Moratorium underwriting vs full medical underwriting for UK health insurance

Name: Private Health Insurance
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When you buy health insurance the underwriting option you choose when you apply will determine what your insurer will cover, so getting it right is key. In this guide, we explain the difference between moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting so that you can understand which approach may best fit you and your private medical insurance.

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Quick read: What you need to know about moratorium vs full medical underwriting

The medical underwriting process describes how your insurance company determines what your policy covers and how much it costs.
Moratorium underwriting does not require you to disclose your full health upfront; instead, your insurer will only ask for it if or when you submit a health insurance claim.
Full medical underwriting (FMU) requires you to provide detailed medical information before your policy starts and you'll receive a list of personal medical exclusions.
Pre-existing medical conditions may be treated differently depending on the type of underwriting. Moratorium means exclusions are time-limited and may be removed later. With FMU, exclusions are typically fixed unless your insurer agrees to review them.
Modified versions of moratorium underwriting now include brief health screening questions, slightly blurring the lines between the two types.
Choosing the right health insurance underwriting approach comes down to your own personal preference. Ask yourself whether you’d prefer a fast, simple set-up with future flexibility (moratorium) or complete transparency and peace of mind from day one (FMU).

Navigate this guide:

What is moratorium underwriting?
What is full medical underwriting?
What is better, moratorium or full medical underwriting?

Moratorium underwriting in-depth
Full medical underwriting in-depth
Alternatives to moratorium and FMU

What is medical underwriting?

Medical underwriting describes how private medical insurance providers assess risk and decide on the cover levels they are willing to provide. They evaluate your application, and depending on the underwriting type you choose, they may use your medical history to identify and exclude pre-existing medical conditions that you may have.

While underwriting applies to all kinds of insurance, what is unique to private health insurance is that new customers can choose the type they want to go for: moratorium or full medical underwriting (FMU).

When setting up your health insurance policy, underwriting is arguably the most important decision you will need to make, as it will dictate the cover you will receive.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any medical issue or symptom you have ever had, regardless of whether anything was formally diagnosed or you even sought medical advice for it.

In relation to health insurance in the UK, it can refer to any disease, illness, injury or medical issue for which you've had symptoms, sought advice, received treatment, taken medication or undergone diagnostic tests before your policy starts.

Pre-existing medical conditions can be long-term, such as diabetes and arthritis, one-off injuries or issues such as broken bones or back pain, or mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

What is moratorium underwriting?

Moratorium underwriting requires answering minimal questions about your medical past when you apply. Instead, your health insurance cover excludes all medical conditions from the last five years. Some health insurance providers now offer a three-year exclusion period, but in most cases, it's five.

However, there is a welcome twist in that these medical conditions may be covered by your health insurance in the future. Typically, this happens if you go two continuous years without symptoms, treatment, tests, medication or advice for a condition after the policy begins (see our graphic below). These two years are known as the moratorium period.

With moratorium, your health insurance company will need little to no information about your medical past upfront and, instead, will only ask about your history when you claim on your health insurance.

You can read more about how moratorium underwriting works in our deep dive section further on.

How moratorium health insurance underwriting works" from myTribe Insurance Experts. It shows a timeline split into three key sections around a “Cover Start Date

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What is full medical underwriting?

Full medical underwriting, as the name suggests, involves your insurer taking a detailed look at your medical history during the application process to establish your personal medical exclusions.

It operates in a reverse way to moratorium underwriting in that you will be required to provide your complete medical history at the outset so that the insurer can let you know exactly what is and isn't covered by your policy. If you choose full medical underwriting your insurer may also ask to contact your GP for more information.

If you opt for full medical underwriting and your insurer comes back with personal medical exclusions that you feel undermine the reasons for having health insurance, you aren't obliged to continue and can stop your application.

Our full medical underwriting in-depth section later in this guide explains how this type of underwriting works with private medical insurance.

What is better, moratorium or full medical underwriting?

There's no universal "better" option when it comes to your medical underwriting. Whether moratorium or full medical underwriting is best depends on your personal health history and whether you value the benefits of one type over the other.

When moratorium underwriting may be better

Moratorium is a quicker and more straightforward approach to underwriting and could be ideal if you want to be covered as soon as possible. There is also the attraction that pre-existing medical conditions initially excluded at the start of your policy could be automatically added back over time, so your cover could expand in the future.

Moratorium underwriting may also suit those who don't want to trawl through their medical records and dislike paperwork. However, the trade-off is that you won't be certain what is covered, so you could find a claim declined further down the line because of an exclusion you were unaware of.

When full medical underwriting may be better

Full medical underwriting requires you to share more medical information during the application process, enabling your health insurer to tell you exactly what is and isn't covered before your plan starts. This certainty about your level of cover can provide valuable peace of mind and avoid nasty surprises when you make a claim.

