
Choosing the right private medical insurance in the UK can feel like a daunting task. With giants like AXA and Aviva dominating the market, how do you decide which is best for you? As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr is here to simplify your decision.
Deciding between AXA and Aviva isn't about finding a single "best" provider; it's about finding the best fit for your personal circumstances, health needs, and budget. Both are titans of the UK insurance industry, offering robust and reliable private health cover. However, they have distinct strengths and approaches that may make one a more suitable choice for you than the other.
This comprehensive 2025 guide will break down every critical aspect of their policies, from core cover and cancer care to digital GP services and cost. Our goal is to give you the clarity you need to make an informed choice.
Before we dive into the comparison, let's establish what private medical insurance is designed for.
PMI is an insurance policy that covers the cost of private healthcare for acute conditions that develop after your policy begins. An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of things like joint replacements, cataract surgery, or hernia repairs.
Crucially, standard UK private medical insurance does not cover:
The main benefits of PMI are bypassing NHS waiting lists, choosing your specialist or surgeon, and having the comfort of a private room during hospital stays.
| Feature | AXA Health | Aviva |
|---|---|---|
| Market Position | A leading global insurer with a strong UK presence. | One of the UK's largest and most established insurance providers. |
| Reputation | Known for comprehensive cover, strong mental health support, and innovative wellbeing services. | Respected for its extensive hospital network, clear policy options, and long-standing history in the UK. |
| Best Known For | The 'Personal Health' plan with its 'Doctor at Hand' digital GP service. | The 'Healthier Solutions' policy and its flexible 'Expert Select' hospital option. |
| Trust Rating | High, backed by the global AXA Group. | Very high, a household name in the UK for generations. |
Both companies are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), giving you complete peace of mind that you are dealing with reputable and financially secure organisations.
The foundation of any PMI policy is its core cover. This typically includes the most expensive treatments, such as surgery and hospital stays. Outpatient cover is usually an optional add-on that you can tailor to your needs and budget.
Core Cover (Inpatient & Day-Patient)
Both AXA and Aviva provide comprehensive core cover as standard. This means costs for the following are typically paid in full:
Outpatient Cover Explained
Outpatient treatment is when you see a specialist or have tests without being admitted to hospital. This is where the policies start to differ more significantly.
| Insurer | Outpatient Options & Features |
|---|---|
| AXA | AXA offers a straightforward approach. You can choose from: • Full Outpatient Cover: No yearly limit on consultations or diagnostic tests. • Limited Outpatient Cover: You can set a financial limit, typically £500 or £1,000 per year. This is a popular way to reduce your premium. |
| Aviva | Aviva provides more granular options: • Full Outpatient Cover: As with AXA, this covers eligible costs in full. • Limited Outpatient Cover: You can also choose a financial limit, usually £500, £1,000, or £1,500. • Consultation Limits: Aviva sometimes offers options that limit the number of consultations you can have per year, which can be another cost-saving strategy. |
Real-Life Example:
Imagine you have knee pain. Your GP refers you to an orthopaedic specialist.
For most people, adding some level of outpatient cover provides significant value and is highly recommended. A £1,000 limit is often the sweet spot between comprehensive protection and affordable premiums.
The hospital network, or "hospital list," determines which private hospitals and clinics you can use for your treatment. A wider choice of hospitals, especially those in Central London, will result in a higher premium.
AXA's approach is generally simpler. Their flagship Personal Health plan uses their Directory of Hospitals. This is an extensive list of several hundred high-quality private hospitals across the UK.
Aviva offers more flexibility through its tiered hospital lists, allowing you to fine-tune your premium.
Our Advice: Unless you have a strong preference for a specific London hospital, choosing a standard or guided list is one of the most effective ways to manage the cost of your private medical insurance UK. A broker like WeCovr can help you check which local hospitals are on each insurer's list.
