Full outpatient, cancer, mental health and therapy cover with no benefit caps to trip over. We compare the comprehensive tiers from Bupa, AXA Health and Aviva.
Best Comprehensive Health Insurance UK
UK comprehensive health insurance typically costs £120–£300/month for a healthy 40-year-old. 'Comprehensive' means full outpatient (not 6-week rule), unlimited or high mental health, and often dental/optical. Bupa, Aviva and AXA are the leading providers for full-cover PMI.
Best Comprehensive Health Insurance UK: what the cover actually does
Comprehensive PMI is the top tier: full inpatient, full outpatient (not 6-week rule), mental health, physio, and often dental and optical. It's the closest thing to 'cover everything' that UK PMI offers.
The cost uplift over mid-range cover is typically 30–50%, driven mainly by outpatient and mental health benefits. For clients who expect to use outpatient services frequently — physio, consultant follow-ups, diagnostics — comprehensive pays for itself.
Be wary of marketing labels: some insurers call mid-tier products 'comprehensive' despite 6-week rules or capped benefits. We read the policy wording and compare like-for-like.
Key numbers our brokers work from
- UK PMI policyholders on comprehensive tier: ~25% (LaingBuisson 2024)
- Typical comprehensive premium (age 40): £120–£200/mo (ABI 2024)
- Outpatient claims frequency: 3× inpatient (ABI 2024)
- Mental health claims frequency (UK PMI): +18% YoY (LaingBuisson 2024)
Indicative monthly cost by scenario
Illustrative only — final premiums depend on age, postcode, excess, hospital list, underwriting and insurer terms at the time of quote.
| Scenario | Indicative monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (35) — comprehensive | £100–£140 | Zero excess, full outpatient, mental health. |
| Individual (50) — comprehensive + dental/optical | £180–£250 | Zero excess, all benefits. |
| Couple (both 45) — comprehensive | £280–£380 | Zero excess, full outpatient, mental health. |
Which insurers tend to fit best
| Insurer | Fit | Broker note |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | excellent | Widest network; true comprehensive tiers (Select, Premier). |
| Aviva | excellent | Modular — build true comprehensive by adding all modules. |
| AXA | good | Strong outpatient; corporate pedigree. |
| Vitality | good | Wellness rewards; high limits. |
| WPA | fair | Ethical; good limits but fewer extras. |
| The Exeter | fair | Strong but 6-week option is standard; upgrade for full outpatient. |
| Freedom | limited | Budget; not suited to comprehensive needs. |
Before you buy — broker checklist
- Verify outpatient is full (not 6-week rule) and limits are high or unlimited.
- Check mental health limits — £1,500 vs unlimited makes a big difference.
- Confirm dental/optical is included or add-on (often separate).
- Review cancer cover — ensure unlimited, not capped at £100k.
- Ask about annual health screens — often included at comprehensive tier.
PremierPMI broker desk notes
- True comprehensive means no 6-week rule, high/unlimited outpatient, and high/unlimited mental health. If any of these are missing, it's mid-tier with a fancy name.
- Dental and optical are often separate modules — check if included or add-on.
- For clients who rarely use outpatient, mid-range cover with a 6-week rule is often better value — comprehensive is only worth it if you'll use it.
Common questions
What makes a policy 'comprehensive'?
Full inpatient, full outpatient (no 6-week rule), high or unlimited mental health, and ideally dental/optical. Some insurers misuse the term for mid-tier products.
Is comprehensive worth the extra cost?
If you expect to use outpatient services frequently (physio, diagnostics, consultant follow-ups), yes. If you rarely see doctors, mid-range with a 6-week rule may be better value.
Does comprehensive cover pre-existing conditions?
Underwriting rules apply regardless of tier. Moratorium excludes recent conditions for 2 years; FMU may exclude or load them permanently.
PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.
Talk through your cover with a specialist PMI broker
PremierPMI's brokers are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm. Call 020 4525 0884, message us on WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk. You can also request a callback or meet our team.