BUPA, the UK's largest medical insurer, has launched a revolutionary product that freezes premiums for either five or ten years.
The "fixed price" product will offer policyholders stability in a market which has suffered from rampant inflation.
Premiums in the market have risen 15% a year on average for the past decade.
The product will be sold both direct and through intermediaries, although there is no difference in the price of premiums.
"This is a major step towards establishing longer-term relationships with customers," said Stephen Flanagan, BUPA membership's sales director.
The product is based on BUPA's most popular product – BUPACare – and gives the same benefits as Scale C of that product.
The initial prices will stay the same until March 31, 2000, when the success of the product will be reviewed.
Initial commission is 35% of the first year's subscription for the five-year option, 45% for the ten-year option and nine per cent of total subscription for the lump sum option.
There are two payment options: a fixed monthly payment which is guaranteed to stay the same throughout the chosen period or a lump sum option which offers savings on the fixed monthly rates.
There is no lock-in clause and a member can leave at any time without incurring a penalty.
People who choose the lump sum payment option will get a pro rata penalty.
Customers will be able to reduce their premiums by taking out excesses whereby they pay the first £100, £250 or £500 of the total amount claimed in a year.
BUPA fixed price cover with £100 excess
Age | Monthly rate fixed for five years | Monthly rate fixed for ten years | Lump sum cover for five years | Lump sum cover for ten years |
30 | £50.66 | £62.27 | £2,530 | £5,287 |
40 | £56.47 | £69.42 | £2,824 | £6,499 |
50 | £72.16 | £88.69 | £3,612 | £8,295 |
60 | £97.34 | £119.64 | £4,861 | £11,913 |
All rates include IPT at five per cent. The current monthly rates for BUPACare Scale C with £100 excess are 30: £42.21; 40: £47.06; 50: £60.13; 60: £81.11 |