Do You Need a Broker for PMI
As an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands the UK private medical insurance market inside out. Navigating the world of PMI can feel complex, but this guide will clarify whether you should use a specialist broker or go it alone to secure your health.
Martin Lewiss site and NimbleFins both agree brokers can help, but DIY shopping with comparison sites is feasible for many. A broker is handy for complex cases—but compare quotes yourself first. — MSENimbleFins
The question of whether to use a private medical insurance (PMI) broker or brave the market yourself is a common one. For many people in the UK, the appeal of a quick online comparison is strong. Sites like MoneySuperMarket or GoCompare offer instant quotes, making it seem like buying health insurance is as simple as insuring your car.
And for some, it can be. If you're young, healthy, and have straightforward needs, a comparison site can give you a good starting point. This is the sentiment shared by respected consumer champions like Martin Lewis's MoneySavingExpert and financial researchers at NimbleFins. They acknowledge that a DIY approach is perfectly feasible for the uncomplicated cases.
However, they also highlight a crucial point: when things get even slightly complex, a broker's expertise becomes invaluable. Private health cover isn't a one-size-fits-all product. The policy that looks cheapest on screen might have hidden limitations that only become apparent when you need to make a claim. This is where a good broker proves their worth, and it’s why getting expert advice is often the smartest move.
What is a PMI Broker and How Do They Help You?
Think of a PMI broker as your personal expert and advocate in the health insurance market. They are independent, FCA-authorised professionals whose job is to find you the most suitable private health cover for your specific needs and budget.
Unlike going directly to an insurer who can only sell their own products, or a comparison site that provides information but not advice, a broker offers a guided, personalised service.
Here's how a specialist broker like WeCovr helps:
- They Understand You: The process starts with a conversation. A broker will ask about your health, your family's needs, your budget, and what's important to you. Do you want access to specific hospitals in London? Is comprehensive cancer care a priority? Are you concerned about mental health support? This detailed understanding forms the basis of their search.
- They Scan the Market: Armed with your requirements, the broker searches a wide panel of leading UK insurers, including major players like AXA Health, Bupa, Aviva, and Vitality, as well as specialist providers you might not find on comparison sites.
- They Demystify the Jargon: What's the difference between moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting? What does a '6-week wait' option actually mean for your cover? A broker translates the confusing terminology into plain English, ensuring you know exactly what you're buying.
- They Compare Policies, Not Just Prices: This is the key difference. A broker looks beyond the headline monthly premium. They analyse the small print, comparing outpatient limits, cancer cover pathways, mental health provisions, and hospital lists to find the policy that offers the best value for you.
- They Handle the Paperwork: Once you've chosen a policy, the broker assists with the application, making sure everything is filled out correctly to avoid problems later on.
- They're Your Advocate at Renewal: When your policy is up for renewal, your premium will likely have increased. Instead of just accepting it, a broker can renegotiate with your current insurer or re-shop the market to ensure you continue to have the best cover at a competitive price.
How Do PMI Brokers Get Paid?
This is the best part. Reputable brokers like WeCovr do not charge you a fee for their service. They are paid a commission by the insurance provider you choose. This means you get impartial, expert advice and market analysis completely free of charge. The price you pay for your policy is the same as if you went to the insurer directly, but with the added benefit of expert guidance.
When a Broker is Essential: Navigating Complex Health Insurance Needs
While a simple online search might suffice for a 25-year-old in perfect health, most people have circumstances that make a broker's help not just useful, but essential.
Here are some real-life scenarios where a PMI broker is your strongest ally:
You Have Pre-existing Medical Conditions
This is one of the most common and complex areas of PMI. Standard UK private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. However, how an insurer defines and treats these conditions varies significantly. A broker can:
- Explain Underwriting Options: They'll walk you through 'Moratorium' vs. 'Full Medical Underwriting' (FMU) and advise which is better for your situation.
- Find the Right Insurer: Some insurers are more lenient with certain past conditions than others. A broker knows which doors to knock on. For example, a condition you had treatment for four years ago might be excluded by one insurer but potentially covered by another after a set period.
You Need to Insure Your Family
Covering multiple people introduces complexity. Your needs are different from your partner's, and your children's needs are different again.
- A broker can find a policy that might offer free cover for younger children.
- They can tailor different elements of the plan, perhaps giving one partner a higher level of outpatient cover while keeping costs down for others.
- They ensure the policy provides good cover for conditions common in children, like access to paediatric specialists.
