Does anyone pay for their own health insurance? Is it worth it? Are you happy with it?

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I've just had surgery carried out privately. Was in intense pain and couldn't bear waiting 18mths + for NHS.
It was such a positive experience but so expensive. Whacked it all on a credit card.
Im now thinking of getting private insurance, but just for me or for whole family?

I only know people who have private health care through work. Noone I know pays for it thenselces?

Any thoughts or experience?

I do and yes. We pay a lot, about 150 a month and that covers myself, partner and child.

I was dead against it at first actually. Thought it was a waste of money, but was over ruled (and as oh paid for it left him to it!).

3 months later I was the first to claim and due to a couple of very expensive problems I’ve actually claimed more than we’ve spent. The longest I’ve waited for treatment to be completed was 8 weeks from first referral to surgery (and that was over the Christmas period with a total of 5 face to face appointments). Very happy.

Yes, yes and yes. We are in Ireland where if you can afford it it's almost a necessity. However we had it through DH's work when we lived in the UK and used it a few times. If we were to move back we'd get it and pay for it ourselves if necessary.

We have health care through work and I would not recommend the company - Vitality. You have to jump through many tedious hoops to get any treatment at all.
We’ve had much better service from other providers.
Keep in mind that most policies don’t cover for pre-existing conditions (unless you pay a lot more).

Yes, DH pays to add me to his work policy. It’s about £80/ month. Aviva.
Was absolutely wonderful when I needed a fast diagnosis - probably saved my life.
I had thought it was too expensive, but was persuaded to keep it as we have very long waiting times in Scotland. Totally worth it.

Following as I've had the same and just paid to go privately, but keep thinking it would be good to have the whole family on some insurance.

What companies do people use?

Yep we have a family policy and it’s been amazing over the last few weeks trying to sort out my heavy bleeding and fibroids. Within a week, I saw my gynae, endocrinologist and hematologist. All results back within a day of scans and bloods. I’ll be having surgery soon and done want the uncertainty of the NHS right now. We are with AXA.

We're about to set it up. Have been covered by DH's job up until now but he's due to start a new job. It's been very useful over the years - I'm the only member of the family who hasn't needed to use it (touch wood!!)

We only need to pay for our 2 DS's and I and it's about £350 a month. Expensive I think but we don't want to be without it (DS2 is in the middle of treatment)