More people appear to be researching private medical insurance, according to analysis published by The Exeter on 13 August 2026. The insurer reported a 150% increase in relative Google Trends interest in the term “private medical insurance”.
The comparison covers UK search interest in the 12 months to 10 July 2026 against the preceding 12-month period. This is an August research release, rather than a new September announcement.
What do the figures show?
Google Trends is a measure of relative search interest. A rise can indicate that a topic is attracting more attention, but it does not tell us how many people took out insurance or how many searches were made in absolute terms.
The reported 150% increase should therefore not be described as a 150% rise in policy purchases, insured people or the size of the private medical insurance market.
What should someone researching cover ask?
Before comparing a headline premium, understand what the policy is designed to cover. Useful questions include which hospitals are available, how outpatient tests and consultations are treated, what excess applies and how the insurer assesses medical history.
Existing symptoms and conditions also need careful discussion. The answer depends on the insurer, policy and underwriting arrangement; a general rise in interest does not change an individual applicant’s terms.
How to use the research
The Exeter’s findings offer a prompt for clearer explanations of private cover. They are less useful as a forecast of what a particular person will pay or whether their application will be accepted.
Our The Exeter Health Insurance review explains the insurer’s policy choices. If you are researching insurance for the first time, compare the cover and exclusions alongside the price, and ask for advice about the circumstances that matter to you.
Official source
The Exeter’s release of 13 August 2026, reread on 18 September 2026.