Compare Health Insurance Providers
The demand for private health insurance in the UK is increasing due to the pressures the NHS is facing. We work with all the UK’s leading health insurers like Bupa, AXA Health and Vitality, as well as some smaller brands. Our comparison service makes reviewing each insurer easy.
When it comes to private health insurance, you want to ensure that the coverage you get is tailored to your personal circumstances and preferences. Your health insurance policy should provide the level of cover you need based on your medical history, and what kind of extra protection you want as part of your plan.
Here at Clarity Health Insurance, we offer a range of comprehensive cover options designed to provide you with the flexibility to choose the coverage that best aligns with your unique healthcare needs and preferences.
Why Compare Health Insurers?
One of the crucial steps in finding the perfect health insurance plan is comparing insurers. There are key factors to consider when comparing insurers that are important to understand. Without fully understanding these differences not only means that you could be paying more, but you also may not be getting all the available benefits that are important to you.
Understanding the nuances between insurers and having direct contact with them is key to our success in ensuring our clients get the cover they need at a price that suits them. Our clients also have peace of mind knowing that we’re there to assist them with any claims or support whenever needed – avoiding unnecessary contact centre waiting times!
Key Points to Consider
There are many factors to consider when comparing your options, such as: your age, health, lifestyle, type of cover, current circumstances, health conditions that are most important to you, whether you’ve had any treatment in recent years, if you’ve claimed in the last five years, if you already have an existing policy and many more.
Below is a breakdown of the main differences between the top UK insurers. Please note: this was accurate at the time of writing, so please seek confirmation from a qualified adviser before you make a final decision.
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One of the UK’s most established and well known health insurance providers that is recognised by many. Bupa goes beyond providing excellent health insurance cover, as they are also dedicated to encouraging people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Bupa offers three main policies that cover different customer needs:
Bupa By You – comprehensive cover
Bupa Treatment & Care – in or day patient only
Pros of Bupa Health Insurance
- Bupa does not restrict cover for new customers who are aged over 65 or 70, unlike some of the other top health insurers.
- Bupa now have six different hospital lists to choose from.
- Face-to-Face GP appointments
Limitations of Bupa Health Insurance
If you choose to limit your outpatient cover on a Bupa By You product, this also limits your access to outpatient diagnostic scans and tests that are not MRI, CT or PET scans.
Vitality Health Insurance is a leading provider known for its innovative approach to health coverage. With a unique wellness program that incentivises healthy living, personalised plans catering to individual needs, and integration with fitness wearables, Vitality stands out in promoting preventive care.
They offer a transparent pricing structure, an extensive network of healthcare providers, and demonstrates strong financial stability. Known for excellent customer service, Vitality Health Insurance is a compelling choice for those seeking more than just traditional coverage, actively encouraging and rewarding a healthy lifestyle.
Pros of Vitality Health Insurance
Vitality as a compelling choice for those seeking a holistic and proactive approach to health coverage with the following policy features:
- Innovative wellness incentives
- Personalised plans
- Seamless integration with fitness technology
- Transparent pricing
- Extensive provider network
- Financial stability
- Customer-centric service
- Unique incentives for a healthy lifestyle
Limitations of Vitality Health Insurance
- Potential higher premiums compared to standard plans
- Limited availability in certain regions
- Requirement for active participation in the wellness program for maximum benefits
- Emphasis on technology integration may not appeal to everyone
- Personalised plans may be restrictive for individuals with specific health needs
AXA Health Insurance is a prominent provider known for its comprehensive coverage and global reach. With a wide range of health plans, AXA offers flexibility and customisation to meet individual needs. The insurer emphasises preventive care, providing access to wellness services and programs.
AXA’s commitment to customer service, a robust network of healthcare providers, and global coverage make it a compelling choice for those seeking reliable and inclusive health insurance solutions.
However, specific plan details, premiums, and coverage options may vary, and prospective policyholders should carefully review the offerings to ensure they align with their healthcare needs.
Pros of AXA Health Insurance
AXA Health Insurance solidifies its position as a leading choice in the competitive health insurance landscape with these distinguishing features.
- Impressive global coverage for individuals with international lifestyles
- Diverse range of comprehensive health plans for tailored coverage
- Commitment to preventive care through wellness programs
- Robust network of healthcare providers for quality care
- Reputation for excellent customer service and responsive support
- Potential inclusion of innovative health solutions
Limitations of AXA Health Insurance
- Limited availability of certain plans and features in specific regions
- Potential higher premiums compared to standard plans
- Varied specific plan details
- Need for careful review of coverage options to align with individual healthcare needs
Over the last 20 years, Aviva have become a well-known brand in the health insurance market. They are now a multinational insurance company who trade across 16 countries. Aviva offer flexible policies that can be tailored to suit the individual.
