Senior couple taking a walk in a park during a summer morning.

MORATORIUM UNDERWRITING AND HEALTH INSURANCE

We have three different underwriting methods available. The right method for you will depend on a number of personal circumstances.

Get a quote Retrieve a quote

Underwriting methods

With Saga you can choose from three different underwriting methods, depending on whether you’re new to health insurance, or switching from another insurer or employer’s scheme.

Below will help you decide which underwriting method is right for your health insurance policy.

Moratorium method

Moratorium is the method used for our online health insurance quotes. The ease and simplicity of this underwriting method makes it the most popular choice with our customers.

We provide cover for new medical conditions that arise after the policy begins. It doesn’t need a medical declaration – we’ll simply exclude treatment for any medical condition you’ve had or had symptoms of in the last three years (many other insurers insist on a longer period of five years).

If you remain free from any symptoms, advice, treatment or medication, including over-the-counter drugs, for any pre-existing condition for at least two consecutive years after the cover starts, you may be able to claim for treatment of those conditions. We’ll ask for your medical history when you make a claim.

Full medical history underwriting

This option is similar to Moratorium in that we provide cover for new medical conditions that arise after the policy begins.

If you choose this option, you will complete a medical history declaration for you and any family members you wish to be covered. However, when it comes to exclusions for pre-existing and specified conditions, we will base these on the answers you provide in response to our full medical history assessment.

The benefit of this option is that we will confirm, in writing, which medical conditions we will exclude – this means you’ll know what’s covered before the policy begins.

As with the Moratorium option, we may later cover a pre-existing medical condition if you ask us to review the exclusion providing you remain free from any symptoms, advice, treatment or medication, including over-the-counter drugs, for any pre-existing condition for at least two consecutive years after the cover starts.

When you choose this underwriting method, it’s important to note that, if necessary, we may ask your doctor for any further information required to help us determine which medical conditions we should exclude from your policy.

Continued personal medical exclusions

This option is only available if you already have cover with another insurer or are leaving an employer’s scheme and wish to switch to Saga, retaining your existing medical history.

We will ask you four questions relating to your medical history over the previous 12 months and any planned treatment. If any medical conditions are excluded we will confirm this in writing – this means you’ll know what’s covered before the policy begins.

Which method is right for me?

I'm new to health insurance. We'll cover new eligible medical conditions that arise after the date you join and exclude any pre-existing conditions or any specified conditions you may have. You can choose 'Full medical history underwriting' or the 'Moratorium method'.
I'm switching from another insurer. If you choose 'Full medical history underwriting' or the 'Moratorium method' we'll treat you as though you're new to health insurance and exclude any pre-existing conditions. But, for an additional premium, it may still be possible to receive cover for a pre-existing condition, in which case you should choose 'Continued personal medical exclusions'.
I'm switching from an employer's group scheme. If you have health insurance through a company scheme and are about to leave the company, you may still be able to receive cover for pre-existing conditions. If you choose 'Continued personal medical exclusions' your policy will be subject to an additional premium and a compulsory £250 excess. Otherwise simply choose 'Full medical history underwriting' or the 'Moratorium method'.

Who underwrites Saga Health Insurance?

Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers and it is only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high levels of quality, service and choice. That's why we offer a range of policies that can be tailored to suit your needs and budget.