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Child health insurance

Get support to help your little ones feel better with child health insurance. Access faster care for kids with private treatment when and where you need it.

At Switch Health, we help UK families compare health insurance policies from a range of providers, helping you understand the cover available and find an option that suits your family’s needs.

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What is child health insurance?

Child health insurance is private medical insurance designed to provide health insurance cover for children. It can give your child access to private medical treatment, private hospitals and specialist healthcare, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.

 

Children’s health insurance can be arranged as part of a family health insurance policy, with your child added to a parent’s policy. Some providers may also offer policies specifically designed around children.

 

Private health insurance does not replace NHS care. Your child can continue to access NHS treatment when appropriate, while private medical cover gives you an additional option for eligible treatment.

 

The level of cover available varies between private health insurance policies. Some provide basic core cover, while more comprehensive policies can include outpatient treatment, diagnostic tests, mental health treatment and cancer cover.

Benefits of child health insurance

Faster access to private treatment

One of the main reasons parents consider health insurance for children is the potential for faster access to eligible private medical treatment.

If your child becomes unwell or requires an assessment, private health insurance may provide access to private consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment without relying solely on NHS waiting lists.

The exact process will depend on the insurer and policy. You may need a GP referral before your child can access certain private treatment.

Access to private hospitals and specialists

Depending on your health insurance plan, your child may have access to a network of private hospitals and specialist healthcare providers.

This can give you greater choice over where eligible treatment takes place and, where covered, may provide access to a private room during an inpatient hospital stay.

Support for children’s mental health

Children’s mental health is an increasingly important consideration for many families. Some private health insurance policies provide mental health support and benefits towards eligible mental health treatment.

The level of mental health cover varies between insurers, so if this is a priority for your family, our team will work with you to build a policy that supports your needs.

Cover for unexpected medical treatment

Children can require medical care unexpectedly, whether they develop an illness, need diagnostic tests or require treatment following an injury.

Child health insurance can provide financial support towards eligible private treatment, subject to the policy’s terms, limits and exclusions.

Cover that can grow with your child

Your child’s healthcare needs can change as they grow. When comparing child health insurance policies, it is worth considering not only the treatment your child may need now but also how the policy will work as they get older.

Some policies may provide benefits for areas such as mental health, outpatient treatment or other specialist care that could become increasingly relevant as your child develops.

Add children to a family policy

Many parents choose to include their children within a family health insurance plan rather than arranging separate private medical insurance.

A family policy can provide a straightforward way to manage private health insurance for you, your partner and your children under the same policy, although the cost and eligibility requirements vary between providers.

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What does child health insurance cover?

The benefits included in child health insurance depend on the insurer, policy and level of cover you choose.

 

Depending on the policy, health insurance for children may include:

 

Inpatient treatment, including eligible hospital stays and access to a private room.

Day-patient treatment, where your child receives treatment without staying overnight.

Outpatient treatment, including eligible specialist consultations and diagnostic tests.

Private medical consultations with eligible specialists.

Mental health treatment and support, depending on the level of mental health cover.

Cancer cover, including eligible cancer treatment.

Diagnostic tests and investigations where medically necessary.

Physiotherapy and other eligible therapies, depending on the policy.

Specialist treatment following an appropriate GP referral.

Private hospital treatment within the insurer’s approved hospital network.

 

Additional benefits such as dental care or optical care can also be added, although these are not automatically included in every child health insurance policy.

Pre-existing conditions and medical underwriting

Pre-existing conditions may not automatically be covered by child health insurance. The way an insurer deals with your child’s previous medical conditions will depend on the policy and underwriting method.

 

With full medical underwriting, you provide details of your child’s medical history when applying for cover. The insurer then assesses this information and determines whether exclusions or specific terms apply.

 

Moratorium underwriting works differently, with certain pre existing conditions assessed according to the insurer’s rules if your child later requires treatment.

 

When applying for health insurance, it is important to provide accurate information about your child’s medical history and check the policy documents carefully.

What isn’t usually covered?

Private health insurance does not cover every type of medical care.

 

Common exclusions can include treatment for certain pre existing conditions, routine care, treatment that is not medically necessary and some types of dangerous sports or activities.

 

Cosmetic treatment is also generally excluded unless there is an eligible medical reason for the treatment.

 

Every insurance policy is different, so check the terms and conditions to understand exactly what your child’s private cover includes.

