Average Cost of Private Health Insurance in the UK (2026)

For a concrete starting point, Bupa publishes UK examples of £44.90 a month for an under-50 non-smoker, £102.40 for over 60s and £172.57 for over 70s. These are Bupa illustrations for the specified cover below, not a UK market average or a personal quote.

The amount you pay depends on your age, postcode, hospital access, benefits, excess and underwriting. Compare the cost of the same cover before deciding that one insurer is cheaper.

Source: Bupa’s official cost guide. Bupa labels the figures May 2026 on a page updated 3 July 2026; checked by MHP on 15 September 2026. The age labels are Bupa’s own categories, not separate decade bands.

Quote basis: one person; Comprehensive cover with £500 annual outpatient allowance, £500 policy excess, Extended Choice hospital access and full cancer cover. The source does not specify a single postcode or underwriting basis for this UK table. Its prices are approximate and may differ from a quote today.

How much does health insurance cost for couples and families?

The examples above price one person. What you pay also depends on who you cover, so compare like for like before assuming a household costs a simple multiple of a single premium.

A family-of-four premium cannot be calculated reliably by multiplying a single-person illustration by four. Products differ in how they treat households: on the AXA Health Plan, for example, family members can have different cover options and excesses. Compare the benefit levels each person would actually receive alongside the household total, and see our guide to how family health insurance is priced for the detailed buying decision.

UK private health insurance is usually grouped into broad tiers, but two plans at the same tier can include quite different things. The table below shows how cover typically varies — treat it as a rough guide, not a fixed structure.

When choosing a plan, consider:

Coverage – what care does the plan include?
Cost – Compare monthly premiums, excess, and overall insurance costs.
Extras – Do you need dental, optical, or mental health support?
Hospital Access – Check if your preferred hospitals are covered.
Pre-Existing Conditions – Understand how medical underwriting affects coverage.
Comparing providers ensures you get the best value for your healthcare needs and budget. Some insurers like AXA offer modular plans that let you control costs by choosing only the cover you need.

Bupa’s published UK illustrations show £102.40 a month for an over-60 non-smoker and £172.57 for an over-70 non-smoker on the basis above. These are one insurer’s examples, not average premiums for everyone in their sixties or seventies.

At older ages, compare entry criteria and continued underwriting as well as price. A new policy may exclude a condition your current insurer covers. Check the offered terms and start date before cancelling existing cover.

The levers that make the most difference at this age are the excess, the hospital list and whether you keep full outpatient cover. Our guide to health insurance for the over 65s covers acceptance, underwriting and those trade-offs in detail, and there is a separate guide for the over 50s.

We compare leading UK health insurers:

1. Tell us what you need. Basic details about your healthcare needs, budget and the type of cover you want.
2. Receive your personalised quote. We provide a clear comparison of suitable policies based on your needs and budget.
3. Get expert advice. Our team explains your options, helping you choose the right plan.
4. Apply when you’re ready. There is no obligation to buy.

We compare suitable providers and cover options to help you find a policy that fits your needs and budget.