<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One-in-five </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australians"><span>Australians</span></a><span> regret not taking out private health insurance after being stung by an unexpected medical expense.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A new survey by comparison website </span><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Finder"><span>Finder</span></a><span> has revealed 12 per cent of Australians felt the regret when faced with a minor health matter such as a dental visit, while seven per cent wished they had taken out cover after they were faced with a major health issue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Finder personal finance and insurance specialist Taylor Blackburn said a lack of insurance has forced some Australians to dip into savings, go into debt or delay treatment.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-live-updates-porepunkah-police-shootings-latest-news-headlines/c81f2d34-62f7-4fa2-b516-801af339aed3"><strong><span>Freeman's final moments revealed after cop killer shot dead</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>FUEL CRISIS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/petrol-prices-australia-poll-shows-voters-blame-donald-trump-for-fuel-crisis/7a6210ea-4299-4ed2-8cdf-4256bd604a0f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Poll reveals who Australians blame for petrol woes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Millions of Aussies have found themselves in the lurch after an out-of-the-blue diagnosis," Blackburn said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The absence of cover can turn a health scare into a full-blown financial crisis.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/money-news-new-research-finds-oneinfive-australians-regret-not-taking-out-private-health-insurance/e973c702-a104-4ec6-a284-d45f07b8136e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> "People delay taking out private health insurance to save on premiums, only to be hit with huge bills when they need an unexpected procedure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That short-term saving becomes an expensive mistake for some households."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The survey found Gen Z were most likely to regret being underinsured when faced with a major health event, compared to just compared to one per cent of baby boomers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Seven per cent of millennials told the comparison website they wished they had taken out a policy sooner due to a major health issue, while only three per cent of Gen X expressed the same regret.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Health Minister Mark Butler </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-2026-biggest-average-premium-hike-since-2017-to-push-many-households-to-the-edge/e1206a6b-0f7b-44ad-b415-e6d6bf48be17" rel="" target="_blank" title="approved a 4.41 per cent average premium increase"><span>approved a 4.41 per cent average premium increase</span></a><span> in February, which will come into effect from April 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Finder, Australians with private health insurance currently pay $238 per month for their coverage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Based on this average, an increase of 4.41 per cent would see Australians having to pay $126 more per year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.</span></em></div></div>