Michelle was paying $421 a month for health insurance. She compared and banked almost $3k in benefits
Key takeaways
- Despite rising premiums, only 16% of people regularly switch health insurers to save money.
- A quick comparison on Finder saved one family nearly $3,000 through lower premiums, rewards and bonus offers while maintaining similar cover.
- What's next: Current offers include Visa gift cards and up to 12 weeks free – but offers end June 30, 2026.
When Michelle's private health insurance premium jumped on April 1 this year, she decided it was finally time to see what else was available.
She and her family had been with the same insurer for years, and were paying $377.99 a month. Following the annual premium increase, her monthly premium rose to $420.96 a month – an extra $515 a year for the exact same cover.
"I knew health insurance premiums were going up," Michelle says, "but seeing the new amount come out of our account was a bit of a shock." "
Like many families, Michelle and her husband consider private health insurance an important part of their household budget. But recently, she became one of the 16% of Aussies who regularly switch to keep costs down.
"Having health insurance gives us peace of mind knowing our two children, as well as ourselves, have access to immediate, high-quality medical care for unexpected illnesses or injuries without straining our budget," she says.
"It's also important for us to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge."
After reviewing her insurance needs and comparing a few different policies, Michelle switched to AHM, paying $296.20 a month. She compared using Finder and switched to a Finder Reward offer.
Michelle's monthly savings at a glance
- Previous premium: $378 per month
- Premium after April 1 increase: $421 per month
- New premium with AHM: $296 per month
- Monthly saving: $125
For Michelle, the experience was a reminder that loyalty doesn't always pay when it comes to insurance.
"I assumed I couldn't get a better deal because it was the best deal at the time when I signed up, and I thought switching to a cheaper deal would mean I'd end up with less cover. But it was much easier than I expected," she says.
Health insurance premiums typically increase each April. Health insurers will offer competitive deals for a short while afterwards to get your business.
While the cheapest policy isn't always the best option, now is the time to lock in the best value for you.
In Michelle's case, taking the time to compare resulted in benefits and savings worth almost $3,000, while maintaining her peace of mind that private health insurance provides her family.
Michelle's total savings & benefits
- Monthly saving on the premium: $125
- Finder bonus: $300 Visa gift card
- AHM bonus: $820
- 12 weeks free cover (6 weeks immediately, 6 weeks after 12 months)
- Total over 15 months: $2,895
Right now get up to 12 weeks free cover with AHM, and Finder Rewards will throw in up to $500 in Visa gift cards - hurry, offer ends June 30, 2026.
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