Health insurance excess
Everything you need to know about excess and how it applies to your cover
Usually when you’re looking at health insurance policies you’ll have to choose an excess amount to get a quote. The excess can have a big impact on your policy, especially when it comes to deciding the monthly or annual cost of your cover. It is important to remember that the higher the excess, the lower the monthly premium will be.
We think it's important to understand excess, which is why we've answered the most common questions, such as how does private health insurance excess work and how does it apply to your policy. This will help you decide what's right for you when it comes to picking your excess amount.
To find out more about our Comprehensive health insurance or Treatment and care call us on 01134950976^ or
What is health insurance excess?
An excess is the amount you'll have to pay towards your treatment when you make a claim on your health insurance policy.
When you take out private health insurance, you're offered an excess with your cover. An excess is the amount you will have to pay when you make a claim on your health insurance policy. Having an excess means that you have to pay part of your treatment costs up to the amount of your excess. For example, if you have treatment that costs £3000 and you have agreed an excess of £500, you'll pay £500 and your insurer will pay the remaining £2500.
You may want to take out a health insurance policy with a higher excess because this can help reduce your monthly premiums, this is one way of making health insurance more affordable. While a health insurance policy with a lower excess will have a higher premium.
What is the benefit of health insurance excess?
The benefit of having an excess with your health insurance policy is that it allows you to take control over your monthly premium.
Not every private health insurance policy will have the same kind of excess, so it’s important to understand how and when your excess applies to your health insurance policy, and if you’re happy with the amount you need to pay should you need to claim.
How does excess apply to a Bupa health insurance policy?
We understand having flexibility in health insurance policies is important in order to suit your personal needs, that’s why we have a range of excess options available for you to choose from. We have two different levels of private health insurance cover: Comprehensive health insurance and Treatment and care. With both of these options you can choose an excess of £0, £100, £150, £200, £250 or £500.
On our policies you’ll need to pay your excess (if applicable) on any eligible treatment costs covered by your policy each policy year. You’ll only need to pay the total amount of your excess once per policy year, even if you make more than one claim for a condition. Your excess renews at the beginning of each policy year even if you’re mid way through treatment. So, your excess could apply twice to a single course of treatment if your treatment begins in one policy year and continues into the next policy year.
You can amend your level of excess at each annual renewal. Again, if you choose a higher excess you can help to reduce your monthly premiums.
Interested in private healthcare? We’ve got you covered.
Our health insurance allows you to adapt aspects of your policy to help suit your needs and your budget. We’ll make sure you get the help you need fast – so you can get right back to being you.
Learn more about private health insurance
Our useful guides are here to help you understand the fundamentals of health insurance. We also cover a number of key health topics – such as looking after yourself as a parent and taking care of your children’s health.
Getting health insurance when you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed you may be considering health insurance to help give you peace of mind for your business.
In-patient vs. out-patient cover
When you’re looking at health insurance policies you may come across terms like in-patient and out-patient cover and not fully understand what these include.
Do I need private health insurance?
If you’re considering private health insurance, you may be weighing up if you need it or not. We’ve broken down the benefits so you can see if it suits your personal needs.
Private health insurance exclusions
Before you take out health insurance, it’s important that you have a thorough understanding of what is and isn’t covered.
Call us
01134950976^
^Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. We may record or monitor our calls.
^ We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3829851.
