
As an FCA-authorised expert with over 800,000 policies issued, WeCovr specialises in finding the right private medical insurance for UK professionals. This guide explores why private health cover is a crucial tool for jewellery makers, helping you protect your health, wellbeing, and livelihood against unexpected illness or injury.
The art of jewellery making is one of precision, patience, and passion. It demands a unique combination of creativity and physical dexterity. However, the long hours spent hunched over a workbench, the intricate hand movements, and exposure to materials can take a significant toll on your health. For self-employed artisans and small business owners in the UK, an unexpected health issue can mean more than just discomfort—it can mean a direct loss of income.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI) offers a powerful solution. It's designed to work alongside the NHS, providing you with faster access to diagnosis and treatment for acute medical conditions. This means less time waiting and more time focusing on your craft and your business.
While the NHS provides excellent care, it is currently facing unprecedented pressure. According to the latest NHS England data, the waiting list for routine treatments stands at several million, with many patients waiting over 18 weeks to begin care. For a jewellery maker, whose hands are their most valuable asset, such a delay can be catastrophic.
Here’s why private health cover is a smart investment for your career:
Imagine Sarah, a self-employed goldsmith. She develops severe wrist pain, which is later diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. On the NHS, she faces a potential 20-week wait for a consultation with a specialist, followed by another lengthy wait for surgery. During this time, she can barely work.
With a comprehensive PMI policy, Sarah could see a specialist within a week, have diagnostic tests, and undergo surgery in a private hospital a few weeks later. Her recovery, supported by private physiotherapy, is swift, and she's back at her bench in a fraction of the time, her business intact.
Your profession carries a unique set of occupational health risks. Understanding them is the first step toward effective protection.
This is the most common health complaint among jewellery makers. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect hundreds of thousands of workers in the UK each year. For jewellers, the risks are concentrated in the upper limbs, neck, and back.
Close, detailed work under bright lights can lead to significant eye strain, headaches, and a gradual deterioration of vision if not managed correctly. PMI policies with optical cover can help with the cost of regular eye tests and prescription lenses tailored for close-up work.
The jewellery workshop can be a source of airborne irritants. Inhaling dust from grinding and polishing (including silica) or fumes from soldering and casting (involving substances like cadmium) can lead to serious respiratory conditions over time. While PPE is the first line of defence, having access to respiratory specialists through PMI is a crucial backstop.
The pressure of deadlines, the isolation of working alone, and the financial insecurity of self-employment can contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Many of the best PMI providers now offer excellent mental health support, including access to counselling and therapy, often without needing a GP referral.
It's vital to understand what PMI does and does not cover.
Crucial Point: Standard private medical insurance in the UK is designed for acute conditions—illnesses or injuries that are new, unexpected, and likely to respond to treatment. It does not cover pre-existing conditions (any ailment you had before your policy started) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses like diabetes, asthma, or arthritis that require ongoing management rather than a cure).
Your policy is built from a core foundation with optional extras, allowing you to tailor it to your needs and budget.
| Coverage Type | Description | Is it essential for a Jewellery Maker? |
|---|---|---|
| Core Cover (In-patient & Day-patient) | Covers tests and treatment when you are admitted to a hospital bed, either overnight (in-patient) or for the day (day-patient). This includes surgery, accommodation, and nursing care. | Essential. This is the fundamental safety net of any PMI policy. |
| Out-patient Cover | Covers specialist consultations, diagnostic tests (like MRI/CT scans), and procedures that don't require a hospital bed. | Highly Recommended. This is key to getting a fast diagnosis for issues like RSI or back pain. |
| Therapies Cover | Covers treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care. | Very Important. Crucial for treating and managing the musculoskeletal issues common in the profession. |
| Mental Health Cover | Provides access to counsellors, therapists, and psychiatrists for conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. | Highly Recommended. Protects your mental wellbeing against the pressures of running a business. |
| Dental & Optical Cover | Contributes towards the cost of routine dental check-ups, treatments, eye tests, and prescription glasses. | Useful Add-on. Particularly beneficial given the high visual demands of the job. |
An expert PMI broker, like WeCovr, can help you navigate these options to build a policy that provides robust protection without paying for benefits you don't need.
When you apply for PMI, the insurer needs to know about your medical history to exclude pre-existing conditions. There are two main ways they do this:
This is the most common and simplest option. You don't have to declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the insurer applies a general exclusion for any condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the last 5 years.
However, if you remain symptom-free and treatment-free for that condition for 2 continuous years after your policy starts, the exclusion may be lifted, and you could be covered for it in the future.
With FMU, you complete a detailed health questionnaire when you apply. The insurer assesses your medical history and tells you from the outset exactly what is and isn't covered. Any exclusions are typically permanent.
| Feature | Moratorium Underwriting | Full Medical Underwriting |
|---|---|---|
| Application Process | Quick and simple, no health forms. | Longer, requires a detailed health questionnaire. |
| Clarity on Cover | Less certainty at the start; claims can be delayed while history is checked. | Full clarity from day one about what's excluded. |
| Covering Old Conditions | Pre-existing conditions may become eligible for cover after a 2-year trouble-free period. | Exclusions are usually permanent. |
| Best For | People with a clean bill of health or minor past issues who want a quick start. | People with a complex medical history who want absolute certainty about their cover. |
Choosing the right private health cover can feel overwhelming. Following a structured approach can simplify the process.
The cost of private medical insurance in the UK is highly individual. The table below provides illustrative monthly premium estimates for a non-smoker in a central UK location. These are for guidance only.
| Age Bracket | Basic Cover (Core + Limited Out-patient) | Comprehensive Cover (Full Out-patient, Therapies) |
|---|---|---|
| 30-39 | £45 - £65 | £70 - £95 |
| 40-49 | £60 - £85 | £90 - £120 |
| 50-59 | £80 - £110 | £120 - £160 |
Factors that influence your premium:
Modern PMI is not just about treatment; it's also about prevention. Many leading insurers offer fantastic wellness programmes designed to help you stay healthy. These can include:
As a WeCovr client, you also get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. This tool can help you manage your diet, ensuring you have the energy and focus required for your intricate work.
You can take proactive steps to protect your health at the bench:
Navigating the world of private health cover can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone.
WeCovr is an independent, FCA-authorised insurance broker with a proven track record of arranging over 800,000 policies for individuals and businesses across the UK. Our clients consistently give us high satisfaction ratings because we prioritise clear, impartial advice.
Why use WeCovr?
Protecting your health is the most important investment you can make in your career and future. Don't let an unexpected illness or long NHS wait compromise your ability to create and earn.
Ready to find the right private health cover for your needs? Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote and expert advice from a specialist broker.






