CoverMapKey takeaway: A comprehensive private medical insurance (PMI) policy typically costs £82–£105 a month for an individual, but age is by far the biggest factor — premiums roughly double between 30 and 50, then double again between 50 and 70.
How we research this page: Figures are drawn from independently published UK private health insurance market data for non-smokers in good health on comprehensive cover with a typical excess. Compensation from partners does not influence what we write — see our Advertiser Disclosure.
Cost by age (individual, comprehensive, non-smoker)
| Age | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 30 | £55–£80 |
| 40 | £75–£115 |
| 50 | £105–£155 |
| 60 | £150–£225 |
| 70 | £200–£310 |
Cost by household type
| Cover for | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | £82–£105 |
| Couple (joint plan) | £148–£185 |
| Family of four | £165–£220 |
Children are commonly included free up to age 18 or 21 on family plans, which is a large part of why family cover doesn't scale linearly with headcount.
What actually changes the price
- Excess chosen — a higher voluntary excess (e.g. £250 vs £0) meaningfully lowers the monthly premium.
- Underwriting type — full medical underwriting vs moratorium underwriting affects both price and what's covered for pre-existing conditions.
- Hospital list — access to a wider network of private hospitals (including central London ones) costs more than a restricted regional list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does private health insurance replace the NHS?
No — PMI is designed to complement the NHS, typically for faster access to diagnostics, consultants and elective (non-emergency) treatment. Emergency care in the UK still goes through the NHS regardless of any private policy.
Will pre-existing conditions be covered?
Usually not, at least not immediately — most UK PMI policies exclude pre-existing conditions either permanently (full medical underwriting) or for a set period (moratorium underwriting), so check the underwriting basis before assuming a condition is covered.