How Hobbies Affect Health Insurance
Dangerous sports and other risky hobbies may raise your health insurance rates, especially if you are frequently injured or become ill as a result of these activities. Many private health insurance policies exclude cover for injuries incurred during extreme sports or other dangerous pastimes. If you regularly participate in football matches, equestrian events, skiing, rock climbing or motorbike races, you may find it difficult to qualify for affordable private medical cover.
Hobbies do not necessarily have a negative impact on your health insurance costs. On the contrary, low risk hobbies may help you to maintain your health by reducing stress and bringing you into contact with supportive people who share your interests. Whilst you may not achieve lower insurance premiums for being an avid knitter or a fishing enthusiast, pursuing these hobbies may help you to achieve optimal wellness, which will result in fewer claims on your private medical insurance.
Hobbies and Health Insurance Premiums
Insurance providers consider a number of factors when they determine the cost of health insurance, including your age, medical history, current physical status, occupation and hobbies. Engaging in dangerous hobbies places you at a higher risk for fractures, concussions, sprains and strains. You are more likely to require specialist treatment, diagnostic tests, surgeries or medications if you engage in dangerous sports.
If you are asked to provide details about your hobbies on a health insurance application, you must be as accurate and thorough as possible in your replies. If you fail to mention a dangerous hobby on an application and you were asked to supply this information, injuries that you incur during a high risk sport may not be covered. Some insurance providers will deny cover across the board for injuries sustained during dangerous activities.
On the other hand, participating in low risk physical activities, such as yoga, t'ai chi, walking, swimming or dancing, may lower your health insurance costs by reducing your need for medical care. Regular cardiovascular exercise, flexibility training and stress reduction techniques may reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other serious, acute medical conditions. In addition, these hobbies will help you to maintain a healthy weight and avoid injuries.
Medical Insurance Options
A high excess health insurance plan may be a suitable option if you have high insurance rates because of a dangerous hobby. If you are generally in good health and rarely require medical treatment, a plan that provides coverage for hospital treatment or severe illness may provide the benefits you require. With a high excess plan, you may pay lower monthly premiums, but you will assume a larger share of the financial responsibility for the treatment you receive.
If you are passionate about dangerous sports like football, kayaking or motorbike racing, sports injuries insurance or personal accident protection may offer the cover you need. Personal accident protection includes coverage against the costs of medical treatment, compensation for the loss of a limb or other faculties and rehabilitation costs. Personal accident protection may cover lost wages if the insured is unable to work and may pay out for funeral costs if the policyholder suffers a fatal injury.
Once you are aware of how hobbies affect health insurance, you can explore your options to find the most affordable approach to private medical cover. Before you give up on the possibility of getting inexpensive private care, compare quotes from a number of different insurance companies. Whilst some insurers will place a great importance on your hobbies, others do not assign as much weight to risky pastimes and may offer the cover you seek at a reasonable price.
Finding private health insurance quotes was very simple using this site. It only took us a few minutes to find a wonderful health policy. 
Harry and Sophie D, Leeds UK
