Within the cooling-off period, yes, in full. After that it depends on whether you have claimed.
What the policy documents actually say
The statutory cooling-off period is 14 days for most insurance sold at a distance, and insurers commonly offer longer. The Exeter gives 30 days from the start date, with a full refund of premium provided no claims have been made.
After that window, refunds depend on the insurer and on your claims history. Cancelling mid-year having already claimed usually means no refund at all, because the insurer has already paid out more than the premiums received to date.
The Exeter also allows cancellation at any time by telephone, email or through an intermediary, which is worth knowing — some products require written notice and the difference matters when you are trying to stop a renewal.
The larger cost of cancelling is rarely the premium. It is the underwriting position: cancel and rejoin later and anything that arose in between becomes pre-existing, and any time served on a moratorium resets. That can be far more expensive than the months of cover you saved.
If the reason for cancelling is cost rather than dissatisfaction, look at the excess, the hospital list and the six-week option first. All three reduce the premium without breaking continuity.
Questions to put to the insurer or broker
- How long is the cooling-off period on this policy?
- What happens to my underwriting if I cancel and rejoin?
- Can I reduce cover instead of cancelling?
Related questions
- Is company-paid private health insurance taxed as a benefit in kind?
- Does private health insurance cover A&E or an emergency?
- Will private health insurance pay for cosmetic surgery?
- Does private health insurance cover dental treatment and glasses?
Sources
- Source: The Exeter — Private Medical Insurance — Insurance Product Information Document (Health+) (2025-10), read 4 September 2026.
The limit behind every answer here
None of this reaches a condition you already have. Cover is written for problems that arise after it starts, so anything you have symptoms of when you apply is excluded — permanently under full medical underwriting, or until a symptom-free period has passed under a moratorium. Chronic conditions are excluded by every insurer whose wording we hold. Figures quoted come from current policy documents and change at renewal, so check the document you are actually offered.
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