WPA Private Health Insurance Review: Everything You Need To Know
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WPA, which stands for Western Provident Association, is one of the smaller private health insurance providers in the UK. Whilst you may not have heard of them, they have certainly been making waves in the health insurance industry offering an extensive range of cover.
They don't only provide individual private health insurance but also offer family and corporate plans as well as health cash plans and dental cover.
Choosing the right health insurance provider for your needs is understandably an important decision, so you might be wondering just how good WPA's offer is compared to some of the big names in the business, such as AXA, Bupa and Vitality. Don't worry, in this review we'll cover all you need to know about this lesser known insurer so you have all the information you need to decide whether WPA is the provider for you.
In This Review
- WPA Private Health Insurance: Overall Review
- How to Claim
- WPA Private Health insurance: discounts and savings
- FAQ’s
WPA Private Health Insurance: Overall Review
Founded in 1901, WPA began as the Reading Working Peoples' Voluntary Hospital Contributory Fund which provided workers the option of paying a portion of their wage to access healthcare when they needed it most. Today, WPA is a not-for-profit private health insurance provider based in Somerset, UK, who pride themselves in sticking to their core principles of making healthcare affordable for everyone.
Given they have been providing specialist healthcare plans for over 120 years, they certainly know a thing or two about private health insurance. During this time WPA have won multiple awards, such as Best Group Health Insurance Provider at The UK Health Protection Awards, Which? Recommended Provider of Private Medical Insurance and the Outstanding Use of Technology award at the Cover customer care awards—just in 2023. They have won numerous awards for their health cash plans, too!
They also appear to be a hit with their customers, boasting an 'excellent' Trustpilot rating of 4.6 out of 5 across over 3,000 reviews. There is a small caveat to this, as this rating reflects WPA as a whole and not their private health insurance offer specifically. That being said, given they only provide health insurance we feel it's a pretty good reflection overall.
Taken together, WPA is certainly impressing us. But we all there is more to a good health insurance provider than awards and ratings and it's important to consider the depth and breadth of their cover compared to the rest of the market. Let's not forget the all important factor of price as well!
Don't worry, we're going to break all of this down for you for personal and family health insurance. Let's start with why you should consider WPA...
Why choose WPA Private Health Insurance?
We've alluded to some of the reasons already, but opting for WPA does come with a range of benefits. Here are some you should know about:
- Multi-award winning provider
- 'Core' benefits can be supplemented with optional extras
- Excellent customer service ratings
- A range of discounts and benefits e.g. discounted gym memberships
- Cash and dental plans as well
Customer reviews and ratings
| WPA reviews and ratings | |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
During our research we found it more difficult than usual to find a range of robust customer ratings. This is likely due to the fact it's a smaller, less well-known insurer than some of the other names on the market. However, what we did find is encouraging.
According to over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot, WPA score an impressive 4.6 out of 5, indicating an 'excellent' customer experience overall. As we mentioned previously, this rating is not specifically for their private health insurance so you might want to take this with a small pinch of salt. That being said, if the overwhelming majority of their customers are awarding them such a high rating we feel this builds a good picture of their private health insurance offer overall.
Whilst we found Bupa and Aviva to be slightly more expensive than WPA based on the quotes we received, having this extra peace of mind and protection may very well be worth it. We always recommend sitting down and considering your own personal circumstances, from your health to your financial stability, and wherever possible prioritize cover over cost. Comparison sites are an easy way to review your options and compare cover, so we'd certainly encourage you to shop around to see if you can find a more comprehensive basic plan elsewhere.
What does WPA Private Health Insurance do well?
During our research we sifted through hundreds of pieces of feedback left by verified customers. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, in fact, 90% of their Trustpilot customer ratings are 5 star rated! The key standouts for us are WPA's customer service team who appear to go above and beyond to support their customers. Many customers also mention the user friendly mobile app and how easy it is to make a claim. Here's what a few of their customers had to say:
"I’ve been with WPA for a number of years now. I am self employed and a friend of mine recommended them to me as a ‘in case you ever need it’ option when I was quite a bit younger! It turns out I have needed it, often! It’s been a complete godsend at times. Their customer service is great. Every person I have spoken to has been professional helpful and polite. Claiming is very easy - either online through their web portal or set up via telephone. General Claims are settled swiftly... Most recent claim submitted was today getting physio organised for a sore hip. Highly recommended."
"The service is easy to operate through the App. I made purchase of new prescription glasses and was able to submit within minutes. The claim approved in less than 24 hours and payment usually reimbursed in my account within 2 to 3 day."
