Vision insurance is often lumped into benefits packages as a must-have add-on. On the surface, it sounds like a smart investment—after all, you want to protect your eyesight, right? But here’s the reality: for many people, vision insurance just doesn’t offer the value it promises. In fact, it can often cost more than it saves.
Let’s unpack why vision insurance may not be worth it for most people.
1. It’s Not Really “Insurance”
Vision insurance is more like a discount plan than true insurance. Traditional insurance is designed to protect you from large, unexpected expenses—like a hospital stay or surgery. Vision plans, on the other hand, cover predictable, routine services like eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses.
You’re essentially pre-paying for services you may or may not use, and the amount of coverage is often tightly limited.
2. Limited Savings on Eye Exams
Most vision plans cover one eye exam per year. If you pay out of pocket, that exam typically costs between $75 and $150. But the premiums for vision insurance—often $10–$15 per month—add up to $120–$180 per year. You might only “break even” on the cost of an exam, if that.
If your eyes are generally healthy and you don’t need new glasses every year, you’re probably paying more than you’re saving.
3. Narrow Provider Networks
Vision plans often restrict you to a narrow network of providers. That means you might not be able to go to your preferred optometrist or eyewear retailer. If you venture outside the network, your benefits shrink significantly, sometimes to almost nothing.
In other words, you’re paying for “choice” and getting limitations.
4. Eyewear Allowances Are Often Low
Need a new pair of glasses? Your vision insurance probably offers a frame allowance—often around $120. But most decent frames cost more than that, and lenses (especially with upgrades like anti-glare or progressives) can cost several hundred dollars.
Once you factor in copays and out-of-pocket expenses, you may find you’re paying nearly the same as someone with no insurance at all.
5. Contact Lens Wearers Often Lose Out
Contact lenses are notoriously under-covered. Many plans force you to choose either contacts or glasses each year—not both. And the lens allowance is often less than the actual cost of a year’s supply of contacts.
So unless you have a very specific lens need and a very affordable supplier, you’re left footing most of the bill.
6. You Can Often Find Better Deals Without Insurance
Big-box retailers, online stores, and even some independent optometrists offer competitive pricing on exams and eyewear—sometimes even cheaper than using insurance. And with flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), you can still pay for vision care with pre-tax dollars, without being locked into an insurance plan.
So, Who Should Get Vision Insurance?
There are cases where vision insurance makes sense. If you have a large family where several people need exams and glasses every year, or if you have a diagnosed eye condition requiring regular visits, a vision plan might help defray those costs.
But for the average person with 20/20 vision or a stable prescription? You’re probably better off skipping the plan, budgeting for your eye care needs, and shopping around for the best deals.
Final Thoughts
Vision insurance sounds good in theory, but in practice, it’s often an overpriced discount plan wrapped in red tape. Before signing up, take a moment to crunch the numbers and ask yourself: Am I really getting more than I’m putting in?
For many people, the answer is a clear “no.”