
As an FCA-authorised expert with over 800,000 policies arranged, WeCovr helps you navigate the UK private medical insurance market. This guide and our simple calculator will help you understand the costs and find the right cover, giving you peace of mind and control over your health.
Thinking about private health insurance but worried about the cost? You're not alone. Understanding what you might pay is the first step towards deciding if private medical insurance (PMI) is right for you. Our easy-to-use cost calculator is designed to give you a reliable initial estimate in moments.
While every policy is tailored to the individual, our calculator provides a valuable starting point. It uses key information to generate a ballpark figure, helping you budget and explore your options with confidence.
Ready to get a clearer picture? Let’s break down what goes into the cost of private health cover in the UK.
The premium you pay for PMI isn't a random figure. It's a carefully calculated price based on a range of risk factors and your chosen level of cover. Insurers use this information to predict the likelihood of you making a claim. Here are the main factors that will shape your personal quote.
Age is the single most significant factor in determining your premium. As we get older, the statistical likelihood of needing medical treatment increases. Insurers price this heightened risk into the policy. Premiums for a person in their 60s can be three to four times higher than for someone in their 30s.
Illustrative Monthly Premiums by Age (Mid-Level Cover)
| Age Bracket | Typical Monthly Cost (Non-Smoker) |
|---|---|
| 25-30 | £35 - £55 |
| 35-40 | £50 - £80 |
| 45-50 | £70 - £110 |
| 55-60 | £100 - £160 |
| 65+ | £150 - £250+ |
Note: These are illustrative estimates for a healthy individual. Your actual quote will vary.
Where you live in the UK has a direct impact on your premium. This is often called a "postcode lottery." The cost of private medical treatment, particularly for hospital stays and specialist consultations, is significantly higher in some areas, like Central London and the South East. Insurers pass this cost on through higher premiums for residents in those postcodes.
Example Monthly Premium by Location (40-year-old, mid-level cover)
| Location | Example Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Central London | £95 |
| Manchester | £75 |
| Rural Scotland | £60 |
This is where you have the most control. Policies are not one-size-fits-all. You can tailor your cover to balance your needs and budget.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Cover:
Additional Therapies: Many policies allow you to add cover for treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care. If you have an active lifestyle or a history of musculoskeletal issues, this can be a valuable addition.
Mental Health Cover: With growing awareness of its importance, most providers now offer mental health cover. This can range from access to counselling sessions to full psychiatric inpatient treatment. Given potential NHS waiting times for services like CAMHS or talking therapies, this is an increasingly popular option.
An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. It works just like the excess on your car or home insurance. For example, if you have a £250 excess and make a claim for a £2,000 procedure, you would pay the first £250, and the insurer would pay the remaining £1,750.
Choosing a higher excess is one of the most effective ways to reduce your monthly premium.
Impact of Excess on a £80/month Premium
| Excess Level | New Estimated Monthly Premium | Potential Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|
| £0 | £80 | £0 |
| £250 | £68 | £144 |
| £500 | £60 | £240 |
| £1,000 | £52 | £336 |
Insurers have different lists of hospitals where you can receive treatment. A more limited list, perhaps focusing on hospitals in your local area, will result in a lower premium. A comprehensive national list, including the prestigious and expensive private hospitals in Central London, will cost more.
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your medical history to decide what they will and won't cover. This is a critical aspect to understand.
Moratorium Underwriting: This is the most common type. It's simple and doesn't require you to complete a long medical questionnaire. With a moratorium, the insurer will automatically exclude any medical conditions you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the five years before your policy starts. However, if you remain free of symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition for a continuous two-year period after your policy begins, the exclusion may be lifted.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): With FMU, you provide detailed information about your medical history upfront. The insurer then reviews this and tells you exactly what is and isn't covered from day one. This gives you more certainty but takes longer to set up.
It is vital to understand that standard UK private medical insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out the policy. An acute condition is one that is curable with treatment.
PMI does not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. A chronic condition is one that cannot be cured but can be managed, such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure. Treatment for these conditions will continue to be managed by the NHS.
Insurers consider smokers and vapers to be at a higher risk of developing health problems, from respiratory issues to cancer. Because of this, premiums for smokers and vapers are typically 30% to 50% higher than for non-smokers. Quitting is not only the best thing you can do for your health, but it will also significantly reduce your insurance costs.
Feeling that the costs are adding up? Don't worry. There are several practical ways to bring your premium down to a more comfortable level. An expert broker at WeCovr can walk you through these options to tailor a policy that fits your budget perfectly.
Understanding what's included and what's not is key to avoiding surprises when you need to make a claim.
| Typically Included in a PMI Policy | Typically Excluded from a PMI Policy |
|---|---|
| Inpatient & Day-patient Treatment: Surgery, hospital accommodation, nursing care. | Chronic Conditions: Ongoing management of diabetes, asthma, etc. |
| Cancer Care: A core benefit, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and specialist drugs. | Pre-existing Conditions: Any illness you had before the policy. |
| Specialist Consultations: Access to leading consultants for diagnosis. | Routine GP & A&E visits: These remain with the NHS. |
| Diagnostic Tests: MRI, CT, and PET scans, X-rays, and blood tests. | Normal Pregnancy & Childbirth: Complications may be covered. |
| Mental Health Support: Access to counsellors, therapists, or psychiatrists (if chosen). | Cosmetic Surgery: Unless medically necessary for reconstruction. |
| Therapies: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care (if chosen). | Self-inflicted Injuries: Injuries from dangerous sports or risky hobbies may be excluded. |
The NHS is a national treasure, but it is under immense pressure. According to the latest NHS England data, the total waiting list for consultant-led elective care stands at several million people. Many have been waiting over a year for treatment. This is where private medical insurance UK provides a valuable alternative.
The Key Benefits of PMI:
We believe that your health is your most valuable asset. That's why we go beyond just finding you the right insurance policy. We're committed to supporting your long-term wellness journey.
The UK private health insurance market is competitive, with several excellent providers offering a range of policies. Some of the main names you'll come across include:
Each provider has its own strengths, specific policy wordings, and pricing structures. This complexity is why using a specialist PMI broker is so valuable. At WeCovr, we have deep knowledge of the market and can quickly identify which insurer offers the best value for your specific circumstances. Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect our commitment to finding the perfect match for our clients.
To help you visualise the costs, here are a few illustrative examples. Remember, these are estimates and your own quote will be different.
Understanding the costs is the first step. The next is getting a personalised quote that reflects your unique needs and budget.
Let the expert team at WeCovr do the hard work for you. We'll compare policies from the UK's leading insurers to find you the best possible cover at the best price. Our advice is independent, our service is free, and there's no obligation.
Get your free, personalised health insurance quote today and take control of your health.






