Overview
Vitality takes a different approach: your premium and perks respond to how you live. Track activity through the Vitality app and you earn rewards — discounted trainers and wearables, coffee, cinema tickets — and can influence what you pay at renewal.
The insurance itself is solid: full cover with direct access to physiotherapy (six sessions) and talking therapies (up to eight sessions) without a GP referral, a virtual GP that can refer you to specialists, and notable flexibility on mental health, including waiving some pre-existing mental health exclusions.
Reviews & ratings
Insurers aren't CQC-regulated (CQC rates care providers, not insurance companies) — the links above search Google and Trustpilot directly.
Strengths
- Rewards programme with real-world perks and renewal discounts
- Physio and talking therapy without a GP referral
- Virtual GP can authorise specialist referrals
- Willing to waive some pre-existing mental health exclusions
- Strong app and digital claims experience
Things to consider
- Full value depends on engaging with the rewards programme
- Shared claims thresholds can affect the whole policy
- Recurring mental health claims may trigger a chronic exclusion
Who is Vitality best for?
Active people who will use the rewards engine, and anyone who values fast physio and mental health access without GP referrals.
What does it cost?
From £54/month. Indicative for a 30-year-old on comprehensive cover, 2026. Your price depends on age, postcode, cover level and excess.
Frequently asked questions
How do Vitality rewards actually work?
You earn points for activity tracked via a wearable or phone — steps, workouts, parkruns. Points build your Vitality status from Bronze to Platinum, unlocking weekly perks (coffee, cinema) and bigger benefits like discounted Apple Watch plans. Your engagement can also moderate premium increases at renewal.
Does Vitality require a GP referral to claim?
Often not. You can self-refer for up to six physiotherapy sessions and up to eight talking therapy sessions, and Vitality's virtual GP can make specialist referrals directly. For other claims a referral is still needed, but the in-app GP usually makes that quick — often within a day or two.
Is Vitality good for mental health cover?
It's one of the stronger options: talking therapies without a referral, out-patient mental health cover on higher plans, and a willingness to waive some pre-existing mental health exclusions that other insurers would apply. One caveat: repeated claims for the same condition can eventually be classed as chronic and excluded.
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Understand how health insurance works
- Moratorium vs full medical underwriting
- Pre-existing conditions explained
- Why premiums are rising in 2026
- Insurance Premium Tax explained