How can I get cheaper family health insurance?
Here are a few ways to cut the cost of family health insurance:
- Work out what you want covered
- Think about your excess
- Pay annually
- Cut back on the extras you don’t need
- Live clean
Work out what you want covered. Family health insurance can vary from basic to comprehensive cover. Basic policies are cheaper but only cover things like hospital stays and surgery. Comprehensive policies cost more but could cover everything from diagnostic testing to physiotherapy. Find the coverage level that suits you and your budget.
Think about your excess as the more you’re willing to pay towards the cost of a claim, the cheaper your insurance costs will be.
Pay annually and your policy will usually be cheaper compared to paying monthly.
Cut back on the extras you don’t need. Some family health insurance policies will offer extras like chiropractic care, 24/7 mental health care and other add-ons. While these can be handy, such extras can drive up your insurance costs. Consider what you need and what you don’t.
Live clean as fitter, healthier non-smokers typically enjoy lower insurance costs. If you and your family live an active, healthy lifestyle, you could pay less.
What our health insurance expert says
Family health insurance is a great way to cover everyone at once. You’ll only have one premium to pay, and an easier-to-manage policy, so you’ll know exactly who’s covered for what. If one of you falls sick, you can then concentrate on what really matters – them.
Jac Morris
Health insurance expert
What are the different types of health insurance?
Health insurance
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Joint health insurance
View our cover options for two
Need more help?
What do I need to get a quote?
You’ll just need to know:
- What you want to be covered for / the level of cover you want
- How many people you’re covering
- How much excess you’re willing to pay
- Whether any of your family members are smokers
We’ll do the rest and find you the best policy at the best price.
What doesn't family private health insurance cover?
While there’s a lot family health insurance will cover, a few things tend to be excluded. Most policies won't cover:
- Experimental treatments that haven’t been proven to work
- Health issues due to drug abuse
- Routine pregnancy care
- Deliberately self-inflicted injuries
- Cosmetics treatments
- Accident & Emergency (A&E) services
Once you’ve got your quote, you can check the family health insurance policy details to see exactly what isn’t covered. Just in case there's anything excluded that you want to be covered for.
Will family health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, most health insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. These are typically classed as health issues you’ve received treatment for in the past five years. Some insurers will put the time limit a little lower though.
Ongoing conditions like asthma and diabetes are common pre-existing conditions. If you’ve recently received treatment for them, any further treatment usually won’t be covered by your family health insurance policy.
Check with your insurer to see what is and isn’t included.
Can my family still use the NHS?
Yes, if you take out family private health insurance, you and your family can still use the NHS. For example, you or a family member may need to use the NHS for emergency treatment.
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