As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 750,000 policies of various types via embedded and direct channels, WeCovr simplifies the world of private medical insurance for UK individuals and families. We provide expert, impartial advice to help you find the right cover, at the right price, giving you peace of mind and fast access to healthcare.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI), often called private health cover, is an insurance policy designed to cover the costs of private healthcare for acute medical conditions. In an era of record NHS waiting lists—with the elective care waiting list in England remaining above 7.5 million (NHS England, 2025)—PMI offers a valuable alternative for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
However, it's crucial to understand its purpose from the outset.
PMI 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.
Understanding this difference is the single most important part of choosing a PMI policy.
Think of PMI as a safety net for new, unexpected, and treatable health issues, allowing you to bypass NHS queues for eligible treatments.
The motivation for exploring private medical insurance in the UK is multifaceted, driven by shifts in the national healthcare landscape.
While the benefits are clear, the path to securing the right policy is often confusing. If you approach insurers directly, you are faced with a dizzying array of options, jargon-filled documents, and conflicting information.
Common Pitfalls of Going Direct:
This is where an expert, independent PMI broker becomes your most valuable ally. A specialist broker works for you, not the insurance company.
At WeCovr, our role is to act as your expert guide through the entire process, from finding the perfect policy to offering support if you ever need to make a claim. Our advice is completely free to you, as we are paid a commission by the insurer you choose. Our FCA authorisation means we are held to the highest standards of conduct, ensuring the advice you receive is impartial and in your best interest.
Unlike a single insurer who can only sell their own products, we have access to policies from a wide panel of the UK's leading providers. This allows us to conduct a comprehensive market review on your behalf, ensuring no stone is left unturned in our search for the best private health cover for your specific circumstances and budget.
Our team of specialists lives and breathes private medical insurance. We understand the subtle differences between policies that aren't always apparent in the marketing brochures.
Our process begins with a simple conversation. We take the time to understand:
We then analyse the market and present you with a shortlist of the most suitable options, explained in plain English.
To help you decide, we break down the key components of a PMI policy. Here’s a look at the core features we help you compare:
Feature | What It Means | Key Consideration |
---|---|---|
Level of Cover | The core package. Usually split into 'Comprehensive', 'Mid-Range', and 'Basic'. | Does it cover diagnostics, consultations, and treatment as standard, or are some elements optional add-ons? |
Outpatient Cover | Covers diagnostic tests and consultations that don't require a hospital bed. | Policies can offer anything from £0 to 'unlimited' cover. A low limit can mean you exhaust your benefit before a diagnosis is even reached. |
Excess | The amount you agree to pay towards any claim each year. | A higher excess (£500-£1,000) will significantly lower your monthly premium, but you must be able to afford it if you claim. |
Hospital List | The list of private hospitals you are eligible to use for treatment. | Insurers have tiered lists. A 'national' list is comprehensive, while a 'local' or 'directory' list is more restricted but cheaper. |
Cancer Cover | One of the most valued benefits. Covers diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. | Check for limitations on advanced treatments, experimental drugs, or end-of-life care. |
Mental Health Cover | Support for conditions like anxiety and depression. | This is often an optional add-on. Cover can range from limited outpatient therapy to full inpatient psychiatric care. |
Our expertise not only finds you the right policy but also the best value. We know how different providers weigh factors like age and location, and we can often identify deals or specific policy structures that offer superior cover for a similar or lower price than you would find on your own.
Remember, the cheapest policy is rarely the best. Our goal is to find the most cost-effective policy that delivers on its promise when you need it most.
A policy is only as good as the support you receive when you need to use it. This is another area where our service shines.
The claims process for private medical insurance in the UK follows a clear path:
Sarah, a 45-year-old marketing manager, developed persistent knee pain. Her GP suspected a torn meniscus and referred her for an MRI and specialist consultation. The NHS waiting list for the scan was 18 weeks.
Using her PMI policy arranged by WeCovr, Sarah called her insurer. They authorised the MRI, which she had at a local private hospital four days later. The results confirmed the tear. Ten days after that, she saw a private orthopaedic surgeon who recommended keyhole surgery. The entire process from GP visit to surgery took less than four weeks. Sarah was back to her active lifestyle quickly, with her policy covering all the costs minus her £250 excess.
When you hold a policy arranged by us, you gain an advocate. If you face any issues—a confusing request for information, a delay in authorisation, or a dispute over what is covered—our team is here to help. We can liaise with the insurer on your behalf, leveraging our industry knowledge and relationships to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. This dedicated support is a core part of our service and a key reason we enjoy such high customer satisfaction ratings.
