This is so tricky and it's the same conundrum for every insurance you buy, not just health.

I never thought we needed it either, but then I found out I had lymphoma and breast cancer completely out of the blue. Luckily we're living close to one of the major tertiary treatment hospitals in the country, because suddenly I was a public health patient in a big way. I was entirely lucky to 'score' 2 very good doctors, because there is no way we could have paid for the treatment I had without insurance in the private system.

Also, every year after you turn 35, health insurance gets progressively more expensive, in the event that you develop a health condition and decide you need the insurance after that age.