As an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 750,000 policies, WeCovr understands that protecting your family's health is your top priority. This guide explores the average cost of private medical insurance (PMI) for a family of four in the UK, helping you make an informed decision.
WeCovr explains how much UK families typically pay for PMI and how to save money
Choosing to invest in private medical insurance is a significant decision for any family. With NHS waiting lists remaining a prominent concern, more families are exploring PMI to gain faster access to high-quality healthcare, greater choice over their treatment, and invaluable peace of mind.
But the first question on everyone's lips is: "How much will it cost?"
The answer isn't a single number. The price of a family health insurance policy is tailored to your unique circumstances. It's influenced by everything from your postcode and age to the level of cover you desire.
In this comprehensive guide, our experts at WeCovr will break down the costs, explain the factors that drive your premium, and reveal practical strategies to secure the best possible cover for your family's budget.
What is the Average Cost of Private Health Insurance for a UK Family of Four in 2025?
To give you a clear starting point, we've put together some estimated monthly costs for a typical UK family of four. These examples are based on two adults aged 40 and two children aged 8 and 10, who are non-smokers and living outside of Central London.
Remember, these are illustrative figures. Your final quote will depend on the specific factors we'll explore next.
| Policy Level | Key Features | Estimated Monthly Premium | Estimated Annual Premium |
|---|
| Basic | Covers inpatient and day-patient treatment (requiring a hospital bed). Focuses on essential surgical and medical care. | £80 – £130 | £960 – £1,560 |
| Mid-Range | Includes all basic cover plus a capped amount for outpatient services (consultations, diagnostics, scans). | £140 – £220 | £1,680 – £2,640 |
| Comprehensive | All of the above, plus more extensive outpatient cover and options for therapies (physiotherapy), mental health, and dental/optical. | £250 – £400+ | £3,000 – £4,800+ |
As you can see, the range is broad. A family seeking a basic safety net against major medical issues will pay significantly less than a family wanting all-encompassing cover with access to every private hospital in the country.
What Influences the Price of Your Family's Health Insurance?
Understanding the levers that adjust your premium is key to finding the right balance between cost and cover. Let's delve into the main factors insurers consider.
1. Age of Family Members
Age is the most significant factor. As we get older, the statistical likelihood of needing medical treatment increases, so premiums rise accordingly. The cost for your children will be relatively low, but the age of the adults on the policy will be the main driver.
2. Your Postcode
Where you live matters. Healthcare costs, particularly for private hospitals, are highest in Central London and other major cities like Manchester and Birmingham. Insurers group postcodes into different pricing bands. Living in a more rural area will almost always result in a lower premium than living in a prime urban location.
3. The Level of Cover You Choose
This is where you have the most control. Policies are typically structured in three tiers:
- Inpatient and Day-Patient Cover (Basic): This is the core of any PMI policy. It covers the costs of treatment when you are admitted to a hospital and require a bed, even if it's just for a day. This includes surgeons' fees, anaesthetists' fees, and hospital charges.
- Outpatient Cover (Mid-Range): This is arguably the most valuable addition. It pays for the diagnostic journey before you're admitted to hospital. This includes specialist consultations, blood tests, X-rays, and advanced scans like MRI and CT. Without it, you would need to pay for these yourself or rely on the NHS pathway for diagnosis. Most policies offer different levels of outpatient cover, from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per year.
- Comprehensive Add-ons: Top-tier policies can include extra benefits such as:
- Therapies: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic treatment.
- Mental Health: Extensive cover for psychiatric care and therapy sessions.
- Dental and Optical: Cover for routine check-ups, treatments, and new glasses or contact lenses.
4. Your Policy Excess
An excess is a fixed amount you agree to pay towards the cost of your treatment each year. It works just like the excess on your car or home insurance.
The rule is simple: a higher excess leads to a lower monthly premium.
Choosing an excess is a balancing act. A £0 excess means the insurer pays for everything (up to your policy limits), but your premium will be at its highest. A £1,000 excess could dramatically reduce your premium, but you must be comfortable paying that amount if you need to make a claim.
| Excess Level | Impact on Monthly Premium |
|---|
| £0 | Highest premium |
| £250 | Significant reduction |
| £500 | Very popular, balanced choice |
| £1,000+ | Lowest premium |
5. Your Choice of Hospital List
Insurers have agreements with networks of private hospitals. They offer different 'hospital lists' at different price points:
- Local/Trust Network: A select list of hospitals, often excluding premium-priced city-centre facilities. This is the most affordable option.
- National Network: Provides access to a wide range of private hospitals across the UK, but may exclude the most expensive ones in Central London.
- Premium/London Network: The most comprehensive list, including top-tier hospitals like those on Harley Street or The Cromwell Hospital. This carries the highest cost.
