TL;DR
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 950,000 policies, WeCovr is here to simplify your decision.
Key takeaways
- Pre-existing conditions: Any medical condition you had symptoms of, or received advice or treatment for, before taking out the policy.
- Chronic conditions: Long-term illnesses that cannot be cured, only managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. The NHS remains the primary provider for managing these conditions.
- Hospital charges (accommodation, nursing care)
- Specialist and anaesthetist fees
- Diagnostic tests (like MRI scans) and surgery while you are admitted to hospital
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 950,000 policies, WeCovr is here to simplify your decision.
Which insurer is best for your private medical cover
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 2026 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.
First, A Quick Reminder: What is Private Medical Insurance (PMI)?
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:
- Pre-existing conditions: Any medical condition you had symptoms of, or received advice or treatment for, before taking out the policy.
- Chronic conditions: Long-term illnesses that cannot be cured, only managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. The NHS remains the primary provider for managing these conditions.
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.
Meet the Contenders: An Overview of AXA and Aviva
| 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.
Core Cover & Outpatient Options: AXA vs Aviva
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:
- Hospital charges (accommodation, nursing care)
- Specialist and anaesthetist fees
- Diagnostic tests (like MRI scans) and surgery while you are admitted to hospital
- Extensive cancer cover (more on this below)
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.
- With outpatient cover (illustrative): Your policy would pay for the initial consultation with the specialist (£200-£300), the subsequent MRI scan (£400-£600), and any follow-up appointments.
- Without outpatient cover: You would pay for these initial diagnostic steps yourself. Your PMI would only kick in if you needed to be admitted for surgery.
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. (illustrative estimate)
Hospital Networks: A Key Factor in Cost and Choice
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 Hospital List: Directory of Hospitals
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.
- Key Benefit: It's a comprehensive list, meaning you are unlikely to be far from a network hospital.
- Cost Option: To reduce your premium, you can opt for the "Guided Option". This means AXA will offer you a choice of 2-3 specialists from their approved network for your condition. By giving up full choice, you can secure a significant discount.
Aviva's Hospital List: Hospital Options
Aviva offers more flexibility through its tiered hospital lists, allowing you to fine-tune your premium.
- Key: Aviva's value option. It includes a broad range of private hospitals but excludes the most expensive ones, particularly in London. It's an excellent way to make your policy more affordable if you don't live near a major city.
- Extended: This list includes almost all hospitals on the Key list, plus more, including many private wings of NHS hospitals.
- Expert Select: This is Aviva's "guided" option, similar to AXA's. You are given a choice from a list of recommended hospitals and specialists, which results in a lower premium.
- London Hospitals: This is the most comprehensive and expensive option, including the premium private hospitals in Central London (e.g., The Lister, The London Clinic).
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.
Cancer Cover: The Most Important Benefit?
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.
Mental Health Support: A Modern Priority
In recent years, insurers have vastly improved their mental health offerings in response to growing demand.
AXA's Mind Health
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.
- Cover for consultations with psychiatrists and psychologists.
- In-patient and day-patient treatment for mental health conditions.
- Unlike many insurers, AXA's core plan often provides a good level of mental health cover without needing a major upgrade.
Aviva's Mental Health Pathway
Aviva also provides strong mental health benefits, which are typically added as an optional upgrade to your policy.
- Access to specialists and therapists for conditions like anxiety and depression.
- Covers a set number of therapy sessions (e.g., CBT).
- In-patient and day-patient psychiatric treatment is available.
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.
Digital GP & Added-Value Benefits
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.
Cost Comparison: What Will You Pay?
It is impossible to give an exact price without a personalised quote, as premiums are based on several individual factors:
- Age: The single biggest factor. Premiums increase as you get older.
- Location: Living in or near London and other major cities costs more.
- Cover Options: Adding full outpatient cover, a top-tier hospital list, and therapy options will increase the price.
- Excess (illustrative): This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. Choosing a higher excess (£250, £500, or £1,000) will lower your monthly premium.
- No Claims Discount (NCD): Most policies include an NCD. For every year you don't claim, your discount increases, reducing future premiums.
Illustrative Monthly Premiums (2026)
The table below gives a rough indication of costs for a non-smoker with a £250 excess and a standard hospital list. (illustrative estimate)
| Age | Plan Type | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £60 - £80 |
| 45 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £75 - £105 |
| 55 | Mid-range cover with £1,000 outpatient limit | £110 - £150 |
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.
How a Broker Like WeCovr Can Help
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.
- Impartial Advice: We are not tied to any single insurer. Our loyalty is to you, the client. We listen to your needs and recommend the policy that truly fits, whether it's from AXA, Aviva, Bupa, or another leading provider.
- Market Comparison: We do the hard work for you, comparing policies and prices across the market to find you the best value. This service is provided at no cost to you.
- Expertise on Hand: Our team are specialists in the private medical insurance UK market. We can explain the jargon, clarify the fine print, and ensure there are no surprises.
- Added Benefits: When you arrange your policy through WeCovr, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. Plus, you can receive discounts on other insurance products, like life or income protection insurance.
Final Verdict: AXA or Aviva?
So, which insurer should you choose in 2026?
Choose AXA Health if:
- Comprehensive mental health cover integrated into the core policy is a priority.
- You appreciate a simple, high-quality hospital list and don't want to spend time choosing between multiple tiers.
- You are interested in their "Guided Option" to reduce your premium while retaining access to top specialists.
- You value the backing of a massive global insurance brand.
Choose Aviva if:
- You want maximum flexibility to customise your policy, especially with hospital lists and outpatient limits, to control your budget.
- You are comfortable with a "guided" option like Expert Select to achieve significant cost savings.
- You are attracted by their "Get Active" wellness discounts.
- You value the trust and familiarity of one of the UK's most established and respected household names.
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.
Does AXA or Aviva cover pre-existing conditions?
Can I add my family to my AXA or Aviva policy?
What is an 'excess' in health insurance?
Do I need a GP referral to use my AXA or Aviva health insurance?
Ready to find the perfect private health cover for you and your family?
[Get your free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today and compare AXA, Aviva, and more in minutes.]
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
- HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.








