Quote, apply and buy

  1. Quote
  2. Choose underwriting
  3. Your details
  4. Declaration
  5. Buy
  6. Confirm
  7. Complete

About quote, apply and buy

You can get a quote for Personal Health Private Health Cover online. If you are happy with your quote and wish to apply for the policy, you will be asked to make an underwriting decision. If you choose moratorium underwriting, you can complete and purchase a policy online. If you choose full medical underwriting, due to the information we need to gather, we will ask you to either call us or complete paper forms. If you are switching from another insurer, you will be asked 4 medical questions. If you answer 'no' to all of these questions you can complete your application online. Read 'When does cover start' to find out about the rest of the process. If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions, we will ask you to either call us, or complete paper forms. We recommend you read the ABI guide to private medical insurance and Underwriting Explained, to help you understand more about how private medical insurance works and about making an underwriting decision.

We can only provide you with information about our own products. BCWA will not provide you with a personal recommendation, or any advice on whether this policy meets your specific requirements and you will need to make your own choice about how to proceed.

Who can apply?

Anyone who is resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and under the age of 65 can apply.

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How can I pay?

Direct Debit Logo Originator ID 953481We only accept Direct Debit annual or monthly payments online. You will be asked to fill in a direct debit form. You will receive a completed form in the post to sign and confirm the Direct Debit details.

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What information will I need?

You will need to have the names and dates of birth of all the people to be named on the policy. Because we offer a non smokers discount, you will also need to tell us if any of the people to be named on the policy have smoked in the last 12 months. Professional sports people will not be covered. We will ask you if you are a professional sports person as part of the application process.

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What discounts are available?

If you are buying a health insurance policy for the first time we offer a 35% discount on options 1-4 when you join and for the first year as a policyholder. We also offer a non smokers discount of 5% for every non smoker on the policy. We also offer a low claims discount - find out more about how this is applied. If you pay annually you will also qualify for a 5% discount. If you are switching from another insurance provider we offer a 25% discount.

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When does cover start?

If you select moratorium underwriting, your cover will start from the date we receive your signed Direct Debit mandate.

If you are switching from another insurer, your policy will start from the day after your current insurance is cancelled in order to provide you with continuation of cover.This is subject to you providing us with your most recent insurance certificate from your previous insurer and your signed Direct Debit mandate within 30 days of your previous cover ending. We regret that without this we will be unable to consider your application to transfer. You will receive written confirmation of your policy start date in the post.

From time to time we assess and adjust our rates and policy details. Cover will be subject to the terms and conditions within the Personal Health Policy Document.

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What happens when I have completed the process?

We will send you a confirmation by email, which will include all the details you entered online. If any of these details are incorrect call us on 0800 294 6796 to amend them.

You will then receive a Direct Debit instruction with the payment details you have provided. You must sign and send this back to us.  A letter and pre-paid envelope will be sent with your Direct Debit instruction, so you won't have to pay for postage.

When we have received your signed Direct Debit instruction and set up your policy we will send the following in the post:

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Who can I include on the policy?

You can include your partner and up to 10 dependents under the age of 21, or between 21 and 24 years old, if they are in full-time education. If you want to include more dependents than this contact enrolments@bcwa.co.uk.

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Are there any age restrictions?

You, and anyone you name on the policy, must be under the age of 65 when you apply for Personal Health Private Health Cover. This age limit does not apply at renewal.  We will cover dependents up to the age of 21 or up to 24 if they are in full-time education. Although you and your partner need to be under 65 to join, cover can continue past this age.

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What if I change my mind?

If you change your mind and want to cancel your policy, let us know as soon as you decide and always before the end of the 14 day cancellation period. The 14 day cancellation period begins from either the day you receive your welcome pack or the day we receive payment for your policy, whichever is the later. If you do not inform us that you wish to cancel by the end of the 14 day period, your cover will commence from the date specified on your Membership Certificate subject to the terms of the policy. Always refer to the Personal Health Policy Document for details of your cancellation rights.

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