How to Switch Private Health Insurance Providers
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr understands the UK private medical insurance market inside out. This guide explains how to switch your policy, ensuring you get better value without losing the crucial cover you rely on for your peace of mind.
WeCovr's tips for moving to a better policy without losing benefits
Switching your private health insurance provider can feel like a daunting task. You might be tempted by a cheaper premium or better benefits elsewhere, but the fear of losing cover for a health condition you've developed is a major concern. It's a valid worry, but it shouldn't stop you from seeking a better deal.
The good news is that with the right approach and expert guidance, you can move to a new insurer smoothly and securely. The secret lies in understanding a specific type of underwriting designed for people who are switching. This guide will walk you through every step, demystify the jargon, and empower you to make the best choice for your health and your wallet.
Why Consider Switching Your Private Health Insurance?
Your circumstances change, and the health insurance market evolves. The policy that was perfect for you five years ago might not be the best fit today. Here are the most common reasons people in the UK look to switch their private health cover.
1. Rising Premiums at Renewal
This is the number one reason people shop around. It's normal for premiums to increase each year. This is driven by two main factors:
- Age: As we get older, the statistical risk of needing medical treatment increases, so insurers adjust premiums accordingly.
- Medical Inflation: The cost of new medical technologies, advanced drugs, and running private hospitals rises faster than general inflation. According to industry analysis, medical inflation often runs between 8-12% per year.
While some increase is expected, your renewal price might be significantly higher than what a new provider could offer. Insurers often reserve their most competitive rates for new customers.
2. Your Health and Lifestyle Have Changed
Life isn't static. A policy should reflect your current needs.
- Family Changes: You might have had children and need to add them to your policy, or your children may have grown up and left home, meaning you can move from a family plan to an individual or couple's policy.
- New Health Concerns: You might want a policy with more comprehensive cover for a specific area, such as enhanced mental health support or more advanced cancer care options.
- Lifestyle Improvements: Perhaps you're now more focused on wellness. Many modern policies include benefits like gym discounts, health screenings, and nutrition support, which your older policy might lack.
3. Dissatisfaction with Your Current Provider
Price isn't everything. Your experience with your insurer matters immensely, especially when you need to make a claim. Reasons for dissatisfaction include:
- A difficult or slow claims process.
- Poor communication or customer service.
- Disputes over what is and isn't covered.
- A restrictive list of approved hospitals or specialists.
4. Better Benefits are Available Elsewhere
The private medical insurance UK market is competitive, with insurers constantly innovating. A new policy might offer valuable features that your current one doesn't, such as:
- 24/7 Digital GP appointments.
- Comprehensive mental health cover, including therapy sessions.
- Access to the very latest cancer drugs and treatments not yet available on the NHS.
- A wider choice of hospitals, including top-tier facilities in central London.
5. Your Employer-Provided Cover is Ending
If you're leaving a job where you had company health insurance, you'll need to arrange your own cover. This is a perfect opportunity to choose a policy tailored specifically to your personal needs and budget, rather than a one-size-fits-all corporate plan.
The Critical Rule of UK PMI: Pre-Existing and Chronic Conditions
Before we explore how to switch, it's vital to understand the fundamental principle of private medical insurance in the UK. This knowledge is the key to protecting your cover.
Standard UK private health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
Let's break this down.
-
Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include joint replacements, cataract surgery, hernia repair, and treatment for infections. PMI gets you treated quickly for these conditions.
-
Chronic Condition: A condition that is long-term and cannot be cured, only managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, Crohn's disease, and arthritis. PMI does not cover the routine management of chronic conditions. You will continue to rely on the NHS for this. However, it may cover acute flare-ups of a chronic condition.
-
Pre-existing Condition: Any ailment or symptom for which you have sought medical advice, received a diagnosis, or had treatment for in the years before your policy starts (typically the last 5 years). Standard new policies will exclude these conditions, either permanently or for a set period.
This is the biggest hurdle when switching. If you developed a new condition (e.g., heart palpitations, back pain) while covered by your old insurer, it is now a pre-existing condition. If you simply take out a brand-new policy with another insurer, they will likely exclude it. This is where specialist "switcher" underwriting becomes essential.
Understanding Underwriting: The Key to a Seamless Switch
"Underwriting" is how an insurer assesses your health risk and decides what it will and will not cover. When you switch, choosing the right underwriting method is the single most important decision you will make.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
With FMU, you complete a detailed questionnaire about your medical history. The insurer assesses your answers and may ask for more information from your GP. They then offer you a policy with specific, named exclusions for any pre-existing conditions.
- Pro: You know exactly what is covered and what isn't from day one.
- Con: It's not suitable for switching if you've developed conditions you want to keep covered.
Moratorium Underwriting
This is a more common option for new policies. You don't have to declare your medical history upfront. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms, advice, or treatment for in the 5 years before the policy began. This exclusion is typically in place for the first 2 years of the policy. If you remain completely trouble-free from that condition for a continuous 2-year period after your policy starts, the insurer may then cover it.
