National Friendly Health Insurance UK: An Independent Overview
National Friendly is a UK mutual society with a long history of providing protection and health products to its members. Its health insurance offering tends to focus on clear, defined-benefit plans, including some products that pay set amounts on diagnosis or treatment rather than reimbursing variable medical costs. This makes it a slightly different shape of product to mainstream PMI from Bupa or AXA.
Insured Health is independent; we quote National Friendly when its offering is a sensible fit for the customer.
What National Friendly typically offers
- A mix of mainstream private medical insurance and defined-benefit health products
- Modular cover with optional add-ons
- Cash-style benefits on some plans (set payments per consultation, scan or hospital admission)
- Mutual ownership; surpluses reinvested rather than paid to shareholders
- Plans aimed at a range of budgets, including value-tier products
Hospital network
For mainstream PMI products, National Friendly offers tiered hospital lists. Defined-benefit products are typically more flexible because they pay you a set amount that you then use as you see fit.
Underwriting
National Friendly typically offers Full Medical Underwriting and Moratorium options for individuals. Some defined-benefit products may have lighter underwriting given their fixed-payment structure.
Who National Friendly often suits
- Customers who like the simplicity of defined-benefit products that pay set amounts
- Members of the mutual sector who prefer member-owned insurers
- Buyers looking for value-tier cover from an established UK mutual
- Customers who want a more flexible, less prescriptive way to use their cover
Things to weigh up
- Defined-benefit products work differently to mainstream PMI; make sure you understand the distinction before buying
- Brand presence is smaller than the major insurers
- The product range may be narrower; the right comparison depends on what you’re actually trying to achieve
A note on product types
National Friendly’s offering can include both:
- Reimbursement-based PMI, like mainstream PMI, the insurer pays the hospital for eligible treatment
- Defined-benefit cover; the insurer pays you a set amount on diagnosis, treatment or admission, regardless of the actual cost
These are different products with different value calculations. A defined-benefit policy may suit someone who wants a low-cost cash boost in the event of treatment, but isn’t a substitute for full reimbursement PMI for someone wanting unlimited cancer cover.
Frequently asked questions
Is National Friendly a mutual society? Yes. National Friendly is a UK mutual, owned by its members.
Does National Friendly offer mainstream PMI? Yes, alongside defined-benefit products. We can advise which fits your situation.
Does National Friendly cover pre-existing conditions? Standard underwriting excludes them. The available underwriting routes will depend on the specific product.
Is National Friendly authorised by the FCA? Yes. All UK insurers must be FCA-authorised.
Want a National Friendly quote alongside the wider market? Call 0800 131 0400 or email info@insuredhealth.co.uk.
