Compare health insurance quotes compare

When comparing health insurance quotes, there are several key features to look at beyond just the monthly premium.

• Inpatient cover: This pays for treatment that requires a hospital stay, including surgery, tests, and aftercare. All health insurance policies include inpatient cover, but the hospital list and room type can vary significantly between providers.
• Outpatient cover: This covers consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments that do not require an overnight stay. Not all policies include outpatient cover as standard, and adding it can increase your premium by 30% to 50%.
• Mental health cover: Some policies include access to therapists and psychiatric treatment, while others exclude mental health entirely. Check the annual limits, which typically range from £1,000 to £5,000.
• Cancer cover: Most policies cover cancer treatment, but the extent varies. Look for full cancer cover that includes advanced therapies and aftercare.
• Excess amounts: Choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay before the insurer pays) reduces your premium. Typical excess options range from £0 to £500 per claim or per year.

Check which hospitals are included on the provider's hospital list, as this directly affects where you can receive treatment.

Health insurance costs vary significantly depending on your circumstances. As a rough guide, individual cover in the UK typically costs between £50 and £200 per month. Couples can expect to pay £100 to £350 per month, while family policies usually range from £150 to £500 per month.

Several factors influence the price you are quoted. Age is the biggest single factor: a 30-year-old might pay £40 to £60 per month for a mid-range policy, while a 60-year-old could pay £150 to £250 for the same level of cover. Where you live also matters, with London and the South East typically 10% to 20% more expensive than other regions.

The level of cover you choose has a direct impact on cost. A basic inpatient-only policy costs significantly less than a comprehensive plan with outpatient, dental, and optical cover. You can reduce your premium by choosing a higher voluntary excess, opting for a six-week NHS wait option (where you only use private treatment if the NHS waiting time exceeds six weeks), or selecting a guided hospital list rather than an extended one.

For more detail on pricing, read our guide to the cost of health insurance.

The UK health insurance market has several established providers, each with different strengths. Here is a brief overview of the main ones to consider.

Bupa is the largest private health insurer in the UK, covering around 2.5 million people. Bupa owns and operates its own hospitals and clinics, which can mean faster access to treatment. Policies start from around £45 per month for basic cover.

AXA Health offers flexible policies with a range of optional extras. AXA is known for competitive pricing and strong digital tools, including a 24/7 GP helpline and health-tracking app.

Aviva provides health insurance alongside its other financial products and is particularly popular for family cover. Aviva offers a 14-day cooling-off period and covers some pre-existing conditions after a two-year moratorium period.

Vitality takes a different approach by rewarding healthy behaviour with discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, and other perks through its Vitality Programme.

WPA is a not-for-profit insurer that reinvests its surplus into member benefits, often resulting in competitive premiums and high claim acceptance rates.

For a detailed comparison, see our guide to the best health insurance providers in the UK.

Several factors influence the health insurance quote you receive. Understanding these can help you find better value and avoid surprises.

Age: Premiums increase with age because older people are statistically more likely to need medical treatment. Most providers review your premium annually, and costs typically rise by 5% to 10% each year as you get older. If you are over 50, specialist policies may offer better value. Read our guide to health insurance for over 50s.

Medical history: Your existing and previous health conditions affect your cover and premium. Insurers use either full medical underwriting (where you declare your full history upfront) or moratorium underwriting (where pre-existing conditions are excluded for a set period, usually two years). Learn more about health insurance with pre-existing conditions.

Location: Where you live affects the cost of private medical treatment in your area. London postcodes attract the highest premiums.

Smoking status: Smokers typically pay 15% to 30% more than non-smokers for the same level of cover.

Occupation: Some providers offer discounts for certain professions, while higher-risk occupations may face additional loading on their premiums.

These factors interact with each other, which is why personalised quotes from a whole-of-market advisor give you a more accurate picture than online estimates.

Choosing the right level of health insurance cover means balancing what you need with what you can afford. Most policies fall into three broad tiers.

Basic (inpatient only): Covers treatment that requires a hospital stay, including surgery, cancer treatment, and diagnostic tests. This is the most affordable option and typically costs 40% to 60% less than comprehensive cover. It is a good starting point if you mainly want protection against serious conditions and long NHS waiting times.

Mid-range (inpatient plus outpatient): Adds cover for consultations, specialist appointments, physiotherapy, and diagnostic scans that do not require a hospital stay. Outpatient cover is useful if you want faster access to GP referrals and specialist opinions.

Comprehensive: Includes everything in mid-range plus extras such as dental, optical, mental health, and therapies cover. These policies cost more but provide the broadest protection.

You can also adjust your cover by choosing your excess level. A higher excess reduces your monthly premium. For example, increasing your excess from £100 to £250 could save you 15% to 20% on your premium. Read more about how excesses work in health insurance.

If you are considering whether private cover is right for you, our guide on health insurance vs the NHS explains the key differences.