6. The Type of Underwriting
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses the risk of covering you. There are two main types for personal policies:
- Moratorium Underwriting: This is the most common and simplest method. You don't need to fill out a detailed medical questionnaire. Instead, the policy automatically excludes treatment for any medical conditions you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the five years before you joined. However, if you go two full years on the policy without any issues relating to that condition, the exclusion may be lifted.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): This requires you to disclose your full medical history on an application form. The insurer then assesses this information and tells you upfront exactly what is and isn't covered. It provides more certainty from day one but can be more complex to set up.
An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you decide which underwriting method is best for your family's situation.
A Crucial Note: What Private Medical Insurance Actually Covers
It is vital to understand the fundamental purpose of private medical insurance in the UK. This knowledge prevents future disappointment and ensures you have the right expectations.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started.
What is an Acute Condition?
An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and from which you are expected to make a full recovery.
Examples of acute conditions covered by PMI:
- Joint replacements (hips, knees)
- Cataract surgery
- Hernia repair
- Gallbladder removal
- Diagnosis and treatment of cancers
- Heart surgery
What PMI Does Not Cover
Standard UK private health insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Any illness or injury you had before the start of your policy. For example, if you had treatment for knee pain before taking out cover, that specific knee issue would be excluded.
- Chronic Conditions: A long-term condition that cannot be cured but can be managed with ongoing care and medication.
Examples of chronic conditions not covered by PMI:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Arthritis
- Crohn's disease
- Eczema
PMI is not a replacement for the NHS; it is a complementary service designed to work alongside it. Emergency care (A&E), for instance, will always be provided by the NHS.
Putting it into Practice: Example Family PMI Costs
To make these concepts clearer, let's look at three different families and the type of policies they might choose.
Scenario 1: The Young Family in Leeds (Budget-Focused)
- Family: The Millers – Parents aged 32 and 34, with children aged 3 and 5.
- Priorities: Peace of mind against long waits for serious issues, but on a tight budget.
- Policy Choice:
- Level of Cover: Basic (Inpatient and Day-Patient only).
- Excess: £500.
- Hospital List: Local hospital network.
- Underwriting: Moratorium.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £95
The Millers have a safety net for major operations. If one of them needs a diagnostic scan, they would either use the NHS or pay for it themselves, but if surgery is required, their PMI policy kicks in.
Scenario 2: The Established Family in Surrey (Mid-Range Comfort)
- Family: The Patels – Parents aged 41 and 43, with children aged 11 and 14.
- Priorities: Fast diagnosis is as important as fast treatment. They want good national hospital access.
- Policy Choice:
- Level of Cover: Mid-Range (Inpatient + £1,000 of Outpatient cover).
- Excess: £250.
- Hospital List: National hospital network.
- Underwriting: Moratorium.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £185
The Patels' policy allows them to see a specialist privately and have scans done quickly, speeding up the entire journey from symptom to treatment.
Scenario 3: The Professional Family in London (Comprehensive Security)
- Family: The Evanses – Parents aged 45 and 47, with children aged 15 and 17.
- Priorities: Maximum peace of mind, access to the very best facilities and specialists, and cover for therapies and mental health.
- Policy Choice:
- Level of Cover: Comprehensive (Full Inpatient and Outpatient cover, plus therapies and mental health).
- Excess: £100.
- Hospital List: Full London and National network.
- Underwriting: Full Medical Underwriting for clarity.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: £380
The Evanses have an all-encompassing policy that provides prompt support for almost any new, acute condition, from a sports injury requiring physiotherapy to comprehensive cancer care.
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Family's PMI Premium
Securing the right private health cover doesn't have to break the bank. With a few strategic choices, you can significantly lower your premium without sacrificing the core protection your family needs.
- Increase Your Excess: This is the most effective tool for cost reduction. Moving from a £100 excess to a £500 excess can cut your premium by 20-30%.
- Opt for a "Six-Week Wait" Clause: With this option, if the NHS waiting list for the inpatient treatment you need is less than six weeks, you agree to use the NHS. If it's longer, your private cover activates. This can reduce your premium by up to 25%, as it shares the risk with the NHS.
- Tailor Your Hospital List: Be realistic about where you would travel for treatment. If you live in Scotland, you probably don't need a list that includes premium London hospitals. Choosing a more limited network can offer substantial savings.
- Pay Annually: Most insurers offer a discount of around 5% if you pay for the entire year upfront, as it reduces their administration costs.
- Review Optional Extras: Scrutinise add-ons like dental, optical, and worldwide travel cover. You may already have these benefits through an employer or a packaged bank account, so don't pay for them twice.
- Consider a "Guided" Consultant List: Some leading PMI providers now offer a "guided" option. This means that instead of having an open choice of any specialist, the insurer provides you with a shortlist of 3-4 vetted consultants for your condition. This efficiency brings the cost down.
- Take Advantage of Family Discounts: Many insurers have offers like "fourth child covered for free" or other family-friendly pricing structures. An expert broker will know which insurers have the best current offers.
- Live a Healthy Lifestyle: While this won't reduce your initial premium, many insurers (like Vitality and Aviva) now offer rewards for healthy living. By tracking your activity, you can earn points that lead to lower renewal premiums, cinema tickets, or free coffee.
