TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies of various kinds, WeCovr provides this in-depth guide to the average cost of private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK. We decode the key factors influencing your premium, helping you make an informed decision for your health. New data reveals large price variations by age, location, family status, and type of cover Navigating the world of private medical insurance can feel complex, with prices seemingly fluctuating based on a myriad of factors.
Key takeaways
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include joint replacements, cataract surgery, hernia repairs, or treatment for a newly diagnosed cancer.
- Chronic Condition: A long-term illness that cannot be cured but can be managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
- Basic (or 'Budget') Cover: This is the most affordable option. It typically covers in-patient and day-patient treatment only. This means you are covered for procedures requiring a hospital bed, but not for initial consultations or diagnostic tests. It’s designed as a safety net to bypass long NHS surgical waiting lists.
- Mid-Range Cover: The most popular choice for UK consumers. It includes everything in a basic plan, plus cover for out-patient diagnostics and consultations up to a set limit (e.g., £1,000 per year). This means you can see a specialist and have scans (MRI, CT) privately to get a diagnosis quickly.
- Comprehensive Cover: The premium option. This provides extensive cover with high (or unlimited) out-patient limits, often including therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy), mental health support, and more extensive cancer care options.
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies of various kinds, WeCovr provides this in-depth guide to the average cost of private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK. We decode the key factors influencing your premium, helping you make an informed decision for your health.
New data reveals large price variations by age, location, family status, and type of cover
Navigating the world of private medical insurance can feel complex, with prices seemingly fluctuating based on a myriad of factors. You might wonder, "What should I actually be paying?" The truth is, there’s no single answer. The average monthly cost of private health insurance is a deeply personal figure, tailored to your unique circumstances.
Our 2025 market analysis reveals significant cost differences across the UK. A young professional in Leeds might pay £40 per month, whilst a family of four in London could be looking at premiums of £250 or more for comprehensive cover. (illustrative estimate)
In this definitive guide, we’ll break down every component that shapes your premium, providing clear data tables and real-world examples to demystify the costs. We'll explore how your age, postcode, chosen level of cover, and even your lifestyle can impact the price you pay, empowering you to find the right policy at the best possible value.
First, What Exactly is Private Medical Insurance (PMI)?
Before we dive into the costs, it's crucial to understand what private medical insurance is designed for. Think of it as a policy that runs alongside the NHS, giving you more choice and control over your healthcare when you face a new, unexpected medical issue.
The most important thing to remember is that standard UK private health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions.
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include joint replacements, cataract surgery, hernia repairs, or treatment for a newly diagnosed cancer.
- Chronic Condition: A long-term illness that cannot be cured but can be managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
Crucial Point: Standard PMI policies do not cover the routine management of chronic conditions. They also exclude pre-existing conditions you had before taking out the policy. The purpose of PMI is to diagnose and treat new, eligible medical problems that arise after your cover begins.
The Core Factors That Determine Your PMI Premium
Your monthly premium is calculated by insurers based on the level of risk they associate with you. This isn't personal; it's a statistical assessment based on several key data points. Let's break them down one by one.
1. Your Age: The Single Biggest Influence
Age is the most significant factor in pricing private health insurance. As we get older, the statistical likelihood of needing medical treatment increases, and insurers adjust premiums accordingly.
Younger individuals benefit from significantly lower costs, making it an excellent time to get cover in place. As you can see from our analysis, premiums begin to rise more steeply from the age of 50 onwards.
| Age Bracket | Average Monthly Premium (Basic Cover) | Average Monthly Premium (Comprehensive Cover) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | £35 - £50 | £60 - £85 |
| 30-39 | £45 - £65 | £75 - £110 |
| 40-49 | £60 - £90 | £100 - £150 |
| 50-59 | £85 - £130 | £140 - £220 |
| 60-69 | £120 - £180 | £200 - £350 |
| 70+ | £190 - £280+ | £320 - £500+ |
Illustrative estimates based on WeCovr's 2025 market analysis for a single individual. Actual quotes will vary.
2. Your Location: The Postcode Lottery of PMI
Where you live in the UK has a direct impact on your premium. This is because the cost of private medical treatment varies significantly between regions. Hospitals in Central London, for example, have much higher operating costs than those in rural Scotland.
Insurers typically group hospitals into tiers. A policy that includes high-end London hospitals will be more expensive than one that uses a national network of private hospitals outside the capital.
| Location | Average Monthly Premium (Mid-Range Cover, Age 40) | Why the Difference? |
|---|---|---|
| Central London | £125 | Highest private hospital fees in the UK (e.g., The London Clinic, Cromwell Hospital). |
| Greater London | £110 | Includes access to excellent hospitals but avoids the most expensive central facilities. |
| South East (e.g., Surrey) | £100 | High density of quality private hospitals, but slightly less costly than London. |
| Major Cities (e.g., Manchester, Birmingham) | £90 | Strong network of private hospitals with competitive pricing. |
| North of England (e.g., Yorkshire) | £82 | Lower operational costs for hospitals lead to more affordable premiums. |
| Scotland & Wales | £78 | Generally lower private treatment costs compared to England. |
| Northern Ireland | £75 | Often the most affordable region for private health cover. |
Illustrative estimates based on WeCovr's 2025 market analysis. Actual quotes will vary.
