Top private health insurance companies in the UK

Health insurance is something that many people don’t think about until they need it. But suppose you are planning on living abroad or are already in another country. In that case, you should be aware of the topic of medical care and the health insurance companies available where you live.

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service is responsible for providing health care services to residents. However, many people choose not to use the NHS and purchase private insurance plans to access more doctors and hospitals.

With so many different providers in this space, it can be difficult to weed through them all, >compare private health insurance and find the one that’s right for you. To help with this process, our experts have put together a list of some of the top health insurance companies in the UK today.

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List of the best private health insurance companies

There are over 500 health insurance companies in the UK, but it pays to know your options before you make a decision. Many factors go into choosing which company is right for you and your family, including coverage levels, customer reviews, etc. Our experts have done the job for you and put together this list of the best private health insurance providers so that you can compare them side-by-side to make an informed decision about the best company for you.

1. BUPA

BUPA is one of the largest and best private healthcare insurance companies in the UK. It currently has over 31 million customers across numerous countries. BUPA By You offers custom-configured benefits packages that can be tailored specifically towards your needs.

Advantages

According to our BUPA health insurance review, the insurer is one of the best providers because:

How long does BUPA work?

BUPA works since 1947.

Reviews

BUPA UK Insurance has amassed an impressive 4.4 stars with an ‘Excellent’ rating by over 12,400 customers on Trustpilot. Most of the reviews mention the good and helpful customer service they provide.

What does BUPA offer?

BUPA provides the following service levels in the UK:

You can avail of the following types of insurance within those two categories:

Awards

BUPA has collected some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, which include:

2. Aviva

With 33 million customers globally, Aviva is the biggest insurance company in the UK. Aviva’s Healthier Solutions is a product that offers private medical treatment through an extensive nationwide network.

Advantages

As per our Aviva Health Insurance review, you can avail of the following benefits by choosing this medical insurer:

How long does Aviva work?

Aviva has worked for 20+ years.

Reviews

Over 18,000 customers have rated Aviva as ‘Excellent’ along with 4.7 stars on Trustpilot. According to 76% of the total reviewers, the services offered by the insurer were quick and easy to access.

What does Aviva offer?

Aviva provides two types of covers, which are:

Awards

From the 2020 British Insurance Awards, Aviva was honoured with:

3. AXA PPP

In the 20th century, AXA PPP was formed to provide health insurance to well-off workers in central London. With over 80 years of experience and millions served worldwide, this provider is considered one of the best private health insurance companies specialising in providing quality UK medical care.

Advantages

According to our in-depth AXA PPP health insurance review, the company offers the following benefits:

How long does AXA PPP work?

AXA PPP Healthcare was founded in 1938.

Reviews

Over 2,600 customers on Trustpilot have given AXA PPP Healthcare a ‘Great’ rating with 3.8 stars.

What does AXA PPP offer?

AXA offers the following health insurance covers:

Awards

AXA Health has received the following awards:

4. WPA

WPA is a UK-based health care provider that specialises in providing private insurance for everyone, from individuals and families to small businesses. For more information, read our comprehensive WPA health insurance review.

Advantages

With WPA health insurance, you can avail of the following benefits:

How long does WPA work?

WPA was founded in 1907.

Reviews

WPA health insurance has received 4.8 stars with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1000 customers.

What does WPA offer?

WPA offers a variety of policies. For you and your family, options available include:

For small and medium businesses, the following options are available:

The insurer offers healthcare for large companies too.

Awards

WPA is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including:

5. Saga

Saga’s plans are designed for those aged over 50. It has been providing quality health insurance, which can command a premium price from customers who appreciate the higher standard of service.

Advantages

How long does Saga work?

Saga has been working since 1951.

Reviews

Saga has 4.4 stars with an ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot by over 27,000 customers, with a majority of them stating the service to be simple and easy to use. Read our Saga health insurance review for more information.

What does Saga offer?

You can avail of any of the following health insurance plans from the subject insurer:

Awards

Saga’s HealthPlan Super/Super 4/6 has a 5-star rating on Defaqto.

6. Vitality

Along with diagnostics and treatments, Vitality provides healthy incentives and discounts with partnered brands such as half-price gym memberships and cashback on bicycle sportswear to help their customers stay fit. For more information, read this in-depth Vitality health insurance review.

