TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr often gets asked about the finer points of private medical insurance in the UK. One common query is whether it's possible, or even sensible, to hold two policies at once. Let's dive in.
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr often gets asked about the finer points of private medical insurance in the UK. One common query is whether it's possible, or even sensible, to hold two policies at once. Let's dive in.
WeCovr explains how dual PMI cover works and when it may make sense
The idea of having double the health cover might sound appealing, like an extra layer of protection for you and your family. But is it a savvy financial strategy or just a way to pay twice for the same benefit?
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about having two private health insurance policies in the UK. We’ll explore the scenarios where it happens, how insurers handle claims, and whether it’s truly worth the extra cost.
What is Private Medical Insurance (PMI)? A Quick Refresher
Before we tackle dual cover, let's quickly recap what private medical insurance (PMI) is for. In the UK, we're incredibly fortunate to have the National Health Service (NHS), which provides excellent care free at the point of use.
PMI is not a replacement for the NHS. Instead, it works alongside it. It's an insurance policy you pay for that covers the cost of private healthcare for acute conditions that arise after your policy begins.
What is an acute condition? It's 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.
Crucial Point: Standard UK private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions (illnesses you already had before taking out the policy) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses that can be managed but not cured, like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure). The NHS remains your primary provider for this type of care.
The main benefits of PMI include:
- Speed: Bypassing NHS waiting lists for eligible treatments. According to NHS England data, the median waiting time for consultant-led elective care was 14.5 weeks in mid-2024. PMI can often reduce this to a matter of days or weeks.
- Choice: You get more say in which specialist treats you and which hospital you attend.
- Comfort: Access to a private room, often with an en-suite bathroom, can make your recovery more comfortable.
- Access to Specialist Drugs & Treatments: Some policies offer access to breakthrough drugs or treatments that may not yet be available on the NHS due to cost or licensing.
Can You Legally Have Two Private Health Insurance Policies?
The simple answer is yes, you absolutely can.
There is no law in the UK that prevents you from holding multiple insurance policies of the same type, whether it's for your health, your car, or your home. As long as you are willing and able to pay the premiums for both, you are free to do so.
However, just because you can doesn't always mean you should. This is because of a fundamental principle that governs all insurance: the principle of indemnity.
In plain English, this principle states that an insurance policy should put you back in the same financial position you were in before the loss occurred. It should not allow you to make a profit from your claim.
When you have a private medical procedure, there is a single, specific cost. You can't claim the full cost from Insurer A and then claim the full cost again from Insurer B, effectively doubling your money. That would be profiting from the claim, which is not what insurance is for.
Instead, if you have two policies, the insurers will work together to cover the bill. We'll explain how this works in a moment.
Common Scenarios Where You Might End Up with Dual PMI Cover
Most people don't set out to buy two health insurance policies. Dual cover usually happens as a result of changing life circumstances. Here are the most common scenarios:
1. Workplace PMI and a Personal Policy
This is by far the most frequent reason for having dual cover.
- The Situation: You may have had a personal private health cover policy for years. Then, you start a new job, and one of the perks is a company-provided PMI plan. You are automatically enrolled and now find yourself with two policies.
- The Dilemma: Should you cancel your personal policy? Not so fast. Company plans can be fantastic, but they are often a 'one-size-fits-all' solution. They might be quite basic.
- Example:
- Illustrative estimate: Priya has a personal PMI policy with comprehensive cancer cover and a £1,500 outpatient limit.
- Illustrative estimate: Her new employer provides a policy with a low £500 outpatient limit and standard cancer cover.
- If Priya cancels her personal plan, she loses valuable benefits. By keeping both, her personal policy can act as a 'top-up' to fill the gaps in her work plan.
2. Both Partners Have Workplace PMI
As more companies offer health insurance as a standard benefit, it's increasingly common for both partners in a couple to have their own workplace plans.
- The Situation: You and your partner both have PMI through your respective employers. Often, these company schemes allow you to add your partner or family at a discounted rate.
- The Dilemma: Should one of you join the other's plan to consolidate? Or should you keep them separate? You need to compare the two policies side-by-side. One might have better mental health cover, while the other offers superior dental and optical benefits.
- Example:
- Illustrative estimate: Tom's policy has a high excess of £500 but includes unlimited outpatient diagnostics.
- Chloe's policy has a zero excess but caps outpatient consultations at just four per year.
- They need to decide which policy is better suited for their family's potential needs before making a claim. An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help analyse both policies to find the optimal solution.
