘Comprehensive’ – so of course, they’re expecting me to say ‘great, stick with it, it’s amazing!’ – I’ve switched most of them!
Pre-existing conditions are complicated, but not impossible
One of the most common questions I get: “I’ve got a pre-existing condition – can I even get cover?”
The honest answer is: it depends. Some conditions can be covered after a waiting period. Some will be permanently excluded. Some insurers are more flexible than others. The underwriting approach you choose matters too.
This is exactly the kind of thing where speaking to someone who knows the market makes a real difference. I’ve helped plenty of people with complex medical histories find cover that works for them – it just takes a bit more legwork but honestly, these more complex situations are the most rewarding once we’ve found the best outcome!
Cheap isn’t always cheerful
I get it. Everyone wants to save money. But the cheapest policy isn’t always the best value – and sometimes what might look great with the best marketing isn’t what’s best for you when we really get into what you need.
I like to use cars as an example (I can hear your eyeroll! But it’s this simple!)
Car A advert: £500. Shiny, bespoke paint colour, new radio, tinted windows, sat nav, panoramic roof. No wheels or engine.
Car B advert: £5,000. Small paint scratches on wing mirror, windscreen wiper works but could do with being replaced, recent MOT and taxed for 12 months.
Unless you have the ability, time and money to restore Car A – you’re choosing Car B. You need it to work!
Price matters, obviously. But it needs to be balanced against what you’re actually getting. That’s the conversation I want to have – not just “here’s the cheapest option,” but “here’s what makes sense for your situation.” But… if the cheap option is all you can afford then we can at least make you very aware of why it’s cheaper so you can make an informed decision!
Claims time is when it really matters
Anyone can sell you a policy. The real test is what happens when you need to use it.
When a client needs to claim, 99% of the time you won’t need me – but if you do, I’m in your corner – helping you navigate the process, dealing with the insurer, making sure things actually happen. Because when you’re facing a health issue, the last thing you need is to be wrestling with paperwork and phone queues.
Most of the time my clients just call me to let me know that they need to claim, to update me, or to check they have the right number – or simply for reassurance from a familiar voice!
I’ve had clients tell me that the support at claim time was worth more than everything else combined. That’s the feedback I value most.
Ready to find the right cover?
I’m a Real Person, Not a Call Centre
Look, I know what you’re probably expecting when you contact an insurance adviser. A scripted sales pitch. Pressure to sign up today. Someone who disappears onto hold the moment you’ve got a question.
Not me.
When you work with me, you get my direct number. You can call me with questions – even daft ones. I’ll remember your name, your circumstances, and what we talked about last time. If something changes in your life, we’ll review your cover together. And when renewal comes around, I’ll make sure you’re still getting a fair deal.
I’m not in this for quick wins. I’m in it for long-term relationships with people who trust me to look after their interests.
Let’s Have an Honest Conversation
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably at least a little curious about whether private medical insurance makes sense for you. Maybe you’ve been putting it off because you don’t know where to start. Maybe you’ve had bad experiences before. Maybe you just want to talk to someone who’ll give you a straight answer.
I’m here for that conversation.
No hard sell. No pressure. No jargon. Just an honest chat about your situation, your options, and whether this is something worth doing.
And if it turns out private medical insurance isn’t right for you? I’ll tell you that too. Because after nearly ten years, my reputation matters more than any single sale.
Get in touch with us whenever you’re ready. Me and my likeminded colleagues love to hear from you.
Tiffany