What does covers/mental health insurance typically cover?

A standard covers/mental health insurance policy arranged through Premier Insurance includes public liability (usually £1m–£10m), employers' liability (£10m minimum if you employ staff), tools and equipment, business contents, stock, and optional cover such as professional indemnity, cyber liability, business interruption and product liability. Cover is tailored to how your covers/mental health operation actually works rather than a one-size-fits-all package.

How much does covers/mental health insurance cost in the UK?

Covers/Mental Health insurance premiums in the UK typically start from around £15–£45 per month for sole traders and rise based on turnover, number of employees, claims history, location and level of cover. Premier Insurance compares quotes from 200+ UK and Lloyd's of London insurers — including AXA, Aviva, Allianz, Hiscox, Zurich, RSA and QBE — so you only pay for the cover you genuinely need.

Do I legally need covers/mental health insurance?

If you employ any staff in the UK — even part-time or casual — Employers' Liability Insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 with a £10m minimum limit. Public liability is not legally required but is contractually demanded by almost every commercial client, landlord, local authority and main contractor.

How quickly can Premier Insurance arrange covers/mental health cover?

For most standard covers/mental health risks we can provide quotes within the same working day and issue cover the same day once you accept the quote. Speak to a UK broker on 020 4525 0884 (Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm), WhatsApp 07515 703307 or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.

Is mental health included in UK health insurance?

Yes — most UK PMI now includes mental health cover, either as standard (Vitality) or as an inexpensive add-on (Aviva, AXA, Bupa). Cover typically includes CBT, counselling, psychiatry and inpatient psychiatric admission.

How much does mental health cover cost?

Typically £4–£15/month on top of comprehensive PMI for an adult. A full policy with mental health for a 40-year-old is £65–£95/month. Family of four with mental health is £200–£340/month.

How many therapy sessions do I get?

Standard: 20 sessions/year. Premium (AXA Personal Health): 45 sessions/year. Aviva: 30 sessions. Vitality Advanced: comprehensive with self-referral. WPA: 20 sessions. Freedom: variable by tier.

Which UK insurer has the best mental health cover?

Bupa Mental Health Option leads on inpatient (unlimited days when clinically necessary). AXA Personal Health leads on outpatient (45 sessions). Vitality leads on ease of access (self-referral without GP letter). Best-fit depends on your priority.

Does mental health cover include ADHD assessment?

Increasingly, yes. Bupa and AXA now cover adult ADHD assessment on some tiers. Aviva covers children's autism assessment on Healthier Solutions with Mental Health. Always confirm at quote — this is a fast-moving area.

Can I use PMI to stay at The Priory?

Yes — The Priory, Nightingale and Cygnet networks are in-network for Bupa, AXA, Aviva and Vitality. Bupa's Mental Health Option is uniquely unlimited on inpatient days when clinically necessary.

Are children covered for mental health on family PMI?

Yes on family policies with mental health added. Aviva Healthier Solutions and Bupa By You both include child mental health cover on family policies — a genuine private CAMHS alternative with 1–3 week wait.

Do I need a GP referral to claim therapy on PMI?

Not always. Vitality allows self-referral into talking therapy on Advanced. Bupa Mental Health Option allows self-referral. Aviva and AXA still require GP referral in most cases, though this is changing.

Compare UK mental health insurance from Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom and The Exeter. Outpatient and inpatient limits benchmarked.

Mental Health Insurance UK

UK mental health insurance is now included on most comprehensive PMI policies. Typical benefits: 20–45 outpatient therapy sessions/year, 28–90 inpatient psychiatric days/year, unlimited consultant psychiatry. Bupa Mental Health Option and AXA Personal Health Mental Health add-on are the two market-leading modules. PremierPMI can benchmark all seven insurers same-day.

Mental health cover on UK PMI has transformed since 2020. Where it was once a token benefit, it is now one of the highest-value modules on any comprehensive policy. NHS waiting times for Talking Therapies (8–20 weeks) and CAMHS (up to 18 months) have made private therapy access the deciding factor for many families.
A well-specified mental health module covers three tiers of care. Outpatient therapy: CBT, EMDR, counselling, psychology, delivered by BACP/UKCP/BABCP accredited therapists. Consultant psychiatry: assessment, medication management, ADHD/autism diagnosis on some tiers. Inpatient/day-patient care: admission to private psychiatric units (The Priory, Nightingale, Cygnet) for severe episodes.
The three most important variables when comparing mental health modules: (1) Outpatient session cap — 20 is standard, 30–45 is premium, unlimited is very rare. (2) Inpatient days per year — 28 is basic, 45–90 is comprehensive, unlimited-when-clinically-necessary is Bupa's uniquely strong offer. (3) Whether children and teenagers get equivalent cover on family policies — critical for CAMHS-alternative access.

PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 07515 703307, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.

Speak to a UK PMI broker

PremierPMI's brokers are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm. Call 020 4525 0884, message us on WhatsApp 07515 703307, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk. You can also request a callback or meet our team.