TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 900,000 policies, WeCovr delves into General & Medical, a key player in the UK private medical insurance market. Our expert review will determine if they are a respected niche provider or a true hidden gem for individuals, families, and businesses. WeCovr reviews General & Medical's policies for individuals, families, and businesses In the crowded UK private medical insurance (PMI) landscape, dominated by giants like Bupa, Aviva, and AXA, it can be easy to overlook the smaller, more specialist providers.
Key takeaways
- Individuals: Single people, young professionals, and retirees.
- Families: Covering parents and children under one straightforward policy.
- Businesses: From small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of conditions like cataracts needing surgery, joint pain requiring a replacement, or hernias.
- A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured and is managed over a long period. This includes conditions like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and Crohn's disease. The NHS provides ongoing management for these.
As an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 900,000 policies, WeCovr delves into General & Medical, a key player in the UK private medical insurance market. Our expert review will determine if they are a respected niche provider or a true hidden gem for individuals, families, and businesses.
WeCovr reviews General & Medical's policies for individuals, families, and businesses
In the crowded UK private medical insurance (PMI) landscape, dominated by giants like Bupa, Aviva, and AXA, it can be easy to overlook the smaller, more specialist providers. Yet, these insurers often provide exceptional value, personalised service, and flexible policies that can be a perfect fit.
General & Medical is one such provider. With a history stretching back decades, they have carved out a reputation for quality and reliability. But how do their policies stack up in 2025? Are they a viable alternative to the household names?
This comprehensive WeCovr review will explore every facet of General & Medical’s health insurance offerings. We will break down their policies, analyse their key features, compare them to the wider market, and give you our expert verdict. Our goal is to provide you with the clarity you need to decide if they are the right choice for your health and peace of mind.
Who are General & Medical? A Closer Look at the Provider
Founded in the 1980s, General & Medical has a long and established history in the UK insurance sector. Unlike many of its larger, corporate-owned competitors, it has maintained a family-run ethos, which often translates into a more personal and customer-centric approach.
Initially known for their specialism in providing cover for professional sports clubs and associations, they have since expanded their expertise to offer a wide range of health insurance products for:
- Individuals: Single people, young professionals, and retirees.
- Families: Covering parents and children under one straightforward policy.
- Businesses: From small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations.
Their underwriting is handled by their own authorised and regulated firm, General & Medical Insurance Ltd, giving them direct control over their products and claims process. While they may not have the same brand recognition as the "big four," their deep experience and commitment to service make them a serious contender in the private health cover market.
Understanding the Core of Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
Before we dive into the specifics of General & Medical's policies, it's vital to be crystal clear on what private medical insurance is designed for. Misunderstanding this fundamental point is the single biggest source of confusion for new policyholders.
PMI is for Acute Conditions, Not Chronic Ones
Standard UK private medical insurance is designed to cover the diagnosis and treatment of 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. Think of conditions like cataracts needing surgery, joint pain requiring a replacement, or hernias.
- A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured and is managed over a long period. This includes conditions like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and Crohn's disease. The NHS provides ongoing management for these.
Crucially, private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. If you have received medication, advice, or treatment for a condition in the years leading up to taking out a policy, it will almost certainly be excluded from your cover.
The primary benefit of PMI is speed of access. With NHS waiting lists in England reaching 7.54 million cases in early 2025, according to NHS England data, having a PMI policy can mean the difference between getting a diagnosis and treatment in days or weeks, versus waiting for many months or even years.
General & Medical Insurance Policies: A Detailed Breakdown
General & Medical offers a tiered range of policies, allowing you to balance the level of cover you need with your budget. Let's examine their offerings for different customer groups.
For Individuals & Families
General & Medical's individual and family plans are designed to be flexible. They offer several core options which can be tailored with add-ons.
