National Friendly is a UK-based health and insurance provider that has been operating since 1868. Established with the aim of helping individuals plan for their future healthcare needs,
the company offers a range of insurance products including private medical insurance, income protection, and savings plans. Known for its mutual status,
National Friendly is owned by its members, not shareholders, which allows it to prioritize customer welfare and reinvest profits for member benefit.
It focuses on providing flexible, affordable policies tailored to individual needs, particularly supporting those who may find it difficult to obtain cover elsewhere due to age
or pre-existing conditions. With a commitment to personal service and financial security, National Friendly continues to uphold its long-standing tradition of customer care in the health insurance sector.
National Friendly, officially known as the National Deposit Friendly Society, was founded in 1868 in Bristol as part of the Victorian-era friendly society movement, aiming to provide financial and health protection for working individuals in the absence of state welfare. As a mutual society owned by its members, it grew steadily through the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering savings and sickness benefits. After the creation of the NHS in 1948, National Friendly adapted by offering complementary products such as private health insurance and income protection. In the modern era, it has evolved to meet changing customer needs, embracing digital solutions and focusing on services like private medical insurance, long-term care planning, and savings options, particularly for the over-50s. Despite the shifting healthcare landscape, it remains committed to its founding ethos of ethical service, mutual support, and member-first values.
National Friendly’s “My PMI” is a private medical insurance policy designed to provide flexible and accessible healthcare coverage for UK residents aged 18 to 85. The policy offers four levels of cover, allowing individuals to tailor their insurance to specific needs and budgets. All levels include access to Friendly GP+, a 24/7 virtual GP service, and options for guided treatment pathways.
Friendly GP+: Speak to a doctor when you need to over the phone, online or via video chat.
Mutual Society Structure: National Friendly is a mutual society, meaning it is owned by its members, not shareholders. This ensures that profits are reinvested for the benefit of policyholders.
5 Year Rate Guarantee: Meaning your premiums will not increase due to claims made during this period. This provides predictability and peace of mind for new members.
Tailored Underwriting: National Friendly specializes in offering cover for individuals who may struggle to get insured elsewhere such as older adults, those with pre-existing conditions, or those who prefer simplified underwriting.
National Friendly awarded Above & Beyond at Customer Care Awards 2025.
Finalist for Best Individual Health Insurance Provider at UK Health & Protection Awards 2025.
Finalist for Best Wellbeing Provider at UK Health & Protection Awards 2025.
Achieved 4-star ratings from independent rating service Defaqto.
National Friendly’s My PMI is a simpler, friendlier way to get health insurance that’s right for you and your needs. With four different cover options to choose from, this is private medical insurance that can fit in with your budget.
| Level 1 | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Level 1 is all about quick diagnosis. Typically the cheapest of our four levels, and offers access to private GPs and consultants, scans, tests and therapies, plus a few minor operations. | |
| Out-patient Cover | Provides £2,000 or £5,000 annually for outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and therapies. |
| Therapies | Covers physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and acupuncture treatments when referred by a specialist. |
| Minor Surgery | Covers minor surgical procedures, such as cauterisation of certain skin conditions. |
| Exclusions | No inpatient or day-patient treatment is covered at this level. |
| Level 2 | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Level 2 pays an allowance towards scans and tests, but focuses on more expensive treatments, typically for cancer and operations. Ideal if out-patient treatment isn’t your priority and/or you’re happy to pay for this element yourself. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Offers up to £1 million per year for hospital charges and specialist fees related to inpatient and day-patient treatments. |
| Diagnostic Tests | Provides £1,500 annually for diagnostic scans and £1,000 for diagnostic tests. |
| Out-patient Cover | Limited to diagnostic scans and tests; does not include outpatient consultations or therapies. |
| Cancer Treatment | Includes coverage for cancer-related inpatient treatments. |
