As an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 900,000 policies, WeCovr offers expert guidance on private medical insurance in the UK. This independent review explores The Exeter's 2026 health insurance options, helping you decide if they are the right choice for your peace of mind.
An independent review of Exeter's PMI options
Choosing the right private medical insurance (PMI) is a significant decision. It's about securing fast access to high-quality medical care, gaining peace of mind, and taking control of your health journey. In a crowded market, The Exeter stands out with its unique approach as a mutual organisation, owned by its members.
This comprehensive 2026 review will dissect The Exeter's health insurance offering, known as Health+. We'll explore its core benefits, optional extras, standout features, and how it compares to other leading UK providers. Our goal is to give you the clear, unbiased information you need to make an informed choice.
Who are The Exeter? A Closer Look at this Friendly Society
Unlike many big-name insurers which are public limited companies (PLCs) owned by shareholders, The Exeter is a Friendly Society. This means they are a mutual organisation, owned by and run for their members—the people who hold their policies.
- Established: Originally founded in 1927, they have a long history of protecting families in the UK.
- Member-Focused: Without shareholders to pay dividends to, their focus is on providing the best possible value and service to their members. Profits are reinvested back into the business to improve products and keep pricing fair.
- Specialist Expertise: The Exeter has carved out a niche for itself, often providing cover for individuals who may find it harder to get insurance elsewhere, such as those with certain health conditions or in non-standard occupations.
This mutual ethos is the foundation of their approach to health insurance, emphasising fairness, transparency, and long-term stability for their members.
Why Consider Private Medical Insurance in the UK in 2026?
The National Health Service (NHS) is a national treasure, providing incredible care to millions. However, it is currently facing unprecedented pressure. For individuals and families seeking faster access to diagnosis and treatment for acute conditions, PMI offers a valuable alternative and a complementary solution.
According to the latest data from NHS England, the challenge is clear:
- Waiting Lists: The referral to treatment (RTT) waiting list continues to affect millions of people. In mid-2026, the list stood at approximately 7.6 million cases, meaning many patients wait longer than the target of 18 weeks for non-urgent consultant-led treatment.
- Diagnostic Delays: Waiting for key diagnostic tests like MRIs, CT scans, and endoscopies can be a source of significant anxiety. PMI can often provide access to these tests within days or weeks, rather than months.
- Cancer Treatment Targets: While the NHS strives to meet urgent cancer referral and treatment targets, the system is under strain. Private cover can offer access to a wider range of treatments, including new drugs or therapies not yet available on the NHS.
PMI isn't about replacing the NHS—it’s about having more options. It covers the treatment of acute conditions, which are illnesses or injuries that are short-term and expected to respond to treatment.
Crucial Point: Standard private medical insurance in the UK, including policies from The Exeter, does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. A chronic condition is one that requires long-term management and has no known cure (e.g., diabetes, asthma, hypertension). A pre-existing condition is any ailment for which you have experienced symptoms or sought advice or treatment before your policy began.
Deep Dive: The Exeter's Health+ Insurance Policy
The Exeter's flagship policy is called Health+. It is designed to be flexible, allowing you to build a plan that suits your needs and budget. It's built around a core level of cover, with optional add-ons.
Core Cover: What's Included as Standard?
Every Health+ policy begins with a comprehensive core module. This forms the foundation of your protection, focusing on essential inpatient and day-patient care.
| Core Benefit | Description of Cover |
|---|
| Hospital Charges | Unlimited cover for private hospital accommodation and nursing care for eligible inpatient and day-patient treatment. |
| Specialist Fees | Unlimited cover for surgeons, anaesthetists, and physicians when you are an inpatient or day-patient. |
| Diagnostic Tests | Full cover for tests like MRIs, CTs, and PET scans when you are an inpatient or day-patient. |
| Cancer Cover | Comprehensive cancer cover including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and monitoring. |
| NHS Hospital Cash Benefit | A daily cash payment (e.g., £150 per night) if you choose to receive eligible inpatient treatment in an NHS hospital instead of a private one. |
| Home Nursing | If recommended by a specialist, cover for a private nurse at home after eligible inpatient treatment. |
| Private Ambulance | Cover for a private road ambulance when medically necessary. |
| Parent Accommodation | Cover for one parent to stay in the hospital with a child under 18 who is receiving eligible treatment. |
Outpatient Cover: Choosing Your Level
Outpatient treatment refers to care you receive without being admitted to a hospital bed. This includes specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and scans. The Exeter offers several levels of outpatient cover, which is one of the main ways to control the cost of your premium.
- Full Outpatient Cover: This is the most comprehensive option. It covers consultations and diagnostic tests in full.
- Standard Outpatient Cover: This option provides up to 3 specialist consultations per policy year and places a financial limit (e.g., £1,000) on diagnostic tests.
- Reduced Outpatient Cover: This is a budget-friendly option. It removes cover for specialist consultations but provides a financial limit (e.g., £500) for diagnostic tests.
- No Outpatient Cover: You can choose to rely on the NHS for all outpatient diagnosis and consultations, using your PMI only for inpatient treatment. This significantly reduces your premium.