Here is a comparison of their typical individual policy tiers:
| Feature | Everyday Plan (Entry-Level) | Lifestyle Plan (Mid-Range) | Premier Plan (Comprehensive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-patient & Day-patient Cover | Full Cover | Full Cover | Full Cover |
| Out-patient Consultations | Optional Add-on | Up to £1,000 | Full Cover |
| Out-patient Diagnostics | Optional Add-on | Up to £1,000 | Full Cover |
| Cancer Cover | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Mental Health Cover | Optional Add-on | Included (limits apply) | Included (higher limits) |
| Therapies (Physio, Osteo etc.) | Optional Add-on | Included (limits apply) | Included (higher limits) |
| Hospital Network | Specified List | Extended List | National Choice |
| Private GP & Prescriptions | Included (limited) | Included | Included |
Real-Life Example:
Mark, a 42-year-old self-employed plumber, starts experiencing persistent knee pain. His NHS GP suspects a torn meniscus but warns the waiting time for an MRI scan is over six months. Mark has a General & Medical 'Lifestyle' policy. He gets a referral, has a private MRI within a week, and is booked in for keyhole surgery three weeks later. His policy covers the consultation, scan, and surgical procedure, getting him back to work and pain-free in a fraction of the time.
For Businesses (SME & Corporate)
Business health insurance is a highly valued employee benefit that can help companies attract and retain top talent. It demonstrates a commitment to staff wellbeing and can significantly reduce productivity losses from long-term sickness absence.
General & Medical's business policies are highly customisable and offer:
- Scalability: Cover can be provided for businesses with as few as two employees up to large corporations.
- Modularity: Employers can create different levels of cover for different groups of staff (e.g., directors vs. general employees).
- Group Leaver Options: Employees leaving the company often have the option to continue their cover on a personal policy without further medical underwriting.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to services like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), mental health support lines, and virtual GP services.
Offering a PMI scheme can be a powerful tool for SMEs competing with larger firms for skilled workers. It's a tangible benefit that directly impacts an employee's quality of life.
Key Features & Benefits of General & Medical Policies
Beyond the core cover, the details are what make a policy stand out. Here’s what you get with General & Medical.
- Comprehensive Cancer Cover: This is often a non-negotiable for policyholders. General & Medical provides extensive cover for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. They typically cover the costs of new, licensed cancer drugs even if they aren't yet available on the NHS, subject to policy terms.
- Mental Health Support: Recognising the growing mental health crisis, their mid-tier and top-tier plans include cover for psychiatric treatment, consultations with psychologists, and therapy sessions. This is a vital feature for both individual and business customers.
- Hospital Lists: Like most insurers, General & Medical uses a hospital network system to manage costs. You can choose a more restricted list for a lower premium or a comprehensive national list for maximum choice. Their lists include high-quality private facilities across the UK.
- Added Value & Wellness: General & Medical policies often come with access to a 24/7 GP helpline, allowing you to get medical advice quickly without leaving your home.
When you arrange your policy through an expert broker like WeCovr, you gain even more. We provide all our PMI clients with complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero, to support your health goals. Furthermore, our clients enjoy exclusive discounts on other types of insurance, such as life or home insurance, adding extra value to your relationship with us.
How Does General & Medical Compare to the 'Big Four' Providers?
To understand where General & Medical sits in the market, it's helpful to compare them to the largest UK PMI providers.
| Provider | Typical Market Focus | Key Strength | Potential Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| General & Medical | Individuals, families, and SMEs seeking value and personal service. | Flexibility, competitive pricing, customer-focused approach. | Smaller hospital network on entry-level plans; less brand recognition. |
| Bupa | Comprehensive cover for individuals and large corporates. | Huge brand trust, extensive direct-settlement hospital network. | Can be one of the more expensive options. |
| Aviva | Broad market, strong in corporate and individual PMI. | Very comprehensive policies, strong digital tools. | Premiums can be at the higher end of the scale. |
| AXA Health | Individuals and businesses, focus on clinical pathways. | Excellent clinical support, good mental health pathways. | Policy structure can feel complex to some. |
| Vitality | Individuals and businesses focused on health and wellness. | Innovative rewards for healthy living (e.g., gym discounts). | You must engage with the wellness programme to get the best value. |
This table shows there is no single "best PMI provider." The right choice is deeply personal. General & Medical excels for those who prioritise a straightforward relationship, good value, and solid, reliable cover without the bells and whistles of a complex rewards programme.
Understanding Underwriting: The Key to Your Cover
When you apply for health insurance, the insurer needs to assess the risk you pose. This process is called underwriting. General & Medical, like other insurers, primarily uses two methods.
