
Navigating the UK's private medical insurance market can feel overwhelming. With WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies of various types via embedded and direct channels, you can compare quotes from leading providers and secure the right private health cover in minutes, all at no cost to you. This guide explains how.
Private Medical Insurance, often called private health cover or PMI, is an insurance policy that covers the cost of private healthcare for eligible medical conditions. In essence, you pay a monthly or annual premium, and in return, the insurer pays for your private treatment should you fall ill with a new, acute condition.
The primary benefit of PMI is gaining fast access to specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and high-quality medical treatment, bypassing the potentially long waiting lists that can affect the NHS.
While the NHS remains a cherished national institution, it is facing unprecedented pressure. Understanding the current climate helps to frame the value proposition of private health cover.
PMI acts as a complementary service to the NHS. You will still use the NHS for accidents and emergencies, GP visits (unless your policy includes a virtual GP service), and the management of chronic conditions. Private health insurance is for receiving prompt treatment for new, eligible conditions.
If the benefits are clear, why do so many people find it difficult to choose a policy? The UK private medical insurance market is diverse and highly customisable. What is perfect for one person is unsuitable for another.
The main challenges include:
Trying to compare these variables across multiple providers—each with their own unique policy structures and pricing models—is a monumental task for an individual. This is where an expert PMI broker becomes indispensable.
At WeCovr, our mission is to cut through the complexity. As independent, FCA-authorised brokers, we work for you, not the insurance companies. Our service is designed to make finding the right private medical insurance in the UK simple, fast, and transparent.
Here’s how we achieve this:
To make an informed decision, it's crucial to understand how a policy is constructed. Think of it like building a car: you start with the basic model and then add the features you need.
This is the standard, non-negotiable part of any PMI plan.
This is where you tailor the policy to your specific needs and budget.
| Add-On Feature | Description | Who Should Consider It? |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Cover | Covers consultations and diagnostic tests that do not require a hospital stay. This is the most important add-on for speeding up diagnosis. | Almost everyone. Without it, you rely on the NHS for your initial diagnosis, which can involve long waits. |
| Mental Health Cover | Provides cover for psychiatric treatment, therapy, and counselling sessions for conditions like anxiety, stress, and depression. | Anyone concerned with mental wellbeing, especially those in high-stress jobs or with a family history of mental health issues. |
| Therapies Cover | Covers treatments from physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors following a specialist's referral. | Active individuals, those with a history of musculoskeletal issues, or people in physically demanding jobs. |
| Dental & Optical Cover | Contributes towards routine check-ups, emergency dental work, and the cost of glasses or contact lenses. | Those who want to consolidate their health expenses and don't have separate dental/optical plans. |
Underwriting is the process an insurer uses to decide whether to offer you cover and on what terms, specifically concerning your past medical history.
Before we explore the types of underwriting, it is vital to understand a fundamental principle of the UK private medical insurance market:
Standard PMI policies are designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. They do not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions.
This is the single most important exclusion to understand to avoid disappointment when you need to claim.
There are two main types of underwriting used to handle pre-existing conditions:
1. Moratorium Underwriting (The Most Common Type)
2. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
A WeCovr broker can explain these options in detail and help you decide which is the right path for you based on your medical history.
We have refined our process to be as efficient and client-focused as possible.
Step 1: The Initial Conversation (5-10 Minutes) You contact us via phone or our online form. A dedicated PMI expert will have a brief, no-obligation chat with you to understand your core needs:
Step 2: Market Research and Comparison Your broker then goes to work. They search our market-wide panel of insurers to find the policies that best match your criteria. They analyse the cover levels, hospital lists, and pricing of each option. This is the work that would take an individual days to complete.
Step 3: Personalised Recommendation and Quote Presentation Your broker will present you with 2-3 of the best options in a clear, easy-to-understand format. They will explain:
You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you need. Our goal is for you to feel 100% confident in your choice.
