Private Medical Insurance/Individual PMI

Private medical insurance — faster treatment when you need it most

Skip the waiting list and access private diagnosis, specialist consultations and treatment on your terms. Individual PMI puts you in control of your healthcare.

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Individual private medical insurance (PMI) gives you access to private diagnosis and treatment without relying on NHS waiting times. You choose your hospital, your consultant, and when you're seen. We'll match you with a specialist adviser who finds the right level of cover at the right price.

What individual PMI typically covers

Fast-access specialist consultations and referrals
Diagnostic tests, MRI and CT scans
In-patient and day-patient treatment
Surgical procedures
Cancer treatment and care (on most policies)
Mental health support (on many modern policies)

Why choose individual PMI?

NHS care is excellent, but waiting times for non-emergency treatment can be lengthy. Individual PMI means you're diagnosed faster, treated in comfortable private facilities, and back on your feet sooner — without impacting your work, family commitments or quality of life.

How to tailor your cover

Premiums and cover levels vary widely. Your adviser will help you choose the right hospital list, excess level, and optional extras (dental, optical, therapies) to match your needs and budget. Small changes to your excess can make a significant difference to your premium.

What you might need to hand

Details of any existing health insurance or employer healthcare
A summary of any ongoing health conditions
Your preferred hospitals or consultants
An idea of the budget you have in mind

Frequently asked questions

Will my pre-existing conditions be covered?

It depends on the underwriting basis. With moratorium underwriting, pre-existing conditions diagnosed in the last few years are initially excluded but may become covered after a period without symptoms. Full medical underwriting requires full disclosure upfront but can provide greater certainty about what's covered.

What is typically covered by individual PMI?

Most policies cover specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, in-patient and day-patient treatment, and surgery. Cancer cover is included in most comprehensive policies. Mental health cover, physiotherapy and out-patient treatment vary by policy level.

Is individual PMI worth it if I'm generally healthy?

Many people take out PMI precisely because they're currently healthy — premiums are lower when you're young and well, and you benefit immediately if something unexpected arises. Waiting until you need treatment can mean pre-existing exclusions or higher premiums.

Can I upgrade my cover later?

Yes, most insurers allow you to adjust your cover at renewal. Your adviser will review your policy annually and recommend any changes based on your circumstances or changes to your health.

Related cover

What you are insuring against

Private medical cover is bought for speed. These are the waits it is measured against.

7.27m

cases on the waiting list

Around 6.15 million individual patients.

11.9 weeks

median wait to start treatment

Against 7.5 weeks in June 2019.

2.48m

patients waiting over 18 weeks

106,000

patients waiting over a year

Source: NHS England referral-to-treatment data, June 2026. Industry-wide figures; an individual claim depends on the policy terms and the information given when it was taken out.

Ready to protect what matters?

It takes about 60 seconds. Tell us what you need and we'll match you with the right specialist.

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