If you have a complicated medical history or crave absolute certainty overwhat is covered, then full medical underwriting may be a better choice.

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If you are unsure which option best suits you, it is always worth discussing your circumstances with a financial adviser or insurance broker.

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Moratorium underwriting vs full medical underwriting for private health insurance

The table below summarises how the main features of moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting compare

Comparison of Private Health Insurance Underwriting Types (UK)

A side-by-side comparison of Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting

Comparison of Private Health Insurance Underwriting Types (UK)
**A side-by-side comparison of Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting**
Feature	Moratorium Underwriting	Full Medical Underwriting
Full medical disclosure	No – your medical history is reviewed only when you make a claim.	Yes – your full medical history must be declared when applying.
Time to get cover	Faster – the application is simple and cover can often start within 24 hours.	Slower – medical history checks mean cover can take days or weeks to begin.
Cover clarity	Low – exclusions aren’t confirmed until you make a claim, which can cause uncertainty.	High – exclusions are clearly listed in your policy documents from day one.
Handling of pre-existing conditions	Automatic – conditions from the last 5 years are excluded by default (3 with some insurers), including related issues.	Assessed – exclusions are based on your declared history and typically include related issues.
Automatic removal of exclusions	Yes – if you remain symptom- and treatment-free for two continuous years, exclusions are usually removed automatically.	Maybe – exclusions are usually fixed but may be reviewed on request.
Claims approval speed	Slower – approval can take longer as your medical history is reviewed at claim stage.	Faster – claims are typically quicker as your history was reviewed when you applied.

SOURCE: myTribe Insurance Experts

Understanding how these two types of underwriting stack up will make it easier for you to decide which one could be right for you. You can read more about the pros and cons of moratorium and full medical underwriting further on.

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Illustration of a woman holding a magnifying glass, examining a large insurance policy document. Text on the left reads: ‘Moratorium vs full medical underwriting. Our in-depth guide to health insurance underwriting.’ A downward arrow is displayed beneath the text.

Moratorium underwriting in-depth

If you are looking to buy your first health insurance policy, the concept of moratorium underwriting is likely to be new to you, so in this section, we will explain precisely how it works.

Automatic exclusions for recent pre-existing medical conditions

With moratorium underwriting any medical conditions that you've experienced symptoms of, sought advice or received treatment for in the past five years (three years in some cases) are automatically excluded from your cover.

Once your policy starts, if you go symptom-free for two continuous years and don't need treatment, advice, have tests or take medication for a pre-existing condition during that moratorium period, you will be covered for it in the future.

In essence, it's a "wait-and-see" approach, enabling you to gain cover as your policy continues. It means pre-existing conditions aren't permanently excluded and your cover can evolve over time.

Simpler and usually faster application process

By putting a blanket exclusion on all pre-existing conditions for a set period, the insurer doesn't need to evaluate your full medical history when you apply. This enables a policy to be set up quickly and avoids the hassle of submitting a detailed medical history at the outset.

In most cases, you provide basic personal information and answer a few simple medical questions when you apply instead. Moratorium underwriting is the method that insurers tend to use for their online health insurance quotations.

How does it affect the claims process?

It is important to understand that while some underwriting takes place upfront, the medical assessment under moratorium underwriting is deferred until a claim is made. At that point the insurer will ask you for your medical history to assess whether the condition is new, pre-existing, or linked to a pre-existing condition to check whether you are covered.

There's not as much clarity with moratorium health insurance underwriting

The main disadvantage of moratorium underwriting is the lack of clarity about what is covered, so you may find you have less cover than you expected only when you make a claim. This is especially the case for health issues related to pre-existing conditions, which insurers will also often exclude regardless of the type of underwriting you choose but which may not be obvious to you when your policy starts.

An example of moratorium underwriting in action

Let's say you had pain in your left hip three years before you took out a policy. You saw your GP, and it's been ok since. With moratorium underwriting, you can expect that conditions that might have caused that pain will be excluded for at least the first two years of your health insurance plan. But, if two years pass after your policy starts without further symptoms, treatment or medical advice, then the exclusions for conditions that might have caused that pain will usually be lifted.

However, if your hip pain comes back, or you need treatment after getting your health insurance, the moratorium period will reset, and you'll have to go trouble-free for two years before cover is provided.

Some health insurance providers now offer "modified moratorium"

In recent years several insurers have introduced medical screening questions to their moratorium underwriting that can either give you a discount on your premiums or better policy terms depending on whether you meet the insurer's criteria. We have coined this approach "modified moratorium.

These screening questions have slightly blurred the lines between moratorium and full medical underwriting, and depending on the insurer will ask about:

any cancer diagnosis within the last five years
whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes
if you have high blood pressure
any history of heart disease
your smoking status
your Body Mass Index (BMI)

While it's not as detailed as the medical questionnaires required for full medical underwriting, it is a move away from the strictly "no medical information" at application approach of traditional moratorium underwriting.

