Insurers processed a record £4bn in individual and workplace private medical insurance claims in 2024, a 13 per cent increase on 2023.
Research from the Association of British Insurers found insurers processed £2.6bn in claims for workplace schemes alone in 2024, a 16 per cent increase when compared to 2023 figures.
The association suggested these figures highlight employers’ growing role in supporting a healthy workplace.
The total number of people who claimed on either individual or workplace policies reached 1.8mn in 2024.
Claimants on workplace schemes continued to be the primary driver of this increase.
ABI head of health and protection policy, Rebecca Ward, said: “Another record-breaking year for coverage, claims and payouts underscores the vital role of insurers in maintaining a healthy UK population.
“As a complement to the life-saving work of the NHS, health insurance continues to help individuals and their loved ones access timely medical testing, treatment and care when it matters most.
“Our figures specifically highlight the value of workplace health insurance schemes in supporting employees to stay well and in work — a key aim of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review.
“Since the launch of the review, we’ve been engaging with members, government and Sir Charlie’s team to outline the role of employers and insurers in reducing health-based economic inactivity and driving a healthy, thriving workforce.
“We look forward to continuing this work in 2026.”
The research reported more records were broken as the total number of people covered by health insurance increased 4 per cent from 2023 to reach 6.5mn in 2024.
Figures showed 4.8mn of these people were covered by workplace policies, a second consecutive record in more than 30 years of data collection.
tom.dunstan@ft.com
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