Health insurance for the under 30s

Health insurance is often the last thing on our minds in our late teens and 20s. It’s an easy thing to overlook when you’re building a career, investing in a home and possibly becoming a parent. It’s also commonly assumed that health insurance is something you need only as you get older.

But, in fact, our younger years are often the very best time to take out the right private medical insurance. The premiums are likely to be cheaper and, ironically, it’s best to think about health insurance when in good health, as it’s too late to get cover following a diagnosis or after symptoms start, which is more likely to happen as we age.

What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance gives you peace of mind that you’ll be taken care of in the event of an accident or illness. The right policy can help you bypass long waiting lists, get medical appointments quickly and access to tests and treatment. You can also choose the hospital at which you’re treated and you might be offered specialist treatments that are not available on the NHS.

You can take out a single or joint health insurance policy, depending on whether you’re in a relationship, as well as family cover if you have children at this time in your life.

Benefits of taking out health insurance under 30

Health insurance, also known as private medical insurance (PMI) is a wise option if you’d like the security of knowing you’ll receive the best care if you become ill or injured. We might associate PMI with becoming older, but accidents and emergencies can happen at any age!

Cover for a wide range of conditions

Health insurance providers will also look at any pre-existing and chronic conditions (remember, any policy might be invalidated if you don’t disclose all the facts!). You’re more likely to be fit and healthy in your teens and 20s and less likely to have faced a serious diagnosis, meaning that if you keep up your health insurance cover as you age and illness or injury become more likely, you’ll be covered by insurance when these illnesses occur.

You can’t take out health insurance retrospectively; in other words, you wouldn’t be able to compare quotes for cancer cover once you’ve already been diagnosed with or are having tests for suspected cancer conditions. Therefore, the earlier you have PMI in place, the more likely you are to be covered for a wide range of chronic and serious illnesses, should they happen later in life.

Other benefits of private health insurance can include:

• Faster diagnosis and treatment within a private hospital in the UK
• Choice on where you’re treated and a private room
• Access to drugs and treatments not available currently on the NHS
• Mental health support.

What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition refers to any health problem you've had before getting a private health insurance policy. This includes chronic conditions like diabetes or depression, as well as isolated incidents like back pain.

Insurance companies typically request your medical history during the application process, and they’ll ask you to give your medical history. However, when switching to a new policy, some insurers may continue to cover conditions that were included under your previous insurance, which is called continued personal medical exclusions.

What level of health cover do I need?

There are different levels and types of health insurance, depending on your budget, needs and lifestyle.

• Core policy: A core policy provides standard treatment should you become an inpatient needing an overnight stay. You might find that few ‘extras’ are included, but it can be a reliable option if you’re on a smaller budget.

• Comprehensive cover: Comprehensive health insurance covers you for outpatient care such as specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and scans, as well as, for example, mental health cover, full cancer cover and an NHS cash benefit for each night spent in hospital, depending on your policy.

You can add extra elements, such as 24/7 wellbeing phone support, a range of therapies such as physio, and dental and optical treatment, while many comprehensive policies also offer additional benefits of health insurance such as discounted gym membership or a free Fitbit.

Remember, health insurance is calculated by taking into consideration your existing lifestyle and health. You might find if you smoke, for example, that your premiums are more expensive, whereas if you keep healthy by staying active, the cost is usually lower.

What is included in health insurance?

Health insurance can include cover for treatment as an inpatient, an outpatient, and a day patient, depending on the level of cover you choose to put in place.

Some health insurers will also let you pick exactly what is covered including:

• Physiotherapy
• Cancer Treatment, or treatment for other long term illnesses
• Mental health
• Dental treatment
• Optical appointments
• Medical treatment and nursing at home.

How much does health insurance cost for the under 30s?

Several factors can impact how much your health insurance will cost, including:

• Your age
• Your past medical conditions
• The medical history of your family
• Your lifestyle choices
• What you’d like to be covered.

What is an excess in health insurance?

An excess in health insurance is the portion of the claim cost that you are required to pay out-of-pocket. For instance, if the cost for a treatment is £2,000 and you have an excess of £250, you will need to cover the £250 yourself, while your insurance company will pay the remaining £1,750. If you choose to pay a higher excess, this can bring down the cost of your monthly payments.

Types of health insurance to also consider

Joint health insurance

Private health insurance for couples allows both you and your partner to access private healthcare services quickly, bypassing the long waiting times often associated with tests, diagnoses, and treatments on the NHS. It also provides the advantage of a broader selection of hospitals or specialists conveniently located for you both, along with the flexibility to schedule appointments that align with your timetable.

Family health insurance

Family health insurance can be a really good option if you choose to have children before you turn 30. Family health policies cover children and teenagers up to the age of 18, with many offering added cover for students while they are at university.

With young people more likely than older generations to want a digital GP appointment, telephone and virtual services can be a valuable benefit of your family health cover, especially with regards to mental health concerns and support.

Why compare under 30s health insurance with ActiveQuote?

Buying health insurance can be daunting, especially so early in life. We understand how important it is for you to feel confident you have the cover that’s right for you and your stage of life. While most of our policies are easy to understand and can be purchased online, we make sure that we provide exceptional customer service. Our dedicated team of highly trained professionals is available to assist you over the phone and address any questions or concerns you may have.

We are more than willing to discuss under 30s health insurance options based on your needs over the phone. With our top rating from customers, you can trust that you're in good hands!

With ActiveQuote you can:

• View more than 50 quotes online
• Compare the UK’s leading insurers
• Tailor your quotes online with live price updates
• Buy your chosen under 30s health insurance online
• Get free advice from a under 30s health insurance specialist.