Bargain hunting

Sales of private medical insurance (PMI) have remained relatively stagnant over the past few years, with the number of subscribers decreasing by only 1% in 2003 following a 0.4% fall the previous year, according to Laing & Buisson's latest annual survey. It is expected this trend will continue in 2004. While medical innovations and the perceived complexity of the product have to an extent dampened the take-up of PMI, cost is still the main factor behind low sales figures. "Cost is the biggest hurdle," says Stephen Walker, chief executive at Medical Insurance Services. And most consumers...