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU):
- How it works: You complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring your entire medical history. The insurer's medical team reviews this and decides what, if anything, to exclude from your policy.
- Pros: You know exactly what is and isn't covered from day one. There are no grey areas.
- Cons: It requires more initial paperwork and can take longer to set up.
-
Moratorium Underwriting (Mori):
- How it works: You don't fill out a medical questionnaire. Instead, the policy automatically excludes treatment for any condition for which you have had symptoms, medication, or advice in the 5 years before the policy start date.
- The '2-Year Rule': If you go for 2 continuous years on the policy without needing treatment, advice, or medication for one of those pre-existing conditions, it may become eligible for cover.
- Pros: Quick and simple to set up.
- Cons: There can be uncertainty. You might think a condition is covered, only to have the claim declined after the insurer reviews your medical history.
Choosing the right underwriting method is a critical decision. A specialist PMI broker can provide invaluable guidance here, helping you select the path that best suits your medical history and desire for certainty.
How to Customise Your General & Medical Policy and Control Costs
One of the great strengths of General & Medical is the flexibility to tailor your policy. This allows you to control your monthly premium without sacrificing the cover that matters most to you.
- Choose Your Excess: The excess is a fixed amount you agree to pay towards the cost of your first claim each year (or for each claim, depending on the policy). Choosing a higher excess (e.g., £250 or £500) will significantly lower your premium.
- Add the 6-Week Option: This is one of the most effective ways to reduce your costs. With this option, if the NHS can provide the in-patient treatment you need within six weeks of when it is required, you will use the NHS. If the wait is longer, your private policy kicks in. As the NHS is excellent for many elective procedures, this can be a very savvy choice.
- Select Your Hospital List: Opting for a more limited list of local, high-quality private hospitals instead of a full national network will reduce your premium.
- Adjust Out-patient Cover: You can choose to limit the financial cover for out-patient consultations and diagnostic tests. While full cover provides complete peace of mind, a limit of £1,000 or £1,500 is often sufficient for most new conditions and can lower the price.
Navigating these options can be complex. The team at WeCovr can model these different scenarios for you, instantly showing you how each choice affects your premium. This free, no-obligation service ensures you build a policy that's perfectly matched to your needs and budget.
The WeCovr Verdict: Is General & Medical a Niche Provider or a Hidden Gem?
After a thorough review, our expert verdict is that General & Medical is both.
They are a niche provider in the sense that they don't try to be all things to all people. They have a clear focus on providing solid, understandable, and fairly-priced health insurance, backed by a personal service ethos that larger corporations can struggle to replicate.
They are a hidden gem for the discerning UK consumer who values this approach. For individuals, families, and SMEs who want robust cover for the essentials, particularly for cancer, surgery, and diagnostics, without paying for features they may not use, General & Medical represents outstanding value. Their high customer satisfaction ratings are a testament to their success in this area.
They are a strong and credible alternative to the big-name insurers and should be on the shortlist for anyone considering private health cover in the UK.
Wellness Corner: Simple Steps for a Healthier You
While insurance is there for when things go wrong, the best strategy is always prevention. Here are some simple, evidence-based tips to support your long-term health and wellbeing.
- Balanced Nutrition: You don't need a restrictive diet. Focus on incorporating a variety of whole foods. Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, lean proteins, and whole grains. Reducing processed foods, sugar, and excessive saturated fats can lower your risk of developing many conditions.
- Daily Movement: The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. This doesn't have to mean hitting the gym. A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week is enough. It's fantastic for your heart, joints, and mental health.
- Prioritise Sleep: Most adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Poor sleep is linked to a weakened immune system and poor mental health. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, avoid screens an hour before bed, and ensure your bedroom is dark and cool.
- Mindful Moments: Chronic stress is detrimental to your health. Taking just five minutes a day to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly can help manage stress levels and improve your focus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Private Medical Insurance
Does private medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
How much does private health insurance cost in the UK?
Is it worth getting private health insurance in the UK?
Can I buy a policy directly from General & Medical or should I use a broker?
Ready to explore your options and see if General & Medical is the hidden gem for you? The expert team at WeCovr can compare policies from them and other leading UK providers to find the perfect cover for your needs and budget.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today and take the first step towards greater peace of mind.