You're Self-Employed or a Company Director
If you're running your own business, you can't afford to be on a long waiting list. A broker can find policies specifically designed for the self-employed, which are often treated as a business expense and can be tax-efficient. They can structure a plan that gets you diagnosed and treated fast, minimising disruption to your work.
You Have Specific Treatment Priorities
Perhaps you want to guarantee access to the latest cancer drugs, some of which may not be routinely available on the NHS. Or maybe comprehensive mental health support, including therapy sessions, is your top priority.
- A broker knows which insurers lead the market in cancer care (like AXA or Bupa).
- They can identify providers like Vitality, known for their wellness incentives, or Aviva for its strong mental health pathways.
- They can check if a specific hospital or consultant you'd want to use is on an insurer's approved list.
You're on a Tight Budget
It’s a myth that brokers are only for those with a lot of money to spend. In fact, they are often most valuable when you're trying to maximise value on a budget. They are experts at customising policies to reduce premiums without sacrificing the core cover you need. They do this by adjusting:
- Your Excess: The amount you pay towards a claim.
- Your Hospital List: Choosing a list that excludes expensive central London hospitals can save a lot.
- Outpatient Limits: Setting a cap on pre-treatment tests and consultations.
- The '6-Week Wait' Option: A smart way to save money if you're happy to use the NHS for non-urgent treatment if the waiting list is short.
| Scenario | DIY Challenge | How a Broker Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Past health issues | Understanding which conditions will be excluded and for how long. | Recommends the best underwriting type and insurer for your history. |
| Family cover | Juggling different needs and finding a cost-effective plan for all. | Creates a tailored family plan, often finding deals for children. |
| Specific hospital request | Manually checking dozens of complex hospital lists from each insurer. | Quickly identifies which insurers cover your preferred hospitals or clinics. |
| Budget limitations | Choosing the cheapest option, which may have poor cover. | Finds the best value by balancing cost with benefits like cancer care. |
| Time-poor professional | Spending hours researching policies and reading dense documents. | Does all the legwork for you, presenting a few clear, suitable options. |
The DIY Route: Using Comparison Sites and Going Direct
Let's be clear: using a comparison site is a valid first step. It's a fantastic tool for getting a quick snapshot of the market and understanding what sort of prices you might be looking at.
The Advantages of a DIY Search:
- Speed and Convenience: You can get multiple quotes in minutes, any time of day or night.
- Market Overview: It gives you a general idea of the main providers and their headline prices.
- Anonymity: You can browse without speaking to anyone until you're ready.
However, the convenience of comparison sites comes with significant drawbacks. They are information platforms, not advice services.
The Pitfalls of Relying Solely on Comparison Sites:
- They Aren't Whole-of-Market: Key insurers, including market-leader Bupa and the popular Vitality, are often not available on the main comparison sites. You could be missing out on the best policy for you.
- Policies are Not Like-for-Like: A quote from Insurer A might be £10 cheaper than Insurer B, but it may have a £1,000 cap on outpatient diagnostics, while Insurer B's is unlimited. This tiny detail could cost you thousands if you need an MRI scan.
- The Devil is in the Detail: Definitions of key terms can vary wildly. What one insurer classifies as 'outpatient surgery', another might not. The level of cancer cover, especially for new and experimental drugs, can differ enormously.
- No Personalised Advice: The website doesn't know you. It can't tell you that, based on your family history, you should prioritise a policy with enhanced cancer cover. It can't advise you on the best underwriting method for your past ankle injury.
- You're on Your Own: If you have a problem with your application or a dispute over a claim, you have no expert advocate to fight your corner. At renewal, you're left to re-run the comparisons yourself.
Going direct to an insurer is another option, but you'll only hear about their products. They have no obligation to tell you if a competitor offers a more suitable or cheaper policy.
The WeCovr Approach: Expert Advice, Zero Hassle
At WeCovr, we combine the best of both worlds. We believe in empowering you with information while providing the expert safety net you need to make the right choice. Our process is simple:
- Start with a Quote: You can begin online, getting a quick feel for the options available.
- Speak to an Expert: One of our friendly, FCA-authorised advisors will then get in touch to discuss your quotes. This is not a sales call; it's an advice session. We'll explain what the quotes really mean for you.
- Receive Your Tailored Recommendation: We'll present you with a clear, jargon-free recommendation for the policy that best fits your life, your health, and your budget, drawn from a wide panel of the UK's top insurers.
Our service costs you nothing. We have high customer satisfaction ratings because we prioritise finding the right cover for our clients, not just the easy sale. As a WeCovr client, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, helping you stay on top of your health goals. Furthermore, customers who purchase PMI or Life Insurance through us can benefit from discounts on other types of cover.
