Your health and wellbeing matters. So we work with the UK’s top health insurers to search for the best possible quotes for you.
Our outstanding team of friendly, expert advisers is available by phone and email, ready to guide you effortlessly through the whole process. We will get to know your unique individual requirements, do all the hard work comparing prices and policies for you, and then advise on the best and most cost-effective quote for you.
BENEFITS
Why choose us
If you’d like to jump ahead of NHS waiting lists, private health insurance can help you be seen quicker by giving you fast access to GP appointments and medical specialists which can be valuable when it comes to surgical treatment
Private healthcare providers often have access to a wider range of specialists, which can be important for patients with complex medical conditions.
With private health insurance, you’re likely to get quicker access to physiotherapy sessions than you would through NHS treatment
You’ll be able to ask your GP to refer you to an expert or specialist working privately, so you can get a second opinion or specialist treatment
You may have a choice of specialist surgeons and be able to choose your hospital, which isn’t possible on the NHS
Insurer panel
WHAT IS IT ?
Most people in the UK are entitled to free healthcare as part of the NHS. However, that does not mean that private medical aid does not have its benefits.
Health insurance pays some or all of your medical bills when you are treated privately. It will give you a choice on the level of care you get and how and when it is provided. This is not required insurance as you can still get private medical care without it. However, this is usually extremely expensive, and if you plan to have private treatment, then health insurance is worth it.
In most cases healthcare insurance will not cover private treatment for:
As is the case with all insurance, healthcare insurance coverage depends on the policy that you buy.
Basic private medical insurance will pay for the cost of most in-patient treatments (test and surgeries) and any day-care surgeries.
Some policies will stretch to covering out-patient treatments, such as specialists and consultants, and may pay you a small, fixed amount for each night spent in an NHS hospital.
Individual health insurance, also known as private medical insurance (PMI), is personal healthcare cover that you purchase for yourself (and optionally your family) to access private medical treatment in the UK.
Unlike the NHS, which is free at the point of use, individual health insurance provides:
• Faster access to diagnosis and treatment – bypassing NHS waiting lists
• Choice of consultant and hospital – you decide where and when you’re treated
• Private rooms and enhanced facilities – comfortable, private accommodation during treatment
• Flexible appointment times – evening and weekend consultations available
• Access to advanced treatments – including medications not available on the NHS
• Comprehensive cancer care – from diagnosis through treatment and aftercare
Individual health insurance covers you for acute conditions (new illnesses or injuries) that develop after your policy starts. It’s designed to complement, not replace, the NHS – emergency care is still provided by the NHS.
Based on 2025 market data, the average costs for individual health insurance are:
Basic Cover (inpatient treatment only):
• Age 20-30: £28 – £45 per month
• Age 30-40: £35 – £65 per month
• Age 40-50: £55 – £95 per month
• Age 50-60: £85 – £145 per month
• Age 60-70: £140 – £220 per month
• Age 70+: £220 – £350+ per month
Comprehensive Cover (includes outpatient treatment, diagnostics, therapy):
• Age 20-30: £45 – £75 per month
• Age 30-40: £60 – £100 per month
• Age 40-50: £90 – £150 per month
• Age 50-60: £135 – £215 per month
• Age 60-70: £210 – £320 per month
• Age 70+: £320 – £500+ per month
Factors That Affect Your Premium:
• Your age (premiums increase as you get older)
• Where you live (London and South East are typically 15-30% more expensive)
• Smoking status (smokers may pay 5-15% more with some insurers)
• Level of cover (basic vs comprehensive)
• Voluntary excess chosen (higher excess = lower premium)
• Hospital list selection (wider choice = higher premium)
• Optional add-ons (dental, mental health, therapies)
Example: A healthy 35-year-old non-smoker in Manchester might pay around £55-£75 per month for mid-range cover with a £250 excess, while the same person in central London might pay £75-£95 per month.
We compare quotes from all major UK insurers to find you the best value for your specific circumstances.
Most individual health insurance policies cover acute conditions – these are new illnesses or injuries that develop after your policy starts and can be cured or significantly improved with treatment.