3. Overlapping Policies During a Switch
Sometimes, you might have two policies for a short period while switching from one provider to another. This is usually to ensure there are no gaps in your cover, which is a sensible precaution. However, this is a temporary situation, not a long-term strategy.
The "Contribution Clause": How Insurers Handle Dual Cover Claims
This is the technical part, but it's crucial for understanding why you can't "double claim".
Almost every insurance contract in the UK contains a 'contribution clause'. This clause states that if there is another policy in force that covers the same loss, the insurer has the right to call upon the other insurer to 'contribute' their share of the claim.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- You Need Treatment: Let's say your GP refers you to a specialist for a consultation and an MRI scan.
- You Make a Claim: You contact Insurer A to pre-authorise the treatment.
- You Must Declare Other Insurance: During the claims process, you will be asked if you have any other insurance that covers this treatment. You must be honest about this. Failing to declare another policy can be considered insurance fraud.
- Insurers Coordinate: Insurer A will contact Insurer B. They will review their respective policy terms and agree on how to split the cost.
- The Bill is Paid: The hospital and specialist send their invoices. The two insurance companies settle the bill directly between them.
The most common method of splitting the cost is on a 50/50 basis, but it can also be done 'pro-rata' if the policies have different benefit limits. The bottom line is that the total payout from all insurers will never exceed the actual cost of the treatment.
Example of a Dual Cover Claim
| Treatment Item | Total Cost | Paid by Policy A (Your personal plan) | Paid by Policy B (Your work plan) | Your Out-of-Pocket Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Consultation | £250 | £125 | £125 | £0 |
| MRI Scan | £750 | £375 | £375 | £0 |
| Total Claim | £1,000 | £500 | £500 | £0 |
As you can see, the final bill is settled without you having to pay (assuming no excess applies), but you haven't made any profit. The main consequence is that the claim process might take slightly longer due to the coordination between the two companies.
Is Paying for Two PMI Policies a Good Idea? The Pros and Cons
So, we've established that it's possible to have two policies and how claims are handled. But is it a wise financial decision? Let's weigh the pros and cons.
Potential Benefits (The "Pros")
- Filling Gaps in Cover: This is the most legitimate reason. A basic work policy might exclude mental health cover or offer limited outpatient benefits. A second, personal policy can be tailored to plug these specific gaps, giving you more comprehensive protection.
- Higher Combined Benefit Limits: While you can't claim for the same cost twice, you may be able to combine limits for certain benefits. For example, if both policies have a £1,000 limit for outpatient therapies, you might be able to claim up to £2,000 in total for a course of physiotherapy, with each insurer paying up to their limit. This depends heavily on the policy wording and coordination of benefits.
- Continuity of Cover: This is a hugely important and often overlooked benefit. If you rely solely on your company's health insurance and then leave your job, you lose your cover. Any medical conditions that developed while you were employed will now be considered 'pre-existing' by a new insurer, and likely excluded. By maintaining your own personal policy, you ensure continuous cover regardless of your employment status. This protects your future insurability.
Significant Drawbacks (The "Cons")
- Cost: This is the biggest drawback. You are paying two separate premiums every month. In most cases, you're paying for overlapping benefits that you can't double-claim on. It's often not a cost-effective use of your money.
- Complexity and Admin: Juggling two policies means double the paperwork, two renewal dates to track, and two sets of policy rules and exclusions to remember. It can be a significant administrative headache.
- Slower Claims Process: As mentioned, claims involving two insurers will inevitably take longer to process while they communicate and agree on payment shares. This can add stress at a time when you should be focusing on your health.
- A False Sense of Security: The term "dual cover" can be misleading. It might make you feel you have twice the protection, but the principle of indemnity means you only get one payout for one medical bill.
A Smarter Alternative: Enhancing a Single, Comprehensive Policy
For the vast majority of people, paying for two separate private medical insurance UK policies is not the best approach. A far more efficient and cost-effective strategy is to have one excellent, comprehensive policy that is perfectly tailored to your needs.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving this:
- Establish a Baseline: If you have a workplace policy, that's your starting point. Get a copy of the policy documents and understand exactly what it covers. Pay close attention to outpatient limits, cancer cover, and any exclusions.
- Identify Your Personal Needs and Gaps: What's most important to you? Do you have a family history of a particular condition? Do you want access to mental health support or alternative therapies like osteopathy? Compare your needs list to what your baseline policy offers.