Advantages of moratorium underwriting

Some of the key benefits of moratorium underwriting include:

Speed and simplicity: There is less paperwork and no need to fill out extensive health forms upfront, so setting up a policy is swift. A new application can often be completed online and set up immediately.
You don't have to disclose everything: You don't need to remember your full medical history or chase up medical records, which avoids the risk of invalidating your policy if you fail to disclose relevant information.
The ability to gain future cover: Pre-existing conditions aren't permanently excluded, so you could gain cover for them after the two-year moratorium period if you have been symptom-free.
Shorter period for pre-existing conditions: Only conditions which occurred in the past five years (or, in some cases, three years) are automatically excluded. Fully medically underwritten policies can exclude conditions from any time in your past.

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Disadvantages of moratorium underwriting

There are some disadvantages of moratorium underwriting that you should understand, such as:

Lack of clarity: You won't know upfront what is and isn't covered by your policy. You will only find out when you make a claim, creating uncertainty about your cover.
Automatic exclusions: Any medical condition that occurred in the last five years (or three years in some cases) will be automatically excluded for at least two years after the start date of your plan.
Minor symptoms can mean bigger exclusions: Minor symptoms can result in broader exclusions under a moratorium policy, whereas fully underwritten policies may not treat early symptoms of a disease as significant.
Longer claims: The retrospective medical assessment that insurers need to make when you claim can result in claims delays.

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Illustration of three people having questions about private health insurance in UK.

Full medical underwriting in-depth

In this section, we outline precisely how full medical underwriting works when you take out health insurance.

Detailed application process

If you opt for full medical underwriting you'll complete a comprehensive health questionnaire when applying for your policy. You will need to list past and present medical conditions, describe your symptoms, provide details and dates of treatment you have received, and answer questions about your lifestyle.

Depending on your health declaration, your insurer may ask you to contact your doctor for clarification or additional records. Using this information, they can build a full picture of your health to decide what conditions will be covered and those that won't.

Exclusions are individually assessed

Whether any of your pre-existing conditions are covered depends on whether your insurer's underwriting team believes there is a risk that they may come back and require further treatment. They'll tell you before the policy starts if you have any exclusions and what they are, so you'll know what you're covered for. You can stop your application if you're unhappy with what the insurer will exclude.

Be honest with your insurer about pre-existing conditions

It is crucial that you provide all of the required information, no matter how minor it may seem, even if your symptoms weren't diagnosed, as a failure to disclose relevant information could see your claims declined.

Unlike moratorium underwriting, with FMU, pre-existing medical conditions that are initially excluded won't be automatically covered in the future, regardless of how long you've gone symptom-free. However, you can ask your insurer to review your cover to see whether it is possible to lift exclusions.

You can learn more about why health insurance typicallydoesn't cover pre-existing conditions or pending treatments in our guide.

Quicker claims process

While the amount of health information that is required for full medical underwriting means it can take longer for a new health insurance policy to be set up, at the other end of the spectrum, the claims process should be quicker as the insurer should already have a sound knowledge of your medical history.

An example of full medical underwriting in action

Let's use the same example as earlier. As a reminder, you had hip pain three years ago, saw your GP, and it's been fine since. When you submit your health insurance application and provide medical history details, your prospective insurer will decide what exclusions your policy may have.

As the hip pain was short-lived, occurred several years ago and required no treatment, they don't add exclusions to your policy. Equally, they may decide the symptoms warrant a general exclusion of hip pain, as you didn't get a formal diagnosis at the time.

If exclusions are added, the good news is you'll know what they are before you pay a penny, so you can decide with that information in hand whether you want to continue.

Assuming you go ahead with the policy and accept the exclusions, in most cases, the only way to remove them is by asking your insurer to review them, usually at renewal.

Advantages of full medical underwriting

Some of the key benefits of moratorium underwriting include:

Clarity over cover: You know exactly what is and isn't covered from the outset, reducing the likelihood of claims being rejected and giving you greater peace of mind.
Potentially fewer exclusions: By disclosing your full medical history, you could get cover for conditions you had during the five years before your policy which may be excluded through a moratorium, especially if it was relatively minor.
Quicker claims: Any claims should be settled quickly as your insurer will know your medical history and be aware of any pre-existing conditions.

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Disadvantages of full medical underwriting

There are some disadvantages of full medical underwriting to be aware of, including:

Time-consuming set-up: Policies can take longer to arrange, especially if your medical history is complicated, due to the need to complete a health questionnaire. Insurers may also want to contact your GP.
It can feel more intrusive: Some people may find full medical disclosure intrusive or be put off by the amount of paperwork needed for a policy to be set up.
It's more difficult to remove exclusions: Unlike moratorium underwriting where you can gain cover in the future if you are trouble-free of pre-existing medical conditions for two continuous years, removing exclusions is trickier under FMU. It's not automatic, so policyholders must request a review, and there is no guarantee of success.
Less online availability: Full medical underwriting is not always offered online, so you may need to call the insurer or buy a policy through an insurance broker, which may not suit everyone.

