The NHS waiting times across England remain close to record levels. More British families are paying privately to avoid NHS delays, but many are unknowingly overpaying for cover that no longer fits their needs. The answer rarely sits with one insurer. It sits with the comparison.
Insured Health is the official health insurance broker for the Institute of Directors and the Royal Yachting Society. It offers independent and impartial advice, comparing Bupa, Axa Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and The Exeter to find the right fit for a family’s needs.
We asked Insured Health which questions families most often overlook when choosing or reviewing cover.
Three questions worth asking before you renew:
1. What happens to children’s cover as they grow up?
“Cover all your children for the price of one” is a popular line, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Some policies hold the rate to age 24 if they’re in full-time education. Others step children on to adult premiums at 18. Ask about the trigger age and rules; it makes a meaningful difference once you have two or three at university.
2. Can I keep my existing consultant if I switch insurer?
You usually can. Most leading insurers recognise consultants at The Wellington, HCA at The Princess Grace, Spire Bushey, Hadley Wood and the major London teaching hospitals, but networks differ at the margins. If continuity of care matters, ask before you sign, not after.
3. Can I switch insurer if I’ve already claimed or developed conditions?
Many people assume they’re effectively trapped with their current insurer once they’ve used the policy or developed medical conditions. In reality, that is not always the case. Depending on your circumstances, insurers may allow a continuation of underwriting or continued personal medical exclusions, meaning you may be able to switch without starting from scratch. The rules vary significantly between providers, which is why advice matters before assuming you have no options.
Why an impartial broker matters
Insured Health doesn’t believe in settling for “good enough.” When the difference between two policies can be a five-figure cancer drug, a six-week diagnostic wait, or a several-hundred-pound premium swing, the comparison matters. It does the work so you don’t have to, and it reviews your cover every year, to keep pace with your family, because: "The important thing is not choosing the biggest insurer, but choosing the policy that genuinely fits your family.”
Whether you’re reviewing existing cover or exploring your options, an impartial comparison can make a significant difference. Insured Health can be contacted on 0800 131 0400, Monday-Thursday 10am-6.30pm | Friday 10am-3pm.
insuredhealth.co.uk. Institute of Directors, Royal Yachting Society, England Golf & Scottish Golf’s chosen health insurance broker