Find the Right Private Medical Insurance for Your Needs

A photo of an author

By Camellia White | Last reviewed

Advertorial

A smiling doctor at the hospital Find your private health cover

Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is becoming an increasingly important consideration for people across the UK. With NHS waiting times at record highs and demand for appointments continuing to rise, many individuals and families are now exploring private healthcare as a way to take greater control of their wellbeing.

While PMI can benefit a wide range of people—offering faster access to specialists, more choice over treatment locations, and additional peace of mind—there are two groups in particular for whom these advantages feel especially valuable: families with children, and working professionals. Below, we explain why PMI is becoming such an appealing option for these audiences and what benefits matter most.

Faster treatment times

Access to private facilities

Choice of specialists

Peace of mind

Why Private Medical Insurance Appeals to Families and Professionals

Private Medical Insurance provides a number of key advantages:

  • Faster access to diagnosis and treatment
  • Greater choice of consultants and private hospitals
  • More convenient appointment times
  • Reduced stress and uncertainty during health concerns
  • Options for out-patient care, therapies, scans and more
  • Access to virtual GP services
  • Support for chronic conditions depending on the policy level

These advantages make PMI attractive for almost anyone, but the following two groups often feel the need most strongly.

Find your private health cover Parents watching over their daughter lying in hospital

1. Families with Children

For parents, health concerns can feel urgent and emotionally draining. PMI helps families protect their children and access care quickly when they need it most.

Primary Motivations for Families

✔ Fast access to paediatric care

Parents value the ability to see a paediatric specialist without long waits. Whether it’s recurring ear infections, dermatology concerns or developmental checks, fast answers can make all the difference.

✔ Ability to secure urgent appointments

Children’s illnesses often come unexpectedly. PMI allows families to secure quicker consultations, tests or scans, helping parents avoid lengthy delays at a stressful time.

✔ Peace of mind & reliability

With PMI, families gain increased confidence that they can access care when needed—daytime, evening or weekend—via in-person appointments or virtual GP support.

✔ Preference for family bundles

Families frequently opt for bundled or multi-member policies. These not only simplify management but often provide better value per-person compared to taking out several individual plans.

Find your private health cover An elderly couple drinks coffee and chats in the kitchen.

2. Working Professionals

Professionals—particularly those with demanding jobs—place a high value on convenience, speed and reliability.

Primary Motivations for Working Professionals

✔ Higher disposable income

Professionals in full-time roles often have the financial flexibility to prioritise health cover as part of their lifestyle or wellbeing budget.

✔ Concerns about NHS waiting times

With non-urgent referrals frequently delayed, professionals look to PMI as a way to avoid long waiting lists and maintain productivity.

✔ Likely to purchase out-patient or full coverage

Professionals tend to choose more comprehensive plans, especially out-pient benefits that include consultations, tests and diagnostic imaging.

✔ Value convenience, reliability & time savings

PMI offers flexible appointment scheduling, private hospitals near workplaces or homes, and fast access to specialists—all of which help reduce time away from work.

Surgery at the hospital
How PMI Speeds Up Your Healthcare Journey

1. Symptoms arise

2. Prompt virtual GP or private GP consultation

3. Quick referral + diagnostic testing

4. Treatment at private hospital

Find your private health cover

Who Is PMI Right For?

To bring this to life, here are three scenarios based on common customer needs. These personas show how different people benefit from Private Medical Insurance.

Parents Ben & Emily, in their mid-30s with two young children*

Happy family walking in the park

The Harrisons are a busy family balancing school, activities and work. Their youngest child has had recurring ear and throat infections, often requiring GP visits. Concerned about long wait times for referrals, they took out a family PMI plan so they could access paediatric specialists quickly. Now, when symptoms flare, they can book a private appointment or use a virtual GP for reassurance. For them, PMI removes stress and gives them confidence that help is available when their children need it.

Maya (31), single young professional, living in a major city*

A girl holding a tablet and planning her work in

Maya is building her career and frequently works long hours. She wants the ability to schedule appointments outside typical working times and avoid long NHS queues for tests or diagnostics. PMI allows her to book consultations near her office and choose times that suit her schedule. She opts for comprehensive out-patient cover because she values quick access to scans and specialist referrals. For Maya, PMI is about control, efficiency and maintaining her health without disrupting her routine.

Mark (52) & Louise (49), still working, financially comfortable, planning for long-term health stability

An elderly couple watches a video on a laptop.

Mark and Louise want to prioritise their wellbeing as they enter their 50s. They’ve noticed they need more frequent check-ups and want reassurance that any issues can be diagnosed quickly. They appreciate being able to choose consultants, access faster investigations, and avoid long waits for physiotherapy or orthopaedic care. Their PMI plan gives them peace of mind and a sense of security looking ahead to later life.

*Personas on this page are fictional and used for illustrative purposes only. Suggested requirements are purely indicative and do not constitute advice.

Find your private health cover

Is Private Medical Insurance Right for You?

Whether you're a parent wanting fast, reliable healthcare for your children or a professional seeking convenience and certainty, PMI offers a level of flexibility and reassurance that many people now see as essential.

From affordable starter policies to comprehensive plans with full in-/out-patient coverage, there are options to suit a wide range of needs and budgets.

If you're considering Private Medical Insurance, exploring your options today can help you find a policy that gives you the right balance of protection, convenience and value.

Which of these lifestyles do you most strongly identify with?

Select to get started:

Extreme

Extreme

Vigorous

Vigorous

Active

Active

Walker

Walker

Office worker

Office worker

Sedentary

Sedentary

Our specialist partners, to whom we refer consumer enquiries, search from the UK's leading insurers and pay us a marketing fee.

PPP Healthcare Freedom Health Insurance Aviva Vitality WPA The Exeter Bupa
Bupa