TL;DR
Considering switching your private medical insurance in the UK? You're not alone. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we know that finding the right cover at the best price is vital.
Key takeaways
- Assess Your Current Policy: Understand what you're covered for now.
- Compare the Market: Use an expert broker to find better alternatives.
- Apply on CPME Terms: Explicitly request a switch on a continued underwriting basis.
- Review the New Offer: Carefully check the terms before you commit.
- Confirm the Switch Date: Ensure there is no gap between the old policy ending and the new one starting.
Considering switching your private medical insurance in the UK? You're not alone. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we know that finding the right cover at the best price is vital. This guide will show you how to transfer providers without creating gaps in your health protection.
Step-by-step guide to transferring policies safely
Switching your Private Medical Insurance (PMI) provider might seem daunting. You worry about losing cover for conditions you've claimed for, or facing new waiting periods. The good news is that with the right approach, you can switch seamlessly and safely.
The key lies in a special type of underwriting called Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME). This method is designed specifically for people moving from one insurer to another. It allows your new insurer to carry over the same terms of cover you had with your old provider, meaning you won't suddenly find a long-standing condition is no longer covered.
Here’s a high-level overview of the safe switching process:
- Assess Your Current Policy: Understand what you're covered for now.
- Compare the Market: Use an expert broker to find better alternatives.
- Apply on CPME Terms: Explicitly request a switch on a continued underwriting basis.
- Review the New Offer: Carefully check the terms before you commit.
- Confirm the Switch Date: Ensure there is no gap between the old policy ending and the new one starting.
- Cancel Your Old Policy: Only once the new one is firmly in place.
We'll break down each of these steps in detail throughout this guide, empowering you to make a confident and informed decision.
Why Consider Switching Your Private Health Cover?
There are many sensible reasons why you might be looking for a new PMI provider. The UK health insurance market is competitive, and your circumstances change over time. Staying with the same insurer out of habit could mean you're missing out.
Common reasons to switch include:
- Rising Premiums: This is the most common driver. Insurers often increase premiums at renewal due to age, medical inflation (the rising cost of treatment), and your claims history. According to NHS England data from early 2025, waiting lists for routine treatments remain historically high, increasing the perceived value and cost of private care. Switching can often secure a more competitive price.
- Better Benefits: A different provider might offer more comprehensive cover or new benefits that better suit your lifestyle. This could include enhanced mental health support, a wider choice of hospitals, or advanced cancer treatments.
- Improved Customer Service: A poor experience during a claim or difficulty getting answers from your current insurer can be a powerful motivator to move to a provider known for better service.
- New Wellness Programmes: Many modern PMI policies now include valuable wellness incentives, such as gym discounts, rewards for healthy living, and access to digital health tools. WeCovr even provides complimentary access to its AI calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, to help you stay on top of your health goals.
- Changes in Circumstances: Perhaps you've moved home and your current insurer's hospital list is no longer convenient, or your family has grown and you need to adjust your policy.
Understanding Your Current PMI Policy: The Essential First Step
Before you can find a better policy, you need to know exactly what you have now. Your policy documents are the source of truth. Grab your latest certificate of insurance and policy wording and look for these key details:
- Your Level of Cover: What is included? Check your outpatient limits (e.g., £500, £1,000, or unlimited), cancer cover details, and hospital list (is it a local list or a nationwide one?).
- Your Policy Excess: How much do you have to contribute towards a claim? A higher excess usually means a lower premium, but you need to be comfortable paying that amount.
- Your Underwriting Type: This is the most important factor for switching. Is your policy on a 'Moratorium' or 'Full Medical Underwriting' basis? We'll explain these next.
- Your Claims History: Have you made any claims in the last few years? You will need to declare these when you switch.
- Personal Exclusions: Does your policy specifically exclude any conditions by name? This is common on fully underwritten policies.
Gathering this information puts you in a strong position to compare new quotes on a like-for-like basis.
A Critical Reminder: What UK PMI Covers (and What It Doesn't)
It's vital to remember the fundamental purpose of private medical insurance in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
- 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).
- A chronic condition is a long-term illness that cannot be cured, only managed (e.g., diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure).
Standard UK PMI does not cover chronic conditions. It also does not cover pre-existing conditions unless you switch on special terms, which we will now explore in detail.
