Compare Health Insurance

How do I compare health insurance in the UK?

Comparing health insurance does not have to be complicated. By following a structured approach, you can find a policy that matches your health needs and budget without overpaying for cover you will never use. Here is how to get started.

1. Step 1: Assess your health needs. Think about what matters most to you. Do you want fast access to a GP, cover for specialist consultations, or full inpatient surgery cover? Consider your family history and any ongoing health concerns. If you mainly want quick access to diagnostics and consultations, an outpatient-only plan could save you hundreds per year.
2. Step 2: Set your budget and choose your excess. Decide how much you can afford to pay each month. Remember that choosing a higher voluntary excess, for example £250 instead of £100, can reduce your premium by 10-20%. Balance your monthly cost against what you could comfortably pay if you needed to make a claim.
3. Step 3: Compare policies from multiple providers. Do not just look at the headline price. Check what each policy includes and excludes, paying close attention to hospital lists, outpatient limits, cancer cover and mental health provisions. A cheaper policy may leave significant gaps in your cover.
4. Step 4: Check the underwriting method. Providers use different approaches. Full medical underwriting asks detailed health questions upfront, so you know exactly what is covered from day one. Moratorium underwriting is quicker to set up but excludes any condition you have had symptoms of or treatment for in the past five years.
5. Step 5: Speak to a qualified advisor. A health insurance advisor can compare policies across the whole market and identify cover you might have missed or paid too much for. At Money Saving Advisors, our advice is free and comes with no obligation to buy.

What kind of health insurance do I need?

The right health insurance depends on your personal circumstances, your health history and who you want to cover. Below are the most common situations and the type of cover that typically works best for each.

Individual health insurance

If you are looking for cover just for yourself, an individual policy gives you the flexibility to choose your own level of cover, excess and hospital list. You can tailor it precisely to your needs without paying for features that only matter in a family or group context. Premiums start from around £50 per month for basic inpatient cover.

Couples health insurance

If you and your partner both want private medical cover, a joint policy can be more cost-effective than two separate plans. Many providers offer discounts of 5-10% for couples policies, and you only have one renewal date to manage. Read our guide to couples health insurance for a full comparison of joint versus individual options.

Health insurance for over 50s

As you get older, premiums increase and some providers may impose additional exclusions. However, this is also the age when private cover becomes most valuable, as NHS waiting times for conditions like hip and knee replacements can stretch beyond 18 months. Our over 50s health insurance guide explains how to find affordable cover and which providers specialise in older applicants.

Cover for pre-existing conditions

If you have an existing health condition such as diabetes, asthma or a heart condition, you may worry that you cannot get cover. Some providers do offer policies that cover pre-existing conditions, though usually with higher premiums or waiting periods. Our pre-existing conditions guide breaks down your options and which insurers are most flexible.

Business health insurance

If you run a company and want to provide health cover for your employees, business health insurance can reduce staff absence and improve recruitment. Premiums are a tax-deductible business expense, and group schemes are often cheaper per person than individual policies. See our business health insurance guide for details on group schemes and employer benefits.

Mental health cover

Mental health support has become a priority for many people choosing private cover. Not all policies include it, and those that do vary widely in what they offer, from a set number of therapy sessions to full psychiatric inpatient care. Our mental health cover guide explains what to look for and which providers offer the most comprehensive support.

What types of health insurance are there?

Health insurance comes in several forms, each designed to cover different levels of medical treatment. Understanding the differences helps you avoid paying for cover you do not need or, worse, finding out you are not covered when you need treatment most.

What costs should I expect with health insurance?

Understanding all the costs involved in health insurance helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises when you make a claim. Here are the main costs you should be aware of.

How much does health insurance cost in the UK?

The cost of health insurance varies significantly depending on your personal circumstances and the level of cover you choose. Several factors influence what you will pay each month.

