How much does family Private Medical Insurance cost in the UK?
The cost of family Private Medical Insurance in the UK depends mainly on the ages of the adults, the level of cover chosen and how each insurer prices children, so there is no single reliable family price.
Postcode, underwriting method, excess, outpatient limit and hospital list all move the number as well. Two families of the same size can receive very different quotes for cover that looks similar.
The most reliable way to know what your family would pay is a personalised quote based on your ages, postcode and the cover you want. Request a family PMI quote and we will compare like-for-like options for you.
Is family health insurance the same as family medical insurance?
Family health insurance, family medical insurance and family private health insurance all mean the same thing: one Private Medical Insurance policy covering parents and children.
Insurers and comparison sites use the names interchangeably. The guidance in this article applies whichever name you searched for. If you want the full picture of what a policy includes, see our family and individual Private Medical Insurance page, or read how to compare private medical insurance.
What affects the price of a family PMI policy?
Family premiums vary by insurer because each one weighs the same factors differently. The main ones are the ages of the adults, the number and ages of children, where you live, the cover level, the excess and the hospital list. The sections below explain each factor. For a figure that reflects your family, ask us for a personalised quote.
How is a family PMI premium calculated?
Six factors do most of the work on a family PMI premium.
Age of each adult. Insurers price by age band, so older adults usually pay more for the same cover.
Number and age of children. Insurers price children in different ways. Some charge for each child and some offer reduced or no charges for additional children. Terms vary by insurer and plan, so we check how each one prices your children.
Postcode. UK PMI is priced by region. That reflects the cost of private hospital care in each area.
Level of cover. Core, moderate and comprehensive tiers each carry a different premium.
Excess. Choosing a voluntary excess can lower the premium. How much depends on the insurer and the excess level.
Underwriting method. Moratorium or full medical underwriting. Moratorium underwriting usually excludes conditions you had symptoms of, or treatment or advice for, in a set period before cover starts, often five years. An exclusion may be lifted after a set period of continuous cover, often two years, if you meet that insurer's conditions. These can include having no symptoms, treatment, medication or advice for the condition. Terms vary by insurer. Full medical underwriting decides everything upfront.
Why do two families of the same size pay very different premiums?
Two families with the same number of people can receive quite different quotes on what looks like the same cover. That is usually driven by four things.
Age spread. Older adults usually pay more than younger adults for the same cover.
Outpatient limit. Plans set different annual limits for outpatient diagnosis and treatment. As a hypothetical example, one plan might cap outpatient cover at £500 a year while another offers £2,000 or more, or no limit. A higher limit usually means a higher premium.
Mental health cover depth. Mental health cover for parents and children varies between plans and is not always included by default. Broader cover usually costs more.
Hospital list. Insurers offer different hospital lists. A more restricted list, or a guided model where the insurer helps you choose the consultant, is usually priced lower than full hospital choice.
How does adding a child to a policy change the cost?
The cost of adding a child depends on the insurer, the cover level and the rest of the policy, so a personalised quote is the only reliable figure. How additional children are priced varies by insurer.
Rules for adding a newborn, and for how long children can stay on a family policy, also vary by insurer. We confirm these terms before you commit.
Can you reduce the premium with a higher excess or fewer add-ons?
Two levers can bring the premium down without removing core cover. Neither guarantees a particular saving.
Voluntary excess. You pay the first part of a claim yourself, up to the agreed amount. How the excess applies on a family policy varies by insurer, so check whether your household could comfortably absorb it.
Discretionary add-ons. Dental, optical and complementary therapy add-ons are useful but often not the reason people take out PMI. Removing them can reduce the premium.
Is it cheaper to insure the family together or separately?
It depends on the insurer and your family's circumstances. A single family policy can be simpler to manage, and some insurers price families more favourably, but we compare both options before recommending one.
Separate policies can make sense where two adults want very different levels of cover, or where one adult has an existing policy with earned continuity they do not want to lose.
How does the age of the parents affect the family premium?
The age of the adults is usually the biggest driver of a family premium. Insurers price by age band, so the same cover costs more as each adult moves into an older band. Postcode and cover level matter too.
Get a family PMI quote from The Broking Group
If you would like a like-for-like family PMI quote from all five major UK health insurers, plus a plain-English explanation of what each one actually covers for your family, get in touch. The Private Medical Insurance product page has more detail on cover levels and underwriting, and the FAQ covers the practical questions most families ask before committing.
Call 01270 694939 or email info@thebrokinggroup.co.uk. Contact us for a personalised quote and confirmation of the expected turnaround.