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Family health insurance provides access to private healthcare for your household, offering faster treatment than NHS waiting times for many conditions. Its main purpose is to give reassurance that your family can receive timely and high-quality care when needed.
With a family policy, you pay one monthly or annual premium to cover all of you, and your insurer contributes towards the cost of eligible private treatment. This can include everything from GP consultations and diagnostic tests to specialist appointments and hospital stays.
Many families value the flexibility and speed that private cover provides. Whether it’s a quicker scan, a timely physiotherapy session, or a specialist consultation, family health insurance gives you more control over your healthcare.
Every family health insurance policy includes core cover, which forms the foundation of your plan. This typically pays for inpatient and day-patient treatment should any of you need to go into hospital, plus outpatient consultations and diagnostic tests.
You’ll all be covered for new conditions and injuries that develop after your policy starts, anything from you or your child needing tests for a recurring health issue, to back pain that requires scans or a hernia that needs surgery.
Some things aren’t covered, including A&E visits and some ongoing conditions like asthma and diabetes. But reassuringly, all the leading insurers include extensive cancer cover as standard.
You’ll usually be able to set an outpatient limit for your core cover. This sets the maximum cost the insurer will pay for consultations and tests outside of hospital stays. If you’re happy for the NHS to diagnose you before you go private for hospital treatment, setting a low outpatient limit can be a handy way to reduce your premiums.
As well as core cover, you also get to choose from some optional extras. This is a great way to shape your plan to match your budget and what’s most important to you. Depending on the insurer, examples include dental and optical cover, mental health support, and therapies including physio, acupuncture and chiropractic services. You may find your core cover already includes some level of these, with the option of adding extended cover.
You can also usually choose your hospital list, which is a list of places you can get treatment. Save money by opting for a standard list, or pay a bit extra for a wider choice of hospitals and Greater London area facilities.
These flexible options mean you can build a plan that gives you the level of cover you’re comfortable with, without paying for benefits you may not need.
We’ve worked hard to ensure the information on this page is accurate and up to date. However, insurers can change their terms, pricing and cover at any time. You should always check the full policy documents before choosing a plan to make sure the cover meets your needs.
Family health insurance gives your household greater control over how and when you receive medical care. Rather than waiting in NHS queues, you can often access consultations, tests and procedures more quickly. Private cover can help your loved ones receive high-quality care at a time that suits your family’s schedule.
Some policies also give access to treatments that are not widely available on the NHS. This can be especially important for serious conditions, such as cancer, where advanced therapies and innovative treatment options may play a key role in recovery.
For families who value speed, convenience and choice, private health insurance offers peace of mind that all members can receive timely care. Depending on your policy, you may also be able to add optional benefits, such as dental treatment, mental health services and physiotherapy.
Family health insurance can provide a range of important benefits, depending on the insurer and cover you choose:
Quicker access: To consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatment for all family members.
Broad cover: For inpatient and outpatient care at a network of private hospitals.
Extra support: Gain faster access to services such as physiotherapy, mental health care and comprehensive cancer care.
Customisable cover: The option to add extras such as dental and optical cover, to shape the policy around your needs as a couple.
24/7 remote GP access: Some policies offer round-the-clock access to a doctor via video or phone.
Overnight accommodation: For parents when a child needs to stay in hospital.
Corrective ear surgery: For children with prominent ears up to a set age.
Laser treatment: For visible birthmarks such as port wine stains.
Speech therapy: For a set number of sessions if a child shows delays in speech development.
Baby bonus: Paid out when you have or adopt a child.
Choosing family health insurance can offer significant advantages over taking out separate individual policies for each member of your household. One of the main benefits is cost efficiency. Many insurers provide discounts when multiple people are covered under a single plan, and some only charge for one child regardless of how many are included. For larger families, this can result in substantial savings.
Family plans also make your life admin simpler. Managing one policy is easier than handling multiple individual policies. You’ll have just one application, one set of documents and a single renewal date. It also allows families to budget more effectively for healthcare costs, with one premium covering all of you rather than several separate premiums.
Another key advantage is flexibility. Some family policies can often be tailored to meet the different needs of your household members. For example, depending on the plan, you may be able to choose from options such as outpatient diagnosis and treatment, inpatient and day-patient care, and mental health support, where they aren't already included in the core cover.
This means you can tailor the policy for each family member, while managing the overall cost.