Alternatives to moratorium and FMU

There are other types of underwriting that you may come across depending on whether you are looking to switch your private health insurance or are considering business health insurance.

Continued Moratorium Underwriting (when moving from previous insurer)

If you have an existing moratorium policy and want to move to a different insurer, you can use switch moratorium underwriting (also called continued moratorium underwriting). This allows you to move your health insurance cover with the moratorium you have previously earned to a new insurer rather than starting from scratch. You must fulfill some criteria, including that the new moratorium start date continues from your previous policy with no break in cover.

Continued Personal Medical Exclusions Underwriting (when moving from previous insurer)

Those with a fully medically underwritten health insurance policy looking to switch to a new insurer without losing cover can opt for Continued Personal Medical Exclusions Underwriting (CPME). Under this arrangement, you can move your existing personal medical exclusions to a different provider without the risk of adding new exclusions.

This is useful if you have received treatment for a condition and want to maintain cover for it in the future. A newly underwritten policy would classify it as a pre-existing medical condition and, depending on when it was resolved, might exclude it. But with Continued Personal Medical Exclusions, your new insurer may cover it, so long as you meet their criteria.

Medical History Disregarded

Medical history disregarded applies to business health insurance and is offered to companies with at least 15 employees. It means that your medical history will not be assessed when you apply for your employer's health insurance so you don't have to worry about underwriting exclusions. It's not available for individuals looking to take out their own private health insurance or smaller businesses.

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How to choose your health insurance underwriting type

When weighing up the pros and cons of moratorium vs full medical underwriting, think about your priorities. Ask yourself:

Do I want a quicker and simpler application process without filling out long medical forms?
How important is it for me to understand all exclusions clearly before my policy begins?
Would I prefer to have pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered in the future if I don't need treatment for them over time?
Will I find it more reassuring to have my medical history reviewed now to avoid any surprises when I claim?

Research and speak with a health insurance broker

As with all financial decisions, try to conduct as much research as possible to fully understand how moratorium and full medical underwriting work. This will give you plenty of talking points if you want to discuss your options with an insurance broker.

If you need help finding the right private health insurance for your circumstances, please click this link and request a free quotation.

Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.

This article was written by:

Senior Editor

As a highly experienced financial journalist, Richard brings over 25 years of expertise in personal finance, pensions, and investments to myTribe, offering trusted insights and in-depth analysis.

Article reviewed by

Chris Steele

23 April 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the type of underwriting affect my premium?

Choosing between moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting usually does not impact the cost of health insurance. Both underwriting types typically result in the same pricing. Other factors, such as your age, where you live, and your lifestyle, will affect your health insurance premium.

What does a 2-year moratorium mean?

A 2-year moratorium in health insurance underwriting means insurers exclude cover for pre-existing medical conditions for two years. If the condition doesn't recur, need treatment, or show symptoms during this period, it may be covered thereafter. This approach simplifies underwriting without requiring a full medical disclosure.

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Moratorium underwriting vs full medical underwriting for UK health insurance

Quick read: What you need to know about moratorium vs full medical underwriting

What is medical underwriting?

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

What is moratorium underwriting?

What is full medical underwriting?

What is better, moratorium or full medical underwriting?

When moratorium underwriting may be better

When full medical underwriting may be better

Find the best health insurance for you!

Moratorium underwriting vs full medical underwriting for private health insurance

Comparison of Private Health Insurance Underwriting Types (UK)

Comparison of Private Health Insurance Underwriting Types (UK)

Moratorium underwriting in-depth

Automatic exclusions for recent pre-existing medical conditions

Simpler and usually faster application process

How does it affect the claims process?

An example of moratorium underwriting in action

Some health insurance providers now offer "modified moratorium"

Advantages of moratorium underwriting

Disadvantages of moratorium underwriting

Looking for affordable health insurance?

Full medical underwriting in-depth

Detailed application process

Exclusions are individually assessed

Quicker claims process

An example of full medical underwriting in action

Advantages of full medical underwriting

Disadvantages of full medical underwriting

Alternatives to moratorium and FMU

Continued Moratorium Underwriting (when moving from previous insurer)

Continued Personal Medical Exclusions Underwriting (when moving from previous insurer)

Medical History Disregarded

Health insurance insights you can trust!

How to choose your health insurance underwriting type

Research and speak with a health insurance broker

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the type of underwriting affect my premium?

What does a 2-year moratorium mean?

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