Health Insurance For A Family Of 4

Understanding Health Insurance Underwriting Options

Before signing up for health insurance, it is important to understand the underwriting terms offered by your provider. These terms affect what is covered and what might be excluded. Here is a breakdown of the three common types:

Moratorium Underwriting

Moratorium underwriting is a popular choice for first-time applicants. With this option, any health conditions you have had in the past five years will not be covered for the first two years of your policy. However, if you remain free of symptoms, medications, and treatments for those two years, the condition may be covered in the future. 

For example, if you experienced back pain three years ago, it won’t be covered initially. But if you go two years without any related symptoms or treatment, you could claim if the pain returns.

Full Medical Underwriting

Full medical underwriting requires you to declare all past medical conditions upfront. The insurance provider will review your history and state which conditions are excluded from coverage from the start. This option provides clarity, so you know exactly what is and is not covered.

Continued Personal Medical Exclusion (CPME)

Continued Personal Medical Exclusion (CPME) is an option for those switching insurers. If you have made no claims or have no exclusions with your current provider in the past year, you can switch to a new insurer while maintaining the same level of cover. This allows you to claim for any new acute conditions immediately after switching. 

Important: If you currently have symptoms or ongoing treatment, it is better to stay with your current provider to avoid losing cover.

Understanding these underwriting terms ensures you choose the best policy for your needs. If you are uncertain, ask your insurer for more details before making a decision.

What Does Private Health Insurance For A Family Of 4 Covers?

Health insurance can seem complicated, but it does not have to be. Here is a simple guide to help you understand what health insurance cover, so you can make the best choice.

Outpatient Cover

Outpatient cover takes care of costs when you do not need to stay overnight at a hospital. This includes consultations with specialists, diagnostic tests and follow-up appointments.

You can choose the level of outpatient cover. The available options are £0, £500, £1,000 and £1,500.

For example, let’s say you chose a £1,000 outpatient cover:

• A consultation with a specialist costs £250.
• You are referred for an MRI, which costs £550.
• A follow-up appointment with the specialist costs another £250.

That adds up to £1,050. Since your outpatient limit is £1,000, you’d need to pay the remaining £50 out of pocket.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics, such as X-rays, blood tests, MRI scans and PET scans, are a key part of outpatient care. With some insurers, these tests count towards your outpatient limit. If you want full diagnostics covered without it affecting your outpatient amount, you can choose full diagnostics for an extra premium.

Inpatient Cover

Inpatient cover is for situations where you need to stay in a hospital, whether it’s just for a day (day-patient) or several nights (inpatient). This includes surgeries and more complex treatments.

The good news? Most insurers cover inpatient care in full, no matter your level of cover.

Cancer Cover

All insurance providers offer full cover for cancer. You can choose to include or exclude cancer cover as part of your plan. If you opt for private cancer cover, all your diagnostics, consultations and treatments will be fully covered. This includes access to experimental drugs and treatments that may not be available through the NHS.

Levels of Cover

Health insurance doesn’t have to be expensive or unaffordable. There are three main levels of cover to choose from: Basic, Mid-range, and Comprehensive. Each offers different benefits, but they all fully cover inpatient treatments and surgeries, so you won’t face restrictions when it matters most.

Basic Cover

You’ll need to see a GP for a referral and use NHS consultations and diagnostics. However, private inpatient treatments are fully covered.

Mid-Range Cover

This gives you the choice of NHS or private consultations and diagnostics. Inpatient treatments are fully covered in private hospitals.

Comprehensive Cover

This offers the most extensive coverage, including private consultations, diagnostics, and inpatient treatments.

Additional Benefits

Health insurance isn’t just about covering hospital stays and doctor visits—it can include extra benefits that make life easier and give you more options. Here are some add-ons you can add to your plan:

Therapies

Therapies cover helps with treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic care. These are great for easing back pain, joint problems or sports injuries. Some insurers also include alternative treatments like acupuncture. Adding this to your plan ensures you can get professional care to relieve pain and recover faster.

Mental Health 

Mental health cover gives you access to help for conditions like anxiety, depression or stress. It might include private care at clinics, day treatments or therapy sessions with trained counsellors. This ensures you and your family can get the right support quickly when you need it most.

Dental Cover

Dental insurance helps cover the cost of treatments like fillings, crowns and extractions. It can also cover emergencies or accidental dental injuries. Some plans even help with regular check-ups and hygiene visits, saving you money on everyday dental care.

