Health insurance is the single most consequential financial decision most Nigerian families make in any given year — and the one they spend the least time researching. This guide is the version of the conversation we wish we could have with every customer who asks us “which HMO is good?”
Six things to look for
- Hospital network density in your city. Not just the count — the proximity to where you live, work, and where your children go to school.
- Pre-authorisation process. How fast can your provider get cover authorised for a procedure? 24 hours? 72? Ask.
- Annual limit and per-event sub-limits. A ₦2m annual limit sounds generous until you discover the surgery sub-limit is ₦300k.
- Maternity cover. Read this section letter by letter, especially the waiting period.
- Dental and optical cover. Often capped tightly. Confirm the cap.
- Customer-service responsiveness. Call the helpline before you buy. Notice how long they take to answer.
Six red flags
- Vague answers to specific questions about your nearest hospital
- No clear written waiting period for maternity, dental or pre-existing conditions
- Pricing significantly cheaper than market median (someone is being underpaid — usually the hospitals)
- Pre-authorisation requirements for everything (suggests a culture of declining claims)
- No mobile app or WhatsApp channel
- Customer service that doesn't answer on a Saturday