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What does health insurance cost?
Average prices from our own research, why they rise and how to pay less.
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Which health insurer is best for me?
Our review of each insurer, our top picks and head-to-head comparisons.
What does a policy actually pay for?
Hospital stays, appointments and tests, limits and exclusions, in plain English.
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Can I get cover if I have a health condition?
Conditions you already have, mental health, cancer, pregnancy and more.
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What cover suits my age and situation?
Guides for children, young adults, couples, parents, over 50s and retirees.
How do I buy, switch or claim?
What to check before you buy, when to switch insurer, and how to claim.
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Should I go private or stay with the NHS?
How private care works alongside the NHS, and the ways to pay for it.
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How do I cover my staff?
Health insurance and benefits for small businesses, directors and staff.
What if illness stops me working?
How income protection replaces part of your pay, and the providers we rate highest.
How insurers and prices compare in 2026
We rated 10 insurers and gathered 11,770 real quotes ourselves.
2026 insurer ratings
Bupa, WPA and The Exeter top our 2026 ratings
We score each insurer’s main policy across six categories, more than 20 measures and 63 sub-measures, from cancer cover to how a claim affects your price.
Bupa5.091.4%: 5.0 out of 5 stars, score 91.4%. Read our review
WPA5.089.7%: 5.0 out of 5 stars, score 89.7%. Read our review
The Exeter5.086.2%: 5.0 out of 5 stars, score 86.2%. Read our review
Vitality4.582.2%: 4.5 out of 5 stars, score 82.2%. Read our review
Aviva4.579.8%: 4.5 out of 5 stars, score 79.8%. Read our review
Source: our Best private health insurance guide, updated 24 Sep 2026. How we rate insurers
See the full insurer rankings2026 price research
What cover costs each month, by age
Comprehensive adds outpatient care (tests and appointments without a hospital stay) and therapies.
Source: myTribe 2026 Private Medical Insurance Research, 11,770 quotes from seven insurers, March 2026.
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