The Crucial Role of Underwriting in Your Switch
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your health risk and decides the terms of your policy. Understanding this is the key to switching without losing cover.
| Underwriting Type | How It Works | Best For | Impact on Switching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moratorium (Mori) | Simpler application. The insurer automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the 5 years before joining. Cover for these may be added later if you remain symptom-free for a continuous 2-year period. | People with a clean bill of health who want a quick start. | Risky. A new moratorium policy will reset the clock, excluding recent conditions. |
| Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | You complete a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer reviews your medical history and may apply specific, named exclusions to your policy from the start. | People who want absolute clarity on what is and isn't covered from day one. | Provides a clear baseline, but a new FMU policy will reassess your entire history. |
| Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME) | The Gold Standard for Switching. The new insurer agrees to take you on with the same exclusions as your old policy. Your medical history isn't reassessed. You get continuity of cover. | Anyone switching from an existing PMI policy. | The safest way to switch without losing cover for existing conditions. |
| Continued Moratorium | A variation of CPME for those on a moratorium policy. Your new insurer continues the original moratorium period, rather than starting a new one. | People switching from an existing moratorium policy. | Safer than a new moratorium, as it doesn't reset the 2-year waiting period for conditions. |
Deep Dive: Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)
CPME underwriting is the single most important concept to grasp when changing your private health cover. It is the bridge that allows you to move from Insurer A to Insurer B while keeping your cover intact.
How does it work? Instead of asking you to complete a full medical questionnaire from scratch, the new insurer simply asks for a copy of your current certificate of insurance. This certificate shows what personal exclusions, if any, you have on your existing policy.
The new insurer then agrees to replicate these same terms. If you were covered for a condition with your old provider, you will be covered for it with your new one. If a condition was excluded, it will remain excluded.
A Real-Life Example:
Sarah has been with Insurer A for five years. Her policy was fully medically underwritten. Three years ago, she had treatment for recurring shoulder pain. When she joined, Insurer A did not place an exclusion on her shoulder.
This year, her renewal premium has increased by 20%. She speaks to a PMI broker like WeCovr who finds a policy with Insurer B that offers similar benefits for a lower price.
Sarah applies to Insurer B on CPME terms. Insurer B reviews her current policy certificate from Insurer A, which shows no shoulder exclusion. They issue a new policy that also has no shoulder exclusion. If Sarah's shoulder pain returns, she remains covered.
If Sarah had applied for a new moratorium policy instead, her shoulder pain from three years ago would be classed as a pre-existing condition and would be excluded for at least two years. By using CPME, she protected her cover.
Step-by-Step Guide to Switching with CPME
Ready to make the move? Follow this process carefully to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 1: Review Your Current Policy & Renewal Offer
Before you do anything else, thoroughly check your renewal invitation from your current provider. Note the new premium and double-check if any terms have changed. Then, locate your most recent policy certificate to confirm your current underwriting and exclusions.
Step 2: Speak to an Independent PMI Broker
This is our number one recommendation. A specialist broker doesn't just sell you a policy; they provide expert guidance throughout the switching process. An independent broker like WeCovr works for you, not the insurance company.
Benefits of using a broker:
- Whole-of-Market Access: They can compare plans from all leading UK insurers.
- Expert Knowledge: They understand the complexities of CPME and will ensure your application is handled correctly.
- Time-Saving: They handle the paperwork and liaise with insurers on your behalf.
- No Extra Cost: Their service is free to you, as they are paid a commission by the insurer you choose.
Step 3: Compare Personalised Quotes
Your broker will present you with quotes from different insurers based on your current level of cover. They will ensure these quotes are prepared on a CPME basis. You can then compare not just the price, but also the finer details like:
- Hospital lists
- Outpatient limits
- Cancer cover pathways
- Added wellness benefits and digital tools
Step 4: Complete the Application
The application for a CPME switch is usually simpler than for a new policy. You will need to provide:
- Your personal details.
- Details of your current PMI policy.
- A copy of your current certificate of insurance.
- A declaration about any claims made or treatment received since your last renewal.
Be completely honest. Any non-disclosure could invalidate your policy later on.
Step 5: Receive and Review Your New Policy Offer
The new insurer will issue their formal offer, including the new policy documents and a certificate of insurance. Read these documents carefully. Check that:
- The underwriting is confirmed as "Continued Personal Medical Exclusions" or similar wording.
- Any personal exclusions listed match those on your old policy exactly.
- The level of cover and excess match what you agreed.
If anything is unclear, ask your broker to clarify with the insurer before you proceed.
Step 6: Co-ordinate the Switch and Cancel Your Old Policy
This is a critical step. Do not cancel your old policy until the new one is confirmed and in place. You must ensure there is not a single day's gap between the two policies.
- Set the start date of your new policy to be the same day your old policy expires.
- Once the new policy is active, contact your old insurer to cancel the renewal. Do this in writing (email is usually fine) and ask for confirmation. If you pay by direct debit, cancel it with your bank as a precaution.
By following these steps, you transfer your cover seamlessly, with no loss of protection for your medical history.
Potential Pitfalls to Avoid When Switching PMI
A successful switch is all about attention to detail. Here are some common mistakes to be aware of and avoid.
