Child Only Health InsuranceCare for Their Future
Private health cover arranged just for your children. We’ll help you compare suitable options and understand your choices, explained in plain English.
Get Your Free, No-Obligation Quote
No unwanted sales calls — you choose how we contact you.
Is your child already covered by health insurance?
Who is your child’s current health insurer?
Who pays for this health insurance?
Tell us about the children to be insured
Enter one age per child. Use 0 for babies under one.
Enter a parent or guardian’s email address to receive your free review
We’ll send your review by email. We won’t call you unless you choose to leave a contact number below.
Would you like to speak to one of our specialists?
If you’re happy for us to give you a call, enter your number below.
Leave this blank if you prefer to receive your review by email only.
We couldn’t send your details just now — please check your connection and try again. Your answers have been kept.
Your answers help an adviser prepare before they speak to you.
Thank you for your enquiry
Your dedicated specialist will send your review by email.
Please be sure to check your spam or junk folder.
If you have not received your review within 24 hours, please call
01909 496592
What is child only health insurance?
Child only health insurance is a private medical insurance policy that covers your child, or children, without an adult needing to be insured. A parent or guardian arranges and manages the policy. It helps pay for eligible private treatment of conditions that start after cover begins, within the terms and limits of the plan.
Working alongside the NHS
Private cover doesn’t replace the NHS. Your child keeps their NHS GP and NHS care, and A&E and emergency treatment stay with the NHS.
What can a child’s policy include?
Most policies start with core cover. What’s included depends on the insurer and policy.
Hospital treatment
Eligible treatment that needs an overnight hospital stay, such as surgery and related nursing care.
Day-patient care
Eligible treatment that needs a hospital bed during the day, with no overnight stay.
Cancer treatment
Many policies include eligible cancer treatment. How far it extends differs between insurers and plans.
Cover, limits and exclusions vary by insurer and policy. We’ll explain what each option includes before you decide — and there’s more detail in the FAQs below.
Features parents may want to compare
Some policies include extra support that parents often find helpful.
Digital GP access
Some policies include remote GP appointments by phone or video, so you can get advice for your child at a convenient time.
Staying with your child
Where offered, some policies can help with a parent’s accommodation while their child receives eligible hospital treatment.
Whether these features are included, and any age limits or conditions, depend on the insurer and policy.
Optional benefits and limits
Where available, you can often add or adjust these benefits.
-
Outpatient consultations
Specialist appointments without a hospital stay, often with a yearly limit.
-
Tests and scans
Diagnostic tests to help find out what’s wrong, within your outpatient limit.
-
Therapies
Such as physiotherapy, usually with a set number of sessions or a financial limit.
Optional benefits and higher limits usually increase the premium. Availability varies between insurers.
What affects the price?
The premium depends on your child’s details and the cover you choose.
-
Ages and postcode
Each child’s age, how many are covered, and where you live.
-
Chosen benefits
More benefits and higher limits generally cost more.
-
Hospital options
A more limited hospital list usually costs less.
-
Your excess
A higher excess usually lowers the premium.
Medical history and the type of underwriting can also affect the price, and premiums are usually reviewed each year at renewal.
Exclusions and underwriting
Every policy has exclusions. These are some of the most common.
Existing conditions
Conditions your child has had symptoms, treatment or advice for before cover starts are usually excluded, at least for a period.
Ongoing conditions
Long-term management of chronic conditions isn’t normally covered.
Emergency care
A&E and emergency treatment stay with the NHS. In an emergency, call 999.
How your child’s medical history is considered depends on the underwriting you choose. Your policy terms decide what’s covered, and any claim is assessed against those terms.
How Bright Cover helps
Friendly support for parents, from first questions to final decision.
Understanding your child’s needs
We listen to what matters to you and your children.
Explaining your options
Clear answers on child-only and family cover, and what each includes.
Comparing suitable policies
Options from UK health insurers side by side, with no obligation to buy.
Child health insurance FAQs
Answers to questions parents often ask.
Who arranges a child only policy?
A parent or legal guardian takes out and pays for the policy on the child’s behalf. The adult arranging it doesn’t need to be insured themselves.
What ages can be covered?
Age limits vary between insurers, including the youngest age a policy can start and the age at which a child stops being eligible. We’ll check the rules for each option we discuss with you.
Can more than one child be covered?
Depending on the insurer, you may be able to cover more than one child. Just enter each child’s age in the quote form and we’ll explain the options available.
Is a child policy better than family cover?
Neither is better in every situation. A child only policy can suit parents who already have their own cover, while family cover keeps everyone on one plan. We’ll help you weigh up the options for your family.
Can my child still use the NHS?
Yes. Private health insurance works alongside the NHS rather than replacing it. Your child will still use their NHS GP in most cases, and A&E for emergencies.
How are existing medical conditions considered?
Conditions your child has had symptoms of, or treatment or advice for, before cover starts are usually excluded, at least for a period. You may share their full medical history up front, or take a policy that excludes recent conditions automatically, with some becoming eligible later if they stay symptom- and treatment-free. We’ll explain which approach may suit.
What happens as my child gets older?
Premiums are usually reviewed each year at renewal. When a child reaches an insurer’s upper age limit, they may need a policy of their own. Some insurers offer ways to continue cover, so it’s worth asking what’s available.
Ready to explore your options?
Get your free, no-obligation quote for your children today.