In this article, we'll explain how family private health insurance works, what it can cover, how pre-existing conditions are treated and what can affect the cost, so you can feel more confident about finding cover that's right for your family.
Your family's health is important, and having the right healthcare in place can help give you peace of mind when you need it most. Family private health insurance can give you access to private medical treatment when you need it, alongside the care available through the NHS.
Every family is different, so family private health insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. The right policy will depend on who you want to cover, the benefits you need, your budget and your family's individual circumstances.
Family private health insurance, also known as family private medical insurance (PMI), provides private healthcare cover for multiple members of your family under one policy, helping you keep everything together under a single plan.
A family policy will usually allow you to cover two adults and one or more children, although the exact rules vary between insurers. Depending on the policy, you may also be able to cover dependent children into adulthood.
Family cover can include:
Unlike individual health insurance, a family policy brings multiple people together under one plan, which can make things simpler to manage and give you one less thing to think about.
Private medical insurance doesn't replace the NHS. Instead, it sits alongside it and can give your family additional choices when treatment is needed, such as seeing a specialist, having diagnostic tests or receiving treatment in a private hospital.
It's also worth knowing that private medical insurance is generally designed to cover acute conditions, illnesses or injuries that respond to treatment, rather than ongoing or chronic conditions. What's covered will depend on the policy you choose, so it's important to understand the details of your cover.
The benefits included in family private health cover can vary between insurers and levels of cover. Depending on the policy you choose, this could include:
| Type of benefit | What this means |
|---|---|
Specialist consultations and diagnostics | Private medical insurance can provide access to specialist consultations and diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, blood tests and other scans, depending on your level of cover. |
Inpatient and day-patient treatment | If you need hospital treatment, your policy may cover inpatient and day-patient treatment, including hospital and specialist fees, surgery and associated costs, subject to your level of cover. |
Outpatient treatment | Outpatient cover can help with consultations, diagnostic tests and some treatments without hospital admission. The level of cover can vary, with some policies offering comprehensive cover and others having a financial limit. |
Additional benefits | Depending on the policy, you may also be able to include benefits such as:
Cancer care and wellbeing services |
Benefits for children | Some family policies include additional benefits for children, such as parent accommodation when a child stays in hospital, paediatric services or newborn cover. Check your policy for any waiting periods or eligibility requirements. |
Limits, exclusions and pre-existing conditions
One of the most important parts of choosing family private medical insurance is understanding what isn't covered, so there are no surprises if you ever need to make a claim.
Policies can have limits on certain types of treatment. For example, you might have a financial limit on outpatient treatment, therapies or mental health support.
You may also have an excess. This is an amount you agree to pay towards a claim before the insurer pays the remaining costs, subject to the policy terms. Choosing a higher excess can sometimes reduce your monthly payments, but you'll need to pay more yourself if you claim.
You might also have the option to choose between different hospital lists. A more restricted list can reduce the cost of cover, while a broader list may give you access to a wider choice of hospitals.
Pre-existing conditions are an important factor to consider when choosing family private medical insurance, particularly if you or a family member have received treatment or advice for a health condition in the past. Treatment for conditions you have now, or have had in the past, may not be covered. How this is assessed depends on the type of underwriting you choose.
Full medical underwriting means you provide details of your medical history when you apply. The insurer can then assess your circumstances and let you know if any conditions are excluded.
Moratorium underwriting usually means you don't provide your full medical history when you apply. Instead, the insurer looks at conditions you've experienced during a set period before taking out the policy, using its own rules.
As these rules vary between insurers, it's important to understand how your chosen underwriting works and what it means for your family.
Private medical insurance is designed to cover specific medical treatment, rather than every healthcare cost.
Depending on the policy, exclusions can include certain pre-existing conditions, chronic conditions, routine or preventative treatment, and other treatments specified in the policy terms.
When comparing policies, don't just look at what's included. Check the exclusions, limits, excess, hospital list and any conditions attached to specific benefits.
There's no set price for family private health insurance because every family's needs and circumstances are different. The cost will depend on the people being insured and the level of cover you choose.
Factors that can affect your premium include:
When comparing private health insurance quotes, it's important to think about the cover your family may need, not just the price. The cheapest option isn't always the best value. It's a good idea to consider:
LifeSearch can help you balance the cost of your policy with the cover your family needs, helping you look for savings while making sure you still have the protection that's important to you.
Choosing family private medical insurance can be complicated. At LifeSearch, we'll take the time to understand your family's needs, compare suitable options from a wide range of UK insurers, and explain everything in plain English.
We'll help you tailor your cover, guide you through the application process, and continue to support you after your policy starts, whether you need help with changes, claims or reviewing your cover in the future. Get in touch today to find out more.
Talk to a friendly LifeSearch protection adviser today. Fee-free. No jargon. No pressure. Just clear, human help to get protection right for you and the people you love.
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