TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr specialises in demystifying the world of private medical insurance in the UK. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) is a crucial option that offers clarity and potential savings, but it's vital to understand how it works before you apply. Pros, cons, and scenarios where FMU is best for applicants in 2025 Choosing the right type of underwriting for your private health cover is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
Key takeaways
- Conditions you've had in the past.
- Treatments or surgeries you have undergone.
- Symptoms you have experienced.
- Medications you have taken.
- Your general lifestyle (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption).
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr specialises in demystifying the world of private medical insurance in the UK. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) is a crucial option that offers clarity and potential savings, but it's vital to understand how it works before you apply.
Pros, cons, and scenarios where FMU is best for applicants in 2025
Choosing the right type of underwriting for your private health cover is one of the most important decisions you'll make. It directly impacts what you’re covered for, how much you pay, and your peace of mind. Full Medical Underwriting, while more detailed upfront, provides complete certainty from day one. In 2025, with individuals more health-conscious than ever, understanding if this path is right for you is key.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about FMU, comparing it to other options and providing clear scenarios to help you decide.
What is Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)? A Plain English Guide
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) is one of the main ways that health insurers assess your application for private medical insurance (PMI).
In simple terms, it involves you completing a detailed questionnaire about your health and medical history. You will be asked specific questions about:
- Conditions you've had in the past.
- Treatments or surgeries you have undergone.
- Symptoms you have experienced.
- Medications you have taken.
- Your general lifestyle (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption).
The insurer’s medical underwriters then review this information to build a clear picture of your personal health risks. Based on this, they decide the terms of your policy, including what they can and cannot cover.
The Golden Rule of UK Private Medical Insurance
Before we go any further, it's essential to understand a fundamental principle of the UK PMI market:
Private medical insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise 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 (e.g., joint-pain requiring a hip replacement, cataracts, or hernias).
PMI does not cover chronic conditions (long-term illnesses that need ongoing management, like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure) or pre-existing conditions (any ailment you had before taking out the policy). Underwriting is the process insurers use to identify and exclude these conditions.
How Does the Full Medical Underwriting Process Work Step-by-Step?
The FMU process is methodical and designed for clarity. While it requires more effort from you at the start, it removes any guesswork later on. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
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Receive the Application Form: When you apply for a policy with FMU, you'll be given a comprehensive health questionnaire. An expert adviser at WeCovr can help you navigate this form and understand exactly what is being asked.
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Complete the Questionnaire: You must answer every question honestly and accurately. This is part of your 'duty of fair presentation'. It’s better to provide too much information than too little. You’ll be asked about everything from serious illnesses to minor consultations.
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Insurer's Review: Once submitted, the form is passed to the insurer's underwriting team. These are specialists trained to assess medical risk. They will carefully read your answers to understand your health profile.
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Request for More Information (If Needed): If you’ve mentioned a condition but the details are unclear, the underwriter might need more information. They may ask for your consent to contact your GP for a report. They can never access your medical records without your explicit, written permission, in line with GDPR regulations.
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The Underwriting Decision: The insurer will make one of three decisions:
- Accepted: Your application is accepted with standard terms.
- Accepted with Exclusions: Your application is accepted, but with specific, named exclusions for conditions you declared. For example, "Exclusion for any treatment related to the left knee."
- Declined: In rare cases, if your medical history presents a very high risk, the insurer might decline to offer cover.
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Policy Documents Issued: You will receive your policy documents which will clearly list any personal medical exclusions. From this point on, you know exactly where you stand.
The Pros and Cons of Full Medical Underwriting: A Balanced View
FMU is a fantastic option for some, but not for everyone. Understanding the trade-offs is crucial.
| Pros of Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | Cons of Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) |
|---|---|
| Absolute Clarity from Day One: You receive a policy document that explicitly lists any conditions that are not covered. There are no grey areas or future surprises at the point of claim. | Lengthy Application Process: Completing the detailed health questionnaire can be time-consuming and requires you to recall your medical history accurately. |
| Potential for Lower Premiums: If you are in good health or your past conditions are minor and fully resolved, FMU can result in a cheaper premium compared to other underwriting types. | Intrusive Questions: Some people feel uncomfortable disclosing their entire medical history. The questions are personal and detailed. |
| Some Pre-existing Conditions May Be Covered: This is a key benefit. If you had a condition many years ago and have been symptom-free since, an underwriter may agree to cover it after reviewing the specifics. This isn't possible with moratorium underwriting. | Exclusions are Often Permanent: Any exclusion applied at the start of the policy will typically remain in place for the life of that policy. It cannot be removed after a period of good health. |
| Faster Claims Process: Because all your medical history has been assessed upfront, the claims process is often smoother and quicker. The insurer already knows what is and isn't covered. | Potential for Higher Premiums or More Exclusions: If you have a complex or recent medical history, FMU will highlight this, which could lead to higher costs or more exclusions than you might get on a moratorium policy initially. |
Full Medical Underwriting vs. Moratorium: Which is Right for You?
The main alternative to FMU is Moratorium Underwriting (MORI). It’s important to understand the difference to make an informed choice.
Moratorium Underwriting: This is a simpler, faster way to get cover. There's no medical questionnaire. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition for which you have had symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice in the 5 years before the policy started.
However, if you then go for a continuous 2-year period after your policy starts without needing any treatment, advice, or having symptoms for that condition, it may become eligible for cover.