Optical Cover

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, an optical cover can help pay for eye tests and new prescriptions. Some plans even offer extra help with general eye care costs, making it easier to keep your vision sharp without worrying about expenses.

Worldwide Travel Cover

Adding travel cover to your plan is a smart choice if you often go abroad. It covers things like delayed or missed flights, lost passports or travel money and legal protection. More importantly, it also covers emergency medical care if you get sick or injured while travelling. Some plans even include cover for winter sports or other activities, so you can explore the world with peace of mind.

Hospital Options

You can choose from different hospital lists to match your needs and budget:

• Consult Select- A smaller network of top-quality private hospitals.
• Countrywide Hospitals- Access to private hospitals all over the UK.
• Central London Hospitals- Ideal if you live in or near London, giving you access to some of the best private hospitals in the city.

What conditions are covered under private health insurance for families?

Individual health insurance usually covers a wide range of medical conditions, especially those that are acute. Some of the most common conditions covered include:

• Cancer, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, palliative care and home nursing
• Heart disease, with treatment and aftercare
• Stroke, with aftercare and rehabilitation
• Sports injuries, excluding professional athletes
• Mental health issues, including counselling, psychiatric care, and therapy
• Complementary therapies like physiotherapy and osteopathy
• Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and homoeopathy

What Is Covered Under Cancer Cover?

Cancer cover is one of the most important benefits offered by health insurance, providing peace of mind in the event of a cancer diagnosis. Cancer is a life-changing illness, and having proper coverage ensures that you and your loved ones have access to the best treatments and care available when it is needed most.

Here is what is usually included:

• Diagnosis which covers the costs of initial cancer tests and screenings
• Chemotherapy treatments that help to kill or shrink cancer cells
• Radiotherapy which uses high-energy rays to target cancer cells
• Surgery to remove or treat cancerous growths
• Consultant fees for specialist consultations and medical care
• Outpatient treatment for follow-up visits and treatments without staying in the hospital overnight
• Home nursing for care provided at home during or after treatment
• Palliative care to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with advanced cancer
• Cash benefits for NHS treatment where some policies offer financial support if you choose treatment through the NHS

What does it not cover?

The UK’s Best Providers Of Health Insurance For Family Of 4

Vitality gives a £100 cash benefit for the birth or adoption of a child. They include parent accommodation, so you can stay with your child during treatment. Pregnancy complications like miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy are covered. Vitality also offers a 10% discount on family health insurance, making it more affordable.

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AXA provides free cover for newborns until the next policy renewal. They also offer enhanced family and children’s health insurance. With AXA, you can access advice from qualified midwives before and after your baby is born through their “Health at Hand” service.

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viva offers a £150 maternity cash benefit for each child. Parents can stay with children under 18 during treatment, with accommodation included. They also cover pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and emergency C-sections. With Aviva, you pay for the first child, and any additional children are added for free.

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The Exeter is a trusted health insurance provider based in Exeter. They focus on family-friendly policies and serve over 90,000 members. Their HealthWise app is beneficial for individuals and families.

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Bupa pays for parents to stay overnight in the hospital with a child under 16 if the child is on the policy. Families pay for the eldest child, and the rest are covered for free. All children, regardless of your hospital list, are covered under London Care, which includes top hospitals like HCA.

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Freedom Health gives a £150 maternity cash benefit for each child. Their policies are not postcode-rated, so prices don’t vary by location. Families also get a 10% discount and, like Bupa, only pay for the eldest child, while others are added for free.

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How much Is health insurance for a family of 4?

A few factors influence the premium of a health insurance policy. These include your age, location, smoking status, any existing health conditions and the level of excess you choose.

To give you an idea, our advisors have run quotes for a family of four from the top UK health insurance providers: 

January 2025

These prices are for a healthy family of four, with the oldest child aged 10 and the youngest aged 5. They are based on a £250 excess, living in the HA1 postcode area, and choosing a mid-level cover. 

How To Buy Health Insurance?

Looking to buy health insurance in the UK? The best way to make sure you’re covered is with expert help!

Directly from Providers: While buying directly from an insurance provider can be quick, you miss out on expert advice and may not get the best deal or coverage for your needs.

Online: Comparing plans online can be useful, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with options. Without guidance, you might not find the right coverage or miss out on important details.

Through a Broker: At PremierPMI, we provide unbiased advice and expert guidance throughout the entire process. From finding the best plan tailored to your needs to assisting you with claims, we’re with you every step of the way.

At PremierPMI, we make sure you get the perfect coverage with personalized recommendations and ongoing support. Let us help you make the best choice!