UK: What Are the Best Private Health Insurance Plans in 2025?

Did you know that private hospital stays in the UK can cost over £300 per night — and that this isn’t covered by the NHS?

GP visits, hospitalisation, dental or optical care… do you know what the National Health Service (NHS) actually covers? And more importantly, what it doesn’t? Whether you're a UK resident or an expat, taking out private health insurance can help reduce waiting times and give you access to faster, more personalised care.

At HelloSafe, we help over a million users each month compare health insurance. Our experts have analysed dozens of local insurance plans available in the UK to offer you a detailed comparison and guidance tailored to the British market.

Health insurance: what to remember

• Mandatory? The NHS provides free public healthcare in the UK and health insurance is not mandatory. However, private health insurance is increasingly recommended to reduce waiting times and access faster, more specialised care.
• Why take it out? NHS coverage does not include private rooms, most dental or optical care, or certain outpatient services. A private policy can offer access to additional treatments, shorter wait times, and a wider choice of providers.
• What does it cover? Private medical insurance can cover hospital stays, surgeries, specialist consultations, cancer treatment, mental health support, dental and optical care, alternative therapies and digital GP services, depending on the plan.
• How much? Premiums depend on your age, level of cover and medical history. Expect to pay between £25 and £60 per month for an individual, and up to £100 or more for a family policy with enhanced coverage.
• Who can benefit? Private insurance is useful for anyone wanting more control over their care — whether for faster diagnosis, better hospital facilities or broader specialist access.
• Did you know? Some UK insurers like Vitality or WPA reward healthy lifestyle choices with premium discounts or benefits — a unique model that encourages prevention as much as protection.

What benefits should you include in your health insurance?

Taking out private health insurance means selecting the benefits that truly match your needs. Here's an overview of the main types of cover available in the UK, organised by importance.

Hospitalisation

Importance: 🟢 Essential

Hospital cover is the foundation of any solid private health insurance policy.

• What it covers: inpatient stay, surgery, private room, nursing care, diagnostic tests.
• What the NHS covers: treatment is free in shared rooms, but no cover for private rooms or enhanced comfort.
• With a private insurer: full access to private hospitals, shorter waiting times, private rooms and consultant-led care.
• Impact on price: 🔺moderate to high depending on hospital access and private room cover.
• Indispensable for anyone seeking faster care, a private room or more choice of specialists.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ Benenden Health does not cover private room stays or non-surgical inpatient care, limiting its relevance for full hospital coverage.

Routine care (GP, specialist, pharmacy)

Importance: 🟡 Important

• What it covers: GP and specialist consultations, medical tests, prescription drugs.
• What the NHS covers: most routine care is free, but private GP or faster access is not included.
• With a private insurer: faster appointments, choice of consultants, private prescriptions, wider access to diagnostics.
• Impact on price: 🔻low to moderate depending on frequency and level of cover.
• Very useful for regular consultations or chronic conditions, especially if you want to avoid NHS delays.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ Freedom Health includes outpatient care only as an optional add-on, which limits access unless selected and paid for separately.

Optical

Importance: 🟡 Recommended

• What it covers: frames, corrective lenses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery.
• What the NHS covers: limited to basic vouchers for children and low-income adults; no support for surgery or regular glasses.
• With a private insurer: annual allowance for glasses and contacts, potential coverage for laser correction.
• Impact on price: 🔻low to moderate depending on level of cover.
• Useful if you wear glasses or change your prescription regularly.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ Freedom Health only includes optical cover as part of an add-on bundle, with limited reimbursement and no standalone option.

Dental

Importance: 🟡 Recommended

• What it covers: routine care (check-ups, fillings), prosthetics (crowns, bridges), orthodontics.
• What the NHS covers: basic dental care with limited coverage for complex treatments and long waiting times.
• With a private insurer: wider range of treatments, higher annual limits, faster access to private dentists.
• Impact on price: 🔺moderate to high depending on prosthetics and orthodontic options.
• A valuable option if you have ongoing dental needs or children requiring orthodontic care.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ AXA Health offers no dental cover unless a separate dental plan is purchased.**

Maternity

Importance: 🟡 Recommended (depending on profile)

• What it covers: antenatal classes, delivery costs, private room, postnatal care.
• What the NHS covers: full maternity care in public hospitals, but no private room or enhanced services.
• With a private insurer: faster access to obstetricians, better comfort, choice of hospital and optional childbirth cash benefit.
• Impact on price: 🔺varies significantly depending on the level of maternity coverage.
• Ideal for couples planning a pregnancy and looking for more personalised care.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ Foyer and DKV only offer indirect coverage via hospitalisation without specific maternity benefits.

Alternative therapies (osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy)

Importance: 🔵 Optional

• What it covers: non-conventional treatments like osteopathy, acupuncture and homeopathy.
• What the NHS covers: usually nothing, or only in very specific cases through a GP referral.
• With a private insurer: partial reimbursement per session, often capped annually (e.g. £150 to £350 depending on plan).
• Impact on price: 🔻low to moderate depending on usage and session cap.
• A good add-on if you regularly use these therapies or want non-drug alternatives.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ National Friendly provides no dedicated reimbursement for alternative therapies under standard plans.