Standard Coverage Typically Includes:
Inpatient Treatment:
• Hospital accommodation in a private room
• Surgeon, anaesthetist, and theatre fees
• Diagnostic tests and scans (MRI, CT, X-rays)
• Prescribed medications during hospital stay
• Nursing care
• Accommodation for a parent (if your child requires treatment)
Day-Patient Treatment:
• Surgical procedures not requiring overnight stay
• Investigations and diagnostic procedures
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Cancer Care (usually included as standard):
• Full cancer diagnosis
• Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy
• Biological and hormone therapies
• Prescribed cancer medications
• Follow-up consultations and monitoring
• Access to specialist oncologists
Additional Benefits (depending on your policy level):
Outpatient Cover (optional on basic policies, included in comprehensive):
• Consultant consultations and appointments
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy sessions
• Minor surgical procedures
• Specialist referrals
Mental Health Support:
• Psychiatric consultations
• Psychological therapy (typically 10-20 sessions per year)
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Inpatient psychiatric treatment
Complementary Therapies (on some policies):
• Physiotherapy
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic treatment
• Acupuncture
• Podiatry
Optional Add-Ons Available:
• Dental cover
• Optical cover
• Extended mental health support
• Health screenings and preventative care
• Travel insurance
• Pregnancy and childbirth care (some insurers)
Every policy is different, so we’ll help you understand exactly what you’re covered for before you commit.
Individual health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions, but there are standard exclusions across most policies:
Pre-Existing Conditions:
Medical conditions you had symptoms, treatment, or advice for before your policy started are typically excluded or subject to moratorium underwriting (explained below).
Standard Exclusions:
• Emergency treatment (always use A&E/999)
• Chronic conditions requiring ongoing management (e.g., diabetes, asthma – though acute flare-ups may be covered)
• Pregnancy and childbirth (unless specifically added)
• Cosmetic surgery (unless reconstructive following illness/accident)
• Infertility treatment and IVF
• Routine dental and optical care (unless added as optional extra)
• Routine health screening (unless included in your policy)
• Organ transplants
• Gender reassignment
• Weight loss surgery (unless medically necessary)
• Sports injuries from professional sports
• Self-inflicted injuries
• War and terrorism-related injuries
• Treatment abroad (unless specifically covered)
• Experimental or unproven treatments
COVID-19:
Most insurers don’t cover COVID-19 treatment, as this is managed by the NHS. However, some policies offer an NHS cash benefit if you’re hospitalised with COVID-19.
HIV/AIDS:
Treatment for HIV/AIDS is typically excluded, as NHS specialist centres provide world-leading care free of charge.
Always review your policy document carefully to understand your specific coverage and exclusions. We’re here to explain anything that’s unclear.
This depends on the underwriting option you choose when taking out your policy:
Moratorium Underwriting (Most Common):
How it works:
• No medical questions asked when you apply
• Any condition you’ve had symptoms, treatment, or medication for in the 5 years before your policy starts is automatically excluded
• After 2 consecutive years with no symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition, it may become covered
Benefits:
• Quick and easy application
• No medical disclosure required upfront
• Lower premiums than full medical underwriting
• Conditions you’ve been clear of for 2+ years are covered immediately
Drawbacks:
• You won’t know exactly what’s excluded until you claim
• Recent conditions will definitely be excluded initially
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU):
How it works:
• You complete a detailed medical history questionnaire
• The insurer reviews your conditions and decides what to cover
• Some conditions may be permanently excluded
• Other conditions may be covered after a specific period
Benefits:
• Complete clarity on what is and isn’t covered from day one
• Conditions cleared by the insurer are covered immediately
• No surprise exclusions when you claim
Drawbacks:
• More paperwork and longer application process
• Some conditions may be permanently excluded
• Slightly higher premiums than moratorium
Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME):
How it works:
• If you’re switching from another insurer, you can transfer your existing underwriting terms
• Any exclusions from your old policy continue
• Any conditions covered by your old policy remain covered
Medical History Disregarded (MHD):
• Typically only available for group/corporate schemes (not individual policies)
• All pre-existing conditions covered from day one
• Significantly more expensive
• Usually requires minimum number of employees (10-15+)
Some insurers now offer limited pre-existing condition cover:
• General & Medical, for example, allows you to add specific pre-defined conditions for an additional premium
• Cover is subject to annual limits (typically starting at £1,000, increasing to £10,000 over 10 years with no claims)
We’ll help you choose the right underwriting option for your circumstances and explain exactly what will and won’t be covered.
