💷 How much does private health insurance cost per month in the UK?

Analysing more than 12,000 private health insurance quotes from some of the UK’s major insurers to build one of the most detailed pricing overviews available 📊.

On average in 2026, monthly premiums are approximately:

• 👤 £79.59 per month for a single adult
• 👫 £145.77 per month for a couple
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 £166.52 per month for a family of four

These figures are averages, so the actual price you pay can be higher or lower depending on your personal circumstances.

⚠️ What affects the cost of private health insurance?

Several key factors influence how much you’ll pay:

🎂 Age
Premiums increase with age. For example, someone aged 70 may pay around five times more than someone aged 20 for the same level of cover.

📍 Location
Where you live matters. Areas with higher private healthcare costs, especially major cities, often have higher premiums.

🏥 Level of cover
Policies without outpatient cover (such as private consultations and diagnostic tests) can be up to 50% cheaper than more comprehensive plans.

💳 Excess amount
Choosing a higher excess (the portion you pay towards a claim) will usually reduce your monthly premium.

👨‍⚕️ Consultant choice options
If you’re happy for the insurer to recommend or select your specialist, this can lead to savings of around 20%.

🏢 Insurer selection
Different providers vary in price, cover, hospital access, and additional benefits, which will all affect the overall cost.

📊 How the research was conducted

During 2025, over 12,000 quotes were collected from seven major UK insurers, covering individuals in 23 different towns and cities across England, Wales, and Scotland.

The averages shown include both:

• Basic policies with limited outpatient benefits, and
• More comprehensive plans with some outpatient cover included.

It’s important to note that these figures relate to new policies only. Many insurers apply a no-claims discount, so premiums may increase or decrease at renewal depending on claims history.

✅ Key takeaway:
Private health insurance in the UK can be very affordable, particularly for younger individuals or those choosing a higher excess and more focused level of cover. The exact cost will always depend on personal factors and the level of cover selected.