Digital services and teleconsultation

Importance: 🟡 Recommended

• What it covers: 24/7 access to GPs online or by phone, digital prescriptions, health advice.
• What the NHS covers: limited access via NHS app or GP surgery, often with delays.
• With a private insurer: unlimited consultations, faster access, integrated app-based services.
• Impact on price: 🔻low, often included in core cover.
• Very practical for families, frequent travellers or those living in areas with fewer GP options.
• Not recommended: ⚠️ AXA Health offers no native telehealth platform and relies on third-party options not always included by default.

Assistance and repatriation

Importance: 🔵 Optional (but essential if you travel frequently)

• What it covers: medical transport, home assistance, emergency repatriation abroad.
• What the NHS covers: only for treatment within the UK, no international assistance.
• With a private insurer: full coverage 24/7 for emergencies abroad and logistical support.
• Impact on price: 🔻low, often included in comprehensive plans.
• Highly recommended for expats, frequent travellers or anyone spending time abroad.
• Recommended provider: ✅ Allianz offers the most complete support with clear, reliable cover for emergencies overseas.

Why take out health insurance in the UK?

The UK benefits from a universal public healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), which provides free access to most medical services including GP visits, hospital care and emergency treatment.

However, the NHS does not cover everything. Waiting times can be long, access to private facilities is limited and many services such as dental care, optical treatment or alternative therapies are either excluded or only partially reimbursed. This is why many residents choose to take out private health insurance to supplement their care and gain more comfort and flexibility.

Here are examples of coverage levels with or without private health insurance:

Good to know

Although NHS care is free, patients often face long waiting times — sometimes several weeks or even months for a specialist appointment or non-urgent surgery. Private health insurance lets you skip the queue and access treatment much faster.

How to choose the right health insurance for me?

Health insurance plans vary depending on the provider, level of cover and your personal profile. Here are the key criteria to consider.

1. Define your profile and needs

The first step: identify your situation. Health coverage needs differ depending on your circumstances:

• A UK employee: already covered by the NHS for basic care but may want private insurance for faster access, private rooms, dental or optical care.
• An expat: new to the UK, may face delays in accessing the NHS or prefer broader cover during the transition. Private insurance ensures continuous care.
• A family with children: regular check-ups, dental care or specialist access may justify enhanced cover for peace of mind.
• A senior: more frequent medical care, hospitalisation and chronic illness management require more comprehensive support.
• A self-employed person: not tied to an employer's benefits, private cover can offer greater flexibility and tailored protection.

Good to know

The NHS does not cover medical care abroad. Private health insurance is especially useful if you travel often or need treatment while outside the UK.

2. Compare the levels of cover

Each policy offers different levels of cover. Ask yourself the right questions:

Warning

Some low-cost health insurance plans exclude key benefits like dental or optical care, or impose very low reimbursement limits. Always check what’s actually included.

3. Study the prices and value for money

The cost of private health insurance in the UK depends on several factors:

• Your age: premiums tend to rise as you get older.
• The benefits you choose: the more comprehensive the cover, the higher the cost.
• The level of reimbursement: a plan that covers 100% of your expenses will cost more than one covering 70–80%.
• The insurer: in the UK, providers like Vitality, WPA, Bupa or Aviva offer modular and tiered plans to suit different needs.

Good to know

Some UK insurers offer customisable plans: you can choose specific modules like hospital-only cover, or add dental and optical depending on your needs.

4. Check waiting periods and eligibility conditions

An often overlooked but crucial aspect:

• Waiting periods: some benefits (like optical, dental or maternity) only become active after 3 to 6 months.
• Introductory limits: reimbursements may be capped during the first year and increase gradually.

✔️ Smart tip: if you’re planning treatment (glasses, surgery, pregnancy), make sure to take out cover well in advance.

5. Look at additional services

Beyond reimbursements, some insurers include useful features:

• Mobile app to track claims and manage your policy
• Access to teleconsultation with GPs or specialists
• Multilingual customer support (including English 24/7)
• User-friendly online member portal for documents and updates
• Overseas cover or support in case of dual healthcare systems (ideal for expats or frequent travellers)

6. Read the exclusions and general conditions

Before signing:

• Check exclusions: some treatments or conditions may not be covered at all.
• Review annual reimbursement limits: especially for dental, optical or alternative care.
• Look at cancellation terms: many UK policies are annual, with cancellation possible at renewal and subject to notice periods.

Expert Advice

Choosing the right health insurance in the UK means balancing what you truly need with what you’re willing to pay. Our comparison tool helps you instantly find and compare the most relevant plans for your profile.

How to lower the cost of my health insurance?

Private health insurance represents a monthly cost, but there are ways to reduce your premium without sacrificing protection. Here are some smart ways to optimise your policy:

Which is the best health insurance based on my profile?

FAQ

Charlotte Green

Charlotte is a finance content specialist with a sharp analytical mind and a strong academic background. She holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in Behavioural Economics from the London School of Economics. Her academic training gave her the tools to make sense of complex financial systems—and to explain them in a way that’s both smart and relatable. Before joining HelloSafe, Charlotte worked in editorial roles for financial media and strategy firms, where she focused on personal finance, digital banking, and policy analysis. She is passionate about helping people make informed decisions about their money, especially in an age where the financial landscape is changing fast. At HelloSafe, she covers key topics such as insurance, tax, utilities, credit and budgeting tools. Her mission: provide clear, honest and actionable insights that empower readers to take control of their financial lives with confidence.