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.

The Exeter Health Insurance Review 2026 | Highest Rated UK Insurer

The Exeter at a Glance

Trustpilot Rating	4.5/5 (highest of any major UK provider)
Individual Plans From	£42/month
Hospital Network	Medium
Cancer Cover	No financial limit
Mental Health	Included on all plans
24/7 GP	No (phone advisory service available)
Best For	Self-employed, pre-existing conditions, customer service

About The Exeter

The Exeter is one of the UK's oldest insurers, founded in 1888. They operate as a friendly society, meaning they are owned by their members rather than shareholders. This member-owned structure drives their focus on customer satisfaction — and the results speak for themselves. With a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating, The Exeter has the highest customer satisfaction score of any major UK health insurance provider.

What Sets The Exeter Apart

Highest Customer Satisfaction

The Exeter's 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating is not an accident. Their claims team is consistently praised for being responsive, empathetic, and efficient. Claimants report feeling supported throughout the process, with clear communication and minimal bureaucracy. This matters enormously when you are dealing with a health issue and the last thing you need is insurance admin stress.

Pre-Existing Conditions

The Exeter is more willing than most providers to consider applicants with pre-existing conditions. While no provider covers all pre-existing conditions from day one, The Exeter's underwriting team takes a more nuanced, individual approach rather than applying blanket exclusions. This makes them a strong choice for people who have been declined or heavily loaded by other providers.

Self-Employed Focus

The Exeter understands that self-employed people cannot afford long recovery times or slow treatment access. Their policies are designed with freelancers and business owners in mind, including the ability to see specialists without a GP referral — saving valuable time when you need to get back to work.

No GP Referral Required

On most plans, you can go directly to a specialist without first visiting your GP for a referral. This is a significant time-saver and particularly valuable for the self-employed.

The Exeter Pricing

Competitively priced given the quality of service. Typical monthly costs for a 35-year-old with £100 excess:

Core (inpatient): £42–£55/month
Core + outpatient: £65–£80/month
Comprehensive: £100–£120/month

Who Should Choose The Exeter?

Choose The Exeter if:

Customer service and claims experience are your top priorities
You are self-employed and need fast access to specialists
You have pre-existing conditions and have been declined or heavily loaded elsewhere
You value a member-owned, ethical insurer
No GP referral requirement matters to you

Look elsewhere if:

You want the largest hospital network — Bupa is significantly bigger
24/7 digital GP access is important — AXA and Vitality are stronger here
You want corporate or group schemes — The Exeter's corporate offering is limited compared to Bupa or AXA

The Exeter Health Insurance Review