Couples health insurance

You might already have private healthcare cover in place and be looking to protect your partner too, or maybe you’re a couple looking into the idea of putting private cover in place for the first time. Whatever your reasons, if there’s more than one of you living under the same roof, couples private health insurance, also known as joint health insurance, could well be a smart move.

Like other types of insurance policies, if two of you are looking to invest in private health insurance at the same time, it can be just as cost effective to put a single policy in place to cover you both as taking out cover separately.

And like other multi-individual private healthcare policies, the true benefit of putting couples health insurance in place lies in knowing that both of you are in a position to access the treatment you need quickly, and with a healthcare practitioner to suit, whenever the need arises.

What is couples health insurance?

Nobody likes to imagine the prospect of their partner, or, indeed, themselves, falling ill or getting hurt in an accident and having to spend time in hospital. Couples health insurance is a policy which offers two halves of a partnership cover when it comes to their private healthcare needs.

Couples private health insurance gives you and your partner access to private healthcare quickly without having to worry about lengthy waiting lists for tests, diagnosis and treatment, enabling you to focus all your efforts on your other half. It also offers the convenience of a wider choice of hospitals or experts to visit which are conveniently placed for you both, as well as the ability to book appointments to best suit your schedule.

As a couple, you could also look forward to the comfort and privacy of an en-suite room in which to recover, as well as access to specialist treatments and medicines possibly not available on the NHS.

How does couples insurance work?

Couples health insurance is a private medical insurance policy that covers two individuals residing at the same address, provided by a single insurance provider.

What does couples insurance cover?

This varies depending on the policy you choose. Some providers may even offer more than one type of policy available for couples, so it really is important to examine the policies on offer to you and assess if they cover the issues that are important to you and your partner.

Is there anything that couples health insurance doesn’t cover?

Couples health insurance typically covers a wide range of medical expenses, but there may be certain exclusions or limitations depending on the specific policy and insurance provider. Some common exclusions in couple’s health insurance policies may include pre-existing conditions, elective or cosmetic procedures, experimental treatments, and certain alternative therapies. It is essential for you to carefully review your policy to understand the range of coverage and any potential limitations it may have.

What are the benefits of couples health insurance?

Individual health insurance is fine if there is one of you, or a family policy may be better depending on how many of you are living under one roof. But, if you’re a couple living together and are both keen to put private health insurance in place, there are advantages to seeking out couples health insurance quotes too.

You will find that the cost of taking out a couples health insurance policy is often just as cost effective as taking out cover separately. You would both still be assessed independently, depending on the level of cover you choose, your age, lifestyle, health history and whether or not you smoke, and will likely find that the price is comparable to single policies because of this. The cost of these individual premiums will then be calculated and added together to result in the couples health insurance quote.

Another major advantage of taking out couples private health insurance is the amount of administration involved. With a couples private health insurance policy, you only need to fill out one set of policy paperwork, albeit in duplicate, and pay just one bill monthly, quarterly or annually. There’s also the added convenience of having one point of contact for both your healthcare needs should you need to make a claim.

Investing in a couples healthcare policy is also a great foundation to which children can be added if and when they come along too, by switching your cover agreement to a family policy quickly and easily as the need arises.

Does couples health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Health insurance is designed to cover you for conditions that develop after you have taken out the policy, not conditions for which you already receive medication or treatment before the policy starts.

There are certain circumstances, however, in which insurance can be reinstated should you be treated and symptom-free for two years after the start of your policy. Read our guide on health insurance for pre-existing conditions for more information.

Also, if you already have health insurance and wish to switch to a new provider, they may provide cover for any current illnesses or treatments required, which is referred to as continued personal medical exclusions.

When you take out a couples health insurance policy, your circumstances will be treated independently, so if your partner already has a condition for which he or she can’t be covered, but you have no such health condition, then you can still be covered for it.

Do you already have health insurance?

You might already have health insurance though your employer, so it’s worth finding out if you’re already covered. Occasionally, your partner will be covered as part of your insurance, however, this isn’t always the case. It’s also worth checking your policy to make sure you have the level of cover that you need.

Does couples insurance cover therapy?

Couples health insurance may cover therapy, but it depends on the specific policy you choose. Some health insurance plans include coverage for mental health services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy. However, coverage for therapy sessions may vary in terms of the number of sessions allowed, the types of therapy covered, and any limitations or requirements set by the insurance provider.

How to buy couples insurance

To ensure you find the most suitable couples insurance policy, it's advisable to compare quotes from various providers. ActiveQuote stands out as the leading health insurance comparison website in the UK.

When you compare health insurance quotes with ActiveQuote, we'll guide you through a straightforward process, asking for essential information such as:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your date of birth
• Smoking status
• Your ideal monthly health insurance budget

Since different policies offer varying benefits, it is crucial to ensure that the level of coverage aligns with your specific needs. Additionally, you will need to disclose any pre-existing or chronic conditions, as these may impact the coverage options available to you.

How much does couples insurance cost?

Understanding the details of your insurance policy is key, just like with any other type of insurance. Tailoring the policy to meet your and your partners specific needs is key and will affect the overall cost.

Comparing couples health insurance options with ActiveQuote is a simple process. We will ask you basic questions such as your name, address, date of birth, smoking status, and monthly health insurance budget, and then we'll handle the rest.

The cost of your couples health insurance policy is influenced by factors like:

• The ages of individuals covered
• Your location in the UK
• Both your family's medical history
• The level of coverage you select

What is an excess in couples health insurance?

Couples health insurance excess is the portion of a claim that you must pay out of pocket. For instance, if a treatment costs £2000 and your excess is £250, you'll pay the first £250, and the insurer will cover the remaining £1,750. Opting for a higher excess can lower your monthly couples health insurance premiums.

Why compare couples insurance with ActiveQuote?

As a premier couples health insurance comparison service in the UK, at ActiveQuote we collaborate with trusted partners to provide couples with the best coverage at competitive rates.

Our policies are easy to understand and are often available for online purchase. Also, our experienced advisors are available to address any inquiries, offering invaluable peace of mind, especially for those navigating unfamiliar territory.

With our reputation as the top-rated health insurance broker in the UK, you can confidently entrust your needs to us. ActiveQuote allows you to:

• Access over 50 quotes online
• Compare leading insurers across the UK
• Customise quotes effortlessly with real-time price updates
• Complete your couples health insurance purchase online
• Benefit from complementary advice from our couples health insurance specialists