Moving in together comes with plenty of decisions. Where to put the sofa. Whose Netflix account to keep. And, increasingly, whether to share health insurance.
If you’re both thinking about private medical cover, you have two options: a joint policy covering both of you, or two separate individual policies.
The answer isn’t as obvious as you might think. Sometimes joint is cheaper. Sometimes separate makes more sense. It depends on your specific situation.
This guide explains how couples health insurance works and helps you figure out which approach is right for you.
What Is Couples Health Insurance?
Couples health insurance (also called joint health insurance) is a single policy that covers two people living at the same address. You don’t need to be married – cohabiting partners, civil partners, and married couples all qualify.
Instead of managing two separate policies with two renewal dates and two payments, you have one policy that covers both of you.
The cover itself works the same as individual health insurance. You’re both protected for acute conditions (illnesses and injuries that arise after the policy starts and can be treated), with access to private hospitals, specialists, and faster treatment.
Is a Joint Policy Actually Cheaper?
This is what everyone wants to know. The honest answer: often yes, but it depends on the insurer and your circumstances.
Two major UK insurers offer explicit discounts for joint policies: Bupa offers around 5% off compared to buying two separate policies, while Aviva offers a 9% discount when adding a partner. Other insurers like AXA and Vitality allow couples to share a policy for convenience, but don’t advertise a specific couples discount.
Example:
Tom and Sarah are both 35, non-smokers, similar health history.
- Separate policies: Tom £45/month + Sarah £45/month = £90/month
- Joint policy (with 5% discount): £90 base minus 5% discount = £85.50/month
Annual saving: £54
That’s not life-changing money, but it’s real – and you get the bonus of simpler admin.
However, even these discounts can easily be wiped out if:
- There’s a significant age gap between you
- One of you smokes and the other doesn’t
- One of you has a more complex medical history
- You want different levels of cover
In these situations, two separate policies might actually cost less overall because each person can be priced individually.
When a Joint Policy Makes Sense
A joint policy works best when you and your partner are similar in terms of risk profile:
- Similar ages (within 5-10 years)
- Both non-smokers (or both smokers)
- Similar health history (no major pre-existing conditions on either side)
- Want the same level of cover (both happy with comprehensive, or both happy with basic)
- Value simplicity (one bill, one renewal, one set of documents)
If this sounds like you, a joint policy is probably the way to go. You’ll save a bit of money and have less paperwork to manage.
When Separate Policies Make More Sense
Sometimes two individual policies work out better:
Significant age gap
Insurance premiums increase with age. If one partner is 35 and the other is 55, putting them on the same policy means the younger person’s premium gets pulled up by the older person’s risk. Two separate policies let each person be priced fairly.
One smoker, one non-smoker
Smokers pay significantly more for health insurance. If only one of you smokes, a joint policy means the non-smoker subsidises the smoker’s higher risk. Separate policies keep the costs fair.
Different health needs
Maybe one of you wants comprehensive cover with full outpatient benefits, mental health, and therapies. The other just wants basic hospital cover for emergencies. A joint policy applies the same cover to both people – you can’t mix and match. Separate policies give you eachexactly what you want.
Different budgets
Related to the above: if one of you wants to spend more on cover than the other, separate policies let you each set your own budget.
One person has significant pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered on new policies, but they can still affect pricing in some cases. If one partner has a complex medical history, their individual risk might push up the joint policy cost.
How the Cover Actually Works
A common misconception: people think a joint policy has one shared pot of benefits that both partners draw from. That’s not how it works.
With a joint policy, the benefit limits apply per person, per year.
Example: Your joint policy includes £1,000 outpatient cover.
- You can claim up to £1,000 for outpatient treatment
- Your partner can also claim up to £1,000 for outpatient treatment
- One person’s claims don’t reduce the other’s available benefits
The same goes for therapies limits, mental health cover, and other capped benefits. You each have your own allocation.
What Happens If You Split Up?
Life happens. If you separate, you don’t lose your cover – you just need to adjust it.
Contact your insurer or broker to split the joint policy into two individual policies. Each person’s new premium will be calculated based on their age, chosen cover level, and claims history.
This is straightforward administrative process. You won’t be left without cover.
Do You Need to Live Together?
Yes. For a couples policy, insurers require that you live at the same address. This is standard across all providers.
If you’re in a relationship but don’t live together, you’d each need your own individual policy. Alternatively, some insurers might let you take out a “family” style policy, but this depends on the provider.
What About Adding Children Later?
One advantage of a joint policy: it’s easy to convert to a family policy if you have children.
Most insurers let you add children to an existing couples policy without starting a new application. The children get added, the premium adjusts, and you continue with the same policy. Aviva offers particularly good value for families: if you add two or more children aged 19 or under, you only pay for the oldest child until they turn 20. First-born children also get up to three months’ free cover from their birth date.
If you have separate individual policies, adding children is slightly more complicated – you’d typically need to set up a new family policy rather than just adding to what you have.
Typical Costs for Couples
Costs vary based on age, location, cover level, and health history. But here’s a realistic guide for a healthy couple in their 30s:
| Cover Level | Per Person/Month | Joint Policy/Month |
| Basic (hospital only) | £30–45 | £55–85 |
| Mid-range (+ outpatient) | £45–70 | £85–130 |
| Comprehensive | £70–100+ | £130–190+ |
Older couples, London postcodes, and more comprehensive cover will all push prices higher.
The best way to know your actual cost is to get a quote – either for a joint policy or for two individual policies, so you can compare.
How to Decide: Quick Checklist
Go joint if:
– [ ] Similar ages (within 5-10 years)
– [ ] Both non-smokers
– [ ] Similar health history
– [ ] Want the same cover level
– [ ] Value simpler admin
Go separate if:
– [ ] Significant age gap
– [ ] One smoker, one non-smoker
– [ ] Want different cover levels
– [ ] One partner has complex health history
– [ ] Different budgets
Not sure? Get quotes for both options and compare. A broker can run these numbers for you in minutes.
The Bottom Line
Couples health insurance can save you money and simplify your life – but only if your circumstances suit a joint policy.
If you’re similar in age, health, and cover preferences, a joint policy is usually the smart choice. You’ll get a small discount and have less admin to deal with.
If you’re quite different – in age, lifestyle, or what you want from your cover – separate policies might actually work out better and fairer for both of you.
The only way to know for sure is to compare quotes for both options.
We Can Help
Not sure whether to go joint or separate? We can quote both options and show you exactly what each would cost.
No pressure, no obligation. Just clear information so you can make the right decision together.
Call us: 020 3039 3959
Email: [email protected]
Online: healthplan.co.uk
Sources
Joint policy discounts: Bupa UK (5%), Aviva (9% for partner), 2025
Aviva family benefits (children free after first): Aviva UK, Clarity Health Insurance, 2025
Couples policy requirements: Vitality, myTribe Insurance, 2025
Benefit allocation (per person): WeCovr, iamInsured, 2025
Last updated: January 2026
This guide is for general information only. Actual costs depend on your specific circumstances.
Healthplan is a trading style of Sante Partners Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 914023).