| Level 3 | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Level 3 has the same out-patient diagnostic and treatment cover as Level 1, limited to £2,000 or £5,000 each year, plus up to £1 million a year day/in-patient cover for operations and cancer treatments. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Offers up to £1 million per year for hospital charges and specialist fees related to inpatient and day-patient treatments. |
| Out-patient Cover | Provides £2,000 or £5,000 annually for outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and therapies. |
| Cancer Treatment | Comprehensive coverage, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biological therapies. |
| Additional Benefits | Access to Friendly GP+, mental health support (up to 10 sessions per year), and guided treatment options. |
| Level 4 | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Level 4 has the same benefits as Level 3, but with no overall monetary limits for day/in or out-patient treatment. It also has additional benefits, with stem cell and bone marrow treatments. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Unlimited coverage for hospital charges, specialist fees, and cancer treatments. |
| Out-patient Cover | Unlimited coverage for outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and therapies. |
| Cancer Treatment | Extensive coverage, including stem cell and bone marrow treatments, as well as listed biological therapies. |
| Additional Benefits | Includes all benefits from Level 3, plus home nursing, private ambulance services, and parent accommodation when staying with a child aged 18 or under. |
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| All levels include access to: | |
| Friendly GP+ | National Friendly's 24/7 virtual GP service, providing unlimited consultations via phone or video. |
| Choice of Excess | An excess is an amount you agree each person will pay each policy year towards treatment costs covered under your policy. |
| Choice of hospital list | You will be asked to choose which hospital/provider option you want on your policy. National Friendly will always try to get you the very best treatment in your local area. |
As with most health insurers National Friendly have three options you can choose from for how your policy is underwritten:
Moratorium: No requirement for detailed medical history upfront, a moratorium period of two years is in place for any condition for which you have experienced symptoms or received treatment for in the last five years.
Full medical underwriting: Full medical underwriting means you disclose your full medical history when applying, allowing the insurer to assess and confirm which conditions are covered or excluded from the start.
Continued medical exclusions (Switch): You will need to answer a few questions regarding your medical history in the last five years and some questions on specific health conditions. The underwriting will transfer from your previous insurer rather than being re-underwritten. This option is only available to those with an existing health insurance policy with another insurer.
For more definitions of terms, please see our glossary.
An excess is the amount you will pay towards a claim, the higher the excess you choose the lower the premium will be. National Friendly offer the following excess options:
£0, £100, £250, £500 or £1,000.
The excess is available per person per year if you claim and per claim for an additional reduction in your premium.
Choosing the right hospital list ensures you have access to facilities you require, National Friendly has two hospital lists:
Standard or Extended.
Guided:
If you choose the Guided treatment option, your GP will provide an open referral, which you share with the claims team. They’ll then select a consultant from the Circle or Ramsay hospital group to manage your care from start to finish, aiming to find someone within 30 miles of your home—often closer.
Health insurance does not cover accident and emergency situations. Most leading health insurers do not cover treatment overseas, self-inflicted injury and professional sports related injuries are also not covered on a health insurance policy.
As with most health insurers National Friendly's exclusions are very standard, they do not routinely cover:
Allergies, allergic disorders or food intolerances.
Birth control, conception, sexual problems and gender reassignment.
Chronic Conditions.
Contamination, wars, riots and some terrorist acts.
Cosmetic Surgery.
Fertility treatment and infertility.
Pre-existing conditions.
Pregnancy and childbirth.
Navigating health insurance especially understanding what’s covered can be complex, but our expert advisors are here to guide you in choosing the right policy and underwriting option for your needs.
Like all health insurance providers, National Friendly considers a range of factors when calculating the cost of your private health
cover—some of which you can influence, and others that are fixed.
National Friendly offers a customisable health insurance policy that you can tailor to suit your individual needs and budget. By adjusting options such as out-patient
cover levels, hospital lists, and the excess amount, you can manage the scope of your coverage and influence the cost of your premium.
