Which insurers document the strongest mental health cover
Of the 6 insurers whose mental health cover wording we hold, Bupa include mental health cover in the core plan without a stated cap — the strongest position on this benefit in our set. That is a fact about the documents, not a recommendation: the right policy for you depends on far more than one benefit.
| Insurer | Position | What the document says |
|---|---|---|
| Bupa | In the plan | Bupa's Direct Access service lets a member call about cancer, muscle/bone/joint or mental health symptoms without a GP referral first — where AXA and Aviva both require a GP referral route into mental health cover. |
| Aviva | In the plan, capped | Out-patient mental health treatment is capped at £2,000 a policy year and requires a GP referral to a psychiatric therapist or specialist. |
| AXA Health | Add-on | Mental health cover is an optional add-on, not part of the core plan. With the Mental Health Option, in-patient and day-patient psychiatric treatment is covered up to the limits in the Mental Health Option table. |
| Saga | Add-on | Mental health is included rather than sold as an add-on: up to 28 days a year of in-patient treatment and up to £2,500 a year of out-patient benefits. |
| The Exeter | Add-on | Mental health cover is an optional add-on rather than core cover. |
| WPA | Add-on | Mental health is a paid Optional Extra. It covers in-patient and day-patient treatment for up to 28 days or nights, and requires choosing an out-patient and therapy level of either £1,000 or £2,500. Structured counselling runs to 20 sessions. |
What makes mental health cover strong
On mental health cover, the wording that matters is whether the benefit sits in the core plan or an add-on, whether there is a cap, and whether a referral is needed before you can claim. A plan that includes it with no limit is worth more than one that names it but caps it low — which is why the fact that two policies both "cover" mental health cover tells you very little on its own.
How to weigh it for you
The strongest wording on mental health cover is not automatically the right policy. A plan that leads on it may cost more, carry a narrower hospital list, or cap something else you need. Weigh mental health cover against the rest of the cover and the price rather than choosing on one line. This page reports what the documents say; it is not a personal recommendation — an FCA-authorised broker can advise for your circumstances. See the wording side by side in Mental health cover compared across 6 UK insurers.
Get a quote matched to what you need
Get a free quote and a specialist broker will call you back to find which insurer fits your priorities on mental health cover and everything else, at the best price for your circumstances — free, no obligation. See also how UK cover compares and the FCA-authorised broker list.
Sources
- Bupa — Source: Bupa policy guide — Bupa By You health insurance (BINS 14718) (2024), read 4 September 2026.
- Aviva — Source: Healthier Solutions Terms and conditions (April 2025), read 4 September 2026.
- AXA Health — Source: Personal Health membership handbook, October 2024, read 4 September 2026.
- Saga — Source: Your Policy Book — HealthPlan Super, Super 4 Week Wait & Super 6 Week Wait (May 2025), read 4 September 2026.
- The Exeter — Source: Private Medical Insurance — Insurance Product Information Document (Health+) (October 2025), read 4 September 2026.
- WPA — Source: Private Medical Insurance — Insurance Product Information Document (Complete Health) (November 2025), read 4 September 2026.