- Upgrade or Replace:
- Option A (Upgrade): Ask your employer or their broker if you can upgrade the company policy by paying an additional premium yourself. This can sometimes be a cheap way to add benefits like family cover or higher outpatient limits.
- Option B (Replace/Supplement): This is where an independent PMI broker like WeCovr becomes invaluable. We can analyse your workplace policy and compare it against the entire market to find a single, superior personal policy that gives you everything you need. Or, if keeping the work plan makes sense, we can find a supplementary plan that only covers the gaps, making it more affordable.
Instead of paying for two full policies, you could use that money to buy a single 'gold standard' plan with features like:
- Full, comprehensive cancer cover
- A high or unlimited outpatient limit
- Mental health cover
- Dental and optical benefits
- Therapies cover (physiotherapy, chiropractors, etc.)
This approach simplifies your life, ensures you're not paying for redundant cover, and gives you robust, clear protection.
What About Other Types of Health-Related Insurance?
It's important not to confuse PMI with other types of health and protection insurance. While having two PMI policies is rarely a good idea, holding PMI alongside these other products is not only common but highly recommended as they serve completely different purposes.
| Insurance Type | What it Covers | How it Pays Out | Can it be held with PMI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Medical Insurance (PMI) | The cost of private diagnosis and treatment for acute conditions. | Pays the hospital or specialist directly. | Yes, but having two PMI policies is rarely efficient. |
| Health Cash Plan | A portion of the cost of routine healthcare like dental check-ups, eye tests, prescriptions, and physiotherapy. | Pays a fixed cash sum back to you after you've paid for the service. | Yes. A cash plan is an excellent and affordable partner to a PMI policy. |
| Critical Illness Cover | The diagnosis of a specific, life-changing illness from a defined list (e.g., heart attack, stroke, some cancers). | Pays you a one-off, tax-free lump sum to use as you wish (e.g., pay off mortgage, adapt your home). | Yes. This is for financial support, not treatment costs. It's a crucial part of a protection portfolio. |
| Income Protection | Losing your income because you are too ill or injured to work. | Provides a regular monthly income (usually 50-70% of your salary) until you can return to work. | Yes. This protects your lifestyle and ability to pay bills, including your PMI premium, while you recover. |
At WeCovr, we can advise on all these products. We even offer discounts on other types of cover when you take out a PMI or Life Insurance policy with us, helping you build a complete protection package for less.
Health & Wellness: A Proactive Approach to Your Wellbeing
While having the right insurance is a vital safety net, the best way to manage your health is to be proactive. A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing many acute and chronic conditions, lowering your long-term reliance on both the NHS and private healthcare.
- Nourish Your Body: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is fundamental. The Mediterranean diet is frequently cited for its benefits for heart health and longevity. To help you on this journey, all WeCovr clients get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero.
- Stay Active: The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (like running or tennis) per week, plus strength-building activities on two days.
- Prioritise Sleep: Most adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Consistent, restful sleep is essential for your immune system, mental health, and cognitive function.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can have a physical impact on your body. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, spending time in nature, and maintaining strong social connections are powerful tools for managing stress.
Key Takeaways: Should You Have Two Health Insurance Policies?
Let's summarise the key points:
- Yes, it's legal to have two PMI policies in the UK, but it's rarely advisable.
- The Principle of Indemnity prevents you from claiming twice for the same medical bill and making a profit. Insurers will 'contribute' to share the cost.
- Dual cover most often occurs when you have a workplace policy and a personal policy.
- The main valid reason to keep two policies is for continuity of cover—ensuring you remain insured if you leave your job.
- The major downsides are high cost, administrative complexity, and a slower claims process.
- A smarter, more cost-effective strategy is to have one single, comprehensive policy tailored to your exact needs.
- Always distinguish PMI from Health Cash Plans, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection, which are complementary and can be held alongside PMI.
The world of health insurance can be complex. Instead of paying two premiums and navigating two sets of rules, it’s far better to invest in getting the right advice from the start.
Do I need to declare my second health insurance policy when making a claim?
Can I claim from two policies for the same treatment to make a profit?
Is a company health insurance plan enough for my needs?
How can a PMI broker like WeCovr help me?
Get Clarity and the Right Cover with WeCovr
Feeling uncertain about your health insurance? Don't risk paying for duplicated cover or finding yourself underinsured when you need it most.
Let WeCovr's experienced insurance specialists provide a free, no-obligation review of your circumstances. We'll help you make sense of your options and build a single, powerful policy that protects your health and your finances.
[Get Your Free, Personalised PMI Quote Today]
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.
