Is The Exeter Health+ good value private health insurance?
The Exeter Health+ is a strong all-round private health insurance option for UK residents who want faster diagnosis and treatment than the NHS can usually offer, without paying top-tier prices. It combines 5-star rated core medical cover, unlimited inpatient and day patient treatment, full cancer cover, generous NHS cash benefits and a useful digital health app, with the choice of either traditional hospital lists or a cheaper guided option for people on tighter budgets.
How much does The Exeter health insurance cost?
Sample quotes for The Exeter Health+ start from under £30 per month for younger adults, with example premiums of around £23 per month at age 20 on the Essential hospital list and rising with age and level of hospital cover. Your own price will depend on details like your age, postcode, smoker status, underwriting choice and the excess you are happy to pay.
What are the main benefits of The Exeter Health+?
Core benefits include unlimited inpatient and day patient cover, full cancer treatment, up to three postoperative physiotherapy sessions, a cash payment of up to £150 per night for NHS stays, parental accommodation, and access to the free HealthWise app for remote GP appointments, mental health support and more.
Is The Exeter a reputable insurer?
The Exeter is the trading name of Exeter Friendly Society Limited, a long-established mutual insurer that focuses on health and life insurance products. Its Health+ policies hold a 5 Star rating from Defaqto for quality of cover, and customer reviews on sites such as Trustpilot are typically very positive.
Who is The Exeter Health+ best suited for?
The Exeter Health+ can work well for individuals, couples and families who want quality medical insurance, clear cancer benefits and flexible options to control costs. It is particularly appealing if you are comfortable with guided pathways to keep premiums down or you value digital health extras such as online GP services alongside traditional private hospital treatment.
Key Points: The Exeter Health+ insurance review for 2026.
- The Exeter Health+ is a flexible UK private medical insurance policy with either traditional hospital lists or a lower cost guided option.
- Core cover includes unlimited inpatient and day patient treatment, full cancer care, scans, private ambulances and home nursing.
- Extra benefits include an NHS hospital cash allowance, parental accommodation and access to the HealthWise app for remote GP and wellbeing support.
- You can cover just yourself or add your partner and children on one simple policy.
- Premiums vary based on age, postcode, smoker status, underwriting and policy excess, with example prices from under £30 per month. Pre-existing and chronic conditions are generally excluded, though you can choose from several underwriting options.
- Claims are straightforward, but the pathway differs slightly between Traditional Health+ and Guided Health+ policies.
- You can cancel within a 30 day cooling off period for a full refund if you have not claimed.
The Exeter Health+ overview for UK policyholders
The Exeter Health+ is a private health insurance policy designed to sit alongside, not replace, your NHS care. In practice this means you still rely on the NHS for emergency and chronic conditions but can use your Exeter cover for new acute illnesses or injuries where you want faster diagnosis, access to private specialists and more choice over where and when you are treated. Long NHS waiting lists and pressure on diagnostic services are driving more people to consider this type of cover, especially where delays could affect work, family life or overall wellbeing.
Main benefits of The Exeter health insurance:
- Up to £150 cash payout for every night spent in an NHS hospital (for up to 30 days maximum).
- Full cover for all stages of cancer treatment to support you through treatment and recovery.
- Cover for up to 3 physiotherapy sessions following any surgery (inpatient, outpatient or day patient).
- Unlimited cover for in-patient and day-patient hospital treatments.
- FREE access to The Exeter HealthWise app for extra support services such as remote GP appointments, mental health support and more.
- The parental accommodation benefit pays for you to stay nearby if your child needs inpatient hospital treatment (children up to age 18).
- Can easily add on extra benefits like mental health cover, unlimited outpatient diagnostics cover, or additional therapies cover.
- Can add on No Claims Discount (NCD) for each person covered on your policy.
The policy is structured around a comprehensive core package, which everyone gets, and a series of add-ons for people who need broader benefits such as full outpatient or mental health cover. You can then choose either a traditional hospital list, where you select from three network levels, or a guided option where The Exeter recommends suitable consultants and hospitals once you have an open referral from your GP. Both routes give the same core medical protection, so the main trade-off is personal choice of provider versus premium savings.
