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.

What is the best private health insurance in the UK?

There is no single best provider — it depends on your priorities. Bupa has the largest hospital network, Vitality offers wellness rewards, AXA is best for value, The Exeter has the highest customer satisfaction, and General & Medical is the most affordable. Compare based on what matters most to you.

How much does private health insurance cost per month?

Individual premiums typically range from £35 to £150+ per month depending on your age, cover level, excess, and location. A healthy 35-year-old can expect to pay £40–£90 per month for mid-range cover.

Is the six-week NHS wait option worth it?

For most people, yes. It reduces premiums by 20–40% and means you only pay for private treatment when the NHS cannot see you within six weeks. Given current NHS waiting times, you will still access private care for most specialist referrals.

Can I switch private health insurance providers?

Yes. You can switch at any time, typically with 30 days notice. Ask about CPME (Continued Personal Medical Exclusions) underwriting when switching — this preserves your existing cover without adding new exclusions for conditions already covered by your current policy.

Do I need a GP referral to use private health insurance?

It depends on the policy. Some providers like Bupa and The Exeter offer direct access to specialists without a GP referral. Others require a GP referral letter before they will authorise treatment. Check this when comparing policies if quick access matters to you.

Compare Private Health Insurance UK | Side-by-Side Provider Comparison

How to Compare Private Health Insurance

When you compare private health insurance policies, price is only one factor. The cheapest policy may exclude outpatient treatment, limit your hospital choices, or cap the amount you can claim each year. A thorough comparison looks at ten key criteria to find the policy that genuinely matches your needs.

Below we break down what to look for, compare the UK's seven major providers across every important metric, and explain who each insurer is best suited to.

What to Look for Beyond Price

These are the ten criteria that matter most when you compare private health insurance policies:

Hospital network — how many private hospitals and clinics can you access? Bupa has the largest UK network with over 500 facilities. A wider network gives you more choice but typically costs more.
Outpatient cover — consultations, diagnostic tests, and scans account for the majority of claims. Budget policies often exclude outpatient treatment entirely.
Cancer cover — the single most important benefit for many people. Check whether there is an annual or lifetime cap on cancer treatment costs. The best policies have no financial limit.
Mental health cover — increasingly important, especially post-pandemic. Check the annual limit and number of sessions included.
Excess options — a higher excess reduces your premium. Typical options range from £0 to £500 or more. Consider how often you are likely to claim.
Six-week NHS wait option — you only use private treatment if the NHS cannot see you within six weeks. This can reduce premiums by 20–40%.
GP access — many providers now include 24/7 virtual GP consultations. This is valuable for getting quick referrals and medical advice.
Dental and optical — usually an add-on rather than standard. If these matter to you, a health cash plan may be more cost-effective.
Worldwide cover — important if you travel frequently. Some policies include worldwide emergency cover as standard; others charge extra.
Claims experience — Trustpilot ratings and customer reviews about the claims process are more informative than overall brand reputation.

UK Provider Comparison Table

Here is how the seven major UK private health insurance providers compare across the most important criteria:

Provider	From (monthly)	Trustpilot	Hospital Network	Cancer Limit	Mental Health	Outpatient	24/7 GP
Bupa	£45	4.1/5	500+ facilities	No limit	Included	Mid-tier+	Yes
AXA Health	£40	4.0/5	Large	No limit	Included	Mid-tier+	Yes
Vitality	£50	4.2/5	Large	No limit	Included	Mid-tier+	Yes
Aviva	£38	4.0/5	Large	£1m+	Included	Add-on	Yes
WPA	£55	4.3/5	Medium	No limit	Included	Mid-tier+	Yes
The Exeter	£42	4.5/5	Medium	No limit	Included	Mid-tier+	No
General & Medical	£35	4.1/5	Smaller	Included	Included	Add-on	No

Who Each Provider Is Best For

Bupa — Best for Hospital Choice

If having access to the widest possible range of private hospitals matters to you, Bupa is the clear leader. Their network includes over 500 facilities across the UK, meaning you are very likely to find a preferred hospital close to home. Cancer treatment has no upper limit, and their direct access option means you can see a specialist without waiting for a GP referral. Best for families and individuals who want maximum flexibility.

AXA Health — Best Value for Money

AXA consistently delivers competitive premiums without significantly compromising on cover. Their Personal Health fund gives you an annual pot to spend on wellbeing, and their 24/7 online GP service is available from day one. If you want solid, dependable cover at a fair price, AXA is hard to beat. Best for budget-conscious buyers who still want meaningful cover.

Vitality — Best for Wellness Rewards

Vitality's rewards programme sets them apart. Active members earn points for healthy behaviours which unlock discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, and even an Apple Watch. The insurance itself is comprehensive, with unlimited cancer cover and strong mental health provisions. Best for health-conscious individuals who will actively engage with the rewards programme.

Aviva — Best for Flexibility

Aviva's modular policy builder lets you construct a policy from individual components — inpatient, outpatient, therapies, dental, optical, worldwide cover. You only pay for what you need, making it easy to manage costs while maintaining the cover that matters most to you. Best for people who want precise control over their policy and premium.

WPA — Best for Comprehensive Cover

As a not-for-profit insurer, WPA reinvests surplus funds into better services. Their top-tier plans have no annual claim limits on most benefits, and a dedicated claims handler means you deal with the same person throughout. Best for those who want the most comprehensive cover available and value personal service.

The Exeter — Best Customer Satisfaction

With the highest Trustpilot rating of any major UK health insurer at 4.5/5, The Exeter is praised for exceptional claims handling and customer service. They are also more willing than most to consider applicants with pre-existing conditions, and their self-employed plans are well designed. Best for the self-employed and those who prioritise customer experience.

General & Medical — Best Budget Option

If keeping costs low is your primary concern, General & Medical offers the most affordable entry point. Their hospital-at-home option reduces costs by supporting recovery at home after surgery. Cancer cover and mental health support are included even on basic plans. Best for price-sensitive buyers who want essential private cover.

How to Get the Best Deal

Follow these steps to compare private health insurance effectively and secure the best value:

Get quotes from at least three providers — prices vary significantly for the same level of cover. See our quotes comparison guide.
Consider the six-week NHS wait option — this single choice can cut your premium by 20–40% while still guaranteeing private treatment when the NHS cannot see you promptly.
Choose a higher excess if you rarely claim — increasing your excess from £0 to £250 can reduce your monthly premium by 15–25%. Learn more about how excess works.
Review your hospital list — opting for a guided or limited hospital list rather than an extended list saves money while still covering quality facilities.
Check for corporate or group discounts — if your employer offers a scheme, even a contribution towards the cost, this is almost always better value than buying individually.

Compare Private Health Insurance in the UK