3. Your Level of Cover: Basic, Mid-Range, or Comprehensive?
The breadth and depth of your cover are major cost drivers. Insurers typically offer tiered plans, allowing you to choose a balance between benefits and budget.
- Basic (or 'Budget') Cover: This is the most affordable option. It typically covers in-patient and day-patient treatment only. This means you are covered for procedures requiring a hospital bed, but not for initial consultations or diagnostic tests. It’s designed as a safety net to bypass long NHS surgical waiting lists.
- Mid-Range Cover: The most popular choice for UK consumers. It includes everything in a basic plan, plus cover for out-patient diagnostics and consultations up to a set limit (e.g., £1,000 per year). This means you can see a specialist and have scans (MRI, CT) privately to get a diagnosis quickly.
- Comprehensive Cover: The premium option. This provides extensive cover with high (or unlimited) out-patient limits, often including therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy), mental health support, and more extensive cancer care options.
Choosing the right level depends on your priorities. If your main concern is avoiding a long wait for surgery, a basic plan might suffice. If you want fast access to diagnosis and treatment, a mid-range or comprehensive plan is more suitable. An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you compare the subtle differences between insurer plans to find the perfect fit.
4. Your Excess: Balancing Monthly Cost vs. Future Payout
An excess is a fixed amount you agree to pay towards a claim, just like with car or home insurance. For example, if you have a £250 excess and your treatment costs £3,000, you pay the first £250 and the insurer pays the remaining £2,750.
Opting for a higher excess will directly reduce your monthly premium.
Insurers offer a range of excess options, typically from £0 to £1,000.
- £0 Excess (illustrative): Higher monthly premium, but nothing to pay when you claim.
- £250 Excess (illustrative): A popular, balanced choice. Lowers the premium noticeably.
- £500 Excess (illustrative): Offers a significant saving on your monthly cost.
- £1,000 Excess (illustrative): Provides the largest discount but means you have a larger initial outlay if you claim.
Choosing a higher excess can be a smart way to make a comprehensive policy more affordable, especially if you are in good health and don't expect to claim frequently.
5. Underwriting Type: How Insurers Assess Your Medical History
This is a technical but vital aspect of your policy. There are two main types of underwriting in the UK:
-
Moratorium (Mori) Underwriting: This is the most common method. You don't have to declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the insurer automatically excludes treatment for any conditions you've had symptoms, advice, or treatment for in the five years before your policy started. However, if you then go two full, consecutive years on the policy without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition, it may become eligible for cover. It's simpler and faster to set up.
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): With FMU, you complete a detailed health questionnaire when you apply. The insurer reviews your medical history and decides what, if anything, to exclude permanently from your policy. It takes longer to set up, but you have absolute clarity from day one about what is and isn't covered.
There isn't usually a major price difference between the two, but moratorium is often slightly cheaper due to the automatic exclusions.
6. Family Status: Covering Individuals, Couples, and Families
You can take out a policy for yourself, for you and your partner, or for your entire family. While adding more people increases the overall premium, insurers often provide a small discount compared to buying separate individual policies.
| Policy Type | Average Monthly Premium (Mid-Range Cover, Age 35, Midlands) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | £70 | Based on one 35-year-old. |
| Couple | £135 | Two 35-year-olds; a slight discount vs. 2x individual policies. |
| Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) | £185 | Children are significantly cheaper to add than adults. |
Illustrative estimates based on WeCovr's 2025 market analysis. Actual quotes will vary.
Adding children to a policy is surprisingly affordable. Insurers recognise that children are generally low-risk, and many offer incentives like "pay for the first child, get others covered for free".
How Optional Extras Affect Your Premium
Standard policies provide excellent core cover, but you can enhance them with optional add-ons. Each extra will increase your monthly premium.
- Mental Health Cover: Standard policies often have limited mental health support. A dedicated add-on provides more extensive cover for psychiatrist consultations and therapy sessions. With growing awareness of mental wellbeing, this is an increasingly popular choice.
- Dental and Optical Cover: This can be added to reimburse you for routine check-ups, treatments, and the cost of new glasses or contact lenses, up to an annual limit.
- Therapies Cover: While some comprehensive plans include it, therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic) can often be added as an extra. This is ideal for those with active lifestyles or a history of musculoskeletal issues.
