Family Health Insurance

Moneyrepublic offers a comprehensive platform to compare family health insurance policies. Our tool enables you to assess various providers, helping you make informed decisions about the health cover for your family. Explore the options available and find the policy that aligns with your needs and budget.
Stay informed, stay covered. Family health insurance is your key to ensuring the well-being of your loved ones.

What is family health insurance?

Family health insurance provides comprehensive private health coverage for your entire family. This type of insurance ensures financial support to cover the costs of private healthcare in case any family member falls ill and requires medical treatment. The key advantage is the ability to insure multiple people under a single policy, potentially resulting in a more cost-effective solution compared to individual coverages. Monthly premiums enable quick access to private diagnostic tests, treatment, and surgery in the event of short-term health problems. Explore the benefits of family health insurance for the well-being of your loved ones.

How does family health insurance work?

Family health insurance covers the cost of treatment for acute illnesses that occur after the policy takes effect. While comprehensive insurance may come at a higher cost, it offers coverage for a broader spectrum of illnesses, treatments, and additional services like mental health, holistic therapies, sports injuries, dental, and optical care. The benefits vary based on your chosen policy and individual circumstances. Opting for comprehensive coverage ensures peace of mind, knowing that your family's health is well-protected.

Why should I get family health insurance?

We understand the significance of your family's health. Private family healthcare complements NHS services, offering quicker access to diagnosis and treatment. With prolonged waiting periods in the NHS, many choose private family health insurance to take control of their family's well-being. While NHS A&E remains crucial in emergencies, private insurance provides additional advantages, including:

• Reduced waiting times
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment
• Enhanced privacy with private rooms, phone, TV, local hospitals, and extended visiting times

Family health insurance ensures access to faster treatment, luxurious facilities, and potential access to medications unavailable on the NHS. Covering your entire family under one policy is often more cost-effective than individual coverages.

Does it replace the NHS?

No, private health insurance is not intended to replace the NHS; rather, it aims to complement the healthcare provided by the National Health Service. In emergencies, routine pregnancies, and chronic conditions, your family will continue to rely on the NHS. During emergencies, immediate medical attention is crucial, and the NHS plays an irreplaceable role. Private health insurance is designed to provide additional support, offering faster access to certain treatments and amenities. The chosen level of coverage will determine the conditions for which you may still utilize the NHS. It's essential to recognize that your GP remains pivotal in managing your routine healthcare.

What types of family health insurance are available?

Discover a range of family health insurance plans to suit your loved ones' needs. provides insights into the following options:

Basic Family Health Insurance

The more economical option, covering hospital stays, surgeries, and some outpatient treatments. Outpatient treatment claims are typically capped, making it a cost-effective choice.

Comprehensive Family Health Insurance

A more extensive policy covering a broader range of treatments, including mental health and physiotherapy. While potentially pricier, it includes extras like hospital accommodation for parents, private ambulance services, home nursing, and dedicated medical helplines.

What family health insurance cover and what isn't?

Covered

• Inpatient Treatment
• Outpatient Treatment
• Extras - Dental, Optical, Mental health
• Cancer cover
• Private GP consultations

Do Not Covered

• Cosmetic Surgery
• Giving Birth
• Chronic Diseases
• Pre-existing conditions
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Sport injuries

What extras can I add to my family health insurance policy?

1. Dental and Optical Care: Additional coverage for dental and optical treatments.
2. Mental Health Cover: Comprehensive mental health support, including outpatient, inpatient, and day patient cover. Access treatment from psychiatrists, psychologists, and cognitive behavioral therapists.
3. Therapies and Other Treatments: GP-referred treatments for physiotherapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, or chiropractors.
4. No-Claim Discount (NCD) Protection: Safeguard individual NCDs for each family member on the policy.

Does family health insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

While family health insurance typically excludes pre-existing conditions, some providers may offer coverage for an additional premium or after a specified waiting period without treatment for the condition. It's crucial to compare options and review policy details to understand the possibilities.

Pre-existing medical condition refers to a disease, condition, or injury for which you've had symptoms or received treatment before your cover started. Family health insurance is primarily designed for future medical issues rather than pre-existing conditions.

