The Exeter is a specialist mutual insurer, known for flexibility with medical history and member-owned policies. Their Health+ plan gives UK residents tailored health cover, often filling gaps left by mainstream insurers.
This 2025 review explains cover levels, underwriting, exclusions, sample premiums, pros & cons, and how The Exeter compares with Bupa, AXA, and Aviva.
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At a Glance
| Feature | The Exeter Health+ (2025) |
|---|---|
| Core cover | Inpatient & day-patient treatment |
| Outpatient diagnostics | Optional add-on |
| Cancer cover | Included |
| Mental health cover | Optional |
| Excess options | £100 – £5,000 |
| Underwriting choices | Moratorium, Full Medical, Continued Personal Medical Exclusions |
| Typical premium (age 35) | £55–£85 per month |
| Mutual model | Member-owned, no shareholders |
Who Are The Exeter?
Founded in 1927, The Exeter is a mutual insurer — meaning it’s owned by members, not shareholders. Profits are reinvested into benefits, competitive pricing, and service improvements.
They specialise in:
- Private health insurance (Health+)
- Income protection cover
- Life insurance for those with medical history
Cover Options with The Exeter Health+
Core Benefits
- Hospital fees (room, theatre, drugs)
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees
- Inpatient diagnostics
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery)
- Specialist cancer drugs not always funded by the NHS
- 24/7 helpline
Optional Add-Ons
- Outpatient diagnostics & consultations
- Mental health treatment (acute conditions only)
- Therapies (physio, osteopathy, chiropractic)
- Dental & optical cashback
👉 See related: Mental Health Insurance UK
Underwriting Options
This is where The Exeter stands out:
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): disclose entire history upfront; insurer decides exclusions.
- Moratorium: no disclosure upfront; pre-existing conditions excluded for 2 years, may later be covered if symptom-free.
- Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME): switch from another insurer, keeping the same exclusions.
👉 Related: Moratorium vs Full Medical Underwriting
What’s Not Covered?
- Long-term chronic conditions
- Routine GP services (unless GP add-on chosen)
- Cosmetic procedures
- Fertility treatment
- Pre-existing conditions not accepted under underwriting terms
Costs of The Exeter Health+ Insurance in 2025
Sample quotes (non-smoker, £250 excess, core cover only, London postcode):
| Age | Monthly Premium (core only) | With Outpatient Add-On |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | £45–£55 | £60–£70 |
| 35 | £55–£65 | £75–£85 |
| 45 | £80–£95 | £105–£120 |
| 55 | £120–£140 | £150–£175 |
👉 Related: Health Insurance Over 50s UK
Pros & Cons of The Exeter
Pros ✅
- Flexible underwriting, good for those with some history
- Mutual model: no shareholder pressure
- Strong cancer cover
- Wide excess range to reduce premiums
Cons ❌
- Smaller brand recognition than Bupa/AXA
- Mental health cover limited to acute only
- Fewer digital GP tools than big providers
Comparison with Major Insurers
| Feature / Provider | The Exeter | Bupa | AXA | Aviva |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer cover | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mental health | Limited | Full | Full | Full |
| Underwriting types | 3 choices | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Monthly cost (age 35) | £55–£65 | £65–£85 | £60–£80 | £55–£75 |
| Member model | Mutual | Plc | Plc | Plc |
👉 Compare also: Bupa vs Aviva and AXA vs Aviva
Customer Reviews (2025)
- Trustpilot: 4.1/5
- Praised for: fair pricing, flexible underwriting, responsive claims
- Criticised for: fewer hospital network options, limited app tools
FAQs
Does The Exeter cover pre-existing conditions?
Sometimes — depends on underwriting method. With FMU, some conditions may be accepted with exclusions; with moratorium, they may be covered after 2 years symptom-free.
Is The Exeter suitable for the self-employed?
Yes — flexible premiums and underwriting make it popular with freelancers and contractors.
Can I switch to The Exeter from another insurer?
Yes, via CPME underwriting.
Does The Exeter cover cancer drugs not funded by the NHS?
Yes, often included.
Conclusion
The Exeter Health+ Insurance is a solid choice if you:
- Want more flexibility around pre-existing conditions
- Prefer to support a member-owned mutual
- Need strong cancer cover but don’t want to overpay for extras
It may not be as feature-rich as Bupa or AXA, but for many, it strikes the right balance between cost, flexibility, and cover.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: This review is independent. It is for information only and not financial advice. Always read policy documents before purchasing.
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