"I have been with WPA for some time now and have had to make a few different claims. It is always great to be able to phone and speak to a real person who understands their product and does everything to make a potentially stressful situation as straightforward as they can. WPA are the best"
"Super helpful staff- who are great at ensuring you know the full details of your cover before you book any appointments or agree to procedures! It’s nice to speak to staff who treat you a person, rather than just another customer in the queue"
"My first time making a claim to WPA, and the claim was so straight forward and prompt. Only 4 working days from submitting my claim to receiving payment"
"Find the app really easy to use. The GP service is fantastic. Overall customer service really helpful and FRIENDLY which is refreshing for any health insurance"
What can WPA Private Health Insurance improve on?
We have to stress that the overwhelming majority of customer reviews we've found are positive. Of those that are negative this is mainly down to two things: high renewal increases and frustration over claims that have been denied. Here are some comments:
"Unreasonably refused therapy on what is at best a technicality. Shocking to deal with. Despite being on a top plan too"
"The service has been good but the renewal came with 12.5% increases...when I called for a justification, I was told it was to make up for not having much of an increase the previous year...Increases have continuously been considerably above healthcare inflation and the explanations lack substance"
"I just had a renewal notice from WPA and my premium has increased by 20%! I have not had any claims, and the only thing that has changed is that the family are one year older. No one at WPA has been able to say why they proposed an increase of such magnitude"
"So I've Gold cover which should cover existing conditions. My hearing was damaged..is now at the stage where I need a hearing aid. These are not cheap but I'm informed that this is not covered. This is the 2nd time something hasn't been covered"
With regards to the customers that are disappointed their claim has been rejected after they had assumed it would be covered... this is pretty common in the world of insurance. Situations such as these can sometimes be avoided by ensuring you set aside some time to properly read through the terms and conditions of your plan before you sign your agreement.
Whilst it certainly isn't the most fun activity, it is incredibly important. Your policy documentation will detail what you are, and importantly what you are not covered for. Having a sound understanding of this prior to taking out a plan saves potential confusion and hassle further down the line when you need to make a claim. If in doubt, remember you can always speak to customer advisors who will be sure to answer any questions you may have.
How much is WPA Private Health Insurance?
Sample quotes obtained for a 35-year-old non smoker in outer London showed a range of quotes from £42 to £157 per month.
| Sample WPA private health insurance quote comparison for a 35 year old male non smoker (£month) | |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive | £157 |
| Mid-Range | £95 |
| Core | £42 |
The quotes obtained in the above table reflect the different cover options for a 35-year-old male non-smoker. As you can see, the price varies greatly depending on the level of cover.
WPA price policies based on three levels of cover:
- Comprehensive (most comprehensive)
- Mid-Range
- Core (most basic)
You'll notice that WPA have what they call shared responsibility levels in addition to an excess. Whilst an excess is a voluntary amount you can choose to pay towards any claim you make, WPA's Shared Responsibility works slightly differently. Essentially it is a co-payment feature that, similarly to an excess, allows you to take greater control over your premiums.
You share the cost of your treatment by contributing 25% towards every claim for eligible treatment, which is capped at an agreed £ level per policy year. In the above table, the quotes we received reflect a cap of £500 per year. Then, once you have reached this cap, WPA will pay 100% of all claims made for eligible treatment thereafter.
Similarly to an excess, the higher your chosen level of shared responsibility, the lower your premiums will be. This feature is intended to give you greater control whilst also ensuring you aren't compromised so that your contributions towards medical treatment don't exceed what you can afford. We've included an example of how the Shared Responsibility feature works below.
Let's say you have opted for a Shared Responsibility limit of £500 per policy year.
Remember, you pay 25% towards every eligible claim made up until your limit, and WPA pays the remaining 75%. When this limit is reached, WPA covers the costs in full thereafter.
| Treatment | Amount claimed | Amount you pay | Amount WPA pays |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Diagnostic scans | £1,000 | £250 | £750 |
|
Hospital fees | £1,000 | £250 | £750 |
|
You have now reached your Shared Responsibility limit of £500 | |||
|
Hospital fees | £500 | £0 | £500 |
You can find out more about WPA's Shared Responsibility features here.
Let's take a closer look at what is and isn't covered across the different levels of WPA's private health insurance...
What is and isn't covered?
WPA offer core benefits, plus a host of optional extras to enhance your cover.