NHS waiting lists have grown significantly in recent years due to multiple factors:
Current Statistics (as of 2024-2025):
• Over 7.3 million people waiting for treatment
• Average wait for elective surgery: 15-18 weeks
• Some patients waiting 12+ months for procedures
• Cancer waiting time targets frequently missed
• GP appointment waits: often 2-4 weeks
• Mental health services: waits of 3-12+ months
Contributing Factors:
• COVID-19 pandemic backlogs
• Staff shortages across all NHS services
• Increased demand from aging population
• Chronic underfunding in certain areas
• Rising complexity of treatments required
Private health insurance provides an alternative pathway, allowing you to:
• See consultants within days, not months
• Have diagnostic scans within a week
• Schedule surgery at a time convenient for you
• Avoid deterioration while waiting
• Reduce pain and discomfort during wait times
• Get back to work and normal life faster
The NHS remains excellent for emergency care and critical treatments – private health insurance simply provides faster access to planned procedures and consultations.
One of the main benefits of private health insurance is speed of access:
Typical Timeframes:
Initial GP Consultation:
• Often same-day or next-day appointments available
• Many policies include 24/7 GP helplines
• Video consultations available
Consultant Appointment:
• Usually within 5-10 days of requesting
• Often available within 48 hours for urgent cases
• Evening and weekend appointments available
Diagnostic Scans (MRI, CT, Ultrasound):
• Typically within 3-7 days
• Sometimes available same or next day
• Results usually within 24-48 hours
Surgery or Treatment:
• Non-urgent procedures: typically 2-4 weeks
• Urgent cases: often within days
• You choose the date and time that suits you
Compare this to NHS waits:
• GP appointment: 1-3 weeks
• Consultant appointment: 8-20 weeks after GP referral
• Diagnostic scans: 4-12 weeks
• Surgery: 12-52+ weeks from diagnosis
Example scenario:
You develop persistent knee pain. With private health insurance, you could see your GP within 24 hours, have an MRI scan within a week, see an orthopaedic consultant within 10 days, and have surgery within a month if needed – all while choosing your surgeon and hospital.
Yes, this is one of the key benefits of private health insurance. The level of choice depends on your policy:
Hospital Lists:
Basic/Community Hospital List:
• Access to local private hospitals and clinics
• Typically includes regional facilities
• Lowest premium option
• Usually sufficient for most treatments
Standard/Extended Hospital List:
• Wider choice of hospitals nationally
• Access to more prestigious facilities
• Mid-range premium
• Greater flexibility for complex treatments
Premium/Prestige Hospital List:
• UK’s top private hospitals included
• London teaching hospitals (like The Portland, Wellington, etc.)
• Leading regional hospitals
• Highest premium, but maximum choice
Consultant Choice:
• You can choose any consultant on your insurer’s recognised list
• Insurers work with thousands of specialists across all medical fields
• You can research consultants’ experience and expertise
• Second opinions are usually covered
• You can request specific consultants recommended by your GP
Many policies also allow you to:
• Choose your own physiotherapist
• Select your preferred diagnostic centre
• Pick convenient appointment times
• Request specific surgical techniques
• Access specialists not available on the NHS
This level of choice and control over your healthcare is impossible on the NHS, where you’re assigned to whichever consultant and hospital has availability.
Yes, individual health insurance is completely portable and independent of your employment:
Key Benefits of Individual Policies:
Employment Independence:
• Your cover continues regardless of job changes
• No need to re-apply or undergo new medical underwriting
• Your no-claims bonus continues to build
• All covered conditions remain covered
Retirement Protection:
• Your policy continues after retirement
• Premiums increase with age, but at the same rate
• No need to find new insurance when you need it most
• Lifelong cover available with most insurers
vs. Company Health Insurance:
• Group policies end when you leave the company
• You lose cover at a vulnerable time (job changes)
• You’ll need to re-apply with new underwriting (older and potentially with more conditions)
• No continuity of care for ongoing treatments
Switching to Individual Cover from Company Insurance:
If you currently have company health insurance and want to maintain cover independently:
1. Apply for individual cover while still employed
2. Use CPME (Continued Personal Medical Exclusions) to transfer your underwriting terms
3. Any conditions already covered remain covered
4. You won’t face new exclusions
5. Your policy begins before your company policy ends
Recommended approach:
Take out individual cover while you’re young and healthy. Premiums are lower, and you’ll have fewer exclusions. This provides lifelong security regardless of employment changes.
