Shopping around for health insurance may be a confusing process due to the various avenues you can take to receive a quote. We aim to explain the options available to consumers to help them make a more informed decision better suited to their needs. Find out more about how to get a health insurance quote below.
Are health insurance quotes free?
This depends on the route you take to get your quote. In many cases, it will be free for you to use comparison or quote services. You may only need to pay at the time of purchase, and whether this includes an additional fee to the quote provider depends on who you used for the service.
For example, we offer a free health insurance quote service with no obligation to purchase. If you do decide to purchase the policy we quoted, we don’t charge you an additional fee. You’ll only have to pay the policy premium.
Your options for getting a health insurance quote
There are several ways that you can get a health insurance quote, each offering its own benefits and drawbacks. The following are some of the most common ways people get a health insurance quote in the UK.
Independent health insurance brokers
Independent health insurance brokers are companies that can represent you when searching for a quote. They work with several providers, and ultimately They'll aim to find you the most suitable cover for you at a competitive premium without sacrificing cover options. Here’s what to bear in mind:
- You will need to contact them directly to talk through your wants and needs, as well as providing the information needed to get accurate quotes.
- They can answer questions about all of the providers they represent, and they aim to be experts across the health insurance market.
- You’ll only need to provide them with information once. After this, they’ll handle the comparison of quotes across providers.
- They’ll have access to the newest products from providers.
- If you’re unsure of any terminology or your choices along the way, they’ll aim to advise you based on your unique situation, wants and needs.
- This may be a free service, with no obligation to purchase. Independent brokers may earn commission if you choose to purchase the quote they present to you, but there is no direct charge to you.
Comparison websites
Comparison websites are populated with information about specific policies. Using their tools, you can provide information about yourself and you’ll be served a list of results. Here’s what to consider when using comparison websites to get a health insurance quote:
- You’ll get a snapshot of the types of policies available and a guide on the price.
- This process can be completed wholly online.
- Comparison tools may allow you to compare policies across multiple providers.
- You may be asked questions you’re unsure of during the quoting process.
- You’ll only get quotes for policies loaded onto the website.
- Any quotes you see may not be guaranteed.
- You may need to provide more information if you try to purchase one of the quotes you’ve been shown.
- You may not be able to get advice about the type of information you’re being asked for and finer policy details.
Private medical insurance providers
Private health insurance providers are the companies that provide policies. Regardless of your route to getting a health insurance quote, your policy will always be from a provider. Here’s what to consider when using them to get a quote:
- They are experts in their chosen policies, products and terminologies.
- They’ll have access to the newest products they have to offer.
- You may be able to complete the process online or talk to someone in their sales team directly.
- You will need to provide them with information about yourself.
- They cannot answer questions or advise you on health insurance policies from other providers.
- To compare quotes, you’ll need to contact each provider individually and go through the same process several times.
Which method do we recommend for health insurance quotes?
How you get a health insurance quote is your decision entirely, and we have provided information about multiple options with the aim of being transparent about your choices. However, our recommendation will always be to utilise an independent brokerage service such as our own. We aim to take the hassle out of getting a health insurance quote, as well as removing any complications or confusion you may otherwise experience throughout the process.
We have been providing quotes to individuals, families, couples, groups and businesses for over 6 years, with a Feefo rating of 4.9/5. If you would like us to help you with a free health insurance quote, complete our form below, and we’ll be in touch.
What to consider when getting a health insurance quote
After deciding which method you’d like to use to get your health insurance quote, there are several things that you may benefit from being aware of. If you use our independent comparison service, we’ll be sure to explain this in more detail as we go through the quotation process with you.
Providers
There are various providers in the UK health insurance market, each offering unique policies and benefits to their policyholders. If there’s a particular provider you’d like to get a policy through or a benefit you’d like access to, be sure to let us know. We may use this to guide our quotation process or as an opportunity to advise you on alternatives based on the information you provide.
Policy type
Different policy types may be available to you depending on who the intended policyholders are. In some cases, you may find that there are policies suited to specific types of policyholders, and therefore they may be a better option for you.
- Individual
- Couple
- Family
- Children
- International
- Over 50s
- Small business
- Corporate business
- Self employed
- Company leavers
Cover options
When getting a health insurance quote, you may want to consider which cover options you want to be included in your policy. Some may be included as standard by your provider, while others may be available to include for an additional fee. We’ll walk you through the various options when finding out more about your needs, but you may benefit from being aware of your options beforehand. Some examples of cover options you may be able to include are as follows:
- Outpatient cover
- Dental cover
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Advanced cancer cover
- Expanded hospital lists
- Mental health cover
Policy premium
The cost of your policy, often referred to as the premium, is another important consideration when getting a quote. If you have a budget when looking for policies, it’s essential to compare this with the coverage options that are most important to you. We’ll always aim to find you the policy that offers the widest range of coverage at the most competitive price.
Summary: How to get a health insurance quote
At a glance, there are three main routes to getting a health insurance quote. While it may be beneficial to research the various providers, policy options, inclusions, benefits and everything else yourself, we recommend utilising an independent health insurance broker to remove some of the complications. To get a free health insurance quote today, fill out our contact form, and we’ll be in touch to assist you.