Who can buy The Exeter health insurance?
The Exeter Health+ is open to people who live anywhere in the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can apply for cover as an individual, couple or family, with one policy looking after the healthcare needs of everyone insured. This can make it easier to manage premiums, excesses and claims compared with juggling several separate plans.
To keep your policy running smoothly, you will need to pay your premiums on time, answer all application questions honestly and update The Exeter if important personal details change, such as your address or name. When you claim, The Exeter expects you to contact them before starting private treatment, agree to pay any policy excess and follow their claims process. Claims must be pre-authorised, including cash claims after NHS stays, so it is wise to keep their claims number handy.
Who underwrites The Exeter Health+?
All of The Exeter’s health and life insurance products are underwritten by Exeter Friendly Society Limited. This is a mutual organisation rather than a shareholder-owned company, which means it is ultimately run for the benefit of its members. For some people, this mutual structure is appealing because profits are typically reinvested into products and services rather than paid out as dividends.
How good is The Exeter as a health insurer?
The Exeter has built a reputation as an innovative provider within the UK health and protection market. Its Health+ policy has achieved a 5-star Defaqto rating, which reflects a high-quality range of features compared with other policies on the market. Customer feedback is also encouraging, with strong ratings from thousands of reviews that highlight friendly service and clear communication around claims and policy changes.
On top of traditional hospital cover, The Exeter has invested in digital tools to make everyday healthcare easier. The HealthWise app is free for members and offers services such as unlimited remote GP appointments, prescription support, health MOTs, physiotherapy consultations and access to mental health specialists. These extras can be particularly valuable if you have a busy schedule, live in a rural area or struggle to get timely GP appointments through the NHS.
Pros and cons of The Exeter Health+
Pros
- Unlimited in patient and day patient medical cover as standard.
- Generous built in features, including NHS cash benefit and hospice donation.
- Choice of guided or traditional cover to help balance flexibility and cost.
- Access to digital health services via the HealthWise app at no extra cost.
Cons
- Cover applies only within the UK and excludes places such as the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
- Pre existing and chronic conditions are generally excluded from cover.
- Some benefits depend on your chosen hospital list and optional extras.
- Outpatient drugs, routine dental, optical and everyday GP care are not covered.
How does The Exeter Health+ policy work?
Your Health+ policy runs for 12 months at a time. When you first apply, you decide how much cover you want, who you would like to insure, and whether you prefer traditional or guided cover. At renewal you can usually adjust elements such as excess level, optional extras or hospital list if your circumstances or budget change, although any changes could affect your premiums.
There are two core versions of the policy:
- Traditional Health+: You pick from three hospital lists (Essential, Standard or Extended). Your GP can make a named referral to a private specialist and, as long as they are on your list and the treatment is eligible, you can normally go ahead once The Exeter has authorised the claim.
- Guided Health+: Instead of choosing a list upfront, you ask your GP for an open referral. The Exeter then gives you a shortlist of suitable specialists and treatment centres. This option usually costs less, because The Exeter can steer treatment towards hospitals and consultants that offer good value.
In both cases, the level of core medical cover is the same. The difference is where you can be treated and how much choice you have over specific hospitals and consultants. If you are very particular about where you want to go, the extended list on a traditional policy might be more suitable. If price is your main concern, guided cover could help you secure a lower premium without sacrificing essential health benefits.
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What does The Exeter health insurance cover?
The Exeter Health+ is designed to cover the cost of private medical treatment within the UK for acute conditions. The core benefits are broad and focus on the main areas that matter most to people who want to avoid, or shorten, NHS waiting times. If you fall ill or are injured and your condition is eligible, the policy can pay for consultations, tests, treatment and follow-up care, depending on how your cover is set up.
Main areas of core cover
- Unlimited inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment for eligible conditions.
- Full cover for cancer diagnostics, active treatment and often follow-up care.