- ❌ Leaving a Gap in Cover: Even a one-day gap can be disastrous. If you develop a new condition during that gap, it will be considered pre-existing by your new insurer and won't be covered. Always ensure your new policy starts on the same day the old one ends.
- ❌ Not Disclosing Information: Forgetting to mention a consultation or a recent claim can be seen as non-disclosure. Insurers can cancel your policy or refuse to pay a claim if they find out you weren't truthful on your application.
- ❌ Choosing a 'New' Moratorium Policy: Unless you have had zero medical issues, symptoms, or consultations in the past five years, starting a fresh moratorium policy is risky. It will re-apply the 5-year exclusion window, potentially leaving you unprotected for conditions your old policy covered.
- ❌ Assuming Cheaper is Always Better: A lower premium might come with a more restrictive hospital list, a lower outpatient limit, or less comprehensive cancer cover. Always compare the benefits on a like-for-like basis, not just the price.
- ❌ Forgetting About Waiting Periods: Most new policies have an initial waiting period (e.g., 30 days) where you cannot claim for anything. However, on a CPME switch, this is often waived. Confirm this with your broker.
How a Specialist PMI Broker Like WeCovr Can Help
Navigating the private medical insurance UK market can be complex. The terminology is confusing, and the consequences of getting it wrong are significant. This is where an FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr adds immense value.
We act as your expert guide, providing impartial advice tailored to your needs. We are not tied to any single insurer, so our goal is to find the absolute best outcome for you.
Here’s how we make your switch simple and safe:
- We Do the Legwork: We compare policies and prices from the UK's leading insurers, including Aviva, AXA, Bupa, and Vitality, saving you hours of research.
- We Speak the Language: We understand underwriting inside and out. We will manage the CPME application process to ensure your continuity of cover is protected.
- We Add Extra Value: When you arrange a policy through us, you get more than just insurance. You get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered diet and calorie tracking app. Plus, clients who take out PMI or Life Insurance with us can often benefit from discounts on other types of cover, like home or travel insurance.
- We're on Your Side: Our service is built on trust and high customer satisfaction. From the initial quote to helping with a claim, we are here to support you. And because we are paid by the insurer, our expert advice costs you nothing extra.
Beyond the Policy: Added Value and Wellness Benefits
Modern private health cover is about more than just paying for treatment when you're ill. The best PMI providers now offer a suite of proactive health and wellbeing benefits designed to keep you healthy. When comparing policies, look beyond the core cover and consider these valuable extras.
| Benefit | Description | Why It's Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| Digital GP / Virtual GP | 24/7 access to a GP via phone or video call, often with the ability to get prescriptions or referrals. | Incredibly convenient. Avoids waiting for an NHS GP appointment for routine queries. |
| Mental Health Support | Access to telephone counselling lines, therapy sessions (sometimes without a GP referral), and mindfulness apps. | Provides fast access to support for stress, anxiety, and other common mental health challenges. |
| Wellness Programmes | Rewards and discounts for staying active. Examples include discounted gym memberships, wearable tech, and even cinema tickets or coffee. | Motivates you to build healthy habits around diet, sleep, and exercise, which can reduce your long-term health risks. |
| Second Medical Opinions | If you are diagnosed with a serious condition, the insurer can arrange for a world-leading expert to review your case and treatment plan. | Provides immense peace of mind and ensures you are on the best possible treatment path. |
| Health Information Lines | Access to qualified nurses over the phone to ask for medical advice for you and your family. | A quick and reliable source of information for everyday health worries. |
When switching, you might find a new provider offers a far superior package of these benefits, adding significant day-to-day value to your policy even if you never make a major claim.
A Final Thought on Health and Wellbeing
Your PMI policy is a safety net, but the best strategy is to invest in your own health every day. Simple, consistent habits can have a profound impact on your long-term wellbeing and reduce your reliance on medical care.
- Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods – fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Using an app like CalorieHero can help you understand your nutritional intake and make smarter choices.
- Regular Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, as recommended by the NHS. This could be brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing.
- Prioritise Sleep: Most adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. It's crucial for mental and physical recovery.
- Manage Stress: Find healthy coping mechanisms, whether it's mindfulness, hobbies, or spending time in nature. Remember that many PMI policies now offer direct access to mental health support.
Do I need to have a new medical examination to switch PMI providers?
What happens to my No Claims Discount (NCD) when I switch?
Can I switch my company PMI to a personal policy if I leave my job?
Will my premiums always be cheaper if I switch?
Ready to see if you could get better cover for a better price?
Let WeCovr do the hard work for you. Get a free, no-obligation quote today and our expert advisors will compare the market to find the best private medical insurance solution for you, ensuring a safe and seamless switch.
