Recent research by Laing & Buisson shows that however good or bad the economic climate, private medical insurance normally remains fairly unaffected.

The research shows, that despite the current economic situation, the number of people insured in 2007 rose by 2.4% despite a previous small decline. Over the past 10 years, despite the varying economic climate, the percentage of the population covered by medical insurance, individually and part of a corporate scheme, has remained steady at around 12%.

Demand for individual medical insurance has however fallen steadily over this period, with the sales being replaced by company schemes, leading to the overall level of growth.

2008 started well for medical insures, with many of the key names in the business posting good results for the first two quarters of the year.