Private Health Insurance Costs UK 2026

How much does private health insurance cost in the UK?

Private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK costs an average of £1,500–£2,000 per year for an individual, though premiums vary enormously based on your age, health, location, and the level of cover you choose. Basic plans start from around £40–£60 per month, while comprehensive cover with no exclusions can exceed £200 per month for older policyholders.

For a family of four (two adults in their 30s with two children), expect to pay between £2,500 and £4,500 per year for a mid-range plan. Children are typically cheaper to insure, with some providers including them free of charge on family policies until they reach age 18 or 21 if in full-time education.

Factors that affect your premium

Your age is the single biggest factor in determining your premium. A 30-year-old might pay £50 per month for comprehensive cover, while a 60-year-old with the same plan could pay £150–£200 per month. This is because older policyholders are statistically more likely to make claims, and insurers price this risk into the premium.

• Medical history: Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or result in higher premiums. Some insurers offer full medical underwriting at application, while others use a moratorium that excludes conditions treated in the previous 5 years
• Location: Premiums in London and the South East are typically 15–25% higher than in other regions because private hospital and consultant fees are more expensive
• Smoking status: Smokers pay 15–30% more than non-smokers for equivalent cover
• Level of cover: Basic plans covering only inpatient treatment cost less than comprehensive plans that also include outpatient consultations, diagnostics, and therapies
• Excess level: Choosing a higher voluntary excess (£250–£1,000 per claim or per year) can reduce your premium by 20–40%

Ways to reduce the cost of private health insurance

Choosing a guided or restricted hospital list rather than a fully open list can reduce premiums by 15–25%. These plans limit you to specific hospital networks rather than giving access to every private hospital in the UK.

Opting for a six-week wait option (also called an NHS overlay) is one of the most effective cost-saving strategies. Under this arrangement, if the NHS can treat you within six weeks, you use the NHS. If the wait exceeds six weeks, your private insurance kicks in. This typically reduces premiums by 30–50% while still protecting you against the long NHS waiting times that concern most people.

What is and is not typically covered

A standard private health insurance policy covers acute conditions — illnesses and injuries that respond to treatment and are expected to improve. This includes diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scans, blood tests), consultant appointments, surgery, inpatient treatment, and some outpatient therapies.

Most policies do not cover chronic conditions that require ongoing management (such as diabetes or asthma), pre-existing conditions (or exclude them for the first 2–5 years), GP appointments, routine dental and optical care, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatment, or mental health conditions (though some plans offer limited mental health cover). Emergency treatment is also not covered, as this is handled by the NHS.

Annual premium increases

Private health insurance premiums increase every year, typically by 5–10%, driven by a combination of medical inflation, your increasing age, and claims experience. Over a decade, your premium could double even without any change to your health or cover level. This is one of the most common complaints about private health insurance.

To manage rising costs, review your policy annually. Consider increasing your excess, switching to a guided hospital list, or moving to a different provider. Do not automatically renew without checking what alternatives are available. A private health insurance broker can shop the market on your behalf each year.

Is private health insurance worth the cost?

Whether PMI represents good value depends on your personal circumstances and priorities. NHS waiting lists in England have reached record levels, with some patients waiting over a year for routine procedures. Private insurance gives you faster access to specialists, shorter waiting times for diagnostics and surgery, and the ability to choose your consultant and hospital.

For many people, the peace of mind and speed of treatment justifies the cost. For others, especially younger, healthy individuals with limited budgets, a health cash plan (covering routine costs like dental and optical) combined with self-funding occasional private consultations may be more cost-effective.

Get expert help with health insurance costs

An independent health insurance broker can compare quotes from all major UK providers and negotiate on your behalf. They can also identify cost-saving options you might not find on your own, such as corporate schemes, cash plans, or hybrid products that combine NHS and private treatment.

Nesto matches you with experienced, FCA-regulated private health insurance brokers who work across the whole market. Find a health insurance broker through Nesto and get the cover you need at the best price.