- CT, MRI and PET scans when recommended by a specialist and authorised by The Exeter.
- Outpatient surgical procedures, where treatment does not require an overnight stay.
- Private ambulance transport when medically necessary and arranged as part of treatment.
- Home nursing when agreed in advance, following eligible inpatient treatment.
- Parental accommodation if your child (under 18) needs inpatient treatment.
- Up to three sessions of physiotherapy after surgery.
- Cash benefit of up to £150 per night for NHS hospital stays, up to a maximum of 30 nights.
- A £250 donation to your hospice if you are admitted for hospice care.
You can tailor your policy further by adding optional extras such as extended outpatient cover, mental health treatment or therapies like osteopathy and chiropractic care. These add-ons increase your protection but will usually increase premiums, so it is important to think carefully about which elements you are likely to use.
What is not covered?
Like all private medical insurance, The Exeter Health+ does not cover everything. The exclusions are fairly standard for the UK market and are designed to keep premiums affordable by focusing on acute conditions rather than chronic or routine care.
- Treatment for illness or injury caused by alcohol or substance misuse.
- Chronic, long-term conditions that require ongoing management rather than a cure (cancer is treated differently and can be covered).
- Convalescence or rehabilitation stays that are not part of active treatment.
- Cosmetic or weight loss surgery unless medically necessary and pre-approved.
- Self-inflicted injuries or suicide attempts.
- Emergency treatment, which remains the responsibility of the NHS.
- Experimental or unproven treatments that are not approved by NICE.
- Learning or developmental disorders.
- Most pre-existing conditions, depending on your underwriting choice and how long you have been symptom-free.
- Routine outpatient drugs, dressings and medical aids.
- Pregnancy and childbirth, routine screenings or preventative procedures.
- Professional sports injuries, renal dialysis, gender reassignment and elective procedures.
- Routine dental, optical or everyday GP, optician and dentist care.
- Treatment in nursing homes or any medical treatment overseas.
Can you get The Exeter health insurance with pre-existing conditions?
Having a medical history does not usually stop you from buying Health+, but it will influence how The Exeter treats your conditions. As a broad rule, conditions you have received treatment for, or had symptoms of, in the last five years are likely to be excluded at least initially. However, the underwriting route you choose can make a big difference to how exclusions are applied and how your cover could evolve over time.
Underwriting options with The Exeter
- Full medical underwriting: you share full details of your health history when you apply. The Exeter can then decide which conditions to exclude from the start, often in exchange for a keener price. This route can suit people who want clarity up front.
- Standard moratorium underwriting: you do not disclose your full history at the outset. Instead, any condition you have had in the previous five years is initially excluded but may be covered in the future if you stay symptom and treatment-free for a set period (normally two continuous years).
- Continued moratorium: for people switching from another insurer where moratorium terms are already in place. The Exeter recognises the time you have already spent under those terms rather than forcing you to start again.
- Continued personal medical exclusions: again for people moving from another provider. Existing exclusions can often be carried across, which keeps things simple as long as there have been no major changes to your health.
Because underwriting is complex and every medical history is different, many people find it useful to speak with an independent broker who understands how different insurers treat pre-existing conditions. A specialist adviser can explain the trade-off between transparency, potential future cover for past issues and the overall cost of your policy.
How much does The Exeter health insurance cost?
Private health insurance premiums vary from person to person, but industry research suggests average individual cover in the UK is a little over £40 per month. The Exeter is broadly in line with this, with example Health+ quotes starting below £30 for younger non-smokers and increasing with age, hospital list and optional benefits. Your postcode also plays a part, because hospital costs differ across regions.
The tables below show sample monthly premiums for an individual on moratorium underwriting with a North West England postcode, a £100 excess and full cancer cover. These are only illustrations, but they help show how prices change as you move between hospital lists and age bands.
