TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that choosing the right private medical insurance in the UK can feel complex. One of the biggest decisions you'll face is the type of underwriting: Moratorium or Full Medical Underwriting. This choice impacts your price, coverage, and claims experience.
Key takeaways
- The Rule: Any medical condition for which you have had symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice in the five years before your policy start date is automatically excluded from cover.
- The "Rolling" Period: This exclusion is not necessarily permanent. A condition can become eligible for cover if you then complete a continuous two-year period after your policy has started without experiencing any symptoms, needing treatment, or seeking advice for that specific condition.
- The Process: The insurer's underwriting team reviews your health declaration.
- The Outcome: Based on your answers, they will issue your policy with a list of specific, named exclusions. For example, your policy documents might explicitly state, "No cover for any treatment related to gallstones" or "Exclusion for conditions of the lumbar spine."
- General Trend: Often, a moratorium policy may have a slightly lower initial premium. This is because the administrative work for the insurer is less at the outset.
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that choosing the right private medical insurance in the UK can feel complex. One of the biggest decisions you'll face is the type of underwriting: Moratorium or Full Medical Underwriting. This choice impacts your price, coverage, and claims experience.
Estimate price differences and see which underwriting route may suit you
Deciding between Moratorium (Mori) and Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) is a pivotal step in securing your private health cover. It directly influences not only your monthly premium but also what medical conditions will be covered from the outset. While the price difference can sometimes be modest, the implications for your future healthcare access are significant.
Let's break down these two paths to help you calculate the potential costs and decide which is the best fit for your personal circumstances.
What is Underwriting in Private Health Insurance?
Before we dive into the specifics, let's clarify what "underwriting" means.
In simple terms, underwriting is the process a health insurance provider uses to assess your health and medical history. They do this to understand the level of risk you present and to determine the terms of your policy, including the price (your premium) and any specific exclusions.
Think of it as the insurer's due diligence. They need to know about any past or current health issues to decide what they can and cannot cover. In the UK, this process generally follows two main routes: Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting.
A crucial point to understand from the start: Standard private medical insurance in the UK is designed to cover new, eligible, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. It is not designed to cover long-term chronic conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure) or pre-existing conditions, though some may become eligible for cover over time under a moratorium policy.
Moratorium Underwriting Explained
Moratorium underwriting is the most common and straightforward way to get private health insurance in the UK. It's often favoured for its speed and simplicity.
How Does Moratorium Underwriting Work?
With a moratorium policy, you do not complete a detailed medical questionnaire when you apply. Instead, the insurer applies a general rule.
- The Rule: Any medical condition for which you have had symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice in the five years before your policy start date is automatically excluded from cover.
- The "Rolling" Period: This exclusion is not necessarily permanent. A condition can become eligible for cover if you then complete a continuous two-year period after your policy has started without experiencing any symptoms, needing treatment, or seeking advice for that specific condition.
This is often called a "rolling moratorium" because the two-year period 'rolls' forward with you.
Real-Life Example: Sarah's Knee Pain
Sarah, 42, had physiotherapy for knee pain two years before she took out a moratorium PMI policy. In her first year of cover, the knee pain returns. Because she had symptoms and treatment for this within the five-year look-back period, her insurer will not cover the investigation or treatment.
However, if Sarah's knee remains perfectly fine for two full, continuous years from her policy start date, and then she develops a new problem with it in the third year, it would likely be covered as the exclusion period has passed.
Pros and Cons of Moratorium Underwriting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick & Simple Application: No lengthy forms to fill out. | Lack of Initial Certainty: You don't have a definitive list of what is excluded from day one. |
| Less Intrusive: You don't need to recall and declare your entire medical history. | Potential Claim Delays: When you make a claim, the insurer will need to investigate your medical history to see if it's a pre-existing condition. This can slow things down. |
| Potential for Cover: Old conditions can become eligible for cover after the two-year clear period. | "Grey Areas": It can sometimes be difficult to determine if a new symptom relates to an old, excluded condition, leading to disputes. |
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) Explained
Full Medical Underwriting is a more detailed and upfront approach. It provides absolute clarity on what your policy will and will not cover from the very beginning.
How Does Full Medical Underwriting Work?
With FMU, you complete a comprehensive health questionnaire as part of your application. You must declare your medical history, including any consultations, treatments, and conditions you've had.
- The Process: The insurer's underwriting team reviews your health declaration.
- The Outcome: Based on your answers, they will issue your policy with a list of specific, named exclusions. For example, your policy documents might explicitly state, "No cover for any treatment related to gallstones" or "Exclusion for conditions of the lumbar spine."
These exclusions are typically permanent for the life of the policy, although some insurers may offer to review them after a certain number of years.
Real-Life Example: David's Asthma
David, 35, has had mild asthma since childhood. He opts for a policy with Full Medical Underwriting and declares his asthma on the application form. The insurer reviews his case and offers him a policy with a specific exclusion for "any treatment, medication, or consultations relating to asthma or other respiratory conditions."
A year later, David develops a shoulder injury playing tennis. He makes a claim, and because the underwriting was completed upfront, the claim is processed quickly. The insurer already knows the shoulder is unrelated to his excluded asthma, so there are no delays for medical history checks.