To make an informed decision, you need to understand the mechanics behind the policy. Two of the most important concepts are underwriting and policy customisation.
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your medical history to decide what they will and will not cover.
Underwriting Type | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Moratorium (MORI) | The most common type. You don't declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the insurer automatically excludes any condition you've had in the 5 years before your policy starts. | Quicker and simpler to set up. | Less certainty. The insurer investigates your history at the point of a claim, which can sometimes lead to surprises. |
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | You complete a detailed health questionnaire when you apply. The insurer reviews it and tells you from day one exactly what is excluded. | Provides complete clarity and certainty from the start. You know exactly where you stand. | The application process is longer. Exclusions are permanent unless you can get them reviewed. |
Generally, younger, healthier individuals may prefer the speed of a Moratorium policy. Those with a more complex medical history often benefit from the certainty of Full Medical Underwriting. We can advise you on which is more suitable for your situation.
[Read our full expert guide to Moratorium vs. Full Medical Underwriting for more details]
It is essential to reiterate this point. No standard UK private medical insurance policy is designed to cover conditions you already have when you join.
We believe in a holistic approach to our clients' wellbeing. When you become a WeCovr client for PMI or Life Insurance, you get more than just a policy.
All our clients receive complimentary access to our powerful AI-driven calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. Proactive health management is the best way to reduce the risk of future illness. CalorieHero makes it easy to monitor your diet, track fitness goals, and build healthier habits, empowering you to take control of your long-term wellness.
We value our clients' loyalty. Once you have a Private Medical Insurance or Life Insurance policy with us, you become eligible for exclusive discounts on other types of cover we offer, such as income protection or critical illness cover. This allows you to build a comprehensive financial safety net for you and your family in the most cost-effective way.
The UK market is dominated by a few key players, each with its own strengths. An expert broker like WeCovr helps you navigate these options to find the best fit.
Provider | Known For | Potential Best Fit For |
---|---|---|
AXA Health | Comprehensive cover and a strong focus on clinical support pathways. | Individuals wanting a robust, high-end policy with extensive options and strong mental health support. |
Bupa | One of the most recognised names with a vast network of hospitals and facilities. | Those looking for brand reassurance and access to Bupa's own clinics and health services. |
Aviva | A major UK insurer offering a strong core product and a straightforward 'Expert Select' hospital process. | Customers who value a large, established brand and a streamlined claims process. Often competitive on price. |
Vitality | A unique model that rewards healthy living with discounts and perks. | Active individuals who are willing to engage with the wellness programme to lower their premiums and earn rewards. |
The Exeter | A friendly society known for its excellent customer service and flexible underwriting for older applicants. | The self-employed, older individuals, or those with some minor health conditions who may benefit from their approach. |
This table is for illustrative purposes only. The "best" provider is entirely dependent on your individual needs and circumstances.
Navigating the world of private medical insurance in the UK doesn't have to be a stressful or confusing experience. With the right expert guidance, you can secure a policy that provides genuine peace of mind, fast access to high-quality care, and excellent value for money.
By partnering with an FCA-authorised specialist broker like WeCovr, you gain an advocate who works for you. We demystify the jargon, compare the market on your behalf, and provide ongoing support long after your policy is in place. From the first quote to the final claim, we are here to make your journey smooth and stress-free.
Ready to take control of your healthcare?
Contact WeCovr today for your free, no-obligation private medical insurance quote and discover a simpler path to better health.
1. How much does private medical insurance cost in the UK? The cost of PMI varies significantly based on age, location, level of cover, and chosen excess. A basic policy for a young, healthy individual might start from £30-£40 per month, while a comprehensive policy for a 50-year-old in London could be £150 per month or more. The best way to get an accurate figure is to get a tailored quote from a broker who can compare the market.
2. Does private health insurance cover dental and optical care? Standard private medical insurance policies do not typically cover routine dental check-ups, fillings, or eye tests. However, some comprehensive policies allow you to add dental and optical cover as an optional extra for an additional premium. More serious surgical procedures, such as cataract removal, are often covered under the core policy.
3. Can I get private medical insurance if I have a pre-existing condition? Yes, you can still get a policy, but it will not cover your pre-existing conditions. Insurers will exclude any illness or injury for which you have had symptoms or received treatment in the past (usually the last 5 years). This is a fundamental principle of UK PMI, which is designed to cover new, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins.
4. What is the difference between an insurance broker and going direct to an insurer? An insurer can only offer you their own products. An independent broker, like WeCovr, works on your behalf and has access to policies from a wide range of different insurers. This allows them to provide impartial advice, conduct a whole-of-market comparison to find the best value, and act as your advocate during a claim. This service is provided at no cost to you.