- Out-patient treatment: £250 Consultations (enhance with the Out-patient Consultations Optional Extra), Complex Scans, Out-patient Procedures, Pre-admission Tests
- Hospital treatment: Hospital stays as a day-patient or overnight as an in-patient
- Health and wellbeing benefits: Remote GP Services, Health & Wellbeing Helpline, Counselling
- NHS Hospital Cash Benefit: Up to £4,500 via NHS day-patient/in-patient (less than three nights) @ £150 per day/night, NHS in-patient (three or more nights) @ £200 per night, NHS out-patient complex scans and NHS out-patient procedures @ £150 per day
- Further Benefits: Nursing at Home (up to four weeks), Private Ambulance Transport, Parent and Child (up to 10 nights), Out of Pocket Expenses (£10 per day), Hospice Donation (£70 per night, up to £700)
Optional Extras
WPA plans can be customised by adding any of the following optional extra add ons:
- Cancer Care
- Extra Out-patient Consultations
- Out-patient Tests
- Therapy
- Mental Health Treatment
- Overseas Emergency Treatment
- Winter Sports - UK Treatment
- Cash Extras
- Dental Care (Dental Emergencies and Injuries)
- Premium Hospitals
Exclusions: what isn't included
No matter how different each level of cover is in terms of what is included, many of the exclusions remain the same. Here are some of the key exclusions to be aware of if you're considering opting for WPA's private health insurance but note the full list is much longer and will be detailed in your policy documents.
- Pre-existing conditions
- Dental problems (except limited cash benefits)
- Long-term conditions (chronic conditions)
- Fertility, pregnancy and childbirth
- Cosmetic/aesthetic treatment
- Allergic conditions
Note, pre-existing conditions may be covered depending on the type of medical underwriting selected.
How to make a claim on WPA Private Health Insurance
WPA prides itself on having a quick and easy claims process. After you have visited your GP all claims need to be pre-authorized before you any treatment can be commenced. You can do this by:
- Telephone: 0345 122 3100 (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-12pm)
- Via the WPA Health app
According to WPA you can make a health insurance claim and receive an instant decision — a first in the UK health insurance market.
WPA Private Health Insurance: discounts and savings
WPA offer a variety of discounts and savings should you opt for their cover. Here are some of the best we feel you should know about:
- Value added discounts: for members at recognized outlets, such as gym memberships, optical and health screening
- No claims discount: Up to 70% off the premium
Remember, discounts are subject to change.
FAQ's
WPA states in their policy documents that they do not offer cover for pre-existing conditions.
In fact, you will find that most private health insurance providers take this approach. Crucially, if you are aware of any symptoms that could cause problems in the future, you will need to disclose these right away.
Yes! Comparing providers online is one of the best way to ensure you are getting the right level of cover for a price that suits you. We found WPA to be on many comparison sites like ActiveQuote and Assured Futures.
No, they don't.
If you choose to cancel your policy within the 30 days period after your policy start date, you should be entitled to a refund providing no claims have been made.
If you choose to cancel your policy after 30 days you may still be entitled to a refund if your premium has been paid in full in advance. WPA will refund you the amount proportional to the time remaining on your policy less a cancellation charge of £25, as long as no claim has been made.
Note, if your premium is paid by monthly installments you are not entitled to a refund.
Yes, WPA gives you access to over 1,000 hospitals across the UK. This includes BMI, Nuffield Health, Spire, Ramsay independent private hospitals and private wings of NHS hospitals.
You can extend your choice of over 1,000 hospitals, clinics and scanning centres across the UK by including the Premium Hospitals Optional Extra.
There is no right or wrong answer to this. If you're living in the UK you are fortunate to have access to the National Health Service (NHS), which is completely free. There are pros and cons, however, and taking out private health insurance can mean accessing private health services and bypassing long wait times. If you're unsure if private health insurance is the right option for you, you can read 'The NimbleFins Guide to Purchasing Private Health Insurance' here.
Yes, and that is one of the many wonderful things about the NHS. You can still access treatment regardless of whether you have private health insurance, in fact, the NHS will even cover some conditions and treatments that private insurers will not, such as chronic and pre-existing conditions.
You will notice in your policy documents or simply when researching private health insurance there appear to be many different types of 'patient'. This can be very confusing, especially for first-time health insurance buyers! We've offered a simple explanation below that should help clear up any confusion.
- Inpatient: you are an inpatient if you need to attend hospital for treatment, and need to stay in overnight (or longer)
- Outpatient: you are an outpatient if you attend a hospital or clinic but do not need to stay overnight
- Day-patient: you are a day-patient if you need to attend a hospital or clinic for treatment but do not need to stay overnight. Unlike an outpatient you will also require medical observation for a short while after.
No — however, WPA will need to ask you questions about things such as your age, sex, medical history, lifestyle and occupation.