Your level of protection will vary according to the insurer, the type of policy you select and any additional options you choose to include. To help illustrate what family health insurance can offer, the following features are often provided as standard or made available as optional extras, depending on the insurer you choose:
Area of cover | What it typically includes |
|---|---|
Inpatient care | Covers the cost of hospital treatment requiring an overnight stay, including surgery, accommodation and medical care in a private hospital, helping to reduce waiting times. |
Outpatient care | Includes diagnostic tests and consultations where hospital admission is not required, such as scans, X-rays and specialist appointments. |
Private consultations | Provides faster access to specialist consultations, supporting quicker diagnosis and treatment without lengthy delays. |
Digital healthcare access | Offers remote GP appointments via phone or video, along with 24/7 helplines from nurses or other medical professionals for advice and support. |
Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal support | Covers treatment for muscle, bone and joint conditions, including physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. |
Cancer treatment | May include comprehensive cancer care, such as access to advanced treatments, care in a private hospital and, in some cases, home-based chemotherapy. |
Parent accommodation | If you add children to your policy, policies often cover the cost of an adult staying with them in hospital overnight. |
Private ambulance transport | Covers medically necessary private ambulance journeys, usually subject to a limit per trip. |
Dental cover | Though often an optional extra, dental care is included in at least one leading insurer’s policy. |
Mental health support | Provides access to counselling, talking therapies and potentially inpatient mental health treatment where required. |
While family health insurance provides valuable access to private medical care for you and your loved ones, it doesn’t cover every type of treatment or condition. These policies are designed to complement the NHS rather than replace public healthcare services altogether.
Certain conditions, particularly those requiring ongoing or long-term management, are usually excluded from cover. This is because including such conditions would substantially increase premiums and excess costs for all policyholders. By focusing on short-term, eligible treatments, family health insurance offers a more affordable way to secure faster, flexible care for your household.
The table below outlines exclusions commonly found in health insurance policies:
Exclusion | What is typically not covered |
|---|---|
Pre-existing conditions | Medical conditions you had before taking out the policy are generally excluded. In some cases, cover may be offered after a specified symptom-free period, depending on the insurer’s underwriting options. |
Chronic conditions | Long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes, which require ongoing management rather than short-term treatment, are not usually covered. |
Emergency care | Immediate, life-threatening situations are typically handled by public healthcare services, meaning private health insurance does not usually cover emergency treatment. |
Allergies and intolerances | Conditions such as food allergies or intolerances are generally excluded, particularly where ongoing monitoring or management is required. |
Pregnancy and childbirth | Routine maternity care is not usually included, although some policies provide cover for complications arising during pregnancy. |
Cosmetic and elective procedures | Treatments carried out for aesthetic reasons, as well as procedures such as gender reassignment, are typically excluded. |
At Money Service, our dedicated health insurance specialists offer free, impartial advice and tailored recommendations based on your needs. We’ll take the time to understand your health, circumstances and budget before comparing options from leading UK health insurers to find suitable cover for you.
We’ll discuss why you’re looking for cover and gather key details about your health, any conditions and the type of protection you want.
A small number of medical questions will help us identify the most suitable underwriting approach for your circumstances.
By comparing policies from leading UK insurers, we’ll find options that match your cover needs, budget and preferences.
We’ll tailor your quote to you, including the level of cover and optional extras such as mental health support, dental or physiotherapy.
You’ll receive a clear recommendation, often alongside an alternative option, so you can compare and choose with confidence.
If you choose to proceed, we’ll complete the application for you to make things as simple as possible.
Speak to a dedicated health insurance adviser today for free, impartial guidance. Call 0800 144 4777 or request a call back at a time that suits you.
The cost of family health insurance can vary considerably depending on the insurer, the ages and medical histories of each family member, and the level of cover chosen. For instance, one leading provider quotes around £220 per month for a family with two adults in their 50s and two teenage children. By comparison, another insurer says families of four with parents in their 30s might pay closer to £120 per month.
Premiums can and do differ widely depending on the ages and circumstances of your family, as well as the insurer you select. Because of this variation, the best way to find out how much cover would cost for your household is to compare plans from leading health insurance providers.
The price of cover can vary depending on several factors, including:
Your ages: The younger you are, the lower your premiums will typically be.
Where you live: Healthcare costs differ across the UK. Areas such as London and the southeast of England tend to have higher treatment costs, which can make premiums more expensive.
Your lifestyle: Factors such as smoking can increase the risk of certain health conditions, which may raise premiums. Other considerations, like alcohol consumption or use of non-prescribed medication, can also have an impact.
The type of cover you choose: Policies often include optional extras, so you’ll need to decide together which benefits to include.
The excess you select: Choosing an excess can help reduce your regular premiums. This is the amount you agree to contribute towards any treatment costs, meaning the insurer does not cover the full expense.
