As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 750,000 policies, WeCovr understands the growing need for robust private medical insurance in the UK. With NHS waiting lists remaining a significant concern, more individuals and families are seeking the peace of mind that private health cover provides. Among the trusted names in the market, The Exeter stands out for its unique, member-focused approach.
This comprehensive guide explores The Exeter's Health+ policy, breaking down its core benefits, customisable options, and who it's best suited for. We'll explain how you can tailor a policy to your specific needs and budget, ensuring you have a clear picture of what makes this provider a compelling choice in the UK's competitive private medical insurance landscape.
Before we dive into The Exeter's specifics, let's clarify what PMI is and what it isn't.
Private medical insurance is a policy you buy to cover the costs of private healthcare for acute conditions. An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of things like joint replacements, cataract surgery, or treatment for hernias.
Crucially, standard UK private medical insurance does not cover:
PMI is designed to complement the excellent emergency care provided by the NHS. It gives you more choice and control over your non-urgent medical treatment, helping you bypass long waiting lists and get back on your feet faster.
The Exeter isn't your typical insurance company. They are a Friendly Society, which means they are a mutual insurer.
What does this mean for you?
Their mutual status underpins their entire philosophy, putting the well-being of their members at the heart of everything they do.
The Exeter's flagship private medical insurance product is called Health+. It's designed to be a flexible and comprehensive policy that you can build upon to suit your needs.
The core cover of every Health+ policy provides a strong foundation of protection.
Table: Core Cover Included with Every Exeter Health+ Policy
Benefit | Details | Why it's Important |
---|---|---|
In-patient & Day-patient Treatment | Unlimited cover for hospital fees, specialist fees, and diagnostic tests when you are admitted to hospital. | This is the cornerstone of PMI. It means if you need surgery or treatment requiring a hospital stay, your costs are covered without a financial limit. |
Comprehensive Cancer Cover | Includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and advanced therapies like biological therapies and stem cell treatment. | Cancer treatment is a primary reason people buy PMI. The Exeter provides extensive cover, including access to some drugs not yet available on the NHS. |
Post-operative Consultations | Unlimited cover for follow-up consultations with a specialist within 6 months of your in-patient or day-patient procedure. | Ensures your recovery is properly monitored without worrying about additional consultation fees. |
Private Ambulance | Covers the cost of a private ambulance if medically necessary to transport you to a hospital. | Provides comfort and speed during a stressful time. |
NHS Hospital Cash Benefit | A cash payment (£250 per night, up to £5,000 a year) if you choose to use the NHS for treatment that would have been covered by your policy. | This offers valuable flexibility. You can use the cash payment for anything you like, from covering household bills to aiding your recovery. |
Home Nursing | Covers the cost of a registered nurse to provide care at home immediately after an eligible hospital stay. | Allows you to recover in the comfort of your own home while still receiving professional medical care. |
This core package ensures that for the most significant medical events, you are fully protected against the high costs of private treatment.
One of the great strengths of The Exeter's Health+ policy is its flexibility. You can adjust several key elements to either increase your cover or reduce your monthly premium. A specialist PMI broker like WeCovr can walk you through these options to find the perfect balance for your circumstances.
This is perhaps the most important decision you'll make. Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your medical history to decide what they will and won't cover.
Moratorium (Mori) Underwriting: This is the most popular option in the UK. You don't need to declare your full medical history when you apply. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the 5 years before your policy starts. However, if you then go 2 full years on the policy without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition, it may become eligible for cover. It's a "wait and see" approach.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): With FMU, you complete a detailed health questionnaire when you apply. The Exeter will review your medical history and tell you upfront exactly what is excluded from your policy. This provides complete clarity from day one, but the application process is longer.
The Exeter is known for its fair and flexible approach to underwriting, making them a good option for those who may have been declined by other insurers in the past.
The cost of private treatment varies significantly depending on the hospital's location. Central London hospitals, for example, are the most expensive. To manage costs, The Exeter offers a choice of hospital lists.
Table: Example of The Exeter's Hospital List Tiers
Hospital List Tier | Description | Who is it for? |
---|---|---|
Essential | Access to a wide range of quality private hospitals across the UK, excluding those in the most expensive areas like Central London. | A great cost-effective option for most people who are happy to travel a little further for treatment if needed. |
Standard | Includes the Essential list plus more hospitals, including some London options (but typically not the prime HCA facilities). | A good middle-ground, offering more choice and convenience, particularly for those living in or near major cities. |
Extended | The most comprehensive list, providing access to virtually all private hospitals in the UK, including the premium facilities in Central London. | Ideal for those who want maximum choice and access to the most renowned specialists, or for those who live in Central London. |
Choosing a more restricted hospital list is a very effective way to lower your premium.
An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of a claim each policy year. For example, if you have a £250 excess and your first claim of the year is for £3,000, you pay the first £250 and The Exeter pays the remaining £2,750. You only pay the excess once per person, per policy year, regardless of how many claims you make.
The rule is simple: a higher excess means a lower monthly premium.
The Exeter typically offers a range of excess options, such as:
Choosing an excess you are comfortable paying is a smart way to make your private health cover more affordable.
While the core policy covers you once you're admitted to hospital, much of your medical journey happens before that. This is where out-patient cover comes in.
The Exeter allows you to add these as optional extras. You can choose to have them fully covered or select a capped amount per year (e.g., £500, £1,000, or £1,500) to keep costs down.
In a market with major players like Bupa and AXA, The Exeter has several distinct advantages that appeal to a growing number of UK consumers.
While The Exeter can be a great choice for many, their offering particularly resonates with certain groups.
The Self-Employed Professional:
The Modern Family:
The Retiree with a Health History:
The cost of private medical insurance is highly personal. It depends on several factors:
To give you an idea, here are some illustrative monthly premiums.
Table: Example Monthly Premiums for The Exeter Health+ (Note: These are estimates for a non-smoker outside London, with a Standard hospital list, £250 excess, and £1,000 out-patient cover. Prices are for illustrative purposes only and will vary.)
Profile | Estimated Monthly Premium (2025) |
---|---|
30-year-old Individual | £45 - £60 |
45-year-old Couple | £130 - £170 |
Family of Four (Parents 40, Children 10 & 8) | £180 - £240 |
The only way to get an accurate price is to get a personalised quote. This is where an expert broker can save you time and money.
While you can go directly to The Exeter, using an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr offers significant benefits at no extra cost to you.
Having a great insurance policy is a safety net, but the best approach is to proactively manage your health. Here are some simple, evidence-based tips:
Choosing the right private medical insurance is a significant decision. The Exeter offers a compelling, flexible, and member-focused solution that stands out in the UK market. With its comprehensive core cover and customisable options, it provides a powerful safety net for you and your family.
Ready to explore how The Exeter or other leading UK insurers can protect your health?
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our FCA-authorised specialists are here to provide expert advice and help you find the perfect private health cover.