
Navigating the UK private medical insurance market can feel complex, but securing the right cover is one of the most empowering decisions you can make for your health. As FCA-authorised brokers who have helped arrange over 900,000 policies of various types via embedded and direct channels, WeCovr specialises in demystifying this process, ensuring you find superior cover at a better value.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about private health cover in the UK. We’ll explain how it works, what it covers, and how using an expert broker can save you time and money, all while securing a policy that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI), also known as private health cover, is an insurance policy designed to cover the costs of private medical treatment for acute conditions. It runs alongside the National Health Service (NHS), offering a complementary route to healthcare rather than a replacement.
While the NHS provides exceptional care to millions, it faces significant pressures. PMI offers a solution, providing prompt access to diagnosis, consultations, and treatment.
The core purpose of PMI is to get you diagnosed and treated quickly, minimising the worry and disruption that health issues can cause. It’s about giving you control over when, where, and by whom you are treated.
Opting for private medical insurance UK brings a host of powerful benefits that provide peace of mind and control over your healthcare journey.
Sarah, a 45-year-old graphic designer, started experiencing persistent knee pain that affected her ability to work and enjoy her hobbies. Her GP referred her to an NHS specialist, but she was told the waiting list for an initial consultation was over six months.
Because Sarah had a private medical insurance policy, she was able to get a private referral from her GP. Within a week, she saw a top orthopaedic consultant. An MRI scan was arranged two days later, which revealed a torn meniscus requiring keyhole surgery. The operation was scheduled for the following week at a private hospital near her home. Sarah was back on her feet and working from home within a fortnight, a process that could have taken over a year through the standard NHS pathway.
It is fundamentally important to understand that private medical insurance is designed for acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy. It is not designed to cover conditions you already have or long-term illnesses that require ongoing management.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires all insurers to be clear about these exclusions. The principle is that insurance covers unforeseen future events, not predictable, ongoing care.
| Condition Type | Covered by PMI? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | Yes | Joint replacement, hernia repair, cataracts, cancer treatment |
| Chronic | No | Diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, Crohn's disease, arthritis |
Beyond chronic and pre-existing conditions, most UK PMI policies will not cover:
When looking for private health cover, you can go directly to an insurer or use an independent broker. While going direct might seem simpler, using a specialist PMI broker like WeCovr offers significant advantages that lead to a better policy and better value.
Why a Broker is Your Best Ally:
A good policy is not just about what's covered, but how it's structured. Understanding the key components allows you to tailor your cover and manage your costs effectively. A WeCovr advisor will walk you through these options to build your perfect plan.
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your medical history to determine what will be excluded from your policy.
| Underwriting Type | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moratorium (Mori) | The most common type. Any condition you've had symptoms of or treatment for in the 5 years before your policy starts is automatically excluded. This exclusion can be lifted if you go 2 continuous years on the policy without any treatment, symptoms, or advice for that condition. | Simple and quick to set up, no medical forms needed. | Less certainty at the point of claim, as the insurer will investigate your history then. |
| Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | You complete a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer reviews your medical history and lists specific, permanent exclusions from the outset. | Provides complete clarity from day one about what is and isn't covered. | The application process is longer. Exclusions are typically permanent. |
An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim each year. 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.
Insurers group private hospitals into tiers, which affects your premium.
Choosing a list that excludes premium-priced Central London hospitals can significantly lower your premium if you don't live or work in the capital.
Your policy will cover treatment when you are admitted to a hospital bed (inpatient) or occupy a day-patient unit. Outpatient cover relates to consultations and diagnostics that do not require a hospital bed.
This is a clever cost-saving feature. If you add the 6-week option, you agree to use the NHS for inpatient treatment if the NHS waiting list for that procedure is less than six weeks. If the wait is longer, your private cover kicks in immediately. Because this reduces the likelihood of a claim, it comes with a significant premium discount.
The UK private medical insurance market is mature and competitive, with several excellent providers, each with its own strengths. WeCovr works with all of them to find your best match.
There is no single "best PMI provider" for everyone. The right choice depends entirely on your personal priorities—be it budget, comprehensive cancer care, mental health support, or wellness rewards. This is where the tailored advice from a PMI broker proves invaluable.
Choosing WeCovr as your broker means unlocking extra value that you won't find by going direct. We are committed to not only finding you the right policy but also enhancing your overall well-being.
The cost of private medical insurance is highly personal and depends on several key factors:
This table provides a rough guide to monthly costs for a non-smoker with a mid-range policy (£250 excess, £1,000 outpatient cover).
| Age | Location: Manchester | Location: London |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | £45 - £60 | £60 - £80 |
| 40 | £60 - £80 | £80 - £110 |
| 50 | £85 - £120 | £115 - £160 |
| 60 | £130 - £190 | £180 - £250 |
Disclaimer: These are illustrative figures only. Your actual quote will depend on your specific circumstances and the cover options you choose.
The best way to get an accurate price is to speak with one of our advisors, who can generate personalised quotes from across the market in minutes.
A: For many, yes. While the NHS is a fantastic service, private health insurance is worth it if you value speed, choice, and comfort. It provides peace of mind by allowing you to bypass long waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions, giving you control over your healthcare journey.
A: You can get private medical insurance, but the policy will not cover that specific pre-existing condition. All UK PMI policies exclude conditions you have received treatment or advice for in the years before your policy starts. However, it will cover you for new, unrelated acute conditions that arise after you join.
A: Yes, cancer cover is a core component of virtually all private medical insurance policies in the UK. Most policies offer comprehensive cover for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Many also provide access to specialist drugs not yet available on the NHS.
A: An independent PMI broker like WeCovr is paid a commission by the insurance provider you choose to proceed with. This service is completely free for you, the client. The commission is already factored into the insurer's standard pricing, so you don't pay anything extra for receiving our expert, whole-of-market advice.
Private medical insurance offers a powerful way to safeguard your health and well-being, providing a fast and flexible alternative to waiting for NHS treatment. By partnering with an expert broker like WeCovr, you ensure that you are not just buying a policy, but investing in the right protection at the best possible price.
Our friendly, professional advisors are ready to help you navigate your options with zero pressure and complete clarity.
Ready to explore your options? Get a free, no-obligation quote from a WeCovr expert today and discover how much you could save.