In addition to your policy choice, here are several key factors National Friendly takes into account when generating your quote:
Age: Age is one of the most significant factors—the older you are, the higher your premium tends to be. Taking out insurance early is a smart way to control future costs.
Who's covered: Including family members on your policy will result in higher premiums. Insurers do offer varying discounts for couples and familys.
Location: Where you live can impact pricing. Health insurance tends to be more expensive in London and the South East, where private treatment costs are typically higher.
Level of Cover: Comprehensive cover (e.g., private diagnosis and treatment) costs more than basic or treatment-only options. Extras like mental health cover, dental, and optical benefits increase the overall premium.
Excess Level: The higher the excess (the amount you agree to pay toward a claim), the lower your monthly premium will be. Choosing a high excess can reduce upfront costs.
Lifestyle and BMI: Most insurers now offer discounts based upon health and lifestyle. Your body mass index (BMI), fitness level, health conditions, and other lifestyle choices can affect your premium.
Smoking Status: Nearly all insurers charge higher premiums to smokers, reflecting the greater risk of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
Hospital and Consultant Access: Choosing a wider hospital network or the ability to select any consultant usually costs more. Guided care or restricted networks lower costs by limiting provider options.
Understanding the key factors that affect your premium can help you take control of your health insurance costs. At Insured Health, we’re committed to supporting you throughout the life of your policy—helping you preserve the valuable benefits of private healthcare. We offer some the most competitive prices on the market, guaranteed not to be beaten elsewhere. Ready to take the next step? Get your personalised quote today.
What are the benefits of health insurance?
The main benefit of health insurance is that it gives you access to private healthcare. You can often bypass long NHS waiting times and receive prompt diagnosis and treatment getting you back to health sooner.
How does private health insurance work?
You’ll usually pay monthly or yearly for your cover. Then, if you become unwell or are injured, you can make a claim. Your insurer will then pay some or all of the cost of any private healthcare that you need.
How do you make a claim on health insurance?
Most insurers require a GP referral before you access private treatment. Some offer online GP appointments or allow direct access to specialists through a triage process. In most cases, you’ll need authorisation before seeing a specialist. The insurer usually pays the provider directly, though you may cover any excess or costs beyond your policy limits.
Will my premium increase every year?
Premiums can rise annually due to age and inflation in medical costs. Making a claim on your policy can impact your premium. If you've noticed an increase, speak to one of our advisers today.
I have medical history can I get cover?
Yes, you can still get health insurance if you have a medical history, but it may affect what’s covered. Some conditions you’ve had treatment or symptoms for may not be included right away. Depending on the policy, these conditions could be covered later if you don’t need any treatment for them. Speak to one of our advisers who can help find the right policy for your needs.
How much does private health insurance cost?
Costs vary based on factors such as your age, health, location, level of cover, and excess amount. Policies can range from under £30 per month to several hundred, depending on these variables. For an accurate price speak to one of our advisers today.
At Insured Health, we help you compare prices and cover from top UK health insurance providers like Aviva, AXA, Bupa and Vitality. Our service is completely free, and we remain fully independent and impartial to ensure you get the best advice for your needs.
Our expert, approachable advisers are here to guide you through every step with ease. They’ll take the time to understand your personal needs, compare prices and policies on your behalf, and provide clear, honest advice to help you find the best and most affordable cover.
Whether you're exploring health insurance options or already have cover and want to ensure you're getting the best deal, Insured Health is a trusted health insurance broker
We offer the most competitive prices available from insurers, you will not get a cheaper price for health insurance elsewhere.
Our service is entirely free, and we pride ourselves on being independent and impartial.
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At Insured Health, our customers trust us to make finding the right health insurance simple and stress-free. They consistently praise our knowledgeable, patient advisors who take the time to understand individual needs and provide clear, pressure-free guidance. Reviewers value our competitive pricing, better coverage options, and annual policy reviews that ensure lasting value. By comparing top UK providers, we deliver transparent, personalised service that gives customers confidence, peace of mind, and exceptional care.
