UK health insurer reviews

Every insurer structures cover differently — underwriting, hospital lists, no-claims rules and mental health limits all vary. Our reviews explain the differences in plain English, so you know what you're comparing.

Bupa — Bupa By You

The UK's best-known health insurer, with its own hospitals and clinics and market-leading mental health cover.

From £42/month · People who want the biggest brand, strong cancer and mental health cover, and direct access services without GP referrals.

Read the full Bupa review →

AXA Health — AXA Health Plan

A flexible, modular plan from one of the world's largest insurers, with a shorter three-year moratorium than most rivals.

From £45/month · Families who want flexible, modular cover, and anyone whose medical history sits just beyond a three-year moratorium window.

Read the full AXA Health review →

Aviva — Healthier Solutions

Comprehensive core cover with unlimited outpatient options and more ways to trim the premium than most rivals.

From £50/month · Buyers who want comprehensive cover but need levers to keep the premium down, and older joiners other insurers may turn away.

Read the full Aviva review →

Vitality — Personal Healthcare

Health insurance with a rewards engine — healthy habits earn discounts on premiums and perks from brands like Apple and Caffè Nero.

From £54/month · Active people who will use the rewards engine, and anyone who values fast physio and mental health access without GP referrals.

Read the full Vitality review →

WPA — Complete Health

A not-for-profit insurer with the market's best customer satisfaction scores and access to over 1,000 hospitals.

From £45/month · People who value service quality and want the widest possible choice of hospitals and consultants.

Read the full WPA review →

The Exeter — Health+

A friendly society with the most protective no-claims discount in the market and unlimited app-based GP access.

From £53/month · People planning to hold cover long-term who want their no-claims discount protected, and heavy users of virtual GP and physio services.

Read the full The Exeter review →

Freedom Health Insurance — Freedom Elite

The only UK insurer that ignores your postcode — with the strongest inpatient mental health cover reviewed.

From £70/month · People in high-cost postcodes, and anyone who wants serious inpatient mental health cover.

Read the full Freedom Health Insurance review →

National Friendly — My PMI

A mutual society accepting joiners up to age 85, with a five-year pricing structure that stops your own claims raising your premium.

From £67/month · Older buyers other insurers turn away, and anyone who values premium stability over rock-bottom starting prices.

Read the full National Friendly review →

Saga — Saga Health Insurance

Over-50s specialist cover underwritten by Bupa, with a unique four-week NHS wait option.

From £88/month · Over-50s who want Bupa's network with underwriting and options tuned to their age group.

Read the full Saga review →

General & Medical — G&M Elite

A smaller insurer with benefits nobody else offers — including private childbirth cover and optional cover for some pre-existing conditions.

From £80/month · People with a pre-existing condition other insurers won't touch, and buyers wanting unusual benefits like childbirth cover.

Read the full General & Medical review →

Not sure which insurer fits?

A free specialist comparison matches cover to your age, health, postcode and budget across all these insurers at once.

Dr Compare provides general information about private health insurance and introduces enquirers to authorised insurance intermediaries. We do not give financial advice or personal recommendations. Product details, prices and waiting time figures are indicative, based on publicly available information, and may change — always check policy documents before buying. Guide prices for private treatment are illustrative and vary by provider, location and individual circumstances.
Find Care Near You