
Choosing the right private medical insurance in the UK can feel like a daunting task. At WeCovr, our FCA-authorised experts help thousands of clients navigate this landscape. This article provides an in-depth comparison of two leading providers: the global giant, AXA, and the specialist mutual, The Exeter.
When you're comparing private health insurance, it's easy to get lost in glossy brochures and headline benefits. The real value of a policy, however, is found in the details: the financial limits on your cover, what's specifically excluded, and the quality of support you receive when you need it most.
This guide cuts through the marketing noise to give you a clear, expert comparison of AXA and The Exeter. We will analyse:
Understanding these differences is the key to finding a policy that truly protects your health and offers genuine peace of mind.
Your choice between AXA and The Exeter is a classic one: do you opt for the scale and resources of a global brand or the focused expertise and personal touch of a specialist?
AXA is one of the largest insurance companies in the world. In the UK, their brand is instantly recognisable, associated with everything from car and home insurance to business and health cover.
The Exeter is a completely different kind of organisation. As a friendly society (or mutual), they have no shareholders. Instead, they are owned by and run for their members. They specialise exclusively in health insurance, income protection, and life insurance.
All UK private medical insurance (PMI) policies are built around a core offering that covers the most expensive treatments. This typically includes costs for surgery and hospital stays.
A crucial point to understand: UK private medical insurance is designed for acute conditions — illnesses or injuries that are short-term and expected to respond to treatment. It does not cover chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure that require ongoing management.
Here’s how the core cover from AXA and The Exeter compares:
| Feature | AXA Health (Personal Health Plan) | The Exeter (Health+) | Broker Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-patient/Day-patient Treatment | Covered in full | Covered in full | This is the foundation of any PMI policy, covering surgery, hospital beds, and nursing care. Both are comprehensive here. |
| Cancer Cover | Comprehensive cancer cover included as standard. | Comprehensive cancer cover included as standard. | Both providers offer excellent, extensive cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures. |
| Hospital List | Choice of hospital lists, including a nationwide directory. | Choice of hospital lists, including their "Essential" and "Expert" lists. | Your choice of hospital list directly impacts your premium. A more restricted list is cheaper. |
| Post-Treatment Therapies | Limited cover for physiotherapy may be included after eligible surgery. | Up to 3 physiotherapy sessions included following eligible surgery. | This covers initial rehabilitation, but you'll need the optional therapies add-on for more extensive needs. |
| Digital GP Service | Doctor at Hand service included. | HealthWise app (including remote GP) included. | Both provide 24/7 access to a virtual GP, a huge convenience for getting quick advice and prescriptions. |
Both insurers provide a robust core product. The main decision at this stage is which hospital list meets your needs and budget.
This is where you can truly shape your cover and where the differences between AXA and The Exeter become more apparent.
This is arguably the most important optional extra. It covers diagnostic tests and specialist consultations before you are admitted to hospital. Without it, you would need to rely on the NHS for your diagnosis, which could involve long waiting lists.
Adviser Tip: We often find that clients underestimate how quickly out-patient costs can add up. An initial consultation can be £250, and a single MRI scan can cost £700-£1,000. A policy with a low out-patient limit might leave you facing a significant shortfall.
This add-on covers treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care.
Mental health is a critical area of differentiation.
For clients who prioritise mental wellbeing support, The Exeter's specialist focus often gives them an edge.
While both providers offer "unlimited" overall annual limits, the real devil is in the detail of the sub-limits for optional extras. These caps define the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a specific type of treatment in a policy year.
| Benefit | AXA Health (Typical Limits) | The Exeter (Typical Limits) | What This Means in Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Annual Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | You're covered for eligible in-patient treatment costs, no matter how high. |
| Out-patient Cover | Choice of £0, £500, £1,000, or Unlimited. | Covered in full (on standard option). | With a £1,000 limit, a £250 consultation and an £800 MRI scan would exceed your allowance. |
| Mental Health (Out-patient) | Included within your chosen out-patient limit. | Unlimited psychiatric and psychological treatment (with optional add-on). | The Exeter's "unlimited" approach on their add-on is a significant benefit for long-term therapy needs. |
| Therapies | Often linked to out-patient limit or a set number of sessions. | Covered in full when referred by a specialist. | Full cover provides more reassurance than a fixed number of sessions, which could run out mid-treatment. |
Real-life Scenario: Imagine you injure your knee. You need a specialist consultation (£250), an MRI scan (£800), and a course of six physiotherapy sessions (£300). Total cost: £1,350.
