WPA vs The Exeter Which UK Private Health Insurance is Better
Choosing the right private medical insurance in the UK can feel overwhelming. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised broker with experience in over 800,000 policies, we provide clear, independent comparisons. This guide focuses on two specialist providers, WPA and The Exeter, to help you make an informed decision.
Independent comparison of two specialist PMI providers
When you look into private health cover, you'll often hear about the "big three": Aviva, Bupa, and AXA. But beyond these giants lies a vibrant market of specialist insurers who offer unique approaches and cater to specific needs. Two of the most respected names in this space are WPA (Western Provident Association) and The Exeter.
Both are established, member-focused organisations, meaning they don't have shareholders to answer to. Instead, they reinvest their profits back into the business to benefit their policyholders. However, they operate on different models and have distinct strengths.
This independent comparison will break down:
- What each provider offers.
- The key differences in their policies and pricing.
- Who each insurer is best suited for.
- How their cover stacks up head-to-head.
By the end, you'll have a much clearer picture of whether WPA or The Exeter is the right fit for your health and financial wellbeing.
A Quick Overview: WPA vs The Exeter at a Glance
Before we dive into the details, here is a high-level look at how these two specialist PMI providers compare.
| Feature | WPA (Western Provident Association) | The Exeter |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1901 | 1888 |
| Structure | Not-for-profit Provident Association | Friendly Society (Member-owned) |
| Core Principle | "Provident" ethos, often involving cost-sharing with members. | Member-centric benefits and flexible underwriting. |
| Key Selling Point | Unique "Shared Responsibility" co-payment model to manage premiums. | No upper age limit for joining; flexible approach to underwriting. |
| Best For | Individuals & families happy to co-pay for lower premiums; SMEs. | Older applicants, self-employed, or those with some health history. |
| Digital Tools | WPA Health app for policy management and claims. | Healthwise app with remote GPs, physio, and mental health support. |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
Understanding Private Medical Insurance (PMI) in the UK
Before comparing providers, it's vital to understand what private medical insurance is for. It's designed to work alongside the fantastic service provided by our NHS, not replace it. Think of it as a way to gain more control and choice over your healthcare when you face a new, treatable medical issue.
The most important rule to remember is this:
Private medical insurance is for acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include cataracts, joint replacements, hernias, or diagnosing and treating a new cancer.
- A chronic condition is a long-term illness that cannot be cured but can be managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Standard UK PMI policies do not cover the routine management of chronic conditions.
- Pre-existing conditions are any illnesses or symptoms you had before your policy began. These are also typically excluded from cover, at least for an initial period.
With PMI, you gain access to faster diagnosis and treatment in private facilities, often with the choice of your specialist and a private room. This can be invaluable, especially when NHS waiting lists are long. For instance, NHS England data from 2024 showed millions of treatment pathways were subject to significant waits, highlighting the peace of mind that PMI can offer.
Deep Dive into WPA Health Insurance
WPA has been a cornerstone of the UK health insurance market for over a century. Their status as a not-for-profit provident association shapes everything they do, from policy design to customer service.
Who are WPA?
Founded in 1901, WPA's mission is to help people access the very best healthcare. Being "provident" means they are run for the benefit of their members. Any surplus income is reinvested to improve services and keep premiums competitive, rather than being paid out as dividends to shareholders. This ethos often results in a strong focus on ethical practices and high levels of customer satisfaction.
Key Features of WPA Policies
WPA's approach to health insurance is quite distinct, with "Shared Responsibility" being their flagship concept.
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Shared Responsibility: This is a form of co-payment. Instead of a fixed excess (e.g., you pay the first £250 of a claim), you agree to pay a percentage of each claim, typically 25%. WPA pays the remaining 75%. This has two major benefits:
- It significantly lowers your monthly premium.
- It encourages you to be mindful of treatment costs, which helps WPA keep overall claims costs down for all members.
Example: Your consultant recommends a knee arthroscopy costing £3,500. With a 25% Shared Responsibility, you would pay £875, and WPA would cover the remaining £2,625. While you pay more than a standard excess for a large claim, your monthly premium is consistently lower.
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Flexible Health Policy: This is their main plan for individuals and families. It offers a modular approach:
- Core Cover: Includes essential in-patient and day-patient treatment costs, cancer cover, and NHS hospital cash benefit.
- Optional Add-ons: You can build your plan by adding cover for out-patient consultations and diagnostics, therapies (like physiotherapy), and dental care.
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Community-Rated Schemes (for businesses): For their corporate clients, WPA is famous for its community rating. This means the premium is based on the overall claims experience of the entire business scheme, not on the age of individual employees. This can be highly attractive for companies with a diverse age range.