Advantages

Vitality health insurance offers the following advantages:

How long does Vitality work?

Vitality has been in the market for almost 30 years.

Reviews

Vitality has garnered 4.3 stars and an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 23,900 customers.

What does Vitality offer?

The core cover offered by Vitality is Personal Healthcare, on which coverage options and excess can be added.

Awards

Vitality has won many awards over the years, with the most recent being:

7. Freedom Health Insurance

Freedom Health Insurance has provided private medical insurance for the UK and overseas customers via its many policy options. This comprehensive Freedom health insurance review studies the insurer in detail.

Advantages

How long does Freedom work?

The insurance company was founded in 2003.

Reviews

The insurance provider has received an ‘Average’ rating and 3.2 stars on Trustpilot from 237 customers.

What does Freedom offer?

The subject medical insurance provider offers the following plans:

Awards

Freedom health insurance has received the following awards

8. The Exeter

Founded as Exeter Family Friendly, the subject insurer is now known as The Exeter and offers insurance policies for individuals of all ages. The award-winning insurer provides everything from health insurance to life and income protection policies, making them an attractive choice. Have a look at The Exeter health insurance review for in-depth details.

Advantages

By accessing The Exeter’s health insurance policy, you will get the following benefits:

How long does The Exeter work?

The Exeter Family Friendly was founded in 1927.

Reviews

The Exeter has received an ‘Excellent’ TrustScore on Trustpilot, along with 4.5 stars from over 590 customers. The reviewers stated that the customer service was helpful, and they were happy with the coverage package.

What does The Exeter offer?

The Exeter provides Exeter Health+ as its private health insurance coverage with many benefits, including the ExeterWise app, remote GP consultations, and more.

Awards

The Exeter has won several awards and accolades. The most recent ones include:

9. Health-on-line

Health-on-Line is a rapidly growing insurance company that aims to provide straightforward policies and simplify what they think can be an overwhelming industry. They offer core cover, which has options for you depending on your budget and needs. Health-on-Line has joined with AXA PPP healthcare.

Advantages

The subject insurer provides services for individuals and small businesses where the underwriting is done by AXA PPP healthcare. Health-on-Line offers the following benefits:

How long does Health-on-line work?

Health-on-Line has been working since 1988.

Reviews

Health-on-Line has a ‘Great’ TrustScore of 4.1 Stars on Trustpilot, as rated by over 580 of its customers, most of whom felt the services offered were easy to access and efficient to use.

What does Health-on-line offer?

Health-on-Line has several plans under its Personal and Business levels for you to choose from. The Personal level health insurance has the following plans:

The Business level health insurance has these plans:

Awards

For its customer service and policies, Health-on-Line has been the recipient of several awards over the years, such as:

What is the best way to buy private health insurance?

Private health insurance allows you to choose your doctor and hospital, giving you a greater sense of control over your health care. When you’re comparing the best health insurance plans, make sure that the coverage offered includes plans for your level, hospital fees, acute conditions are included, customer ratings, hospital list, cancer cover, consultant fees, and diagnostic tests.

On your end, go over the following points before choosing the best health insurance for you:

Check Your Finances

If you’re a salaried person, the cost of private health insurance may not be a financial issue. However, if your financial condition is weak and you can’t afford to pay an extra premium every month, it would be wiser to choose affordable private healthcare. That said, consider how much you make and how much you save or spend on your financial goals.

Set Priorities

Your health is your most important asset, so you need to prioritise the coverage you want in your private health insurance package. Make sure your insurer provides adequate coverage in preventive care, out-patient cover, and inpatient treatment.

Research Your Options

​​There are plenty of private health insurance plans out there, so you need to be wise with your choice. Do your research for the best services offered by insurers.

Discuss With a Broker

Before making a final purchase, speaking with a private health insurance expert or broker would be wise. They can provide you with information and recommendations on the most suitable private healthcare providers and what kind of health insurance plan is best for your needs.

Summary

When it comes to private health insurance, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to decide which company’s health insurance policy may be the right fit for you and your budget is by considering their hospital fees, type of plans available, customer reviews, and your budget.