Here’s a head-to-head comparison:
| Feature | Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | Moratorium Underwriting (MORI) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Process | Detailed medical questionnaire to complete. | No medical questionnaire at the start. |
| Speed of Application | Slower. Can take a few days or weeks for underwriters to review. | Faster. Cover can often be set up on the same day. |
| Knowledge of Exclusions | Crystal clear from day one. All exclusions are listed in your policy documents. | Ambiguous. You don't know for sure what's excluded until you make a claim. The insurer will investigate your history at that point. |
| Premium Cost | Can be cheaper if you're healthy. Can be more expensive if you have a significant medical history. | Often a standard price based on age and location, which can be higher if you're very healthy. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | A condition from 7 years ago might be reviewed and accepted for cover. | Any condition from the last 5 years is automatically excluded for at least the first 2 years of the policy. |
| Claims Process | Generally smoother, as underwriting was done at the start. | Can be slower, as the insurer needs to investigate your 5-year medical history before approving the claim. |
| Best For... | Those who want certainty, have old/minor conditions they want covered, or are in excellent health and want a lower premium. | Those who want cover quickly, have a clean recent medical history, and are comfortable with the "2-year rule". |
A specialist PMI broker like WeCovr can run quotes for both underwriting types, allowing you to compare costs and decide which approach gives you the best value and peace of mind.
Real-Life Scenarios: When is FMU the Smartest Choice in 2025?
Theory is one thing, but real-world examples make the choice clearer. Here are a few scenarios where FMU is likely the better option.
Scenario 1: The Fit and Healthy Applicant
- Persona: Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing manager who runs three times a week, is a non-smoker, and hasn't seen a doctor for anything other than routine check-ups in over a decade.
- Why FMU is a good choice: By completing a full medical declaration, Sarah can prove her excellent health status to the insurer. The underwriter will see she is a low-risk applicant. In return, she is likely to be offered one of the most competitive premiums on the market, potentially saving hundreds of pounds a year compared to a standard-priced moratorium policy.
Scenario 2: The Applicant with an Old, Resolved Condition
- Persona: David, 48, is a self-employed builder. He had keyhole surgery on his shoulder for a rugby injury 12 years ago and has had no pain or issues since.
- Why FMU is a good choice: On a moratorium policy, anything related to his shoulder would be automatically excluded, as it's a pre-existing condition. The claims team might struggle to differentiate a new shoulder problem from the old one. With FMU, David can declare the surgery, provide the date, and explain his full recovery. The underwriter will likely review the details and agree to offer full cover for his shoulder, giving him complete peace of mind.
Scenario 3: The Applicant Switching Insurers
- Persona: Maria, 52, has had a PMI policy with Insurer A for five years. She wants to switch to Insurer B for a better price and more benefits. Her current policy has an exclusion for varicose veins.
- Why FMU is a good choice: Switching insurers on a moratorium basis can be complex, as the "5-year history" clock effectively resets. By applying to Insurer B on an FMU basis, Maria's history can be freshly assessed. Insurer B might agree to apply the same exclusion, or if her condition has been stable, they might even offer better terms. This "continued personal medical exclusions" (CPME) style of underwriting provides continuity and clarity.
Navigating the Health Questionnaire: Tips for Success
The FMU application form can feel daunting. Here are our top tips for getting it right:
- Be Honest and Thorough: Insurance contracts are based on a principle of "utmost good faith". Hiding a condition, even a minor one, is called 'non-disclosure'. If discovered later, your insurer could reject your claim or even void your policy, leaving you to foot the bill for private treatment.
- Don't Guess: If you are unsure of the exact date of a consultation or the name of a medication, don't invent it. It's better to state "approximately 2018" or "I cannot recall the exact name". The underwriters can seek clarification if needed.
- Gather Your Information: Before you start, try to have some key details to hand. Think about any specialist consultations, hospital visits, or regular prescriptions you've had.
- Use an Expert Adviser: This is where a broker really helps. An adviser from WeCovr can sit with you (virtually or over the phone) and go through the form question by question. They know what the insurers are looking for and can help you phrase your answers clearly and accurately, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible. This service comes at no cost to you.
The UK Health Landscape in 2025: Why PMI is More Relevant Than Ever
The demand for private medical insurance in the UK continues to grow, driven by a desire for faster access to diagnostics and treatment.
According to the latest NHS England statistics, the referral-to-treatment (RTT) waiting list remains a significant challenge. As of July 2024, the list stood at 7.57 million. This pressure on services means that for many elective procedures, the wait can be many months or even longer. PMI offers a valuable alternative, allowing you to bypass these queues and be seen by a specialist in a matter of days or weeks.
Furthermore, people are taking a more proactive approach to their health. Many modern PMI policies include benefits that support a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Discounts on gym memberships.
- Access to virtual GP services 24/7.
- Enhanced mental health support and therapy sessions.
- Wellness tools and apps.
As a WeCovr client, you also get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to help you stay on top of your health goals. Plus, clients who purchase PMI or Life Insurance through us can benefit from exclusive discounts on other types of cover, like home or travel insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Full Medical Underwriting
What happens if I forget to declare a condition on my FMU application?
Can a health insurer get my medical records without my permission?
Do I have to declare mental health conditions?
Is Full Medical Underwriting more expensive than Moratorium?
Ready to Find Your Perfect Health Cover?
Full Medical Underwriting offers a path to private healthcare defined by clarity, certainty, and potential cost savings. While the application is more detailed, the long-term benefit of knowing exactly what your policy covers is invaluable. It’s the preferred choice for those who are healthy, have old and resolved conditions, or simply want no surprises down the line.
The best way to determine if FMU is right for your unique circumstances is to speak to an expert.
