Expert, whole-of-market advice on individual private medical insurance. We cut through the jargon and find a policy built around your age, your health, and your budget -- not a one-size-fits-all package.
Independent, whole-of-market advice. One person to talk to. A policy that actually fits how you live.
Your age, your health, your budget, your excess. We tailor the cover level to you rather than shoe-horning you into a generic package.
We compare Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, Vitality, The Exeter, WPA and more -- then recommend the one that genuinely fits, not the one that pays us most.
Montgomery Financial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Advice that's on the record -- and that we stand behind.
Thinking about individual private medical insurance? This guide explains how individual PMI works, what a good policy actually covers, and why working with an experienced whole-of-market broker saves you money and stress. Whether you want faster access to a consultant, peace of mind alongside the NHS, or cover that grows with you as life changes, this article cuts through the jargon and gives you clear, expert advice on choosing the right individual private health insurance policy for you.
Individual private medical insurance -- often shortened to PMI -- is a health insurance policy that covers one person for the diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions in private hospitals across the UK. Rather than relying solely on the NHS, you get faster access to consultants, diagnostic procedures and surgery when you need it most.
Individual policies are the most flexible type of PMI. You choose the level of cover, the excess, the hospital list, and any add-ons -- and the premium is priced specifically around you rather than a whole household.
Individual PMI is ideal for anyone worried about NHS waiting times -- from young professionals wanting quick reassurance on a recurring niggle, to self-employed consultants who cannot afford to wait months for a diagnosis, to older clients wanting more control over how and when they are treated.
It is also a popular choice for people whose employer benefits stop short of full cover, or for anyone leaving a corporate scheme and wanting to keep the continuity of private care without losing the protection they had.
The NHS provides excellent emergency care, but NHS waiting lists for routine procedures can stretch into many months. Private medical cover gives you faster access to treatment, a private hospital room, and often more choice over your consultant and appointment timing.
Many patients also appreciate the continuity of care -- seeing the same specialist throughout diagnosis and treatment. Private healthcare does not replace the NHS; it complements it, giving you options when time, comfort, or a specific condition matters most.
When you take out a policy, you pay a monthly premium to the insurer in exchange for defined coverage of medical costs. If you fall ill, your GP refers you and the insurer pays the hospital or consultant directly. Some policies cover everything from inpatient surgery to optical and dental add-ons, while others exclude certain conditions.
Every policy has its own list of inclusions, exclusions and excesses -- which is why speaking to an insurance broker is so valuable. A broker will explain what each provider actually pays for before you commit, and highlight the small-print differences most people miss.
A comprehensive individual policy usually covers hospital stays, surgical procedures, consultations, diagnostic procedures and aftercare. Extras such as mental health, physiotherapy, dental and optical can be added depending on the insurer. Cover for chronic illness is normally limited, as PMI is designed for acute conditions rather than long-term care.
Cover levels vary significantly between providers, and premiums vary too. That is why independent advice matters -- a trusted adviser can compare policies side by side and help you find the right balance of price and protection for your personal situation.
Costs for individual private medical cover depend on age, health history, level of cover, your postcode, and any excess you opt for. Every premium is entirely subject to your personal circumstances -- so the only way to know what you will actually pay is to get tailored quotes.
As a very rough guide, a young, healthy adult can sometimes see quotes starting from around £30 a month, while more comprehensive cover -- or cover for older applicants -- can run considerably higher. These are illustrative figures only and are not a quote. A broker will compare multiple insurers to make sure you get real value without sacrificing quality of care.
Individual policies come in two underwriting flavours. Full medical underwriting means you disclose your medical history up front and the insurer writes clear exclusions into your policy from day one -- no surprises later. Moratorium underwriting means no up-front disclosure, but any condition you've had symptoms, medication or treatment for in recent years is automatically excluded -- and can only be covered again after a condition-free period (usually two years).
Neither is better or worse -- they suit different situations. We'll walk you through the trade-offs and recommend the route that gives you the cleanest cover for your history.
Many people start with employer-provided health cover, then find themselves exposed when they change jobs, go self-employed, or leave a corporate role. The longer you leave it, the more medical history there is to underwrite around -- so if you know a change is coming, getting individual cover lined up early can preserve the protection you already enjoy.
Some insurers also offer continued personal medical exclusions (CPME) schemes, which let you switch from an employer scheme onto an individual policy without re-underwriting. It's a detail worth getting right, and we'll make sure you do.
An insurance broker acts as your representative in the market, not the insurer's. Independent brokers compare policies from every major UK provider and translate the small print into plain English. This expert guidance can save you hours of research and hundreds of pounds in premium savings over the life of a policy.
Put simply -- what we do is shop around to save you money. Even if you already have a policy in place and have been sent a renewal quote, we will often go back to your existing insurer and negotiate that number down further, while making sure the cover itself still stacks up. The goal is always the same: the best cover at the best price, every year.
Brokers are highly experienced in matching cover to real lives -- growing families, self-employed professionals, business owners and retirees all have very different needs. A trusted adviser tailors the recommendation rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all product.
Any firm offering insurance advice in the UK must be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check a broker's FRN on the FCA register before engaging them. Being FCA-regulated means the firm meets strict standards on how it handles your personal information, earns commission, and treats you as a customer.
If something goes wrong, regulated customers also qualify for the Financial Ombudsman Service -- an important layer of protection that unregulated advice simply cannot offer. Montgomery Financial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Ask how many providers they compare, whether they are truly independent, how they are paid, and what happens at renewal. A professional team will talk you through real-world scenarios: what happens if you need surgery next year, or if you develop a condition that requires ongoing treatment?
Good advisers are happy to answer every question, share client examples, and walk you through sample policy documents before you sign. If you feel rushed or pressured, walk away.
Getting started is straightforward. Call us on 01933 829 444 to book a no-obligation consultation, or request a callback online. We will gather some basic personal information, explore your health history, and then provide tailored quotes from leading insurance specialists across the UK -- giving you access to private healthcare on terms that actually suit you.
We're based in Northamptonshire and work with individual clients across the UK -- over the phone, on video call, or in person if you're local. Montgomery Financial Ltd is a trusted name offering expert individual private medical cover and insurance advice.
We compare cover from Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, Vitality, The Exeter, WPA and more -- and recommend the one that fits, not the one that pays us most.
Charles found me a policy that covered exactly what I needed -- without paying for what I didn't. Straight-talking, no jargon, and I had my cover set up inside a week.
Book a free 20-minute call with Charles. We'll map out your options, give you real numbers, and you can take it from there -- or not.
Charles Breen is a Registered Individual of BrokerSync Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (1031981). BrokerSync Ltd is registered in England and Wales (16318056).
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