Therapies Cover
This benefit covers treatment from professionals like physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. With Health+, therapies cover is linked to your chosen outpatient option.
- If you have Full or Standard Outpatient Cover, therapies are covered up to the limit of your outpatient benefits.
- It is also available as a standalone add-on if you choose a lower level of outpatient cover.
Mental Health Cover
Awareness of mental health has rightly grown, and insurers are responding. The Exeter’s Health+ policy provides cover for mental health treatment as part of its core offering for inpatients and day-patients. For outpatient psychiatric treatment, you would need to have selected an outpatient cover level that includes specialist consultations.
All members also get access to the Healthwise app, which includes mental health support services.
To create a truly personalised plan, The Exeter offers several add-ons:
- Dental and Optical Cover: This provides a cash benefit towards routine dental check-ups, treatment, and optical costs like eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses.
- Travel Cover: You can add European or Worldwide travel insurance to your policy, simplifying your insurance needs into one package.
- Enhanced Hospital List: The standard hospital list is extensive, but for access to premium hospitals, particularly in Central London, you can upgrade to an enhanced list.
Key Features That Make The Exeter Stand Out
While the core components of PMI policies can look similar, The Exeter has several distinct features that set it apart from competitors.
This is arguably The Exeter's most significant unique selling point. Most UK health insurers use a "No-Claims Discount" (NCD) system. With NCD, your premium is lower if you don't claim, but it can increase significantly after you make a claim.
The Exeter uses a Community Rating model.
- How it works: Premiums are based solely on your age at the start of the policy year. They are not affected by whether you make a claim.
- The benefit: You have the certainty that your premium won't spike just because you used the insurance you paid for. This provides long-term pricing stability and peace of mind, especially for members who may need to claim more as they get older.
- Who it's good for: This model is particularly attractive to those who want predictable costs and don't want to be penalised for being unwell.
2. Unlimited Inpatient and Day-Patient Cover
With The Exeter's Health+ policy, there are no annual financial limits on eligible inpatient and day-patient treatment costs. This includes hospital charges, specialist fees, and diagnostic tests while admitted. This 'unlimited' promise provides a powerful sense of security, knowing that you are fully covered for major procedures without worrying about hitting a cap.
3. Enhanced Cancer Cover
Cancer care is a primary reason many people take out PMI. The Exeter's cancer cover is comprehensive and includes:
- No financial or time limits on chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Full cover for cancer surgery and consultations.
- Access to eligible drugs and treatments that may not be available on the NHS, often due to cost or not yet being approved by NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).
This access to cutting-edge medicine can be a crucial lifeline during a difficult time.
4. Healthwise App & Member Benefits
Modern insurance is about more than just claims; it's about proactive health support. The Exeter provides all members with access to its Healthwise app. This is a valuable, free-to-use service that includes:
- Remote GP Appointments: Book a phone or video consultation with a UK-based GP 24/7, often for the same day. This is perfect for getting quick advice, prescriptions, or referrals without waiting for a local GP appointment.
- Second Medical Opinion: If you are diagnosed with a serious condition, you can get a second opinion from a leading international specialist to confirm the diagnosis and explore treatment options.
- Mental Health Support: Access to qualified therapists for a set number of sessions to help with issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Physiotherapy and MSK Support: Digital access to physiotherapy assessments and tailored exercise programmes.
These services provide tangible value from day one, even if you never make a hospital claim.
Understanding The Exeter's Underwriting Options
"Underwriting" is the process an insurer uses to assess risk and decide what they will and won't cover. This is where the rules around pre-existing conditions are applied.
A Reminder on Pre-existing Conditions: No matter the underwriting method, private medical insurance is designed for new, acute conditions that arise after your policy starts. It is not designed to cover long-term chronic conditions or medical issues you already have.
The Exeter offers two main types of underwriting:
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU):
- What it is: You complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring your full medical history.
- The process: The Exeter's underwriters review your history and apply specific, named exclusions to your policy. For example, if you had knee surgery 3 years ago, they might explicitly exclude "all conditions related to the right knee".
- The advantage: You have complete clarity from the start about what is and isn't covered. There are no grey areas.
-
Moratorium (Mori) Underwriting:
- What it is: This is a simpler and more common option. You don't have to declare your full medical history.
- The process: The policy automatically excludes treatment for any medical condition for which you have had symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice in the 5 years before the policy start date.
- The "rolling" part: Cover for a pre-existing condition may be added later if you go for a continuous 2-year period after your policy starts without needing any treatment, advice, or having any symptoms of that condition.
- The advantage: It's quick and non-intrusive. However, it can create uncertainty at the point of a claim, as the insurer will then investigate your medical history to see if the condition is pre-existing.
Choosing the right underwriting is a critical step. An expert broker, like WeCovr, can explain the pros and cons of each option based on your personal health history, ensuring you make the right choice.
