Best Private Health Insurance

Our top 5 private health insurers in the UK

At myTribe, we regularly review the UK's leading providers and plans. Below are our top picks for 2025 based on policy benefits, independent customer reviews and industry awards.

1. Bupa

myTribe rating: 5.0

Bupa and its Bupa By You Comprehensive is our top rated private health insurance policy for 2025. Bupa offers an exceptional product with unique benefits and excellent customer reviews. It’s accessible to people of all ages, being one of only a few insurers to accept new members after their 80th birthdays’.

Our expert view

Bupa By You Comprehensive has been a leading private medical insurance plan for several years, with benefits such as Bupa Direct Access, mental health cover included and excellent cover for cancer. Recently, Bupa’s improved its no claims discount structure and introduced dental care for all members, making a strong product even better.

Best Overall

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Pros

Go direct to Bupa for a range of health concerns
Mental health cover as standard¹, including recurring conditions²
No upper age limits, join at anytime
Dental care included for all members
Strong no claims discount rules

Cons

Multiple treatments share the same outpatient allowance³

1. Outpatient mental health treatment subject to your chosen outpatient limit.
2. Subject to Bupa’s covered conditions and underwriting terms.
3. Only applicable when an outpatient limit is applied.

2. WPA

myTribe rating: 5.0

WPA and its Complete Health plan is a very close runner-up in our private health insurance ratings for 2025, having occupied the top spot for the previous two years. We still believe it's an outstanding product, with excellent benefits alongside market-leading customer reviews.

Our expert view

We particularly like how WPA lets members set itemised limits for numerous benefits. Outpatient consultations are separate from diagnostic tests and scans, as are complementary therapies and mental health treatment. Members can also choose their cash benefits individually, making Complete Health unmatched in terms of flexibility.

Flexible and Highly Rated

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WPA currently has the best Trustpilot ratings of any provider in our private health insurance review. It scores an impressive 4.7/5 from 4,431 reviews and is rated “Excellent” as of 15th September 2025. WPA only provides health insurance and cash plans, making its reviews relevant. Customers frequently praise WPA, saying it is "quick to respond", "keep you informed", "is always prompt" and is "incredibly supportive".

Click here to read our in-depth review of WPA health insurance.

3. The Exeter

myTribe rating: 5.0

The Exeter and its flagship private medical insurance plan, Health+, receive the full five stars from our experts in 2025, rating it as one of the best private health insurance policies currently available. Alongside an excellent product, The Exeter excels in clarity of information and has a fair stance on underwriting and no claims discounts.

Our expert view

Health+ from The Exeter combines strong core cover with plenty of additional policy options in a comprehensive and refreshingly digestible product. You get flexibility in terms of your outpatient benefits and a choice between guided consultant access or a traditional hospital list. Finally, it has market-leading no claims discount terms, which we particularly like.

Clear and Fair

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Pros

Small-claims¹ won’t affect your no claims discount
The choice to separate your outpatient benefits
Excellent core product and coverage
Access to health specialists via its HealthWise app
Optional benefits don’t draw on your outpatient allowance

Cons

No option for cash back towards dentist or optician fees
You can’t join after your 80th birthday

1. Claims under £300 see you stay at the same discount level

The Exeter currently has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 1,125 reviews as of 15th September 2025. The Exeter provides life insurance and income protection too, so visiting its profile and filtering the reviews with the word “health” or similar, should give you a better understanding of its customers' views of that product.

Click here to read our in-depth review of The Exeter health insurance.

4. Vitality

myTribe rating: 5.0

Vitality and its "Shared Value Insurance" business model doesn't merely provide health insurance but a programme of incentives and discounts to help members live healthily. Its flagship product, Personal Healthcare, gets a rating of 5.0 in 2025.

Our expert view

Personal Healthcare from Vitality is an excellent product, with unmatched perks and member discounts via its unique Vitality Programme. The policy is as comprehensive as it is innovative and designed for those who like to be rewarded for proactively looking after themselves. Each Personal Healthcare plan includes numerous benefits to help members quickly get on top of health concerns.

For the health conscious

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Pros

Vitality Programme rewards healthier living
Choice of combined or separate outpatient limits
Cover for specific weight loss surgeries
Includes some physio and talking therapies¹
Up to £100 per year towards prescriptions and minor tests²

Cons

Lack of activity can impact premiums
Doesn’t include a no claims discount
Terms around recurring mental health conditions

1. Up to 6 sessions of physiotherapy per plan year within Vitality’s network of providers. Up to 8 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling within its Talking Therapies network.
2. Per plan year, for private prescriptions and minor diagnostic tests.

Vitality is rated 4.4/5 on Trustpilot, based on 57,034 reviews (as of 15th September 2025), which earns it “Excellent” status. However, these reviews cover all Vitality's services, not just its health insurance. Since it is not clear which reviews relate to private health insurance, you may prefer to visit Trustpilot to read the feedback for yourself.

