Private Medical Insurance - An Independent Guide To Buying Private Health Cover

This independent guide to buying private medical insurance, published by the Association of British Insurers, has been designed to help you understand more about how private medical insurance works, so that you can make an informed choice before you buy an insurance policy.

The Association of British Insurers are the recognised trade organisation for insurance companies operating in the United Kingdom. In addition to this guide, the literature you receive from companies providing private medical insurance should contain an outline of the products which you are considering buying.

These outlines are meant to help you compare the benefits offered by different health insurance products. They give you a brief overview of what is, and is not, covered when you buy private medical insurance.

1. About this guide
2. What is private medical insurance?
3. How do I buy private medical insurance?
4. How do I choose the right cover?
5. What am I covered for? What does my cover not include?
6. What will affect my premiums?
7. Will I need to provide details of my health?
8. Will my cover be affected if I am disabled?
9. How do I make a claim?
10. How is private medical insurance controlled?
11. What if I want to change to a new insurance company?
12. Your private medical insurance checklist
13. Useful addresses