As an FCA-authorised broker that has arranged over 750,000 policies, WeCovr delves into General & Medical, a key player in the UK private medical insurance market. Our expert review will determine if they are a respected niche provider or a true hidden gem for individuals, families, and businesses.
In the crowded UK private medical insurance (PMI) landscape, dominated by giants like Bupa, Aviva, and AXA, it can be easy to overlook the smaller, more specialist providers. Yet, these insurers often provide exceptional value, personalised service, and flexible policies that can be a perfect fit.
General & Medical is one such provider. With a history stretching back decades, they have carved out a reputation for quality and reliability. But how do their policies stack up in 2025? Are they a viable alternative to the household names?
This comprehensive WeCovr review will explore every facet of General & Medical’s health insurance offerings. We will break down their policies, analyse their key features, compare them to the wider market, and give you our expert verdict. Our goal is to provide you with the clarity you need to decide if they are the right choice for your health and peace of mind.
Founded in the 1980s, General & Medical has a long and established history in the UK insurance sector. Unlike many of its larger, corporate-owned competitors, it has maintained a family-run ethos, which often translates into a more personal and customer-centric approach.
Initially known for their specialism in providing cover for professional sports clubs and associations, they have since expanded their expertise to offer a wide range of health insurance products for:
Their underwriting is handled by their own authorised and regulated firm, General & Medical Insurance Ltd, giving them direct control over their products and claims process. While they may not have the same brand recognition as the "big four," their deep experience and commitment to service make them a serious contender in the private health cover market.
Before we dive into the specifics of General & Medical's policies, it's vital to be crystal clear on what private medical insurance is designed for. Misunderstanding this fundamental point is the single biggest source of confusion for new policyholders.
PMI is for Acute Conditions, Not Chronic Ones
Standard UK private medical insurance is designed to cover the diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions that arise after your policy has started.
Crucially, private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. If you have received medication, advice, or treatment for a condition in the years leading up to taking out a policy, it will almost certainly be excluded from your cover.
The primary benefit of PMI is speed of access. With NHS waiting lists in England reaching 7.54 million cases in early 2025, according to NHS England data, having a PMI policy can mean the difference between getting a diagnosis and treatment in days or weeks, versus waiting for many months or even years.
General & Medical offers a tiered range of policies, allowing you to balance the level of cover you need with your budget. Let's examine their offerings for different customer groups.
General & Medical's individual and family plans are designed to be flexible. They offer several core options which can be tailored with add-ons.
Here is a comparison of their typical individual policy tiers:
Feature | Everyday Plan (Entry-Level) | Lifestyle Plan (Mid-Range) | Premier Plan (Comprehensive) |
---|---|---|---|
In-patient & Day-patient Cover | Full Cover | Full Cover | Full Cover |
Out-patient Consultations | Optional Add-on | Up to £1,000 | Full Cover |
Out-patient Diagnostics | Optional Add-on | Up to £1,000 | Full Cover |
Cancer Cover | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
Mental Health Cover | Optional Add-on | Included (limits apply) | Included (higher limits) |
Therapies (Physio, Osteo etc.) | Optional Add-on | Included (limits apply) | Included (higher limits) |
Hospital Network | Specified List | Extended List | National Choice |
Private GP & Prescriptions | Included (limited) | Included | Included |
Real-Life Example:
Mark, a 42-year-old self-employed plumber, starts experiencing persistent knee pain. His NHS GP suspects a torn meniscus but warns the waiting time for an MRI scan is over six months. Mark has a General & Medical 'Lifestyle' policy. He gets a referral, has a private MRI within a week, and is booked in for keyhole surgery three weeks later. His policy covers the consultation, scan, and surgical procedure, getting him back to work and pain-free in a fraction of the time.
Business health insurance is a highly valued employee benefit that can help companies attract and retain top talent. It demonstrates a commitment to staff wellbeing and can significantly reduce productivity losses from long-term sickness absence.
General & Medical's business policies are highly customisable and offer:
Offering a PMI scheme can be a powerful tool for SMEs competing with larger firms for skilled workers. It's a tangible benefit that directly impacts an employee's quality of life.
Beyond the core cover, the details are what make a policy stand out. Here’s what you get with General & Medical.
When you arrange your policy through an expert broker like WeCovr, you gain even more. We provide all our PMI clients with complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero, to support your health goals. Furthermore, our clients enjoy exclusive discounts on other types of insurance, such as life or home insurance, adding extra value to your relationship with us.
To understand where General & Medical sits in the market, it's helpful to compare them to the largest UK PMI providers.
Provider | Typical Market Focus | Key Strength | Potential Drawback |
---|---|---|---|
General & Medical | Individuals, families, and SMEs seeking value and personal service. | Flexibility, competitive pricing, customer-focused approach. | Smaller hospital network on entry-level plans; less brand recognition. |
Bupa | Comprehensive cover for individuals and large corporates. | Huge brand trust, extensive direct-settlement hospital network. | Can be one of the more expensive options. |
Aviva | Broad market, strong in corporate and individual PMI. | Very comprehensive policies, strong digital tools. | Premiums can be at the higher end of the scale. |
AXA Health | Individuals and businesses, focus on clinical pathways. | Excellent clinical support, good mental health pathways. | Policy structure can feel complex to some. |
Vitality | Individuals and businesses focused on health and wellness. | Innovative rewards for healthy living (e.g., gym discounts). | You must engage with the wellness programme to get the best value. |
This table shows there is no single "best PMI provider." The right choice is deeply personal. General & Medical excels for those who prioritise a straightforward relationship, good value, and solid, reliable cover without the bells and whistles of a complex rewards programme.
When you apply for health insurance, the insurer needs to assess the risk you pose. This process is called underwriting. General & Medical, like other insurers, primarily uses two methods.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU):
Moratorium Underwriting (Mori):
Choosing the right underwriting method is a critical decision. A specialist PMI broker can provide invaluable guidance here, helping you select the path that best suits your medical history and desire for certainty.
One of the great strengths of General & Medical is the flexibility to tailor your policy. This allows you to control your monthly premium without sacrificing the cover that matters most to you.
Navigating these options can be complex. The team at WeCovr can model these different scenarios for you, instantly showing you how each choice affects your premium. This free, no-obligation service ensures you build a policy that's perfectly matched to your needs and budget.
After a thorough review, our expert verdict is that General & Medical is both.
They are a niche provider in the sense that they don't try to be all things to all people. They have a clear focus on providing solid, understandable, and fairly-priced health insurance, backed by a personal service ethos that larger corporations can struggle to replicate.
They are a hidden gem for the discerning UK consumer who values this approach. For individuals, families, and SMEs who want robust cover for the essentials, particularly for cancer, surgery, and diagnostics, without paying for features they may not use, General & Medical represents outstanding value. Their high customer satisfaction ratings are a testament to their success in this area.
They are a strong and credible alternative to the big-name insurers and should be on the shortlist for anyone considering private health cover in the UK.
While insurance is there for when things go wrong, the best strategy is always prevention. Here are some simple, evidence-based tips to support your long-term health and wellbeing.
Ready to explore your options and see if General & Medical is the hidden gem for you? The expert team at WeCovr can compare policies from them and other leading UK providers to find the perfect cover for your needs and budget.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today and take the first step towards greater peace of mind.