Pros and Cons of WPA
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| Lower Premiums: The Shared Responsibility model can make comprehensive cover more affordable month-to-month. | Co-payment Risk: For very large claims, your 25% share could become a substantial sum. |
| Not-for-Profit Ethos: Members often feel valued, and customer service is consistently rated highly. | Hospital Lists: Their standard hospital lists can sometimes be more limited than larger insurers. |
| Transparent Model: The co-payment structure is straightforward and easy to understand. | Less Suited for Fixed Budgets: If you need absolute certainty on out-of-pocket costs, a traditional excess may be better. |
| Pooled Risk: Helps to stabilise premium increases over time compared to purely age-based pricing. | Limited bells and whistles: Focus is on core medical cover rather than extensive wellness add-ons. |
Deep Dive into The Exeter Health Insurance
The Exeter is another historic, member-owned organisation. As a Friendly Society, their roots go back to 1888, when communities pooled resources to protect each other from financial hardship due to illness. This principle of mutual support continues to guide them today.
Who are The Exeter?
The Exeter specialises in providing insurance for those who might be overlooked by mainstream insurers. They have carved out a reputation for being flexible, understanding, and human in their approach, particularly when it comes to underwriting and age. Like WPA, they have no shareholders, so their focus is entirely on their members.
Key Features of The Exeter Policies
The Exeter's flagship 'Health+' policy is built around flexibility and inclusivity, backed by an impressive package of day-to-day health benefits.
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No Upper Age Limit for Joining: This is The Exeter's most significant differentiator. While many insurers impose an age cap of 65, 70, or 80 for new customers, The Exeter welcomes applicants of any age. This makes them a go-to provider for those seeking private medical insurance UK in later life.
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Flexible Underwriting: The Exeter is known for its willingness to consider applicants with some pre-existing medical conditions. While chronic conditions are still not covered, their 'Managed Moratorium' underwriting can be a game-changer. They may be able to offer cover for a condition after a set period of it being trouble-free, which is a more proactive approach than a standard moratorium.
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Healthwise App: Included as standard with all policies, the Healthwise service is a huge value-add. It provides members with:
- Remote GP Appointments: 24/7 access to a GP by phone or video call.
- Second Medical Opinions: Expert review of a diagnosis or treatment plan.
- Mental Health Support: Access to counselling and therapy sessions.
- Physiotherapy and Podiatry: Remote assessment and support. This suite of services helps members manage their health proactively, potentially avoiding the need for a larger claim down the line.
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Community-Rated Pricing at Renewal: For members who have been with them for three consecutive years, The Exeter moves them into a community-rated pool at renewal. This helps to smooth out large age-related premium increases as they get older.
Pros and Cons of The Exeter
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| Excellent for Older Applicants: No upper age limit for joining is a market-leading feature. | Potentially Higher Premiums: Their comprehensive cover and flexible underwriting can sometimes mean higher initial premiums for the young and healthy. |
| Flexible Underwriting: More likely to offer terms to those with a complex medical history. | Focus on Individuals: While they cover families, their main strength is in individual policies rather than large corporate schemes. |
| Superb Member Benefits: The Healthwise app provides tangible, day-to-day value. | Complexity: The range of options and underwriting styles can be more complex to navigate without advice. |
| Strong Claims Reputation: Known for their supportive and efficient claims process. |
WPA vs The Exeter: A Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Let's put the core elements of their individual policies side-by-side. This table compares WPA's 'Flexible Health' plan with The Exeter's 'Health+' plan.
| Feature | WPA (Flexible Health) | The Exeter (Health+) |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriting | Moratorium, Full Medical Underwriting (FMU). | Moratorium, FMU, and Managed Moratorium. |
| Age Limits | No upper age limit for continuing a policy, but joining age may be restricted. | No upper age limit for joining. A key advantage. |
| Core Cover | In-patient/day-patient fees, surgeon/anaesthetist fees, comprehensive cancer cover. | In-patient/day-patient fees, surgeon/anaesthetist fees, comprehensive cancer cover, NHS cash benefit. |
| Out-patient Cover | Optional extra. Limits can be chosen from £0 up to £1,500. | Optional extra. Can be chosen with limits or a fully comprehensive 'unlimited' option. |
| Mental Health | Typically limited to an optional cash benefit for psychiatric treatment. | More robust. In-patient/day-patient cover is an option, plus therapy is accessible via the Healthwise app. |
| Pricing Model | Shared Responsibility (25% co-pay) is the default. Traditional excesses are also available. | Traditional excess model (£0, £100, £250, £500, £1,000+). |
| Value-Added Service | WPA Health app for policy admin. | Healthwise app (Remote GP, mental health, physio) included as standard. |
| Hospital Access | Choice of several hospital lists. The most comprehensive list may increase the premium. | Tiered hospital lists, including all major private hospital groups in the UK. |
Who is WPA Best For?
You might find WPA to be the ideal private health cover provider if:
- You are budget-conscious but want comprehensive cover. The Shared Responsibility model allows you to access a high level of cover for a lower monthly premium, provided you are comfortable with paying a percentage of any claim.
