Private Medical Insurance/Self-employed PMI

Self-employed PMI — minimise downtime when every day counts

When you work for yourself, time off sick can mean lost income. Private medical insurance gets you diagnosed and treated faster, so you're back working sooner.

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Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for self-employed individuals and sole traders who don't have employer sick pay to fall back on. Fast access to diagnosis and treatment means you can deal with health issues quickly and minimise the impact on your work and income. We'll match you with a specialist adviser.

Why PMI matters when you're self-employed

If you're self-employed, time spent on NHS waiting lists can directly translate to lost earnings. Whether you're a sole trader, freelancer or contractor, private medical insurance gives you faster access to the care you need — so a health issue doesn't become a business crisis.

What self-employed PMI typically covers

Fast specialist consultations and referrals
Diagnostic tests and imaging to reach a diagnosis quickly
In-patient and day-patient treatment
Surgical procedures
Cancer treatment (on most comprehensive plans)
Mental health support (on many modern policies)

Can I claim PMI as a business expense?

If you trade through a limited company, your company may be able to pay for relevant life cover or other protection as a business expense. PMI for a sole director can sometimes be structured as a business expense. We always recommend discussing the tax treatment with your accountant. Your adviser will help you understand the options.

Tailoring cover to your budget

As a self-employed person, budget flexibility matters. Your adviser can help you adjust your hospital list, excess and cover level to find a policy that gives you meaningful protection at a cost that works for your business. Even a basic policy with a higher excess can dramatically reduce the time you spend waiting for important diagnoses.

Frequently asked questions

Will pre-existing conditions affect my cover?

Depending on the underwriting basis, pre-existing conditions may be initially excluded. With moratorium underwriting, conditions from which you've been symptom-free for a period may become covered. Full medical underwriting provides upfront clarity about exclusions. Your adviser will recommend the best approach for your situation.

What does self-employed PMI typically cover?

Most individual PMI policies cover specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, in-patient and day-patient treatment, surgical procedures and cancer care. Out-patient treatment, mental health cover and therapies vary by policy level. Your adviser will compare policies to find the right balance.

Can I use PMI alongside NHS care?

Yes — you can choose to use your PMI for some treatments and NHS care for others. Many people use private PMI to speed up diagnosis and then return to NHS care for ongoing treatment, or vice versa. Your policy is there to support you, not replace NHS care entirely.

What happens if my health changes after I take out a policy?

Conditions that arise after your policy starts are generally covered (subject to policy terms). If your health changes at renewal, your adviser can help you review your options and switch policies if appropriate.

Is PMI worth it if I'm generally healthy?

The time when PMI provides the most value is precisely when something unexpected happens. Taking out cover when you're healthy means lower premiums and no pre-existing condition exclusions for new conditions that develop. Many self-employed people find the peace of mind alone is worth the premium.

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.

What you would actually fall back on

£123.25a week, for up to 28 weeks

Paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. Some employers pay more under their own scheme — many pay nothing beyond the statutory minimum.

If you are self-employed, there is no statutory sick pay at all. Work out what that figure covers against your mortgage, your bills and your food shop — for most households the answer is somewhere between "not much" and "nothing".

Source: GOV.UK, 2026/27 tax year.

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