There is a huge range of private medical insurance providers and products to choose from. Understanding the differences and what suits you best is not always easy. An alternative to deciding and arranging your own cover is to use a professional insurance intermediary. If you're searching for low cost medical insurance, they may be able to help you get a good deal.
Help and advice is available from specialist intermediaries or insurance brokers.
Types of health insurance broker
Intermediaries are commonly known as brokers, but financial regulation now means the name is not officially recognised. "Insurance intermediary" is a term which includes those who are introducers for one or a handful of companies, those who arrange insurance as part of a wider business such as banking, and those who are professional insurance intermediaries selecting cover from a range of insurers.
Those specialising in general insurance (home, motor, travel), which may or may not include health insurance, still tend to call themselves insurance brokers. Those specialising in financial advice (life, pensions, investment) are commonly known as IFAS - independent financial advisors. Some, but not all, arrange health insurance.
There is a category of professional insurance intermediary specialising in health insurance, known as health insurance intermediaries or medical insurance intermediaries
Advantages of using an intermediary
Use of specialist knowledge and understanding
They have experience of insurer service
Help in dealing with claims
Access to products which are not available direct
Good at complex matters
When you have several insurances can avoid gaps and double cover
Disadvantages of using an intermediary
Many products are not available to intermediaries
Not every insurer will deal with every intermediary
Not every intermediary will deal with every insurer
They may charge for services
Not every intermediary deals in or is an expert in every type of health insurance
Some will not deal with individuals
Find a UK medical insurance broker
Featured medical insurance brokers
Private Healthcare UK features several brokers who provide online health insurance quotations or immediate quotes over the telephone.
Essential Healthcare
Essential Healthcare Ltd is a multiple award winning firm of independent health insurance intermediaries. They offer discounted health insurance premiums of up to 20%.
Medibroker Limited
Medibroker Limited is an award-winning and fully independent UK & International medical, travel and health insurance broker offering a free quote service and advice, globally across the Internet.
Medicash
From just £12 a month, Medicash can make cash payments towards the costs of everyday treatments such as a filling at the dentist, an eye test at the optician or a new pair of glasses or contact lenses. They will also pay towards the costs of professional healthcare treatments such as reflexology, physiotherapy and acupuncture, plus unexpected injuries like broken bones.