Pros and Cons of Full Medical Underwriting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Total Clarity from Day One: You know exactly what is and isn't covered. No surprises. | Longer Application Process: You must complete a detailed health questionnaire, which can take time. |
| Faster Claims Process: As the underwriting is done upfront, claims are often approved more quickly because the insurer doesn't need to investigate your past. | More Intrusive: You have to disclose personal medical information. |
| Peace of Mind: This certainty can be reassuring, especially if you have a known medical history. | Permanent Exclusions: Declared conditions are often excluded permanently, with no chance of being added to the cover later. |
Moratorium vs. Full Medical Underwriting: A Head-to-Head Comparison
To make the choice clearer, here is a direct comparison of the key features of each underwriting method.
| Feature | Moratorium Underwriting | Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Process | Quick and easy. No medical questionnaire. | Slower and more detailed. Requires a full health declaration. |
| Initial Certainty | Low. You don't know for sure what's excluded until you claim. | High. You receive a certificate with explicit exclusions listed. |
| Claim Speed | Potentially slower. The insurer investigates your medical history at the point of claim. | Generally faster. Underwriting is already complete. |
| Cover for Past Issues | Possible. Conditions can become eligible for cover after a 2-year clear period. | Unlikely. Declared conditions are usually excluded permanently. |
| Privacy | Less intrusive at the start. | More intrusive, as you must disclose your full medical history upfront. |
| Best For... | Younger, healthier individuals with no recent medical issues who want a fast application. | Anyone who wants absolute certainty, has a complex medical history, or prioritises a smooth claims process. |
Calculating the Price Difference: Moratorium vs. FMU Premiums
One of the most common questions we hear at WeCovr is, "Which one is cheaper?" The answer isn't always straightforward, as it depends on your individual health profile.
- General Trend: Often, a moratorium policy may have a slightly lower initial premium. This is because the administrative work for the insurer is less at the outset.
- FMU Pricing: If you have a clean bill of health and can prove it through an FMU application, some insurers might reward that certainty with a competitive or even lower premium. Conversely, if you declare several conditions, your premium could be higher, or you may face more exclusions.
The difference in price is often smaller than people think, typically in the range of 5-15%. The decision should be based more on your need for certainty versus simplicity, rather than on price alone.
Illustrative Price Comparison
To give you a rough idea, here are some estimated monthly premiums for a mid-range private medical insurance UK policy.
Important: These are illustrative estimates for 2025 and not quotes. Actual prices vary significantly based on your age, location, chosen cover level, excess, and the insurer.
| Profile | Underwriting Type | Estimated Monthly Premium (Manchester) | Estimated Monthly Premium (London) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year-old, non-smoker | Moratorium | £45 - £55 | £60 - £75 |
| 30-year-old, non-smoker | FMU (clean history) | £42 - £52 | £58 - £72 |
| 50-year-old, non-smoker | Moratorium | £85 - £105 | £110 - £135 |
| 50-year-old, non-smoker | FMU (minor past issue) | £90 - £110 | £115 - £140 |
As you can see, the difference can be minimal. The only way to get an accurate figure for your situation is to get a personalised comparison quote. An expert PMI broker can run these calculations for you across multiple providers.
Which Underwriting Route is Right for You?
Use this checklist to guide your decision.
You might favour Moratorium Underwriting if...
- ✅ You want to get your cover in place as quickly as possible.
- ✅ You are in good health and haven't seen a doctor for anything other than routine check-ups in the last five years.
- ✅ You find the idea of filling out detailed medical forms off-putting.
- ✅ You are comfortable with the understanding that any claim will trigger a review of your medical past.
You might favour Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) if...
- ✅ You value certainty above all else and want to know exactly what is excluded from day one.
- ✅ You have a complex or long medical history and want clarity on what will be covered.
- ✅ You want to ensure the claims process is as smooth and fast as possible in the future.
- ✅ You don't mind investing time in the application process to achieve peace of mind.
The Crucial Role of a PMI Broker like WeCovr
Making this decision alone can be daunting. The terminology is complex, and the long-term consequences are significant. This is where an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr provides invaluable assistance.
Navigating the nuances of different insurers' underwriting philosophies is our expertise. Some insurers are more lenient with certain conditions than others. WeCovr can help you:
- Understand Your Options: We will talk through your personal health situation and explain which underwriting type is likely to give you the best outcome.
- Compare the Market: We compare policies from the UK's leading private health cover providers, assessing not just the price but the underwriting terms to find the best fit for you.
- Manage the Application: Whether you choose Moratorium or FMU, we can assist with the paperwork to ensure it's completed accurately.
- Save You Money: Our service is completely free to you. We find the most suitable policy at a competitive price, and we may also be able to offer discounts on other policies, such as life insurance, when you buy PMI through us.
With high customer satisfaction ratings, our team is dedicated to providing clear, impartial advice to help you make an informed choice.
Beyond Underwriting: Proactive Health & Wellness
Ultimately, the best way to manage your health and your insurance costs is to invest in your well-being. Modern private medical insurance policies are increasingly designed to support this. Many of the best PMI providers include benefits aimed at keeping you healthy, such as:
- Discounted gym memberships
- Access to digital GP services 24/7
- Mental health support lines and therapy sessions
- Rewards for healthy living (e.g., tracking steps)
At WeCovr, we champion this proactive approach. That's why all our health and life insurance clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. By helping you manage your diet and make healthier choices, we empower you to take control of your long-term health. Simple pillars of wellness—a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep—are the most powerful form of insurance there is.
What happens if I forget to declare a condition on a Full Medical Underwriting application?
Can I switch from a Moratorium policy to a Full Medical Underwriting policy?
Does Moratorium underwriting mean the insurer never checks my medical records?
The choice between Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting is a personal one. By understanding how each works, you can select the path that aligns with your health needs and desire for certainty.
Ready to find out your exact price and see which option works best for you? Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our expert team will compare the market and provide clear, tailored advice to help you secure the right protection.
Sources
- NHS England: Waiting times and referral-to-treatment statistics.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Health, mortality, and workforce data.
- NICE: Clinical guidance and technology appraisals.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC): Provider quality and inspection reports.
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): Public health surveillance reports.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Health and protection market publications.