Yes, most insurers offer family policies with significant discounts:
Individual vs. Family Policies:
Individual Policy:
• Covers just you
• Cheapest option for singles
Couples Policy:
• Covers you and your partner (married or cohabiting)
• Typically 5-10% cheaper than two individual policies
• Shared policy makes administration simpler
Family Policy:
• Covers two adults plus children
• Children often included free or at significant discount
• Usually covers all dependent children under 18-21
• Some insurers extend to 25 if children are in full-time education
Typical Family Premiums (2025):
Basic Family Cover:
• Couple (both aged 35): £70 – £110 per month
• Couple (both aged 45): £110 – £170 per month
• Couple (both aged 55): £170 – £260 per month
Family of Four (2 adults + 2 children):
• Adults aged 35: £85 – £130 per month
• Adults aged 45: £130 – £200 per month
• Adults aged 55: £200 – £300 per month
Children’s Cover:
Most insurers offer generous children’s benefits:
• Free cover for children under certain ages (often up to 10-16 years old)
• Significantly discounted premiums for older children
• Full adult benefits included (not reduced cover)
• Covers acute childhood illnesses and injuries
• Some policies include dental and optical care for children
Important Notes:
• Each family member is covered individually
• Pre-existing conditions assessed separately
• No-claims bonuses apply to the whole policy
• You can usually add or remove family members during the policy year
Single Parent Families:
Most insurers offer parent-and-children policies without requiring two adults, making cover accessible and affordable for single-parent households.
A voluntary excess is an amount you agree to pay towards each claim before your insurance covers the rest. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce your premiums.
How It Works:
Example Scenario:
• You have a £500 voluntary excess
• You need treatment costing £5,000
• You pay the first £500
• Your insurer pays the remaining £4,500
Per Policy Year:
Most insurers apply the excess once per policy year, not per claim:
• First claim: You pay the excess
• Subsequent claims in the same year: Fully covered (no additional excess)
Some insurers have different structures, so always check your policy terms.
Common Excess Amounts:
• £0 (no excess) – highest premiums
• £100 – small premium saving
• £250 – moderate premium saving (10-15% reduction)
• £500 – significant premium saving (20-30% reduction)
• £1,000 – substantial premium saving (30-40% reduction)
• £2,000+ – maximum premium saving (40-50%+ reduction)
Example Premium Impact (age 40, comprehensive cover):
• £0 excess: £95 per month
• £250 excess: £81 per month (15% saving = £168/year)
• £500 excess: £71 per month (25% saving = £288/year)
• £1,000 excess: £62 per month (35% saving = £396/year)
Choosing Your Excess:
Consider:
• How much you can comfortably afford to pay if you need treatment
• How likely you are to claim (your health, age, lifestyle)
• Your monthly budget vs. potential one-off payment
Strategy:
If you’re young, healthy, and unlikely to claim, a higher excess (£500-£1,000) significantly reduces premiums. If you have ongoing health concerns or lower savings, a lower excess (£0-£250) provides more predictable costs.
Some insurers also offer:
• No excess on cancer treatment
• No excess on outpatient consultations
• Reduced excess for children
We’ll help you choose the optimal excess level for your circumstances.
Yes, most modern individual health insurance policies include mental health cover, though the extent varies:
Standard Mental Health Coverage:
Psychiatric Treatment:
• Inpatient psychiatric care (hospital admissions for severe conditions)
• Typically 28-60 days per policy year
• Treatment for acute mental health crises
• Consultant psychiatrist appointments
Psychological Therapies:
• Outpatient therapy sessions with clinical psychologists
• Typically 10-20 sessions per policy year
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Counselling for specific conditions
• Psychotherapy
Conditions Typically Covered:
• Clinical depression
• Acute anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
• Bipolar disorder (acute episodes)
• Postnatal depression
Enhanced Mental Health Cover:
Some insurers (particularly Vitality and Bupa) now offer enhanced mental health benefits:
• 24/7 mental health helplines
• Video therapy sessions
• Mental health apps and digital support
• Unlimited therapy sessions (some policies)
• Proactive mental health assessments
• Self-referral (no GP referral needed)
• Cover for stress and burnout
Exclusions:
Most policies won’t cover:
• Pre-existing mental health conditions (subject to underwriting)
• Personality disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Substance abuse and addiction treatment
• Long-term chronic mental health conditions requiring lifelong management
NHS vs. Private Mental Health Care:
NHS Mental Health Services:
• Long waiting times (3-12+ months common)
• Limited session numbers
• Restricted access to therapists
• Group therapy often the only option
Private Mental Health Care:
• Appointments within days
• Choice of therapist
• One-to-one sessions
• More flexible scheduling
• Greater continuity of care
Mental health is increasingly recognised as essential healthcare, and private insurance provides significantly faster access to treatment when you’re struggling.