- Extended Cancer Care: All PMI policies in the UK offer a good level of cancer cover as standard, often including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. However, optional upgrades can provide access to drugs and treatments not yet available on the NHS or cover for life, even after the cancer becomes chronic.
Real-Life Scenarios: Putting the Costs into Context
Let's see how these factors combine for different people across the UK.
Scenario 1: Sarah, a 28-year-old Graphic Designer in Manchester
- Priorities: Wants to avoid long waits for diagnosis and treatment for any new issues. Not concerned about a private room. Happy to use a local hospital network.
- Chosen Policy: Mid-range cover with a £250 excess and a standard hospital list.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £48
Scenario 2: The Patel Family, two 42-year-olds with two children (8 and 11) in Surrey
- Priorities: Comprehensive cover for the whole family, including quick access to paediatric specialists. They want the option to use London hospitals if needed.
- Chosen Policy (illustrative): Comprehensive family cover with a £500 excess and an extended hospital list.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £260
Scenario 3: David, a 65-year-old Retiree in Edinburgh
- Priorities: Peace of mind and quick access to joint replacement surgery if needed. He has a healthy retirement income but is still budget-conscious.
- Chosen Policy (illustrative): Basic in-patient cover with a "6-week wait" option (see below) and a £1,000 excess.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £135
Is Private Health Insurance Worth It in the UK?
With NHS waiting lists in England consistently exceeding 7 million, according to recent NHS data, the value of private medical insurance has never been more apparent. The primary benefit is speed and choice.
Pros of PMI:
- Bypass NHS Waiting Lists: Get seen by a specialist and receive treatment in days or weeks, not months or years.
- Choice of Specialist and Hospital: You can choose the consultant you want to see and the hospital where you're treated from your insurer's approved list.
- Private, En-suite Room: Recover in comfort and privacy, a significant benefit over a busy NHS ward.
- Access to Specialist Drugs: Gain access to breakthrough drugs and treatments that may not be available on the NHS due to cost or pending approval.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a plan in place to deal with health issues quickly can significantly reduce anxiety.
Cons of PMI:
- The Cost: It's an ongoing financial commitment.
- Exclusions: It does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions, emergency services (A&E), or routine GP visits.
For many, the cost is a worthwhile investment in their health and wellbeing, offering a valuable alternative pathway for non-emergency care.
Top Tips for Reducing Your Private Health Insurance Costs
Feeling the pinch? There are several effective ways to lower your premium without sacrificing essential cover.
- Increase Your Excess: As shown earlier, moving from a £0 excess to £500 can save you up to 25% on your premium.
- Choose a "6-Week Wait" Option: This is a clever compromise. Your policy will only pay for private treatment if the NHS waiting list for that treatment in your area is longer than six weeks. If it's shorter, you use the NHS. This can reduce your premium by 20-30%.
- Select a Limited Hospital List: If you don't need access to pricey central London hospitals, choosing a "national" or "local" hospital network will significantly cut your costs.
- Review Your Cover Annually: Don't just auto-renew. Your circumstances may have changed. A broker can re-broke the market for you each year to ensure you're still on the best deal.
- Live a Healthier Lifestyle: Many leading insurers now offer rewards and discounts for staying active. By tracking your steps, going to the gym, or completing health checks, you can earn lower premiums, gift cards, or other perks.
Why Use an Independent PMI Broker Like WeCovr?
Trying to compare dozens of policies from providers like Bupa, Aviva, AXA, and Vitality can be overwhelming. This is where an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr becomes your greatest asset.
- Expert, Impartial Advice: We work for you, not the insurers. Our job is to understand your needs and budget, then search the market to find the policy that offers the best value. Our advice is completely impartial.
- Access to the Whole Market: We have access to deals and policies that aren't always available to the public directly.
- No Cost to You: Our service is free. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, but this does not affect the premium you pay. You get expert advice and support at no extra charge.
- High Customer Satisfaction: WeCovr consistently receives high ratings on independent review websites, reflecting our commitment to clear, helpful, and transparent service.
- Exclusive Benefits: When you arrange a policy through us, you also get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to support your health goals. Furthermore, customers who purchase PMI or life insurance often receive discounts on other types of cover, like home or travel insurance.
Think of us as your personal health insurance shopper, saving you time, money, and hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does private medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Is cancer treatment covered by private health insurance?
Can I switch my private health insurance provider?
Get Your Personalised Private Medical Insurance Quote Today
The average cost of private health insurance is not a simple number; it's a reflection of you and your priorities. While this guide provides a detailed overview, the only way to know your exact cost is to get a personalised quote.
At WeCovr, our team of friendly experts is ready to help. We'll listen to your needs, explain your options in plain English, and provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the UK's leading insurers.
Take the first step towards faster healthcare. Get your free PMI quote from WeCovr today.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
- HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.