- You are a family looking for a fair pricing model. WPA's pooled risk approach can help manage premiums as your family grows and ages.
- You run a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Their expertise in business health insurance, especially their community-rated schemes, is highly regarded.
- You value a traditional, no-frills approach. If your priority is solid cover for major medical events rather than extensive digital wellness apps, WPA's straightforward model is very appealing.
Who is The Exeter Best For?
The Exeter could be the perfect fit for your private medical insurance needs if:
- You are seeking a policy in later life (over 65). Their 'no upper age limit' policy is the best in the market for new older applicants.
- You have a less-than-perfect medical history. Their flexible underwriting and 'Managed Moratorium' option mean they might offer you cover where other insurers would not.
- You are self-employed or a small business owner. The included Healthwise app, with its remote GP and physio services, is incredibly valuable for minimising downtime from illness.
- You want proactive health support. If you see insurance as a tool to help you stay healthy, not just treat you when you're ill, The Exeter's benefits package is second to none.
How Much Does WPA and The Exeter Cost?
This is the million-dollar question, but the answer is always: it depends. The cost of a private health cover policy is unique to you. Key factors that influence your premium include:
- Age: The single biggest factor.
- Location: Premiums are often higher in London and the South East due to higher private hospital costs.
- Smoker Status: Smokers always pay more.
- Level of Cover: The more options you add (like out-patient and dental), the higher the cost.
- Excess/Shared Responsibility: A higher excess or co-payment leads to a lower premium.
To give you an idea, here are some illustrative examples. Please remember these are not quotes.
Example 1: 35-year-old, non-smoker in Leeds
| Provider | Policy Type | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| WPA | Flexible Health (25% Shared Responsibility, core cover + £1,000 out-patient) | £40 - £55 |
| The Exeter | Health+ (£500 excess, core cover + £1,000 out-patient) | £50 - £65 |
Example 2: 60-year-old, non-smoker in Birmingham
| Provider | Policy Type | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| WPA | Flexible Health (25% Shared Responsibility, core cover + £500 out-patient) | £95 - £115 |
| The Exeter | Health+ (£500 excess, core cover + £500 out-patient) | £110 - £130 |
Important: These figures are for guidance only. The only way to get an accurate price tailored to your circumstances is to request a formal quote. This is where an expert broker adds real value. WeCovr can run a comprehensive market comparison for you in minutes, showing you exact prices from WPA, The Exeter, and others, all at no cost to you.
The Importance of Using a PMI Broker like WeCovr
Navigating the nuances of WPA's co-payment system versus The Exeter's underwriting flexibility can be tricky. A specialist private medical insurance broker like WeCovr is your expert guide.
- Whole-of-Market View: We aren't tied to a single insurer. We compare policies from across the market to find the one that truly fits your needs, whether it's from WPA, The Exeter, or another leading provider.
- Personalised, Expert Advice: We take the time to understand your health, lifestyle, and budget. This allows us to recommend the most suitable policy, not just the cheapest one. We can explain the fine print so there are no surprises when you need to claim.
- No Cost to You: Our service is completely free for you to use. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, which is already built into the premium. You pay the same price as going direct, but you get our expertise and support for free.
- Exclusive WeCovr Benefits: When you arrange your policy through us, you also get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to support your health goals. Furthermore, our clients often receive discounts on other types of insurance, such as life or home cover.
Beyond Insurance: Wellness and Prevention
The best way to get value from your health insurance is to stay healthy. Both WPA and The Exeter encourage this, but you can take control of your own wellbeing. Small, consistent habits can have a huge impact on your long-term health and may even help keep your insurance premiums stable.
- Nourish Your Body: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet is consistently linked to better heart health and longevity. Reducing your intake of ultra-processed foods can lower inflammation and your risk of chronic disease.
- Move Every Day: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This could be a brisk 30-minute walk five days a week, cycling, swimming, or dancing. Find something you enjoy!
- Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and ensure your bedroom is dark and cool. Good sleep is essential for mental and physical recovery.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress impacts your immune system. Practice mindfulness, spend time in nature, or connect with loved ones. Don't hesitate to use services like The Exeter's Healthwise app for mental health support if you're struggling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Which is better, WPA's Shared Responsibility or The Exeter's traditional excess?
Do I still need the NHS if I have private medical insurance?
The Verdict: WPA or The Exeter?
Both WPA and The Exeter are outstanding specialist providers that offer a real alternative to the mainstream market.
- Choose WPA if you are looking for an affordable premium and are happy with a co-payment model that lets you share the cost of treatment.
- Choose The Exeter if you are older, have some pre-existing health concerns, or place high value on a comprehensive digital health service like the Healthwise app.
The best way to decide is to see personalised quotes for both.
Ready to find the right private health cover for you? Don't navigate the complex market alone. Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today. Our expert advisors will compare WPA, The Exeter, and many more to find the perfect policy for your needs and budget.
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
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Who Are WeCovr?
WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.
Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!