Step 4: Application and Policy Setup Once you've chosen your preferred policy, your broker handles all the paperwork and manages the application process with the insurer on your behalf. They ensure everything is completed correctly and that your cover is put in place smoothly.
The cost of a PMI policy, or the "premium," is influenced by several factors. Understanding them allows you to make smart choices to get the best value.
| Factor | How It Affects Your Premium |
|---|---|
| Age | The single biggest factor. Premiums increase with age as the statistical likelihood of needing treatment rises. |
| Location | Premiums are higher in areas with more expensive private hospitals, such as Central London and other major cities. |
| Level of Cover | The more comprehensive your policy (e.g., full outpatient cover, therapies), the higher the premium. |
| Policy Excess | The amount you agree to pay towards a claim. A higher excess leads to a lower premium. |
| Hospital List | Insurers offer different tiers of hospital access. A plan with a limited local network will be cheaper than one with nationwide access, including prime London hospitals. |
| Underwriting Type | Moratorium policies can sometimes be slightly cheaper initially than Fully Medically Underwritten ones. |
An expert broker can guide you through these cost-saving options:
The table below provides an estimated range of monthly costs for a non-smoker with a £250 excess. These are for illustration only; your actual quote will depend on your specific circumstances.
| Age | Location (Manchester) | Location (Central London) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | £45 - £65 | £60 - £85 |
| 40 | £60 - £80 | £80 - £110 |
| 50 | £85 - £120 | £115 - £160 |
| 60 | £130 - £180 | £180 - £250 |
A broker's job is to find the sweet spot between these variables to deliver a policy that is both affordable and provides the security you need.
Choosing private medical insurance is a significant financial decision. Using a specialist broker provides several advantages over going directly to an insurer or using a comparison website.
| Feature | Direct to Insurer | Comparison Website | WeCovr (Broker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advice | Biased towards their own products | None - execution only | Expert, regulated, and personalised advice |
| Market Access | Only their own policies | A limited panel, often focused on price | Whole-of-market access to leading UK insurers |
| Policy Suitability | You must assess if it's right for you | You are responsible for the choice | We recommend a policy based on your needs |
| Claim Support | Standard call centre support | No support - they refer you to the insurer | Ongoing support, including help at claim time |
| Cost | Standard public price | Can be cheap, but may lack key features | No fee for our service, with access to exclusive rates |
With high customer satisfaction ratings and a commitment to transparent advice, WeCovr offers a superior way to secure health cover. We don't just sell you a policy; we build a relationship and provide support for the life of your plan.
We believe in providing holistic value to our clients. When you arrange your private health insurance with us, you also benefit from:
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
No, standard UK private medical insurance is designed to cover new, acute medical conditions that arise after your policy has started. It does not cover pre-existing conditions (illnesses you had before joining) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses like diabetes or asthma) which continue to be managed by the NHS.
No, private hospitals in the UK are not equipped to handle emergencies. For situations like a heart attack, stroke, or serious accident, you should always call 999 or go to your local NHS Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. PMI is for planned, non-emergency treatment.
The process is straightforward. First, you visit your NHS GP who will refer you to a specialist if they think it's necessary. While some insurers now offer a digital GP service, a referral from your own GP is the most common starting point. You then contact your insurer with the referral details to get your claim authorised. Once approved, you can book your appointment with the private specialist. Many modern policies also include a Digital GP service, which can provide a referral directly.
Using an expert broker like WeCovr is highly recommended. A broker provides independent, regulated advice and compares policies from across the market to find the best fit for your specific needs and budget. This service is provided at no cost to you and ensures you are making an informed choice, rather than buying a product directly from a single insurer who can only offer their own options.
Arranging private medical insurance doesn't have to be a chore. With the right expert guidance, you can secure comprehensive, affordable cover that gives you and your family invaluable peace of mind.
Let WeCovr do the hard work for you. Our expert brokers are ready to provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the UK's leading health insurers.
Contact us today to get your free, personalised quote and discover your perfect private health insurance policy in minutes.






