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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Planning A Company Health Insurance Policy

Whether you're a small business or a large multinational, attracting the best employees in your sector is a crucial determinant of future commercial success. That's why so many companies offer their workforce a range of benefits, from generous holiday allowances to discounted gym membership or season ticket loans. Such incentives are believed to help attract bright candidates for job openings, as well as increasing overall employee satisfaction.

However, one benefit that employees in the UK are increasingly seeking is a company health insurance policy. The extent of the cover offered by one of these policies may vary from basic dental and everyday health costs to a comprehensive package that covers family members too. If you're a business owner and you're considering offering your employees private health insurance, here's a few tips to bear in mind.

Get Advice From An Insurance Broker

If you've come across an insurance company that offers company health insurance, approaching them for a quote may seem like the logical next step. But while this may be the easiest course of action, it's not usually the most cost effective. Instead, turn to an independent insurance broker or health insurance comparison website for an overview of the most competitive quotes in the marketplace.

Consider The Size Of Your Workforce

With the help of a broker, you should be able to find a well-priced company health insurance policy that meets the needs of your business. However, if you run a very small business with fewer than five employees, it may make more sense to take out individual cover for each person. That's because the cost of health insurance is based on risk - the higher the risk posed to the insurance company, the more expensive the policy will be.

In larger companies, risk is spread across the workforce thus ensuring that you'll get a better deal on the cost of a health insurance policy per employee. Some insurers may also offer a group discount for companies with more than five employees, and a good insurance broker should be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Geographic Factors

Another factor that may affect the cost of your company health insurance is your postcode. Businesses in London, for instance, are likely to find it more expensive to insure their employees than companies in Edinburgh or Manchester. So if you have offices in several locations around the UK, the cost of insuring all your employees may vary significantly.

The Reach Of Your Company Health Insurance Policy

Finally, it's important to decide exactly what you want to offer - for example, a cash plan covering basic health costs like dental or physiotherapy treatments, or a more detailed policy that covers health check-ups and hospital stays. You may also wish to consider covering each employee's spouse or live-in partner and children as an added benefit, or at least give them the option of extending their cover themselves.

By Harvey McEwan

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