Tempted to self-diagnose? The risks of buying insurance online.

Here’s an interesting fact; In the current ‘internet age’, every smartphone user has more information at their fingertips than the entire global population had just one generation ago.

Of course, having such vast quantities of information readily available has led to huge changes in the way we live life, communicate, spend money and find answers to our questions.

One of the trends emerging as a result of this change is medical self-diagnosis. Instead of going to the doctor and paying for a professional diagnosis, more and more people look online to find out about what their symptoms might mean, and what to do about them.

While this approach might save time and money, and be helpful in resolving minor medical issues, it’s a risky way to manage your health. After all, can you really trust the advice given in a generalised medical opinion, when the person giving the opinion has no knowledge of your specific circumstances and medical background? Of course not.

Fortunately, most people take a common-sense approach to more serious health complaints. They see a GP or specialist for accurate professional advice and follow a treatment plan designed specifically for their circumstances.

We believe that, in this day and age, the same principles apply to insurance advice.

You may have noticed a number of web-based insurance providers in the market. These ‘DIY’ solutions claim to deliver lower-cost premiums by taking the whole process of researching insurance quotes online.

While this might seem like a quick way to find a solution, in reality using an online provider exposes you to a much greater risk of choosing the wrong insurance policy. What might seem ‘cheap’ upfront can easily lead to an omission that becomes very expensive come claim time.

Why? Well, simply put, there is no way that an online form will be able to assess your unique needs as well as an insurance specialist.

Real advisers understand the real impact of a life-threatening illness or injury and can help you make a customised plan that offers financial certainty for your family, no matter what the future holds. They also understand the subtle differences in policy fine print and can recommend the best provider, product, and plan for your specific circumstances.

If ever you need to claim the benefits of your policy, a real adviser will also be there to answer your questions and liaise with the insurance company on your behalf.

While online insurance quotes may seem like a cheap and convenient solution, the reality is that people often choose the wrong product and, unfortunately, the mistake isn’t usually discovered until claim time.

So, if you’re wanting to compare insurance companies, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly advisers for an expert opinion.