A WeCovr adviser can model these scenarios for you to ensure you don't get caught out by low financial limits.
No private medical insurance policy covers everything. Understanding the exclusions is just as important as knowing what's included.
You must be aware that all standard UK private health insurance policies will exclude:
This is a critical choice you must make when you apply.
Moratorium (MORI) Underwriting: This is the most common type. You don't declare your full medical history upfront. The insurer will exclude any condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the 5 years before your policy starts. However, if you then go 2 full years on the policy without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition, it may become eligible for cover.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You complete a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer reviews your medical history and tells you upfront exactly what will be excluded from your policy.
Insider Adviser Tip: FMU is often the better choice if you have a known medical history, as it provides clarity. For younger, healthier individuals, a moratorium can be simpler. The Exeter is known for its flexible underwriting team, who may be more willing to review specific conditions on an FMU basis than a larger insurer.
The experience of making a claim is a true test of an insurer's value.
AXA's claims process is built for efficiency. They have a large, well-trained team and an excellent digital infrastructure.
The Exeter aims to provide a more personal, high-touch service.
As your broker, WeCovr can also provide an extra layer of support. If you ever face an issue with a claim, we can act as your advocate to help resolve it with the insurer.
Insurers now compete to offer benefits that help you stay healthy, not just treat you when you're sick.
| Benefit | AXA Health | The Exeter | WeCovr Added Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual GP | Doctor at Hand (24/7 remote GP consultations) | Included in HealthWise app (24/7 remote GP consultations) | N/A |
| Mental Health Support | Stronger Minds service for assessments and support | Included in HealthWise app (counselling & support) | N/A |
| Physiotherapy Support | Working Body service for remote physio | Included in HealthWise app (remote physio assessments) | N/A |
| Second Opinion Service | Included | Included in HealthWise app | N/A |
| Other Benefits | Gym discounts, health and wellbeing portal | N/A | Complimentary access to the CalorieHero AI calorie tracking app and discounts on other insurance policies. |
The Exeter's HealthWise app is a standout feature, bundling a virtual GP, mental health support, physiotherapy, and a second medical opinion service into one easy-to-use platform, included as standard for all members. This provides incredible day-one value.
When you purchase a policy through WeCovr, you also get exclusive access to our CalorieHero app and can benefit from discounts when you take out other policies like life or income protection insurance.
| Feature | AXA Health | The Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer Type | Global PLC (for shareholders) | UK Friendly Society (for members) |
| Best For | Brand-conscious buyers, company policies, digital-first users. | Individuals wanting personal service, older applicants, those prioritising mental health. |
| Core Cover | Comprehensive, with tiered hospital lists. | Comprehensive, with tiered hospital lists. |
| Out-patient Options | Tiered financial limits (£500, £1k, etc.). Clear but can be restrictive. | Full cover or a guided specialist option. Generally more comprehensive. |
| Mental Health Cover | A solid optional extra with financial limits. | A key strength, with extensive support via HealthWise and a comprehensive add-on. |
| Added Value | Doctor at Hand, Stronger Minds, gym discounts. | The all-in-one HealthWise app is a market-leading benefit. |
| Customer Service | Large, efficient, process-driven, and digitally advanced. | Personal, empathetic, UK-based, and member-focused. |
| Underwriting | Standardised MORI and FMU processes. | Renowned for their flexible and individual approach to FMU. |
There is no single "best" private medical insurance provider. The right choice for you depends entirely on your personal circumstances:
This is where expert, independent advice is invaluable. The private health insurance market is complex, and comparing policies like-for-like is challenging.
At WeCovr, our FCA-authorised advisers do this every day. We take the time to understand your unique needs and compare policies from across the market—including AXA, The Exeter, Bupa, Aviva, and more—to find the perfect fit. Our service is completely free to you, and we can often find better terms than if you went directly to the insurer.
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