WPA and Bupa were highlighted by advisers as the insurers most effective at handling premium inflation in UK individual private medical insurance (PMI), Health & Protection reported on 10 September 2026. For people buying this cover, the finding offers adviser insight into insurers’ handling of rising costs, rather than a forecast of their own premiums.
Pricing and transparency concern advisers
Health & Protection reported that advisers were generally underwhelmed by insurers’ efforts to manage inflation and explain it, although WPA and Bupa stood out positively.
Among advisers who commented on inflation management, transparency and consistency of figures and explanations were the most common concerns. Several questioned variations in medical inflation figures between providers.
A subsequent article on 14 September reported that pricing was the biggest issue raised, with rising medical costs and tighter household budgets contributing to concerns. Underwriting, product and service improvements, commission and dual pricing were also mentioned.
Advisers remained broadly positive about the current and short-term individual PMI market, although sentiment had softened compared with the previous year. Intermediary income generally rose, but the scale of increases and expectations for the following year were lower.
What the research can tell you
Health & Protection says the research covered more than 150 advisers operating in the UK individual PMI market. Its published articles do not give insurer-level scores or the number of advisers supporting each provider. The underlying report was not available for this article.
The recognition reflects adviser opinion, not an independent comparison of premiums. It does not establish that WPA or Bupa offers the lowest prices or smallest renewal increases, and neither article announces new policy benefits or terms.
What this means for you
The useful distinction is between advisers’ assessment of an insurer’s handling of inflation and the price of a particular policy. If an insurer cites medical inflation to explain a price rise, ask what that figure represents and how it relates to the premium you have been quoted. That addresses the transparency concern raised by the research without treating the recognition as a reason to switch.
For broader context on cover, costs and exclusions, see our WPA health insurance review and Bupa health insurance review.