Bupa improves health and lifestyle discount rules
Bupa has updated the way it applies its Health and Lifestyle discount to new Bupa By You health insurance customers.
Under its new model the discount will now be applied individually, so every adult aged over 18 named on the policy who meets Bupa’s criteria will receive their own 10% discount.
Previously, all adult members on a Bupa By You health insurance policy had to meet the criteria for the discount to apply. As the discount applied to the whole policy rather than each individual it meant that if one person named on the policy were assessed as having a less healthy lifestyle, no one on the policy would benefit from the discount.
The change applies to any quotes with a policy start date from 5 January 2026 onwards.
How Bupa’s discount works
Bupa’s Health and Lifestyle discount is designed to reward customers who have a healthy lifestyle with a saving on their premiums. To potentially qualify customers must satisfactorily answer three questions about their wellbeing and lifestyle. The three questions are:
- Have you used tobacco products in the past two years?
- Have you had any treatment for prediabetes or diabetes in the past two years?
- Is your body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9?
A 10% discount is applied if the answers indicate a healthy lifestyle. Those who have used tobacco products in the last 2 years or have had treatment for prediabetes or diabetes in this period won’t qualify for the discount. The same applies to customers with a BMI that falls outside of Bupa’s stated criteria, which is considered a healthy weight range by the World Health Organisation and the NHS.
Answering the questions is optional, but those who choose not to will not be eligible for the discount.
How does it compare to other similar discounts?
Bupa is not alone in offering a health and lifestyle-linked discount. Some other health insurers have similar discounts, though the criteria and terms vary.
For instance, Aviva offers its My Healthy Discount on its new Healthier Solutions policies which can provide up to 15% off premiums in the first year of the policy. However, if only one of the adults on the policy meets its eligibility criteria the discount reduces to 7.5%.
Aviva’s criteria are broadly similar to Bupa’s, but with some notable differences: its BMI threshold is higher, and its tobacco and diabetes questions refer to a shorter period of the past 12 months. A key distinction is that Aviva’s discount tapers over time and ends at the third renewal, while Bupa’s discount applies for the entire duration of the policy.
Meanwhile, Vitality offers a 10% discount with its Mori+ option for customers who choose moratorium underwriting and are able to make a medical declaration that they have had a clean bill of health for the previous three years. However, this discount is only available if you go through an insurance broker.
You can read more about discounts and special offers in our private health insurance discounts guide.
Chris Steele, founder and editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, said:
“Bupa has made several positive changes to its health insurance in recent months that add extra value, and this is another welcome update. By applying the discount to individual members, healthier customers won’t lose out if other adults on their policy are deemed less healthy. It’s a fairer way to help make premiums more affordable for those who qualify for the discount.”