Click here to read our in-depth review of Vitality health insurance.

5. Axa Health

myTribe rating: 4.5

Axa Health's private medical insurance, Personal Health, combines excellent core cover with numerous additional benefits and options for customisation making it a comprehensive product that will tick the boxes of many.

Our expert view

Personal Health is one of several private health insurance plans Axa Health provides and is arguably the most comprehensive. It's a strong product, offering everything people might want, with plenty of extra options for customisation, too. Like most insurers, there are some drawbacks to be aware of as well.

Comprehensive cover

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Pros

Unlimited specialist referred diagnostics with standard outpatient cover
Separate benefits for complementary therapies and mental health treatment
Cover for specialist-referred oral surgery
Optional benefit for face-to-face GP consultations
No limit on outpatient therapies (add-on)

Cons

Claims¹ of all sizes have the same impact on your no claims discount
Terms around recurring mental health conditions
Over 74 year olds can’t join
Complicated product range and documents

1. Claims less than your excess amount and cash benefits won’t affect your no claims discount.

Axa Health has a 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating from 16,166 reviews (as at 15th September 2025), all of which relate to its private health insurance. Its customers have generally praised its comprehensive policies and welcomed its professional service, but some reviews have criticised its online chat and app, and others mention claims delays.

Click here to read our in-depth review of AXA Health Insurance.

How can I get a health insurance quote?

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Core cover*

In-patient and day-patient treatment – when you're admitted to hospital for a day or overnight.
Cancer treatment – most insurers offer extensive cancer care once you are diagnosed with cancer.
Private room in hospital – enjoy some privacy while you're in hospital and a more relaxed environment.
NHS Cash Benefit – get a cash benefit when you stay overnight in an NHS hospital.
Virtual GP service – 24/7 access to a private GP, on the phone or via video call.
Out-patient surgery - cover for minor surgery where you’re not admitted to hospital.

Optional Add-ons

Out-patient diagnosis – for out-patient consultations, tests and diagnostic tests.
Diagnostic scans – X-rays, MRIs, CTs and other pre-diagnosis tests.
Mental health cover – psychiatry and psychology services.
Routine dental and optical cover – cash benefit designed to help towards the cost of regular
Alternative therapies – acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractors, homoeopaths or podiatrists.
Travel cover – cover when you're overseas..

Please note: Precise cover levels will vary between health insurance providers and policies. Comprehensive health insurance often includes an element of out-patient cover.

What does private medical insurance exclude?

What’s specifically excluded will vary between providers and policies, but generally speaking, you can expect the following not to be covered:

Pre-existing conditions - medical conditions you’ve suffered from or sought treatment for in the past five years.
Chronic medical conditions - conditions like asthma, diabetes and dementia are excluded.
Cosmetic surgery - although some insurers will pay for restorative, cosmetic surgery after a major operation.
A&E treatment - you’ll still need the NHS for accidents and emergency treatment.
Learning difficulties - ADHD, autism and other learning difficulties are excluded.

This isn't an exhaustive list; please refer to your health insurance policy documentation for more details.

5 Tips when buying health insurance

There's a lot to think about when choosing private health insurance. Here are 6 tips worth considering before getting a new policy.

An experienced health insurance broker can help you find a policy tailored to your budget and requirements.

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1. Understand how are medical insurance premiums are calculated

Insurance is fundamentally about risk and how likely it is that you’ll make a claim. The probability of you making a claim is then reflected in your premium (the higher the chances, the higher your premium is likely to be).

To calculate the risk, insurers will consider multiple factors, including:

Your age: Health insurance premiums increase as we age because we become more vulnerable to illness and injury.
Location: Private medical care costs can vary based regions, for example costs in London are higher.
Smoking, vaping and nicotine replacement: Smoking or using nicotine replacement products such as vapes can increase your premium, and most insurers will ask you if you use any sort of nicotine-based product before you take out a policy.
Medical history: If you’ve suffered from various illnesses in the past or are prone to injury, it could affect your premium, and you could pay more. It may even be excluded from your policy depending on how recent your illness was or how severe your condition is. In other words, your insurer won’t cover you for that specific ailment.

Choice of policy: Health insurance plans vary depending on the provider but in most cases, you’ll be able to choose from different levels of cover, for example, from a basic, mid-tier or comprehensive policy. These varying plans typically determine the type of treatment you can access. Some insurers will also let you add extra features for a fee (such as alternative or complementary treatments).

2. Tailor the policy to your needs

When you start researching before buying health insurance, you'll find differences in how each insurance company tailors its plans. You may discover structured packages with different levels of coverage. These can be ideal if you want a good comprehensive policy that covers all the bases and don't have any particular health concerns in mind. However, it also runs the risk of paying for something you don't use.