- Limit Outpatient Cover: Instead of unlimited outpatient cover, consider capping it at £500 or £1,000 per year. This still provides a significant safety net for diagnostics while keeping the policy more affordable.
- Use an Independent Broker like WeCovr: This is the most important tip. The UK private medical insurance market is complex, with dozens of policies from multiple providers. A specialist broker does the hard work for you. We compare the entire market, explain the differences in plain English, and find the policy that perfectly matches your family's needs and budget—all at no extra cost to you.
More Than Just Insurance: Added Value for Your Family's Health
Modern private health insurance is about more than just paying for treatment when you're ill. The best PMI providers now include a wealth of added-value services designed to support your family's day-to-day wellbeing.
Most high-quality policies now include as standard:
- 24/7 Virtual GP Service: Access a GP via phone or video call at any time, from anywhere. This is incredibly convenient for busy families, allowing you to get prescriptions, advice, and referrals without leaving home.
- Mental Health Support Lines: Confidential helplines offering access to counsellors for stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
- Wellness Apps and Discounts: Many insurers have partnerships offering discounts on gym memberships, fitness trackers, and healthy food.
At WeCovr, we believe in this proactive approach to health. That's why clients who arrange their private medical insurance with us also receive complimentary access to our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracker, CalorieHero. It's a fantastic tool to help your whole family learn about food and build healthier, lasting habits.
Furthermore, when you protect your family with a health or life insurance policy through WeCovr, you can unlock preferential rates on other types of cover, creating a comprehensive and cost-effective protection portfolio.
Weighing the Pros and Cons: Is PMI a Good Investment for Your Family?
The decision to buy private medical insurance is personal. It depends on your financial situation, your attitude to risk, and your concerns about the current state of public healthcare. As of early 2025, NHS England data shows that the number of treatment pathways waiting to start remains over 7.5 million, a figure that drives many families to seek alternatives.
Here’s a balanced view to help you decide.
| Pros of Family PMI | Cons of Family PMI |
|---|
| Bypass long NHS waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment. | It's a recurring cost that needs to be factored into your family budget. |
| Fast access to specialists and advanced diagnostic scans (MRI, CT, PET). | It does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. |
| Choice of leading specialists and hospitals, giving you control over your care. | Emergency care is not included – you must always use A&E. |
| A private, en-suite room for more comfort and privacy during recovery. | Policies can be complex, with different rules and exclusions. |
| Access to cancer drugs and treatments that may not yet be approved for NHS use. | Premiums will increase each year with age and medical inflation. |
| Invaluable peace of mind, knowing you have a plan in place. | |
Ultimately, PMI is a product you buy hoping you'll never need it. But if a member of your family does fall ill, having it can make a world of difference during a stressful time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Private Medical Insurance
Can I add a new baby to my family health insurance policy?
Yes, absolutely. Most insurers allow you to add a newborn to your policy, often without any medical underwriting, provided you do so within a set timeframe (usually 3 months from birth). Some insurers even have special offers where newborns are covered for free for their first year. It's always best to contact your provider or broker as soon as possible after the birth.
Does private medical insurance UK cover routine pregnancy and childbirth?
Standard private medical insurance policies do not cover routine, uncomplicated pregnancy and childbirth. However, they will typically cover complications that arise during pregnancy or childbirth, as these are considered unexpected medical conditions. Some high-end comprehensive policies offer an optional "maternity" or "obstetrics" add-on, which provides a cash benefit or cover for a private delivery, but this is a specialist benefit and significantly increases the premium.
What happens to my children's cover when they become young adults?
Children can typically remain on a family policy until they are 18 or, if they are in full-time education, up to the age of 21 or even 25 with some insurers. Once they exceed this age limit, they will need to take out their own individual policy. The advantage of them having been on a family policy is that they can usually switch to a personal policy with the same insurer without any new medical underwriting, ensuring continuous cover.
Is it cheaper to get one family policy or separate policies for each person?
It is almost always cheaper and more administratively simple to have a single family policy. Insurers apply discounts for multiple members on one plan and often have special pricing for children. While it's technically possible to insure everyone separately, a family plan is designed to be the most cost-effective solution. An independent broker can run the numbers both ways to confirm the best approach for your specific family composition.
Find the Best Health Cover for Your Family Today
Navigating the private medical insurance market can be daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. The right advice can save you thousands of pounds over the lifetime of your policy and ensure your family has protection that truly works for them.
As an independent, FCA-authorised broker with high customer satisfaction ratings, WeCovr compares leading UK insurers like Aviva, Bupa, AXA Health, and Vitality to find a policy that fits your family's unique needs and budget. Our expert, friendly advice is completely free and comes with no obligation.
Let us handle the research, compare the complex details, and present you with the best options in a clear, simple way.
Get your FREE, no-obligation family health insurance quote from WeCovr today and give your family the gift of health security.