Check they are FCA-authorised, that they cover the whole market, and how they are paid — then judge whether they explain the trade-offs rather than just quote a price.
How it works in practice
Start with authorisation. Any legitimate UK broker is on the FCA's Financial Services Register, authorised to arrange insurance. That is non-negotiable, because only authorised firms are bound by FCA rules and give you access to the Financial Ombudsman if something goes wrong. Search the firm before you go any further.
Then look at reach. A whole-of-market broker compares far more than a single-tie or panel one, so ask how many insurers they place cover with. Ask, too, how they are paid — commission, a fee, or both — and expect a straight answer, since transparency on payment is a regulatory requirement.
The real test, though, is how they talk. A good broker asks about your health, your budget and the hospitals you care about, then explains why a particular policy fits — the hospital list, the out-patient limit, the excess, the underwriting basis. A weak one just quotes the cheapest headline and moves on.
So judge them on whether they educate or just sell. The cheapest policy is rarely the best one for a specific person, and the broker who explains that difference is the one worth using.
Questions to put to the insurer or broker
- What is your FCA firm reference number?
- How many insurers do you compare, and how are you paid?
- Why is this policy right for my health and my priorities specifically?
Related questions
- Are comparison sites the same as private health insurance brokers?
- Broker or direct: which is the better way to buy private health insurance?
- Can a broker get me cheaper private health insurance than going direct?
- Can a broker help me get private health insurance with a pre-existing condition?
How this site fits in
This explains how UK private health insurance brokers work in general. Health Insurance UK is not itself a broker and is not FCA-authorised; when you request a quote we introduce you to one selected FCA-authorised broker, which is responsible for any regulated advice, and we may be paid for the introduction. Always check any firm on the FCA Financial Services Register before you act, and remember a broker cannot cover a condition you already have — that is set by underwriting, not by who arranges the policy.
Get a free quote — a specialist broker calls you back, free and with no obligation.
Or see how UK cover compares and the FCA-authorised broker list.