Price comparison – Essential hospital list
| Age | Monthly premium |
|---|---|
| 20 | £23.45 |
| 30 | £39.42 |
| 40 | £50.65 |
| 50 | £65.87 |
| 60 | £94.05 |
Price comparison – Standard hospital list
| Age | Monthly premium |
|---|---|
| 20 | £41.04 |
| 30 | £55.62 |
| 40 | £70.21 |
| 50 | £90.17 |
| 60 | £129.54 |
Price comparison – Extended hospital list
| Age | Monthly premium |
|---|---|
| 20 | £55.53 |
| 30 | £75.37 |
| 40 | £94.53 |
| 50 | £120.76 |
| 60 | £172.67 |
Note: Prices quoted above are for illustration purposes only and are correct as of September 2026.
If you want a quick personalised idea of cost, The Exeter offers an online comparison calculator on its website. Bear in mind that online tools can only give estimates, and a broker may still be able to find savings by tweaking your excess, hospital list or optional extras.
Ways to reduce your Exeter premium
- Choose guided cover instead of traditional hospital lists to bring down the price while keeping core benefits.
- Select a higher excess (up to £5,000) so you pay more towards any claim but less each month.
- Review optional extras like outpatient limits and therapies to make sure you are not paying for benefits you are unlikely to use.
- See if a no-claims discount option makes sense for your family, particularly if you rarely claim.
- Ask an independent health insurance adviser to compare The Exeter with other leading providers on the market.
How do I contact The Exeter about my policy?
Our insurance experts have listed all of the main contact details for The Exeter below. You can use these details if you have any questions about your policy and want to talk to a member of The Exeter’s health insurance team.
The Exeter health insurance contact numbers
Telephone – 0300 123 3201
Email (existing members) – member@the-exeter.com
Email (general enquiries) – enquiries@the-exeter.com
Opening hours – 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday
Post:
The Exeter,
Lakeside House,
Emperor Way,
Exeter,
EX1 3FD
How do I claim on The Exeter health insurance?
The health insurance claims process varies slightly based on whether you have a traditional or guided Health+ policy. You can start your health insurance claim over the phone or by filling in the online The Exeter health insurance claims form.
You should contact The Exeter within 3 months of an NHS hospital stay if you need to claim a cash benefit. For standard claims, The Exeter might want to see extra evidence from your GP before approving your claim.
Our insurance experts have outlined how to claim on each type of policy below to make things simpler for you.
Traditional Health+ policy claims
- Visit your GP about your condition. Your GP can then recommend and name a specialist for you to see.
- Contact The Exeter to start the claims process and explain the details of your referral.
- Accept your GP’s referral or choose another specialist from your hospital list.
- The Exeter then confirms what you are covered for, and you can select any hospital from your list to proceed with your treatment.
- The Exeter will contact your chosen specialist after your appointment to get the details of any treatment you might need.
- The Exeter pays the bill for your medical treatment if your claim is valid.
Guided Health+ policy claims
- Visit your GP and ask for an open referral to treat your symptoms.
- Contact The Exeter to start the claims process.
- The Exeter will provide a shortlist of up to 3 specialists to choose from.
- The Exeter confirms what you are covered for and selects a convenient hospital or treatment centre for you.
- The Exeter will contact your chosen specialist after your appointment to get the details of any treatment you might need.
- The Exeter pays the bill for your medical treatment if your claim is valid.
The Exeter health insurance claims contact details
Telephone – 0300 123 3253
Website – The Exeter – Register a Claim
Opening hours – 8.00am – 8.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 1.00pm; Saturday
Post:
The Exeter,
Lakeside House,
Emperor Way,
Exeter,
EX1 3FD
Can I cancel The Exeter health insurance?
To cancel your health insurance with The Exeter, you just need to contact them and tell them that you want to cancel. You can do this by calling their usual customer services phone number.
If you cancel your policy within the 30 day ‘cooling off’ period, you are entitled to a full refund (unless you have claimed). You may be able to get a partial refund after the initial 30 days if you pay annually for your health insurance.
Can I complain about The Exeter?