- Pro: Quick and easy to set up.
- Con: It creates ambiguity. You might not know if a condition is covered until you try to claim. It is generally the wrong choice for switching if you want to maintain cover for conditions that arose under your old policy.
Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME) - The Gold Standard for Switching
This is the underwriting you need. CPME is specifically designed for people moving from one private medical insurance provider to another.
How it works: Your new insurer agrees to accept you on the same underwriting terms as your old policy. They effectively "copy and paste" your original medical exclusions. This means:
- Any conditions that were excluded on your old policy remain excluded.
- Any new, acute conditions that you developed and were covered for under your old policy will remain covered by your new insurer.
Example: You took out a policy with Insurer A in 2020. In 2023, you developed a shoulder problem and had it successfully treated under the policy. In 2025, you want to switch to Insurer B for a better price.
- If you take out a new moratorium policy, Insurer B will exclude your shoulder problem for 2 years as a pre-existing condition.
- If you switch on a CPME basis, Insurer B accepts that the shoulder problem was covered before, and agrees to continue covering it from day one.
Continued Moratorium Underwriting
If your original policy was on a moratorium basis, you can switch using a "continued moratorium". This means the two-year "ticking clock" on your pre-existing conditions continues from where it left off with your old provider, rather than resetting.
Comparing Underwriting for Switchers
| Underwriting Type | How It Works | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| Moratorium (New) | Excludes conditions from the past 5 years for a 2-year waiting period. | Healthy individuals starting their very first policy. Not recommended for switching. |
| Full Medical (New) | You declare your full medical history; specific exclusions are applied. | People who want total clarity on a new policy. Not recommended for switching. |
| CPME | Your new insurer carries over the exact same medical exclusions from your old policy. | Anyone switching providers who wants to maintain cover for conditions that have developed. |
| Continued Moratorium | The 2-year waiting period for pre-existing conditions continues from your original policy's start date. | People switching who are currently on a moratorium policy. |
Working with an expert PMI broker like WeCovr is invaluable here. We navigate this process for you, ensuring you request quotes on a CPME basis to protect your cover.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Switching Your PMI Provider
Follow these steps for a safe and successful switch.
Step 1: Review Your Current Policy
Before you can compare, you need to know exactly what you have. Dig out your latest policy documents (the policy certificate and schedule). Pay close attention to:
- Your current premium: What you pay monthly or annually.
- Level of cover: What's included? (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, diagnostics).
- Your excess: The amount you pay towards any claim.
- Your underwriting: Is it Moratorium, FMU, or something else?
- The hospital list: Which hospitals are you allowed to use?
- Specific exclusions: What conditions or treatments are permanently excluded from your cover?
Step 2: Define Your Needs and Budget
Think about what's important to you now.
- Must-Haves: Is comprehensive cancer care a priority? Do you need mental health support? Is a specific hospital near your home essential?
- Budget: What is a realistic monthly premium for you? Would you consider a higher excess to lower the cost?
Step 3: Compare the Market with an Expert Broker
This is the most crucial step. While you can go directly to insurers, a specialist broker provides a wider view and expert advice at no extra cost to you.
- An independent PMI broker like WeCovr compares policies from a broad panel of the UK's leading insurers.
- We do the hard work of finding policies that match or improve upon your current cover.
- Crucially, we understand the CPME switching process and ensure your application is handled correctly to protect your underwriting terms.
Step 4: Request Quotes on CPME Terms
When you speak to your broker, make it clear you want to switch on a "Continued Personal Medical Exclusions" basis. They will then request quotes from insurers on these specific terms. This is not something you can typically do through an online comparison site.
Step 5: Provide the Necessary Documentation
To get a formal CPME offer, the new insurer will need to see your current policy certificate. This document proves what your current level of cover and exclusions are. Your broker will manage this exchange of information for you.
Step 6: Analyse the New Offer(s)
Your broker will present you with the best options. Scrutinise the new policy documents. Check:
- The premium is competitive.
- The benefits meet your needs.
- The exclusions are identical to your old policy (this is the essence of CPME).
- The excess and hospital list are acceptable to you.
Step 7: Finalise the Switch (Without a Gap!)
Once you've chosen your new policy, you can give the go-ahead. CRITICAL: Do not cancel your old policy until you have received written confirmation that your new policy is fully active. Your new policy should start the day your old one ends. This ensures you have continuous, uninterrupted cover. A good broker will help you coordinate these dates perfectly.
Step 8: Inform Your Old Provider
Once your new cover is live, contact your old insurer to cancel your policy and any direct debit. Do this in writing (email is usually sufficient) so you have a record.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Switching Health Insurance
A successful switch is about more than just finding a lower price. Avoid these common mistakes.
- Creating a Gap in Cover: Cancelling your old policy even one day before the new one starts leaves you uninsured. Any medical issue that arises in that gap will not be covered by either policy.
- Accidentally Losing Cover: The biggest error is switching to a new moratorium policy without understanding the consequences. This will re-introduce exclusions for conditions that you were previously covered for. Always insist on CPME.