How much is family health insurance cost?

Explore the determinants affecting the cost of family health insurance, including family size, medical history, chosen policy, and location. Recognize that premiums fluctuate based on these factors, underscoring the importance of transparent medical history disclosure and aligning coverage with your family's needs.

Size of your family

Insuring more family members increases costs. However, opting for a single policy for your entire family may prove more cost-effective than individual policies.

Your medical history

Honest disclosure is crucial, as certain health conditions may elevate premiums. Full transparency ensures coverage for disclosed ailments.

Your policy

Costs are significantly influenced by the chosen coverage level. Basic cover is economical but offers limited protection, while comprehensive cover, though pricier, provides extensive coverage.

Your location

Geographical location directly impacts costs, with private hospitals in different areas charging varying amounts for treatments. Notably, private healthcare costs are highest in London.

Average cost of private family health insurance in the UK

Based on a typical comprehensive policy in January 2024.

Can you add family members to health insurance?

You can include your current partner and children from current and past relationships, as well as those under your guardianship or adopted. Many insurers charge only for the first child; additional children are covered free of charge. All family members should reside at the same address; a separate policy may be needed if they live elsewhere. Moneyrepublic provides advice and guidance on this matter.

How can I keep my family health insurance costs down?

Add an excess

Lower your premiums by adding an excess, as you'll be contributing to the initial part of any claim.

Pay annually

Opt for an annual payment, usually more cost-effective than monthly payments.

Reduce your hospital list

Limit your choice of hospitals for treatment to lower the overall cost.

Add a waiting period

Agree to NHS treatment if the waiting time is six weeks or less to reduce your premium.

Health cash plan

Consider a health cash plan, providing a lump sum for routine family healthcare costs like dental work and eye tests.

Additional Ways to Reduce Premiums:

1. Select the 'Six-Week NHS Wait' Option: Agree to use the NHS for inpatient treatment within six weeks of referral, while still having access to private consultants and outpatient tests.
2. Reduce Hospital Choices: Limit the number of hospitals accessible under your policy to bring down the premium.
3. Adjust Outpatient Cover: Tailor outpatient cover by lowering claimable amounts or limiting the number of consultations, depending on policy options.
4. Opt for Necessary Extras Only: Choose only the essential extras you need, considering cost-effective alternatives like a healthcare cash plan.
5. Live Healthily: Embrace a healthier lifestyle for potential premium reductions, with some providers rewarding healthy behaviors.
6. Check Employee Schemes: Explore employer-offered discounted health insurance schemes for potential family coverage perks.

Insurance providers allow flexibility in tailoring your package, considering factors such as age, health, and lifestyle for premium determination. Additional considerations like a six-week NHS option and healthy living practices can further contribute to cost reduction.

What do I need to compare family health insurance

1. Personal details
   • Provide information about yourself, including your smoking status and any ongoing medical conditions.
   • Specify the number of family members you wish to include in your policy.
2. Your policy
   • Clearly define the desired level of coverage for your family health insurance policy.
   • icate any additional extras you want to incorporate into your cover.
3. We will search the market
   • Allow us to conduct a thorough market search, exploring offerings from top UK health insurance providers.
   • Our aim is to identify the best policy tailored to your needs, ensuring both comprehensive coverage and cost-effectiveness.

What should I consider before taking out a family policy?

Prioritize your family's unique healthcare needs, ensuring that the selected health insurance policy aligns with conditions, treatments, coverage levels, and budgetary considerations.

1. Your age, as some policies may have maximum age limits for adults and children.
2. Types of treatment likely needed, considering additional dental cover for children.
3. Family activities or sports that might increase the need for physiotherapy.
4. Family's health history, impacting inclusions and exclusions, especially for existing medical conditions.
5. Hereditary conditions, ensuring coverage for conditions like cancer or heart disease with a family history.
6. Coverage for disabilities if applicable to you or a family member.
7. Frequency of international travel, as many providers may not cover healthcare outside the UK, requiring separate travel insurance.
8. Determine the appropriate level of coverage based on your family's healthcare requirements.
9. Consider your budget constraints in selecting a suitable policy.