Child and baby health insurance offers a safety net if you have children under the age of 18, or typically under 24 if in full-time education. They can be covered from birth, and it can mean quicker access to private medical care should it be needed, and for conditions covered by the policy.

While your child can still use the NHS for free whenever they need it, private health insurance adds extra peace of mind. They will potentially get seen faster and you may have more options for treatment if something unexpected happens.

Plus, these plans typically mean you benefit from invaluable parental support such as 24/7 medical helplines and cover for your accommodation if your child requires hospital treatment.

Yes some insurers do offer child health insurance plans exclusively for children, available from the age of 90 days up to the age of 18. If you wish to add more children to the policy, at least one provider allows you to have up to six children on the same policy. This can be useful if you already have cover for yourself through work or another policy. Others require children to be added to a parent or adult relative’s plan, so always check before you apply.

You might find that child health insurance is more affordable when arranged as part of a family plan. This is because some insurers only charge for the first child, so you may be able to cover additional children at no extra cost — a big saving for growing families.

A family plan can also be easier to manage, with just one application and renewal date. Whichever option works best for you, having child health cover in place can give you enormous peace of mind that you’re prepared if something happens.

Child health insurance comes with so many great benefits, but it doesn’t cover absolutely everything. Long-term conditions like asthma or diabetes usually aren’t included, because if they were, premiums and excesses would shoot up for everyone.

That’s why private health insurance works alongside the NHS, rather than trying to take its place. Regardless of which provider or plan you choose, the policy typically won’t cover your child for:

• Pre-existing conditions (although some might be covered after a no-symptom period).

• Long-term conditions like asthma or diabetes.

• Emergency care.

• Cosmetic treatments or gender reassignment.

• Routine dental or optician visits (unless you add that coverage to the plan).

If you’re unsure whether a condition is covered, always check with your insurer or refer to your policy documentation.

The cost of private health insurance for a child varies based on factors like their age, medical history, and the level of cover you choose for them.

Children’s health insurance policies aren’t affected as much by age as an adult’s policy would be, but it’s still a factor. When it’s time to renew, it’s always worth comparing providers to see if you can get a better deal. Switching insurers or adjusting your cover could help you save money.

As prices differ significantly between providers, the best way to find out how much cover would cost for your child is to compare quotes from leading health insurance companies.