Aviva’s Healthier Solutions is a comprehensive policy, allowing the flexibility to add optional extras. If you are working on a budget then this is an insurer worth exploring.
Pros of Aviva Health Insurance
- Aviva offer customers ‘No Claims Discount‘ protection.
- New customers are offered a price guarantee, in which Aviva commit to not increasing your premium at your first renewal (providing you have not made a claim).
- Aviva have a choice of four different hospital lists, which gives the flexibility to meet individual budgets and needs.
- Aviva tend to be competitive in certain areas of the UK, such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, as they have a specialist hospital list designed especially for these areas.
- With your Aviva private health insurance policy, you will have access to a private GP via a digital app for expert advice and video consultations.
Limitations of Avia Health Insurance
- If you have claimed in the last 24 months and are looking to switch your health insurance policy to Aviva, you’re likely to expect less competitive prices in this instance.
- If you live in or around London, the pricing for Top London hospitals can often be much higher than other providers.
- If you limit the outpatient cover, you are also limiting outpatient diagnostic tests and scans that are not MRI, CT or PET scans, such as blood tests or x-rays, for example.
The Exeter is a mutual society – they don’t have any shareholders to pay, which enables them to reinvest the profits back into the business for the benefit of their members. This ‘mutual’ approach is reflected in their offerings, such as their standard of customer service and ‘community rated’ discount policy.
One thing that differentiates them from other health insurers is that they offer a choice between ‘no claims discount’ or a ‘community rated’ policy. The latter is a structure where future premiums reflect the claims made by a wider pool of customers, not individual claims.
Pros of The Exeter Health Insurance
- They try to offer competitive prices for families or those adding a partner to their policy.
- Their HealthWise App offers quick and convenient medical advice and medical treatment services.
Limitations of The Exeter Health Insurance
- In contrast, other providers like AXA Health and Vitality will fully cover these with a limited outpatient option.
- Limiting your outpatient cover with The Exeter to reduce the premium will also limit some outpatient scans and tests.
Founded in 2003, Freedom Health Insurance is an award-winning private medical insurance (PMI) provider. They aim to offer exceptional customer service and simple yet flexible products at competitive premiums for people both living in the UK and overseas.
One of the most noteworthy differences between Freedom’s health insurance versus other leading insurers, is that they offer a price guarantee to all new customers. The guarantee is that your premium will not rise for two years, even if you make a claim.
They offer a range of products suited to individuals, families, and businesses (insuring two or more employees), including Freedom Elite, Freedom Your Choice and Freedom Worldwide.
Pros of Freedom Health Insurance
- Children up until their 25th birthday who are in full-time education can be added to your policy.
- Freedom offer community-rated policies, meaning that you do not have a “no claims discount” attached to the policy; it’s more like joining a big group scheme.
- Freedom has various levels of outpatient cover to suit all budgets.
- There are no restrictions on consultant choice and have a wide network of hospitals to choose from.
Limitations of Freedom Health Insurance
- If you restrict your outpatient cover with Freedom, you are also restricting some diagnostic tests as a result. In contrast, other providers like AXA and Vitality will fully cover these with a limited outpatient option.
- Age Limit – You can’t join after the age of 70.
Although you may not be as familiar with National Friendly as some of the other insurers in this review, that should not be a reason to dismiss them. In fact, they have also have some great offerings.
National Friendly focus on offering a fair and friendly service. One such way they achieve this is by not penalising you for claims. Any claims you make won’t affect your renewal premium for the first five years.
National Friendly’s Optimum policy provides a comprehensive hospital list and offers inpatient or outpatient cover – although these can be sold separately.
Pros of National Friendly
- Unlike their competitors, a National Friendly plan will not take in to account any claims for the first five years when calculating your premium renewal.
- This plan is available from ages 18 years to 75 years, but it is aimed at the over 50’s market, where National Friendly feel that they are most competitive.
- They do not load for CPME (switch) business. If you opt for a zero excess, there is very little price increase to the premium.
- Discounted price for taking out both inpatient and outpatient cover.
Limitations of National Friendly
- No option available for full outpatient care with National Friendly, whereas other providers like AXA Health and Vitality will cover these in full with a limited out-patient option.
- MRI, CT and PET scans come out of your outpatient limit. Cancer cover doesn’t cover stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplants.
- No option for mental health treatment. Access to virtual GP 24/7.
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