- Comparing Apples and Oranges: A cheaper policy might seem attractive, but it could have a drastically reduced hospital list, a much higher excess, or no outpatient cover. Ensure you're comparing like-for-like benefits.
- Ignoring the Hospital List: Check that the hospitals and treatment centres on the new policy's list are practical for you to travel to. Cheaper plans often use a more restricted network of hospitals.
- Forgetting About Your No Claims Discount (NCD): Some insurers offer an NCD that reduces your premium if you don't claim. Ask your broker how a switch will affect this. Often, the overall saving from switching to a more competitive insurer outweighs any lost NCD.
Enhancing Your Policy and Wellbeing with WeCovr
The best PMI provider does more than just pay for treatment; they support your overall health. When we compare policies for you, we look for plans that offer excellent wellness benefits. Furthermore, WeCovr provides its own unique advantages to clients.
Complimentary Access to CalorieHero
All WeCovr clients who take out a private health or life insurance policy receive complimentary access to our powerful AI-driven nutrition app, CalorieHero. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce your long-term health risks. CalorieHero makes it simple to track your diet, understand your nutritional intake, and work towards your health goals.
Discounts on Other Insurance
We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients. When you purchase PMI through us, you can often access exclusive discounts on other types of cover you might need, such as life insurance, travel insurance, or home insurance.
A Focus on Proactive Health
Modern private health cover is increasingly focused on prevention. We can help you find policies that include:
- Health Screenings: Subsidised or free check-ups to catch potential issues early.
- Mental Health Support: Access to helplines, therapy sessions, and digital mental wellbeing apps.
- Nutrition and Fitness: Discounts on gym memberships and access to dietary advice.
- Healthy Living Rewards: Some insurers offer rewards like free coffee or cinema tickets for engaging in healthy activities.
Real-Life Example: The Harris Family's Switch
Let's look at a typical scenario to see how this works in practice.
- The Situation: David and Sarah Harris, both 52, had a family policy covering themselves and their son. Their renewal quote from their existing provider had jumped by 22%. During the previous year, David had received private physiotherapy for a new back problem, which was covered by their policy.
- The Problem: They were worried that if they switched, David's back problem would be considered a pre-existing condition and would be excluded by a new insurer, leaving them exposed.
- The WeCovr Solution: They contacted a WeCovr adviser. The adviser explained the CPME switching process. They reviewed the Harris's current policy and compared it against the market, specifically requesting CPME terms from other leading insurers.
- The Outcome: WeCovr found a policy from a different major insurer that offered a more comprehensive digital GP service and a better mental health pathway. The premium was 18% lower than their renewal quote. The switch was completed on a CPME basis, meaning David's back remained fully covered for any future acute issues. The Harris family saved over £400 a year and gained enhanced benefits, all without losing any of their existing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions about switching private health insurance.
Can I switch health insurance if I have an ongoing claim?
It is generally best to complete any ongoing course of treatment with your current insurer before switching. A new insurer will not take on an active, open claim. Once your treatment is complete, you are free to switch on a CPME basis, and that condition will remain covered for any future, new, and distinct episodes.
Will my private medical insurance premiums always go up every year?
It is highly likely that your premiums will increase annually. This is due to a combination of your increasing age and medical inflation—the rising cost of healthcare services and technology. However, you are not powerless. By reviewing your cover and comparing the market with a broker each year, you can ensure you are always on a competitively priced plan.
What is a "hospital list" and why is it so important?
A hospital list is the network of private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres where your insurer will fund your treatment. The price of your policy is heavily influenced by this list. A comprehensive list including top central London hospitals will be more expensive than a policy with a restricted list of local or partner hospitals. It is vital to check that any new policy's list includes facilities that are convenient for you.
Can I reduce my premium without switching providers?
Yes, you often can. If you're happy with your insurer but need to lower the cost, you can contact them (or ask your broker to) and discuss options such as:
- Increasing your excess: Agreeing to pay a larger amount towards the first part of any claim.
- Adding a 6-week wait option: This means you agree to use the NHS if they can provide the required inpatient treatment within six weeks. If the NHS wait is longer, your private cover kicks in.
- Downgrading your hospital list: Moving to a more restricted network of hospitals.
- Reducing your outpatient cover: Capping the amount you can claim for consultations and diagnostic tests.
Switching your private health insurance doesn't have to be complicated or risky. By understanding the importance of Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME) and working with an expert, you can move to a better policy with confidence.
Ready to find a better, more affordable health insurance policy without compromising your cover? Speak to a WeCovr expert today for a free, no-obligation quote and see how much you could save.
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
Our Group Is Proud To Have Issued 800,000+ Policies!
We've established collaboration agreements with leading insurance groups to create tailored coverage
How It Works
1. Complete a brief form
2. Our experts analyse your information and find you best quotes
3. Enjoy your protection!
Any questions?
Learn more
Who Are WeCovr?
WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.
Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!