How Does a Health Insurance Excess Work on a Family Policy?

On a family health insurance policy, the excess is the amount you may need to contribute towards eligible treatment. The key point is to check whether the excess applies separately to each insured person, to each claim, or under another rule in the policy.

There is no single family-excess rule

An excess shown in a quote is not enough information to calculate what a household might pay. A policy could apply an excess per person during a policy year, per claim, or in another way. Some plans may set a household-wide cap; do not assume one applies unless the insurer confirms it in writing.

Also check which benefits trigger the excess. Outpatient appointments, diagnostic tests and inpatient treatment may be treated differently. A policy may also use co-insurance or benefit limits alongside an excess.

Compare the practical cost, not just the premium

Before choosing a family policy, ask:

• does each adult and child have a separate excess?
• does the excess apply once per claim or once per policy year?
• when does the policy year begin and when does the excess reset?
• do different benefits have different contributions?
• is there a maximum total excess for the household?

Use the insurer’s membership certificate and policy guide, not only a headline quote. Our guides explain excess versus co-payment and benefit limits.

Compare family cover and policy contributions: compare UK health insurance.

Sources checked 4 November 2026

• PHIN: How to compare private medical insurance
• Bupa: Bupa By You policy guide
• Bupa: How private health insurance works