Guide
Life insurance and inheritance tax
Why writing a policy in trust can keep the payout outside your estate.
Read guideCompare private health insurance
Compare UK private medical insurance to get faster access to diagnosis, specialists and treatment, with cover tailored to your budget.
Compare health insurance quotesReady to compare private health insurance?
Run a full market comparison before you commit. It takes about five minutes and there's no obligation to apply.
How private health insurance works
Private medical insurance covers the cost of private treatment for new medical conditions that arise after your policy starts, typically including consultations, diagnostics, and inpatient or day-patient surgery.
Policies range from comprehensive plans covering most treatment to budget plans that focus on faster diagnosis and cancer treatment, using the NHS for other care.
Premiums depend on your age, where you live, the hospital list you choose, your excess and whether you include extras like outpatient cover or mental health support.
What affects the cost of private health insurance
- Your age and location
- Hospital and consultant list chosen
- Excess level you're willing to pay
- Whether outpatient cover is included
- Pre-existing conditions and moratorium terms
Why compare private health insurance with us
Faster diagnosis
Typically see a specialist within days rather than facing NHS waiting lists.
Choice of hospital
Pick from a network of private hospitals, often including one near your home.
Cancer cover as standard
Most comprehensive policies include full cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Flexible excess options
Raise your excess to significantly lower your monthly premium.
Typical monthly premiums by age
Indicative UK pricing for a comprehensive individual policy with a £250 excess.
| Age | Individual, standard hospitals | Individual, full hospital list | Couple, standard hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | £35 - £55 | £55 - £80 | £65 - £100 |
| 40 | £45 - £70 | £70 - £105 | £85 - £130 |
| 50 | £65 - £100 | £100 - £150 | £125 - £185 |
| 60 | £110 - £170 | £170 - £250 | £210 - £320 |
Cost by cover level
Typical monthly cost for a 40-year-old with no excess reduction applied.
| Cover level | What's included | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis-only / budget | Consultations and diagnostics, cancer treatment | £25 - £45 |
| Standard comprehensive | Inpatient, day-patient, most outpatient | £45 - £75 |
| Comprehensive plus outpatient | As above plus full outpatient and therapies | £70 - £110 |
| Premium, full hospital list | Widest hospital choice, higher room standards | £100 - £160 |
Expert advice
Our team reviews UK life and health insurers, underwriting approaches and policy wording throughout the year.
“The excess is the lever most people ignore. Taking on a £250 excess you can comfortably afford often cuts the premium far more than shopping around ever will.”
private health insurance: pros and cons
Pros
- Faster access to specialists and treatment
- Choice of hospital, consultant and appointment times
- Private room as standard on most policies
- Excess options let you control the premium
Cons
- Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded
- Premiums rise with age and claims history
- Does not typically cover chronic condition management, emergencies or maternity as standard
How to choose private health insurance
The cheapest premium is not always the best policy. Check these points before you apply.
- 1
Decide on moratorium vs full medical underwriting
Moratorium is simpler at application but excludes recent conditions for a set period; full underwriting reviews your full history upfront.
- 2
Check the hospital list
A cheaper policy with a restricted hospital list may not include a convenient private hospital near you.
- 3
Consider your excess
Raising your excess from £0 to £500 can cut premiums by 20% or more if you rarely claim.
- 4
Look at outpatient limits
Some policies cap outpatient consultations and scans, which is where a lot of everyday claims happen.
Compare private health insurance
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare private health insurance
It takes a few minutes and comparing will not affect your credit score.
1. Tell us a bit about you
Your age, health, smoker status and roughly how much cover you need.
2. See matched quotes
We shortlist UK insurers who price your circumstances competitively.
3. Compare the full policy
Cover level, exclusions and claims record — not just the monthly premium.
4. Apply directly with the insurer
You complete underwriting and set your start date, usually within a few days.
Things to watch out for
Pre-existing and chronic conditions are usually excluded or require full medical underwriting to be considered.
Premiums typically increase every year at renewal, both with age and with medical inflation.
Emergency treatment and ongoing chronic disease management usually still rely on the NHS.
Our private health insurance service
We compare private health insurance from established UK insurers so you can see premiums, cover levels and exclusions side by side.
Comparing is free, and we will say plainly if a policy you already hold looks competitive.
Getting started
1
Gather your health history
Insurers ask about medical history, family history and lifestyle — accuracy matters at claim time.
2
Work out how much cover you need
Think about your mortgage, dependants and how long you'd need an income replaced for.
3
Answer underwriting questions honestly
Non-disclosure is the most common reason genuine claims are later declined.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of private health insurance
The right structure depends on your circumstances, budget and what you're protecting.
Comprehensive cover
Broad cover for inpatient, day-patient and outpatient treatment across most conditions.
Budget / cash-plan style
Lower cost cover focused on diagnostics and cancer, with NHS used for other treatment.
Health cash plans
Not full PMI — reimburses routine costs like dental, optical and physiotherapy up to set limits.
Corporate / group schemes
Employer-arranged cover, often with simplified underwriting for staff.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification. We are not affiliated with every insurer listed and do not compare the whole market.
Legal & General
Aviva
Vitality
Bupa
AXA Health
Royal London
Zurich
LV=Comparing with us is a no-brainer
“I saw a specialist within a week instead of waiting months on the NHS list.”
Sarah, teacher, Bristol
private health insurance guides
Guide
Do you need private health cover?
How NHS waiting times are changing the way people think about self-pay and private cover.
Read guide
Guide
Income protection vs critical illness
The difference between insuring your income and insuring against a diagnosis.
Read guideprivate health insurance FAQs
Does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Usually not, or only after a moratorium period with no symptoms or treatment. Full medical underwriting can sometimes cover a condition for an extra premium.
Can I use the NHS and private insurance together?
Yes. Many people use private cover for planned treatment and diagnostics while still relying on the NHS for emergencies and GP care.
Will my premium go up every year?
Yes, typically. Premiums usually rise with your age and with medical cost inflation, even if you don't claim.
Does private health insurance cover mental health?
Many comprehensive policies include mental health cover, but limits, exclusions and waiting periods vary significantly between insurers.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026