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Child health insurance from Switch Health

Ready to get a tailored child health insurance quote for your little ones? Get in touch with Switch Health today.

 

With over 2000 five-star Trustpilot reviews, each quote we provide is free to you. Fully FCA-regulated and part of Partners&, we have access to specialist health insurance schemes so we can tailor each policy to what you and your family needs.

Get a quote from our team today

Child health insurance: FAQs

Will my child need a medical check up to get health insurance?
Usually, your child will not need to have a medical check up simply to apply for private health insurance.

However, you may need to provide information about your child's medical history as part of the application process. The information required will depend on the insurer and whether the policy uses full medical underwriting or moratorium underwriting.

If your child has existing health conditions, providing accurate information is important so the insurer can assess the appropriate terms of cover.
Does my child have to live with me to be covered by insurance?
Not necessarily, but the requirements depend on the insurer and policy.

Some family health insurance policies may have conditions around where family members live, including whether children need to live at the same address as the main policyholder.

Other policies may allow children to remain covered while living elsewhere, for example when they are in full-time education.

If your child does not live with you permanently, tell your adviser when arranging cover so they can identify policies that accommodate your circumstances.
What's the maximum age a child a policy can cover?
The maximum age for a child to remain covered varies between health insurance providers and policies.

Some insurers allow children to remain on a parent's family policy until they reach 18, while others may have different rules depending on whether the child is in full-time education - usually around age 24. We will clarify maximum ages when we arrange your policy.

Your child's age is therefore an important factor when comparing health insurance plans. If you have an eldest child approaching an insurer's age limit, it is worth checking what happens when they reach the maximum age.
Can I add my child to my existing health insurance policy?
In many cases, yes. Some providers allow parents to add children to an existing family policy, although this may result in an extra cost or change to the policy's premium.

The rules for adding children vary between insurers, so check with your provider or adviser before making changes to your policy.
Is child health insurance included in family health insurance?
Children can often be included within a family health insurance policy, but the exact arrangements vary between insurers.

Some providers may allow children to be added to a parent's policy, while others may have specific family plans with different eligibility and pricing structures.
Can I get private health insurance for just my child?
This depends on the insurance provider. Some providers offer options for children separately, while others focus on family health insurance policies.

If you only want private cover for your child, an adviser can help you understand which options may be available.
Does child health insurance cover mental health?
Some health insurance policies provide mental health treatment and mental health support for children.

The level of children's mental health cover varies considerably between providers, so check the policy benefits, limits and eligibility requirements before choosing cover.
Does child health insurance cover cancer treatment?
Many comprehensive health insurance policies provide cancer cover, including eligible cancer treatment and specialist care.

The precise benefits and limits vary between policies, so check the policy documents to understand what cancer treatment is included.
Can my child still use NHS care if they have private health insurance?
Yes. Private health insurance does not prevent your child from accessing NHS care.

Your child can continue to use NHS services, including NHS England services where applicable. Private health insurance simply provides an additional option for eligible private treatment.
Is private health insurance worth it for children?
Whether child health insurance is worthwhile depends on your family's circumstances and priorities.

Some parents value the potential for faster access to private treatment, greater choice over private hospitals and additional support for areas such as children's mental health.

However, private health insurance comes at an additional cost, and not every type of treatment is covered. Comparing the benefits, exclusions and excess level can help you decide whether private cover is right for your family.
Does child health insurance cover dental care?
Dental care is not automatically included in child health insurance. Some providers may offer dental cover as an additional benefit, while others may not.

At Switch Health, dental cover is available as part of selected private health insurance packages rather than as a standalone dental insurance policy.

If dental care is important to your family, we can help you identify health insurance policies that include appropriate dental benefits.
Does child health insurance cover dangerous sports?
Not necessarily. Some policies exclude injuries resulting from particular dangerous sports or activities, while others may offer additional cover for certain activities.

If your child regularly participates in sports or activities that could affect their health insurance, check the policy's exclusions before choosing cover.
How much does child health insurance cost?
The cost depends on factors including your child's age, the level of health insurance cover, the policy's excess, your location and the insurer's underwriting requirements.

Adding a child to a family policy may increase the overall premium, although some providers offer specific pricing arrangements for children.

Switch Health can help you compare the available options and understand the overall cost before you choose a policy.