How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in the UK in 2025?

posted 30th October 2025

Posted 11 hours ago

By Darren Lewis

Knowledge Hub
How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in the UK in 2025?

How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in the UK in 2025? And How to Get The Best Deal.

When you’re shopping around for health insurance quotes, the cost is will probably be the first thing you check. Understanding what typical premiums are, what factors influence them and how you can compare effectively will help you secure a quote that’s competitive and suited to your needs.

This article brings together the latest market data and actionable tips so you can compare more confidently.

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Factors that affect the cost of health insurance

The cost of private health insurance depends on several key factors that influence how insurers calculate your premium:

  • Age: Premiums generally increase as you get older, since the likelihood of needing medical treatment rises with age.
  • Level of cover: A basic inpatient-only policy will usually be cheaper than one that includes outpatient appointments, therapies, scans and diagnostic tests. The broader the benefits, the higher the cost.
  • Location or postcode: Premiums can vary depending on where you live. Urban areas, especially London and the South East, tend to be more expensive than regions in the North East or Scotland.
  • Excess: Choosing a higher excess, the amount you pay if you make a claim, typically lowers your monthly premium.
  • Health, lifestyle and medical history: Factors such as smoking status, height/weight and previous medical conditions can also affect the quotes you receive.
  • Renewal and medical inflation: Even if you don’t claim, premiums often rise each year due to age, medical inflation and the insurer’s claims experience across its customer base.

What are typical UK premiums in 2025?

While every individual’s circumstances are different, recent research provides helpful benchmarks for what people are currently paying for private health insurance in the UK.

  • According to myTribe Insurance Experts, the average monthly premium for a family of four in the UK is around £139 per month where the adults are aged 40.
  • My Health Protected (July 2024) reports that a basic policy typically starts from £30 to £90 per month, while a more comprehensive plan with wider benefits usually costs £100 to £200 per month.
  • Data from Drewberry Insurance’s private health insurance calculator shows that a 43-year-old non-smoker pays around £74 per month for mid-range cover.
  • Expatica places the average annual premium at roughly £1,020 per person, with entry-level cover beginning at about £500 per year.

We’ve taken an average of all available research and industry sources to produce the table below, showing estimated monthly and annual costs by age group and level of cover for 2025.

CMHI's Average Cost of Health Insurance Table (2025)

Age Group Entry Level Cover Comprehensive Cover Estimated Annual Average
20–29 years £28 – £45 per month £40 – £65 per month £600 per year
30–39 years £35 – £60 per month £55 – £90 per month £850 per year
40–49 years £45 – £75 per month £75 – £110 per month £1,050 per year
50–59 years £60 – £95 per month £100 – £140 per month £1,350 per year
60–69 years £90 – £130 per month £140 – £180 per month £1,800 per year
70 years and over £130 – £170 per month £180 – £230 per month £2,300 per year

Figures shown are only averages based on combined data from myTribe Insurance Experts, My Health Protected, Drewberry Insurance and Expatica for 2024–2025. Actual premiums will vary depending on age, cover level, location and individual circumstances.

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How to reduce your premium

Here are some steps you can take to help get a better quote:

How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in the UK in 2025?

✅ Choose higher excess: If you’re confident you won’t claim often, opting for a higher excess reduces premium.
✅ Limit extras: Consider whether you need full outpatient cover, physiotherapy, dental etc. The more benefits you include, the higher the cost.
✅ Use a guided consultant/hospital list: Some insurers offer lower premiums if you agree to use a specified list of hospitals/consultants.
✅ Use a comparison service: Don’t settle for the first quote you find. Using a comparison site like Compare My Health Insurance quickly gives you tailored quotes from every leading provider and free FCA regulated advice via the broker partners. You’ll spot better value, avoid hidden gaps in cover, and save time chasing multiple insurers yourself.
✅ Buy sooner rather than later: Younger age = lower premium. Delaying could mean higher starting point and faster increases.
✅ Stay healthy: While there’s no guaranteed ‘healthy discount’, fewer claims and better health status help keep premiums lower over time.

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How to Get Quotes and Compare Effectively

With Compare My Health Insurance, the process is simple and completely free. No fees, no obligation and the best prices on the market.

Hit “Get a Quote” 60-second form

Tell us what you need — choose cover options like inpatient or outpatient treatment, mental health support, therapies and family cover. Accurate details mean better-matched quotes.

Receive the cheapest personalised quotes

We send you the best three plans on the market for your needs — not generic, off-the-shelf results. Each option is hand-matched to your cover preferences and budget.

Speak with an FCA-regulated broker Free & no obligation

One of our trusted UK advisers will give you a quick call to confirm the basics (age, postcode, simple medical questions). This keeps quotes accurate and truly personal — at no cost to you.

Check your quotes

Use the averages above as a guide. If a quote is higher, ask why; if it’s lower, check what’s included. Your broker will explain trade-offs clearly.

Review annually at renewal

Premiums change annually. Recheck with CMHI each year to keep your cover competitive — still free, still no obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there cheaper alternatives to private health insurance?

Does paying annually instead of monthly make health insurance cheaper?

Does your health insurance premium increase every year?

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Last word

Private health insurance is one of the best ways to take control of your healthcare. It helps you access quick treatment, avoid long NHS waiting times, and choose when and where you’re treated, giving peace of mind when you need it most.

When choosing a policy, it’s not just about picking the cheapest option. It’s about finding the right balance between cost, cover level, and flexibility, so you only pay for the benefits that matter to you.

At Compare My Health Insurance, we work with FCA-regulated brokers who search the whole market to find you the best value private health insurance for your needs and budget. Their services are completely free, independent, and without obligation, with ongoing renewal support year after year.

Rather than offering quick, off-the-shelf quotes, they take time to understand what you want, tailoring recommendations that fit your lifestyle, health priorities, and price point.

We’re proud to be rated Excellent (5/5) on Trustindex, with customers consistently praising our helpful advice and personal service.

That means when you come to us, you’re not just comparing quotes, you’re supported by trusted experts who put your health first.

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Please note that any information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.

Sources: myTribe Insurance, My Health Protected, Drewberry Insurance, Expatica, Vitality Insurance, WeCovr and Premier PMI.

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