myTribe unveils expanded 2026 PMI ratings

myTribe Insurance Experts has published its 2026 Private Medical Insurance star ratings, its most comprehensive and detailed assessment of the UK market to date.

Private medical insurance products can often look similar at first glance, but beneath the surface, levels of cover, underwriting, treatment access and long-term affordability can vary significantly. The myTribe ratings are designed to help consumers clearly see what separates one provider from another and where real value lies in each health insurance product.

A more extensive methodology for 2026

The 2026 myTribe PMI ratings assessed each insurer's flagship health insurance product (those with the most comprehensive cover and options) across six core categories. Within these categories over 20 measures and 63 sub-measures were analysed and scored. Each category was weighted according to what truly matters to health insurance policyholders. The six key categories were:

• Hospital & Cancer Treatment

• Eligibility & Underwriting

• Customer Reviews & Clarity

• Outpatient & Extra Benefits

• Treatment Pathways

• Short/Long-Term Affordability 
  

Alongside an overall star rating, every provider also received a percentage score for each individual category, plus a ranking within that category. This added layer of detail is a significant enhancement in this year’s ratings and provides greater transparency than ever before. It allows consumers to see not just how a product performs overall, but to break down exactly where its strengths and weaknesses are within specific areas of cover.

You can read myTribe's private health insurance ratings methodology which explains how the rating process works in more detail.

A competitive landscape

The 2026 myTribe ratings highlight just how competitive the UK private health insurance market has become. Insurers haven’t been standing still; many have been actively refining their flagship products and enhancing their cover over the last 12 months to stand out in an increasingly crowded field.

The result is that every policy we assessed has its own structure, pricing approach and mix of benefits. While all the flagship health insurance products reviewed performed strongly in certain areas only three insurers achieved the maximum 5-star myTribe rating for 2026. 

To see how each health insurer performed and what sets them apart read our full guide to the Best private health insurance providers in 2026.

Chris Steele, founder and editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, said:

“Our ratings are based on a detailed methodology which saw us review hundreds of policy documents, examining everything from policy benefits and USPs through to document complexity and the volume of discretionary terms each insurer includes. One thing that stands out is that no single insurer comes out on top across the board. Every health insurance provider has genuine strengths and weaknesses. That's exactly why these ratings exist - to help people see the differences so they can make confident decisions.”