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What is self-employed health insurance?
When you are self-employed it is essential you receive medical treatment as quickly as possible if you become ill. Self-employed health insurance offers you quick access to first class private healthcare when you need it the most, protecting you and your business.
What is the difference between self-employed health insurance and income protection?
While they can be claimed under similar conditions, income protection and health insurance for the self-employed are two very different types of pay-out.
Income protection replaces your earnings in the event that you’re unable to work. Accident, Sickness and Unemployment policies are available for people who are self-employed and are designed to cover your living costs in the event you can’t work due to illness or injury.
Health insurance for the self-employed, however, is there to pay for medical treatment and get you the treatment you need as quickly as possible in the process. The amount is usually paid directly to the relevant party meaning you won’t receive any funds to help with other costs you may face but your medical bills will be covered, and you’ll likely get back to work sooner rather than later.
What are the benefits of self-employed health insurance cover?
Taking out the right self-employed health insurance policy could offer the following benefits:
- Shorter waiting times - currently the average waiting time for an NHS referral is more than 18 weeks.
- Access to private health facilities and treatment at a time to suit you.
- Quick diagnosis and treatment
- Convenient appointment times that suit your schedule
- 200+ private hospitals to choose from
- Private accommodation in a hospital or clinic.
- Possible access to more advanced treatments and medications not available on the NHS.
Why do I need self-employed health insurance cover?
When you are self-employed, every day at work is important. A health insurance policy helps reduce time off from work because of ill health, minimising the cost to you and your business as a result.
According to Statista (2024), there are approximately 4.33 million self-employed people in the UK all of which don’t receive statutory sick pay (SSP) to keep them afloat if they are ill. Research showed that 13% of self-employed people are believed to have no life insurance, private medical insurance, critical illness cover or income protection should they find themselves unable to work due to illness or injury.(1)
This means that self-employed people are often under great pressure to get well and back to work as quickly as possible, which is where self-employed health insurance can help.
The research was carried out online by Opinium Research across a total of 2,002 UK adults (Booster sample of 502 self-employed workers and 1,015 Renters). Fieldwork was carried out between 21–27 October 2021.
Other types of insurance for the self-employed it’s useful to consider
How does self-employment health insurance work?
Health insurance for the self-employed works in much the same way as other health insurance policies in that policyholders will pay a monthly or annual premium. In the event that a policyholder falls ill, they can get private medical care, covered by their health insurance, often at the referral of a GP or specialist.
What are the types of self-employment health insurance cover?
When choosing medical insurance if you’re self-employed there are many options to consider. Traditionally there have been three different types of health insurance:
Core Cover:
This is the most basic level of cover and includes inpatient care, including operations requiring overnight stays, tests, hospital charges and specialist fees.
Mid-range Cover:
As well as core cover, this level of cover can also include outpatient treatment, diagnostic testing, X-Rays and more.
Comprehensive Cover:
This includes both inpatient and outpatient care. Therapies such as physiotherapy, acupuncture and mental health care can be covered in a comprehensive plan.
In addition, insurers are starting to offer adaptable policies which you can tailor to suit your own needs and budget. If you are self-employed this type of private health insurance may be an appealing option.
What doesn’t self-employment health insurance cover?
The tier you choose will determine what’s included in your cover, however, there are some exclusions to all tiers of cover:
Pre-existing conditions:
If you’ve suffered from an injury or illness prior to taking out health insurance, it’s unlikely that your cover will include this as part of your policy. There are exceptions to this with some covers, however, if a certain period of time has passed without symptoms or treatment. If you’re switching from insurers, continued personal medical exclusions or “medical history disregarded” options are available, meaning you’ll continue to be covered for your treatment.
Chronic illnesses:
Long-term health issues such as asthma or diabetes usually aren't covered but in some cases acute flare ups might be included with the policy.
Cosmetic surgery:
Surgeries that aren’t medically necessary aren’t typically covered in private health insurance.
Pregnancy and childbirth:
Pregnancy and childbirth costs aren’t typically covered as part of this kind of policy, however, in some policies, complications can be included.
What our experts say about self-employment health insurance
“Private self-employed health insurance gives you peace of mind that if you were to fall ill, you would receive prompt healthcare from a leading specialist, helping you get back to work as soon as possible.”
How much does self-employed health insurance cost?
When choosing health insurance for the self-employed there are many options to consider. Broadly speaking there are three different types of health insurance: budget, mid-range and comprehensive.
Budget policies are the cheapest option, and offer limited levels of cover. Mid-range policies are usually considered the best type of self-employed medical insurance, because they offer a good level of cover at an affordable price. Comprehensive policies are the most expensive, but have the highest level of cover.
Work out exactly what you want in terms of self-employed health insurance cover and then see which plans work best for you. Always read the policies in detail so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered before you buy.
Speak to an advisor to find out more about which policy would work best for you on 0800 862 0373.
How can I bring down the costs of self-employed health insurance cover?
There are many ways you can lower the cost of your private medical insurance policy without losing out on cover. Some of these may be more suitable than others, depending on your individual situation.
Adding an excess is a popular way to reduce your premium, which means you volunteer to pay the first part of any claim up to an amount agreed between you and the insurer at the outset.
Reducing the number of private hospitals you are covered for treatment at can also help reduce your overall premium too. This can significantly reduce the cost of self-employed medical insurance, and works well if you live and work in a set area and there are only a few private hospitals you would wish to be treated in.
You could also consider a six-week option. You agree that if the NHS can treat you within six weeks you will go through the NHS, but if the waiting list is longer than that you get to go private straight away. This type of discount may not be ideal for all self-employed workers, but it does dramatically reduce the cost of a health insurance policy for those who are in a position to manage in the short-term until they can get treatment either way.
Some insurers are now also starting to offer adaptable policies which you can tailor to suit your own needs and budget. If you are self-employed, this type of health insurance in particular may appeal.
What do I need to get a quote?
When you compare self-employed health insurance quotes with ActiveQuote, we'll ask you a few simple questions including:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- If you smoke
- Your ideal monthly health insurance budget
Different tiers offer different benefits, so making sure that the level of cover suits your needs is essential in order for you to maximise on the cover available to you. You will also be required to disclose any pre-existing and chronic conditions, which may affect the level of cover you’re offered depending on what these are.
Finding the best private health insurance quote
Buying a policy is made easy with ActiveQuote.com. Our comparison website offers self-employed medical insurance plans from the leading UK insurers, so you can compare the market online in just a few minutes. Benefits of using us include:
- Self-employed health insurance quotes online in less than two minutes
- Compare leading UK insurers including AXA PPP and Aviva
- Buy your policy online
Compare Self Employed Health Insurance
Self-employed Health Insurance FAQs
Is private health insurance tax deductible uk self-employed?
If you’re operating as a sole-trader in the UK, private medical health insurance is typically seen as a personal expense, meaning it won’t be tax deductible.
If you’re operating as a limited company, the rules can be slightly different. An LTD can pay for health insurance for the directors and claim this as a business expense. However, this can then be seen as a benefit in kind for the director, which can lead to personal tax liability.
It’s best to consult a professional as there may be certain situations where, if the service is directly related to your ability to perform your duties, the insurance can be seen as deductible.
How long does a policy last?
Typically, self-employed health insurance will last for a year, at the end of which it can be reviewed.
Do I already have self-employment health insurance?
There are some occasions where you might already have health insurance, even though you’re self-employed. This can be through membership of a professional association or organisation. However, it’s worth checking what level of cover this provides, as it might not meet your needs.
