What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance is a policy that covers the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions. It gives you faster access to specialists, diagnostic tests, and surgery without relying on NHS waiting lists.

How much does private health insurance cost in the UK?

Premiums typically range from £50 to £150 per month for an individual, depending on your age, medical history, level of cover, and chosen excess. Family policies cost more but often offer better value than insuring each person separately.

Does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Most standard policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Some providers offer moratorium-based underwriting where pre-existing conditions may become covered after a period without symptoms or treatment, typically two years.

Can I use private health insurance alongside the NHS?

Yes. Many policyholders use the NHS for routine care and their private cover for specialist referrals, elective surgery, or when NHS waiting times are long. Some policies include a six-week NHS wait option to reduce premiums.

What is the difference between an excess and a co-payment?

An excess is a fixed amount you pay towards each claim or policy year before your insurer pays. A co-payment means you pay a percentage of every claim. Both reduce your premium but increase your out-of-pocket costs when you claim.

How do I compare private health insurance plans effectively?

Compare policies based on the level of cover, the hospital and consultant network, exclusions, excess amounts, and annual claim limits. Getting quotes from multiple providers ensures you find the best value for your needs.

Compare Individual Health Insurance Plans UK

What Is Individual Health Insurance?

Individual health insurance is a private medical insurance policy taken out by a single person, as opposed to a family or corporate group policy. It covers you alone for private medical treatment and is paid for from your own pocket rather than by an employer.

Individual policies are the most common type of private health insurance purchase in the UK. They give you complete control over your cover level, excess, hospital choice, and provider — but they are also typically more expensive per person than corporate or family schemes because there is no group discount.

How Much Does Individual Cover Cost?

Individual private health insurance costs depend primarily on your age, location, and chosen level of cover. Here are typical monthly premiums for a single person with a £100 excess:

Age	Budget (Inpatient Only)	Mid-Range	Comprehensive
25–34	£30–£45	£45–£70	£70–£100
35–44	£40–£60	£60–£90	£90–£130
45–54	£55–£80	£80–£120	£120–£170
55–64	£75–£110	£110–£160	£160–£220

Best Providers for Individual Cover

When you compare individual health insurance plans, these providers consistently offer the best value and service for solo policyholders:

Best Value: AXA Health

AXA's competitive pricing makes them the go-to choice for cost-conscious individuals. Their Personal Health fund and 24/7 GP access add value beyond the core cover. Individual plans from £40/month.

Best Overall: Bupa

Bupa's individual plans benefit from the largest hospital network in the UK. Their Treatment Guarantee promise ensures you can see a specialist quickly. Direct access (no GP referral needed) is available on most plans. From £45/month.

Best for Active People: Vitality

If you exercise regularly and engage with health tracking, Vitality's rewards programme can effectively reduce the net cost of your premium through discounts and perks. From £50/month.

Best for Customisation: Aviva

Aviva's modular approach is ideal for individuals who know exactly what they want. Build your policy from components — start with inpatient and add only what you need. From £38/month.

Best for Self-Employed: The Exeter

The Exeter understands the needs of self-employed individuals, including the importance of getting back to work quickly. Their claims team is consistently praised, and they are more flexible with pre-existing conditions. From £42/month.

Individual vs Family vs Corporate Cover

If you have the option of joining an employer's corporate scheme, this is almost always better value than an individual policy. Corporate schemes benefit from group rates and the employer typically contributes to the premium.

If you are buying for yourself and a partner or family, check whether a joint or family policy is cheaper than two individual policies. Most providers offer a discount for couples, and children under 18 or 21 are often included free.

Individual cover makes most sense when you are single, self-employed, or your employer does not offer health benefits.

Tips for Reducing Your Individual Premium

Increase your excess — moving from £0 to £250 saves 15–25% on most policies.
Choose the six-week NHS wait option — saves 20–40% while still guaranteeing private care when the NHS cannot treat you promptly.
Select a guided hospital list — cheaper than an extended list while still covering quality facilities near you.
Skip outpatient if budget is tight — inpatient-only cover protects you against the biggest costs at the lowest premium.
Pay annually — some providers offer a 5–10% discount for annual payment versus monthly direct debit.

Compare Individual Health Insurance Plans