Get your ducks in a row

It’s usually followed with a rationale that looks something like:

We already have a great public healthcare system.

I’m young and in great health.

I’d rather spend my money on things I need right now.

And, while we try to be fun at parties, we feel obliged to tell them exactly why they need health insurance.

Australia enjoys one of the best health systems in the world – no argument about that. But one of the things that makes it so great is the complementary role of both the public and private healthcare systems. Each has its place and we all benefit from both.

If you’re lucky enough to be in good health – well done you! But there’s more to health insurance than that. While you're well it’s easy to ignore the notion of hospitals and surgeries. However, if the last few months have shown us anything, it’s that things can change in the blink of an eye.

Health insurance isn’t just for when things go wrong. It’s all part of getting those ducks in a row. Protecting your health is just as important as looking after other essential assets like building your super nest egg, owning your car and buying your first home.

Private health insurance puts you in charge of your life. Need glasses? A filling? Want massage to work through that knot in your back, or physio to figure out why it hurts when you run? With the myriad little challenges that life throws at you, you can relax, knowing you can have it taken care of straight away with your extras health insurance. And if something more serious pops up and you require hospital treatment or surgery, you can usually choose your doctor and have some say in when you receive treatment.

So, to those people who ask us at barbecues – and those who have been coming to us for decades for advice on all things health-related – private health cover is an investment in peace of mind and ownership over your life. It’s the knowledge that you’re in control, no matter what life has in store for you next.