As you can see, your own health insurance premiums will depend on several factors, as well as the insurer you choose. This is why talking to an experienced specialist who is familiar with the leading insurers’ coverage and pricing can make such a difference.
Whether you are taking out a family health insurance plan for the first time or your policy is coming up for renewal, making the right choice with help from a specialist can help you find suitable cover at a comfortable price.
When taking out family health insurance, you will usually choose an excess for the policy. This is the amount you agree to contribute towards the cost of a claim. Some providers allow you to take out a policy without an excess. Bear in mind that a low excess or no excess typically means higher premiums in return for reducing the chance of unexpected costs.
Opting for a higher excess can help bring down your monthly payments. However, it’s important to choose a level that would be affordable for your household if a claim arises. In some cases, insurers may allow different excess levels for different members on the same policy, offering flexibility to suit individual needs.
The way excesses are applied can vary between policies. Some insurers charge it once per person each policy year, while others apply it every time a claim is made. If treatment continues across two policy years, the excess may need to be paid more than once. Checking the policy details carefully will help you understand how it works in practice.
You can usually review and adjust your family’s excess at renewal, allowing you to balance your premiums against the amount you would pay if you need to claim.
If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your family’s health insurance policy, there are several practical steps you can take without compromising access to quality care. By tailoring your policy to suit your family, it’s often possible to strike a balance between affordability and comprehensive cover.
Below are some key considerations when selecting your plan and level of cover:
Cost-saving option | How it works |
|---|---|
Six-week NHS wait option | You agree to use NHS treatment if it’s available within six weeks. If the wait is longer, you can switch to private treatment. |
Increase your excess | A higher excess means you contribute more towards the cost of a claim, which usually reduces your premium. Some insurers even allow family groups to select separate excesses for each person on the same policy. |
Select only the extras you need | Some policies offer optional add-ons, such as wellness benefits or gym memberships. Limiting your cover to features you are likely to use can help avoid unnecessary costs. |
Maintain a healthy lifestyle | Certain insurers may offer lower premiums or incentives for healthy behaviours, such as not smoking or staying physically active. |
Speaking to a specialist who can compare a range of plans on your behalf is the best way to make sure you’re getting the right cover at a competitive price. Get started now by calling 0800 144 4777 or arrange a call back.
Insurers usually allow you to add more members to your policy at a later stage. Additionally, many offer discounted rates or incentives when multiple people are insured on the same policy. For example, some family-friendly policies charge for only one child regardless of how many children you go on to add, making it easier to extend cover to your growing family.
At least one UK insurer even allows you to include family members who live at different addresses, such as children, grandchildren, parents or siblings, so everyone can benefit from the same high-quality healthcare.
If anyone in your household has a pre-existing condition, treatment for that condition is generally not covered for that person under a family health insurance policy. Pre-existing conditions are usually defined as any health issues, symptoms, or medical advice received before you joined the plan.
Applications are typically assessed through underwriting, where the insurer reviews your medical history, lifestyle and any existing conditions to decide what is covered and how much your premiums will be. Some insurers may make exceptions for minor conditions at their discretion, particularly if you choose full medical underwriting, where each condition is considered individually.
Alternatively, some applications are assessed through moratorium underwriting. This can allow cover for pre-existing conditions after a set period, usually two years, without symptoms, treatment or medical advice for that condition. After this period, previously excluded conditions may become covered.
Underwriting helps keep premiums fair while still giving both people on the plan faster access to private care for new health issues. Always check the full policy terms so you understand exactly what is and is not covered.
Your family health insurance policy will usually begin on the date you choose when setting up your cover and direct debit. Once your policy is active, you’ll typically receive your full cover documents, which will confirm the exact start date. It’s important to review these documents, as each policy can have different terms and conditions.
You can usually make a claim as soon as your premiums are being paid, though this depends on the terms of the insurer you choose. However, some policies do include waiting periods for certain benefits.
For example, if your policy offers a ‘baby bonus’, then once you’ve held your policy for a set period of time – often ten months – and kept up with all monthly payments, you can receive a cash payment when you have a baby. Some insurers also pay this bonus if you adopt a child up to one year old.
Always check your specific policy details to understand any waiting periods or conditions that apply before making a claim, so you know exactly when and how your cover will take effect.
It’s easy to focus on the price of health insurance, but the cheapest option isn’t always the best fit. Look at things like what treatments are included, which hospitals you can access and any limits that apply, so you know what you’re getting for your money.
Some customers are surprised to learn that some insurers offer flexible family options that allow you to cover children or other family members who don’t live at the same address. This can be particularly useful for families with shared custody arrangements, for example.