A Crucial Point: What UK Private Medical Insurance Covers (and What It Doesn't)
Before buying any policy, it is vital to understand the fundamental purpose of private medical insurance in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., joint replacement, cataract surgery, hernia repair, cancer treatment).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, it has no known cure, it is likely to recur, or it requires palliative care (e.g., diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis).
Standard private medical insurance policies do not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. The management of long-term chronic illnesses remains the responsibility of the NHS. If you develop a chronic condition after taking out a policy, your PMI will typically cover the initial diagnosis and treatment to stabilise it, but the day-to-day management will then be handed back to your NHS GP.
Underwriting: The Gatekeeper of Your Cover
How an insurer assesses your medical history is called 'underwriting'. This determines what will and won't be covered. There are two main types, and a broker's help here is invaluable.
| Underwriting Type | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moratorium (Most Common) | You don't declare your full medical history upfront. The policy automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms, medication, or advice for in the 5 years before joining. | Quicker and less intrusive application process. | Lack of certainty. You only find out if something is covered when you claim. |
| Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | You complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring your medical history. The insurer then tells you upfront exactly what is excluded from your policy. | Complete clarity from day one. You know exactly what isn't covered. | Longer application process. Exclusions are often permanent. |
A broker can advise which route is best for you. For instance, if you had a minor issue 4.5 years ago, a moratorium policy might start covering it in just 2 years, whereas with FMU it might be excluded forever.
How to Lower Your PMI Premiums: Smart Tips for 2025
Private health cover doesn't have to be expensive. With expert guidance, you can tailor a policy to make it more affordable. Here are the most effective ways to manage the cost:
- Increase Your Excess: Agreeing to pay a larger excess (e.g., £250 or £500) towards the cost of your first claim each year can significantly reduce your monthly premium.
- Select a Guided Hospital List: Insurers offer different tiers of hospitals. Unless you need access to prime central London clinics, choosing a more limited nationwide list can offer substantial savings.
- Opt for the '6-Week Wait': This is a popular cost-saving measure. If the NHS waiting list for the inpatient treatment you need is longer than six weeks, your private cover kicks in. If it's shorter, you use the NHS. This reduces the risk for the insurer, and they pass the savings to you.
- Limit Your Outpatient Cover: The most comprehensive (and expensive) policies cover all outpatient costs in full. You can save money by choosing a policy with a monetary cap on this cover (e.g., £1,000 per year). This is often more than enough for initial consultations and diagnostics.
- Live a Healthy Lifestyle: Many insurers, like Vitality, actively reward you for being healthy. By tracking your activity, getting health checks, and engaging with their programme, you can earn discounts on your renewal premium, as well as other perks. Our CalorieHero app can help you on this journey.
- Review Annually with a Broker: Never simply accept your renewal quote. Insurers often rely on customer inertia. A broker like WeCovr will re-evaluate your needs and compare your renewal price against the entire market each year to ensure you're still getting the best deal.
The UK Health Landscape in 2025: Why PMI is More Relevant Than Ever
The pressure on our beloved NHS is undeniable. According to the latest data from NHS England, the total waiting list for routine consultant-led treatment remains stubbornly high, affecting millions of people. In late 2024, the figure stood at over 7.5 million, a number that has created significant anxiety and uncertainty for patients.
This has driven a surge in interest for private medical insurance. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports that the number of individuals choosing to buy their own policies has grown steadily. In total, when including company-sponsored schemes, around 12% of the UK population now has some form of private medical cover, according to market analysts LaingBuisson.
This trend is not just about skipping queues. It's about gaining control, peace of mind, and faster access to diagnosis and treatment. In 2025, the best PMI providers offer:
- Rapid access to virtual GPs.
- Comprehensive mental health support, including therapy.
- Advanced cancer care with access to drugs not always available on the NHS.
- Digital tools and wellness programmes to help you stay healthy.
In this environment, making an informed choice is more critical than ever. Whether you choose the DIY route or the expert guidance of a broker, the goal is the same: to secure a policy that protects you and your family when you need it most. While doing your own research first is a great way to get educated, partnering with a broker for the final decision ensures you haven't missed a crucial detail that could make all the difference.
Is it more expensive to use a PMI broker?
Can I get private health insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
What is the single most important thing to check in a PMI policy?
Ready to find the right private health cover without the hassle? The expert team at WeCovr is here to provide clear, independent advice tailored to you.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today and let us help you navigate the market with confidence.
Related guides
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
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Who Are WeCovr?
WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.
Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!