Yes, you have strong consumer rights when it comes to cancelling health insurance:
Cooling-Off Period:
14-Day Right to Cancel:
• All UK health insurance policies must offer a minimum 14-day cooling-off period
• Some insurers offer 30 days
• Starts from the date you receive your policy documents or the policy start date (whichever is later)
• Full refund if you haven’t made any claims
• No questions asked
How to Cancel During Cooling-Off:
1. Contact your insurer or broker
2. Confirm cancellation in writing (email is fine)
3. Refund processed within 14-30 days
4. Premium payments stop immediately
After the Cooling-Off Period:
If you need to cancel after the cooling-off period:
No Claims Made:
• Most insurers provide a pro-rata refund
• You’re refunded for unused months
• Small administration charge may apply (typically £25-£50)
Claims Made:
• Refund policies vary by insurer
• Some provide no refund if you’ve claimed
• Others provide pro-rata refund minus claim costs
• Check your policy terms
Switching Providers:
Better Practice:
• Wait until your renewal date to switch
• Avoid cancellation charges
• Maintain continuous cover
• Transfer underwriting terms to new insurer
Emergency Cancellation:
If circumstances change (e.g., you get company health insurance through a new job):
1. Contact your insurer immediately
2. Explain your situation
3. Request cancellation
4. Most insurers are understanding and flexible
Important Notes:
• Always maintain some form of health insurance
• Don’t cancel before your new policy starts
• Consider keeping cover even with company insurance (for job security)
• Cancelling and restarting later means new underwriting (older, potentially more exclusions)
Health insurance policies typically run for 12 months, then automatically renew:
Automatic Renewal:
How It Works:
• Your policy renews automatically each year
• You’ll receive a renewal notice 21-30 days before
• New premium will be quoted
• Direct Debit continues unless you cancel
• No need to re-apply or answer medical questions
Why Premiums Increase at Renewal:
Your premium may increase due to:
• Age (single biggest factor – premiums rise as you get older)
• Medical inflation (cost of treatment increases annually, typically 8-12%)
• Insurer’s claims experience (if they’ve paid out more than expected)
• Changes to your policy or benefits
• Postcode changes (if you’ve moved)
Typical Annual Increases:
• Age 20-40: 3-8% per year
• Age 40-60: 8-15% per year
• Age 60+: 10-20%+ per year
No-Claims Discount:
Many insurers reward claim-free years:
• Typically 10-30% discount after 1-5 claim-free years
• Builds up to maximum discount
• Lost if you make a claim (though some insurers offer discount protection)
• Valuable benefit that significantly reduces long-term costs
Example:
Year 1 premium: £600
No claims made
Year 2 premium with 10% no-claims discount: £594 (despite age and medical inflation increases)
What to Do at Renewal:
1. Review Your Renewal Notice:
• Check your new premium
• Review any changes to benefits
• Confirm your details are correct
2. Compare the Market:
• Get quotes from other insurers
• We can help you compare prices
• Consider both cost and benefits
3. Negotiate:
• Contact your current insurer
• Ask if they can improve the price
• Mention competitor quotes
• Many insurers offer retention discounts
4. Switch or Stay:
• Use CPME if switching to maintain coverage of existing conditions
• Never cancel before new policy starts
• Ensure no gap in coverage
5. Update Your Policy:
• Add or remove family members
• Adjust your excess
• Change hospital list
• Add or remove optional benefits
Renewal Best Practices:
• Review your policy annually
• Don’t just accept automatic renewal
• Shop around every 2-3 years
• Use a broker to access exclusive deals
• Maintain continuous cover
We offer annual renewal reviews to all our clients, ensuring you always have the best value cover for your needs.