How Much Does The Exeter Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of a PMI policy, or premium, depends on several factors. There is no one-size-fits-all price. Below are some illustrative examples to give you a rough idea. These are for non-smokers with a £250 excess.
| Age | Location | Cover Level | Illustrative Monthly Premium |
|---|
| 30 | Bristol | Core + Standard Outpatient | £45 - £60 |
| 45 | Manchester | Core + Full Outpatient | £80 - £100 |
| 55 | London | Core + Standard Outpatient | £130 - £160 |
| 65 | Edinburgh | Core only (no outpatient) | £95 - £120 |
Key Factors Influencing Your Premium:
- Age: The single biggest factor. Premiums increase as you get older.
- Location: Treatment costs vary across the UK, with Central London being the most expensive.
- Cover Level: The more comprehensive your cover (e.g., full outpatient vs. no outpatient), the higher the premium.
- Excess: This is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of a claim (e.g., £0, £100, £250, £500). A higher excess will lower your monthly premium.
- Hospital List: Choosing a more extensive hospital list that includes premium London hospitals will increase the cost.
Comparing The Exeter with Other UK PMI Providers
The UK PMI market is competitive. Here’s a high-level look at how The Exeter's unique model compares to other major providers.
| Feature | The Exeter | Bupa | AXA Health | Vitality |
|---|
| Pricing Model | Community Rated (age-based, claims don't increase premiums) | No-Claims Discount (NCD) | No-Claims Discount (NCD) | Rewards-based (linked to engagement) |
| Key Strength | Fair and predictable pricing, excellent for long-term members. | Extensive hospital network and strong brand recognition. | Strong focus on mental health pathways and digital GP services. | Focus on wellness, rewarding healthy living with discounts and perks. |
| Wellness App | Healthwise App (GP, Second Opinion, Mental Health) | Bupa Blua Health | Doctor@Hand | Vitality Programme |
| Best For | Individuals seeking price stability and simplicity. | Those who value a huge network and brand trust. | People prioritising comprehensive mental health support. | Active individuals who will engage with the wellness programme to earn rewards. |
How a Broker like WeCovr Can Help You
Navigating the complexities of health insurance can be daunting. This is where an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr provides immense value.
- Expert, Impartial Advice: We are not tied to any single insurer. Our experts provide unbiased advice tailored to your specific circumstances and budget.
- Whole-of-Market Comparison: We compare policies from The Exeter alongside all other leading UK providers, ensuring you see the full picture and find the best possible value.
- No Cost to You: Our service is completely free for you to use. We receive a commission from the insurer you choose, which is already built into the premium. You don't pay a penny more for our expert guidance.
- Application Support: We handle the paperwork and application process for you, making it simple and stress-free.
- Added Benefits: When you arrange a policy through WeCovr, you also receive complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, to support your health goals. Furthermore, customers who purchase PMI or life insurance often receive discounts on other types of cover. With high customer satisfaction ratings, our focus is always on you.
Wellness & Lifestyle Tips for Better Health
While insurance provides a safety net, proactive health management is the best long-term strategy. Here are some simple tips to boost your well-being.
- Nourish Your Body: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet is consistently linked to better heart health and longevity. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive saturated fats.
- Stay Active: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (like running or swimming) a week. Find an activity you enjoy to make it a sustainable habit.
- Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Create a restful environment by keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed to help your brain wind down.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can impact your physical and mental health. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Spending time in nature and maintaining strong social connections are also powerful stress relievers.
Is The Exeter Health Insurance Right for You?
The Exeter offers a compelling proposition in the UK private medical insurance market. Its Health+ policy is comprehensive, flexible, and backed by a trustworthy mutual ethos.
The Exeter is an excellent choice if:
- You value long-term price stability and predictability.
- You don't want to be penalised with higher premiums for making a claim.
- You want robust core cover with unlimited inpatient benefits.
- You appreciate the value-added services of the Healthwise app.
It may be less suitable if:
- You are young, in excellent health, and want to benefit from a maximum No-Claims Discount (though the community rating can still be competitive).
- Your primary motivation for choosing an insurer is a highly gamified wellness and rewards programme like Vitality's.
The best way to know for sure is to get a personalised comparison. An expert can weigh the benefits of The Exeter's community rating against the NCD models of other insurers, helping you find the optimal solution for your health and your wallet.
What is a pre-existing condition and is it covered by The Exeter?
A pre-existing condition is any disease, illness, or injury for which you have experienced symptoms, received medication, or sought advice or treatment from a medical professional before your policy started. Like all standard UK private medical insurance, The Exeter's Health+ policy does not cover pre-existing conditions. PMI is designed to cover new, acute conditions that arise after you join.
What is the difference between Community Rating and a No-Claims Discount?
A No-Claims Discount (NCD), used by most insurers, rewards you with lower premiums for not claiming but can increase your costs significantly after you use your policy. The Exeter uses a Community Rating model. This means your premium is based on your age and is not affected by claims. This provides greater long-term price stability, as you won't be penalised for needing treatment.
How do I make a claim on my Exeter health insurance policy?
The process is straightforward. First, you'll need a referral from your GP (which can be done quickly via The Exeter's Healthwise app). You then contact The Exeter's claims team to get your consultation and any subsequent treatment pre-authorised. Once approved, you can book your appointment with the specialist, and The Exeter will typically settle the bills directly with the hospital or clinic.
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