Best health and dental insurance

Private health insurance (also called private medical insurance or PMI) covers the cost of private medical treatment if you become ill or need surgery. It gives you faster access to treatment than the NHS, the ability to choose your consultant and hospital, and typically a higher standard of comfort during your stay. Premiums vary depending on your age, health history, the level of cover and whether you opt for a higher excess to reduce the monthly cost.

Dental insurance is a policy that helps cover the cost of routine and emergency dental treatment. It typically contributes towards the cost of check-ups, X-rays, fillings, extractions and sometimes more complex treatments like crowns or root canals. Some plans also cover dental accidents and emergency treatment abroad. NHS dental treatment is available but can be difficult to access in some areas, making dental insurance a practical option for many people.

Private health insurance is worth it if you want faster access to treatment, more choice over when and where you’re treated, and a higher standard of facilities. NHS waiting times can be long for non-emergency conditions, and private health insurance can significantly reduce wait times for diagnosis and treatment. Whether it’s worth the cost depends on your personal health history, risk tolerance and how much value you place on rapid access to care.

Private health insurance covers the cost of major medical treatment such as surgery or specialist consultations. A health cash plan is a lower-cost product that pays a fixed cash benefit towards everyday health costs like dental check-ups, eye tests, physiotherapy and prescriptions. Cash plans are not a substitute for health insurance but can be a cost-effective way to offset routine health expenses.

Yes, many providers offer combined health and dental insurance as part of a single policy or allow you to add dental cover as an optional extra to a private health insurance plan. Buying them together can sometimes work out cheaper than two separate policies. Our rankings above cover both health and dental insurance providers, with real reviews from customers who have used their cover.

Many private health insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions - any illness or condition you’ve already been diagnosed with or sought treatment for before your policy starts. Some providers offer moratorium underwriting, which automatically excludes pre-existing conditions for an initial period (typically two years) but may cover them later if you haven’t had symptoms. Full medical underwriting means you declare your health history upfront and are told exactly what is and isn’t covered from the start.