• Your age: Premiums increase as you get older. A 30-year-old might pay £50-£80 per month for comprehensive cover, while a 60-year-old could pay £200-£350 for the same policy.
• Where you live: Premiums tend to be higher in London and the South East, where private treatment costs are greater. Living in the North of England or Scotland can reduce premiums by 10-20%.
• Level of cover: Inpatient-only cover is the cheapest option, starting from around £30 per month. Adding outpatient cover, therapies and mental health support increases premiums significantly.
• Hospital list: Choosing a guided or restricted hospital list rather than an open list reduces premiums by 10-30%, but limits your choice of hospitals and consultants.
• Excess amount: Opting for a higher voluntary excess, such as £250 or £500 per year, can reduce your premium by 15-25%.
• Underwriting type: Full medical underwriting often results in lower premiums than moratorium underwriting, because the insurer has a clearer picture of your risk profile from the start.
• Claims history: If you have a no-claims discount, your renewal premium will typically be lower. Some providers offer discounts of up to 65% for long claim-free periods.
• Smoker status: Smokers generally pay 15-30% more than non-smokers for the same level of cover.

What are the best tips for finding better health insurance?

Health insurance is one of those products where a little research can save you hundreds of pounds a year. These five tips will help you get more cover for less money.

1. Tip: Choose a six-week NHS wait option. Many insurers offer a reduced premium if you agree to wait six weeks on the NHS before claiming on your private policy. If the NHS cannot treat you within that window, your private cover kicks in. This can reduce premiums by 30-50% with very little practical difference for most conditions.
2. Tip: Review your hospital list carefully. Open hospital lists give you the widest choice but cost the most. If your preferred hospital or consultant is on a guided or restricted list, switching to that list could save you 10-30% without affecting your care. Check the list before you buy, not after.
3. Tip: Start young and protect your no-claims discount. Premiums are based on your age when you take out the policy and increase at renewal. Starting cover in your 30s rather than your 50s means lower premiums over your lifetime. A long no-claims history also earns significant discounts with most providers.
4. Tip: Do not automatically renew without comparing. Insurers typically increase premiums by 5-10% at renewal, often more than the rate of medical inflation. Get a fresh comparison each year. Even if you stay with the same provider, calling to negotiate can often secure a better deal.
5. Tip: Consider a cash plan alongside basic cover. If you want help with everyday costs like dental, optical and physiotherapy but cannot afford comprehensive cover, pairing a cheap inpatient-only policy with a cash plan gives you broad coverage at a fraction of the price. Cash plans cost as little as £5 per month and pay fixed amounts towards routine treatments.

How does health insurance work in the UK?

Health insurance is a contract between you and an insurer. You pay a monthly premium and, in return, the insurer covers the cost of eligible private medical treatment if you develop a new health condition during the policy term. Here is how the process works from start to finish.

Choosing and applying for a policy. You select a level of cover, choose your excess, and decide on features like hospital list, outpatient cover and therapies. During the application, you will either go through full medical underwriting, where you answer detailed questions about your health history, or moratorium underwriting, where no health questions are asked upfront but pre-existing conditions are excluded for the first two years.

When you need treatment. If you develop symptoms or your GP refers you for investigation, you contact your insurer to pre-authorise the treatment. The insurer checks that the condition is covered under your policy and confirms which hospitals and consultants you can use. Pre-authorisation is essential. If you go ahead with treatment without it, the insurer may refuse to pay.

Receiving treatment. Once authorised, you book your appointment or procedure at an approved hospital or clinic. Treatment is typically arranged within days or weeks, compared to months on the NHS. For inpatient treatment, the insurer usually pays the hospital directly. For outpatient claims, you may need to pay upfront and claim back.

Paying your excess. When you make a claim, you pay your excess first. Some policies apply the excess once per condition, while others apply it once per policy year regardless of how many claims you make. Check which model your policy uses, as it makes a significant difference if you have multiple claims in one year.

Renewal and ongoing cover. Health insurance renews annually. At renewal, your insurer will update your premium based on your age, claims history and medical inflation. Conditions that were treated during the policy year remain covered at renewal. You can switch providers, but any conditions that developed during the previous policy may be treated as pre-existing by a new insurer.