How does it work if both of us can have family health insurance through work?

[MsFogi]

I am just updating my benefits for this year. Both DH and I can get health insurance for the whole family (ie both of us and the dcs). In previous years I haven't taken it in order not to pay the tax. But this year I am thinking it may be worth it but wondered if any wise mners know if there are any upsides/downsides to doing this?
If we have two health insurances covering all of us - are we likely to get into wrangles about which insurance pays a claim?
Can we add the cover amounts together - eg if one runs out would the other health insurance then pay up to their limit?

Look at the cover and excesses from both schemes and then the person with the better scheme takes it out. We've always just used mine as there is no benefit to both of you paying for cover

I wouldn't do that. It's double the tax and they can't be used to top each other up as you describe. Just pick whichever offers the best cover - eg no pre-existing condition exclusion, or if one is BUPA
I'd take that over AXA.
If they are the same, choose the cheapest.

In most cases health insurance is a form of salary sacrifice - would either of you be able to take an increase in salary instead?
Probably little benefit to having two policies covering you all as there will be considerable overlap and you're effectively paying twice.
Are they provided by the same company or different ones?
I'd be looking at the two policies side by side to see which is the more generous, or which covers things you're more likely to claim e.g. some cover sport injuries, or physio etc
Also what are the excesses (if any)?
It's unlikely one would pick up the cover if another 'ran out' - that's not how the industry works!

Compare costs, benefits and excesses as above. And if one of them is Vitality, take the other one!

I don't know where you are OP but here in Ireland you can't have two health insurance policies so maybe check out the rules.

The way it worked for us it was better that my DH got his own and kids rolled in with me... You just need to look at both costs and what they give

Don't bother with both, you don't get double benefits. If the benefits are comparable one that will cover pre-existing conditions will be more valuable to you over one with a moratorium. Cancer cover is worth scrutinising too.