Optical insurance

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A trip to the optician for an eye test could be something you put off time and time again, especially if money is tight. But many argue that our sight is one of our most precious senses, and when it fails, it can leave dire consequences on our lives.

Eye tests help to spot any changes with your eyes so that steps can be taken to improve your eyesight if necessary. Whether the result is a new pair of prescription glasses, contact lenses, surgery or laser treatment, optical insurance could help you avoid paying the full bill yourself. We’ve looked into optical insurance to show you what it costs and who might benefit from it.

What is optical or vision insurance?

Optical insurance, or vision insurance as it is sometimes referred to, provides financial help towards paying for your vision care. A policy is typically set up where you might pay a monthly premium and access various levels of discounts on eye care and treatment.

While some general health insurance policies might include optical insurance as standard that can often be upgraded, other policies might require you to pay an additional premium to add optical insurance to your policy. Again, there are other optical plans that are standalone policies that can be bought separately.

What does optical insurance cover?

The cover benefits to an optical insurance policy can vary depending on the plan but typically can include cover towards the following:

• Eye tests
• Prescription glasses, contact lenses or sunglasses
• Repairs, alterations and replacements for glasses
• Corrective laser eye treatment

Make sure you shop around to compare policies and cover benefits to ensure you have the best chance of finding the best deal for you.

Who needs optical insurance?

The NHS suggests that you get your eyes tested every two years. This isn’t that often if you have 20/20 vision. But if your eyesight is far from perfect, you might need to visit an optician more regularly and then require more treatment as necessary.

If you fall into the latter category and you do have issues with your vision, then it’s more likely that you will need to spend money on regular tests and treatments. Unfortunately, the worse your eyesight gets, the more you’ll be spending on eye care.

This is where optical insurance could help to save you money in the long run by helping to pay part of your eye care bills.

What will optical insurance cost?

How much you’re charged for your optical insurance will very much depend on several factors like the type of insurance and the level of cover you choose. An insurer will also likely set your premium based on other personal information such as how old you are and your general health.

Do some homework to look at a range of optical insurance policies in order to see what each can offer in benefits and how much it will set you back. By comparing the cost as well as the cover, you’ll be more likely to find the best deal to suit you.

What to look for in an optical insurance plan

Finding the best optical insurance policy will really depend on your own eyesight and what eye care you need as what works for you might not work for somebody else.

Optical insurance premiums are influenced by the level of cover on offer, the provider that is willing to offer it and the type of policy you choose.

It’s worth remembering to take some time to compare policies and understand exactly what is covered in order to find a plan that matches your requirements.

Frequently asked questions

• Is optical treatment covered by private health insurance?

  In some circumstances, optical treatment will be included as standard to private health insurance. If a policy doesn’t include optical cover, most private health insurance policies will allow you to add this as an optional extra. This will mean your premiums could increase overall but this may still be cheaper than taking out a separate optical insurance policy.

  If you have private medical insurance, it’s worth checking the features of the policy to see whether optical cover is already included or alternatively, whether you can add optical insurance to your policy.

• Is optical insurance good value for money?

  This is something only you can really answer as it’s specific to your own circumstances and whether or not you think you’ll need increased vision care down the line. Be aware that some optical insurance plans might only cover basic eye care while other plans could cover much more and on a regular basis.