For many, comprehensive cancer cover is the number one reason to buy PMI. It offers access to treatments, drugs, and specialists that may not be available on the NHS or may involve long waits. Both AXA and Aviva offer outstanding cancer care as standard.
| Feature | AXA Cancer Cover | Aviva Cancer Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Core Offering | Comprehensive Cancer Cover: Included as standard on Personal Health plans. | Full Cancer Cover: Included as standard on Healthier Solutions plans. |
| Treatments Covered | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow/stem cell transplants. | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow/stem cell transplants. |
| Advanced Therapies | Covers eligible licensed cancer drugs, even if not routinely available on the NHS. | Covers eligible licensed cancer drugs. Aviva has a clear list of what is and isn't covered. |
| End-of-Life Care | Palliative care is covered if cancer treatment is no longer effective. | Palliative care and hospice donations are included. |
| Monitoring | Covers monitoring of the condition for a set period after treatment ends. | Will cover check-ups and monitoring after your treatment is complete. |
| Unique Feature | Access to their 'Dedicated Cancer Nurses' for ongoing support. | Access to support from their 'Cancer Care Team' and a second opinion service. |
Both insurers provide exceptional peace of mind in this area. Their commitment to covering advanced drugs and therapies is a significant benefit over relying solely on the NHS, where "postcode lotteries" for certain expensive treatments can still be a reality.
In recent years, insurers have vastly improved their mental health offerings in response to growing demand.
AXA places a strong emphasis on mental wellbeing. Their Mind Health service provides support for a wide range of conditions, from initial stress to more complex psychiatric issues.
Aviva also provides strong mental health benefits, which are typically added as an optional upgrade to your policy.
Key Difference: AXA tends to integrate mental health support more deeply into its core offering, while with Aviva, it often feels more like a distinct, optional add-on. If mental health cover is a top priority for you, AXA may have a slight edge.
Beyond hospital treatment, modern PMI policies come with a suite of digital tools and wellness benefits designed to keep you healthy and provide convenient access to everyday healthcare.
| Benefit | AXA | Aviva |
|---|---|---|
| Digital GP | Doctor at Hand: A 24/7 service (powered by Teladoc Health) offering video consultations with a GP. Can issue private prescriptions and referrals. | Aviva Digital GP: A 24/7 service (powered by Square Health) also offering GP video calls, repeat NHS prescriptions, and referrals. |
| Wellness Programme | Health and Wellbeing Support: Discounts on gym memberships and health tech. Access to online health assessments and coaching. | Get Active: Offers significant discounts on gym memberships, fitness trackers, and other wellbeing products. |
| Second Opinion | Yes, available for complex diagnoses. | Yes, a valuable second opinion service is available. |
| Muscle & Joint Support | Working Body: Provides fast access to physiotherapy without needing a GP referral (for over 18s). | BacktoBetter: A similar service providing rapid access to treatment for muscle, bone, and joint pain. |
Both insurers offer excellent digital GP services, which are a game-changer for busy people needing quick medical advice. The physio access services are also incredibly valuable, helping you deal with minor injuries before they become major problems.
It is impossible to give an exact price without a personalised quote, as premiums are based on several individual factors:
The table below gives a rough indication of costs for a non-smoker with a £250 excess and a standard hospital list.
| Age | Plan Type | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £55 - £75 |
| 45 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £70 - £95 |
| 55 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £100 - £140 |
Disclaimer: These are illustrative estimates only. The only way to get an accurate price is to request a personalised quote. A broker can compare quotes from both insurers simultaneously.
Navigating the options from AXA, Aviva, and other top PMI providers can be complex. This is where an independent, expert broker like WeCovr adds immense value.
So, which insurer should you choose in 2025?
Choose AXA Health if:
Choose Aviva if:
Ultimately, both AXA and Aviva offer fantastic, 5-star rated private health cover. The "best" choice is the one that aligns with your specific needs and budget. The smartest way to find out is to compare personalised quotes for both.
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