You may want to ensure that diagnostic tests and scans are covered and that you have the best health insurance plan for cancer treatment. At the same time, you might not be interested in alternative therapies. Flexible private medical insurance lets you handpick and tailor each element to suit your priorities and fit your budget.

3. Higher excess can help save one in the short term, but making a claim could be costly

The excess on your health insurance is the amount you'll contribute towards your care before your insurance policy covers the rest. Increasing the excess will reduce your premiums. You'll pay the excess every time you claim, so it's vital to ensure it's affordable. A higher excess can mean you only use your health insurance for more serious illnesses while using the NHS for minor ailments or injuries.

4. What would you like cover for?

Private health insurance plans offer different types of coverage depending on your chosen policy. Every health insurance plan has core coverage, and you can also add optional extras. Some insurance companies offer various policy levels with a package of coverage options.

Find out more about the different types of health insurance coverage you can expect to see on a basic health insurance plan and optional extras that you can add as needed.

5. Understand exclusions and restrictions so you know what you are covered for

Every health plan has exclusions; some are standard clauses that apply to every policyholder, while others depend on your medical history. Understanding exclusions can help you make an informed choice about the right health insurance plan.

Learn more about the most common health insurance exclusions.

Frequently asked questions

How can I buy health insurance?

There are a couple of ways you can buy health insurance in the UK. Firstly, you could research all of the providers and policies and then contact them directly for quotes. The second way, which we and many others do, is to speak to a health insurance broker who can perform a market review for you and help you select the best policy for the best price. Brokers are paid by the insurers, so the service they provide to you is free, and you’ll get the same price going through one as you would going direct.

Who is the No 1 Health Insurance Company In the UK?

WPA are our experts' top health insurance company for 2024, with excellent policies and outstanding customer service.

Who are the primary providers of private medical services in the UK?

There are a number of excellent private hospitals groups in the UK, which of those you can access under your health insurance will vary, however. In short, these are the main providers:

Nuffield Health - One of the best known Private Healthcare providers in the UK, Nuffield Health is a not-for-profit charity, which invests its income back into improving the nation's health. They currently have 31 hospitals and over 100 fitness and wellbeing clubs across the UK. They work with the NHS, private medical insurers, employers and the public to provide private health and wellbeing services.
Spire Healthcare - Spire Healthcare has 39 private hospitals across the UK and provides a large range of treatments, from cancer and cardiac care, through to diagnostic scans, tests and investigations. An award-winning provider, Spire Healthcare are committed to providing high-quality care to the UK.
BMI Healthcare - BMI Healthcare started in 1970 and today has 54 private hospitals and clinics throughout the UK. Offering over 500 different medical treatments, they have centres of excellence for cancer, spinal, orthopaedic, neuro and cardiac care.
HCA - HCA operates six world-class private hospitals across London and the Christie Private Care Hospital in Manchester. Due to location and their first-class facilities, healthcare at these hospitals tend to cost more than with some of the other providers mentioned and often isn’t covered by health insurers’ standard hospital lists.
Ramsay Healthcare - Ramsay Healthcare has a network of 33 private hospitals in England and Wales, which provide a comprehensive range of clinical services to over 200,000 people per annum and employ over 5,000 people.

‍Best Private Health Insurance 2025

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Our top 5 private health insurers in the UK

1. Bupa

Our expert view

Pros and cons of Bupa health insurance

Pros and cons of Bupa health insurance

Bupa customer reviews

Bupa customer reviews

2. WPA

Our expert view

Pros and cons of WPA health insurance

Pros and cons of WPA health insurance

WPA customer reviews

WPA customer reviews

3. The Exeter

Our expert view

Pros and cons of The Exeter health insurance

Pros and cons of The Exeter health insurance

The Exeter customer reviews

The Exeter customer reviews

4. Vitality

Our expert view

Pros and cons of Vitality health insurance

Pros and cons of Vitality health insurance

Vitality customer reviews

Vitality customer reviews

5. Axa Health

Our expert view

Pros and cons of Axa health insurance

Pros and cons of Axa health insurance

Axa Health customer reviews

Axa Health customer reviews

How can I get a health insurance quote?

Tell us a bit about yourself and your requirements.

Receive a whole of market comparison quote.

Save money and get covered.

Get the best pricing from the best health insurance companies

What does health insurance cover?

Core cover*

Optional Add-ons

What does private medical insurance exclude?

5 Tips when buying health insurance

1. Understand how are medical insurance premiums are calculated

2. Tailor the policy to your needs

3. Higher excess can help save one in the short term, but making a claim could be costly

4. What would you like cover for?

5. Understand exclusions and restrictions so you know what you are covered for

Frequently asked questions

How can I buy health insurance?

Who is the No 1 Health Insurance Company In the UK?

Who are the primary providers of private medical services in the UK?