You can contact The Exeter to complain if you’re not happy with your policy or with the service that you have received from their team. The Exeter works hard to try and resolve any complaints quickly and aims to resolve any complaint within 8 weeks at most.
You can submit your complaint by calling The Exeter’s customer services phone number. If you are unhappy with how The Exeter has handled your complaint, you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Making a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an impartial and free service for financial services customers in the UK. This service can be used to settle any disputes between life insurance companies and their customers in the United Kingdom. If they feel that you have suffered any financial loss as a result of your life insurance policy, then they may rule for compensation to be awarded.
Telephone – 0800 023 4567 (or 0300 123 9123)
Telephone (outside the UK) – 0207 964 0500
FAQ’s – The Exeter Health insurance review 2026
Is The Exeter Health+ worth it if I already use the NHS?
Yes, The Exeter Health+ is designed to work alongside your NHS care rather than replace it. You would still rely on the NHS for emergencies and long term chronic conditions, but you can use your policy for new acute illnesses and injuries where faster diagnosis, shorter waiting times and access to private hospitals are important to you. Many people find this combination helpful when delays could affect their work, family life or general wellbeing.
How do I choose between Traditional Health+ and Guided Health+?
The core medical cover is the same on both versions, so the choice mainly comes down to how much control you want over where you are treated and how much you are willing to pay. Traditional Health+ lets you select from three hospital lists – Essential, Standard or Extended – and your GP can refer you to a named consultant on that list. Guided Health+ tends to be cheaper, because you ask your GP for an open referral and The Exeter then recommends a shortlist of suitable specialists and hospitals that offer good value. If you have strong preferences about specific hospitals, traditional cover may suit you more. If keeping premiums down is the priority, guided cover is often the better option.
Does The Exeter Health+ cover my existing medical problems?
Pre existing and chronic conditions are generally excluded from The Exeter Health+, although having a medical history does not usually stop you taking out a policy. As a broad rule, any condition you have had symptoms of, or treatment for, in the last five years is likely to be excluded at least at the start. Your underwriting choice makes a difference here. With full medical underwriting, exclusions are clearly listed from day one. With moratorium underwriting, issues from the last five years are excluded initially, but some may become covered in future if you remain symptom and treatment free for a set period. If you are moving from another insurer, continued moratorium or continued personal medical exclusions can sometimes preserve the position you already have.
Can I add my partner and children to my Exeter Health+ policy?
Yes, The Exeter Health+ can be set up for individuals, couples or families. Having one policy for everyone can make it easier to manage premiums, excesses and claims, compared with running several separate plans. Children can benefit from features such as parental accommodation if they need in patient hospital treatment, while adults share the same core benefits and optional extras that you choose at the outset.
What happens if I am unhappy with my policy or need to cancel it?
You can cancel your Health+ policy at any time by contacting The Exeter directly. If you cancel within the 30 day cooling off period and have not made a claim, you should normally receive a full refund of any premiums paid. After that, whether you receive a refund depends on how you pay and how much cover you have already used. If you are unhappy with the way a claim or query has been handled, you can raise a formal complaint with The Exeter. Should you still be dissatisfied once they have given their final response, you can refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which provides free, independent dispute resolution for UK financial products.
Comparing The Exeter with other UK health insurers
While The Exeter Health+ is a strong proposition, it will not be perfect for everyone. The best health insurance for you depends on your budget, the hospitals you want access to, how important outpatient and mental health cover are, and how you feel about guided pathways. Some other UK insurers offer broader international cover or extra perks, while others focus on lower-cost, more limited policies.
This is where an independent broker can add real value if you are trying to keep costs down but still want decent protection. A specialist adviser can compare The Exeter’s quotes and benefits directly with other major providers, explain any differences in simple language and help you choose the most suitable option for your circumstances. If The Exeter is the right fit, they can also support you with the application, underwriting questions and any future changes, saving you time as well as money.
For many people in the UK who are worried about long NHS waits but do not want to pay premium prices, The Exeter Health+ is well worth considering as part of a wider comparison of the private health insurance market.
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