Diagnostics and younger adults driving PMI claims – Howden

Diagnostic tests and scans are as the top reason for private medical insurance (PMI) use while younger adults are making far more claims, according to Howden Life and Health.

The intermediary found four in ten (42%) PMI policyholders had made a claim on their insurance in the past five years, with men and younger people the most likely to make a claim.

It’s research found male policyholders were more likely to make a claim (47%) than women (38%) while younger people were almost three and a half times more likely to claim on their PMI than older people.

The majority (57%) of PMI holders under 24 made at least one claim in the past five years compared with just 17% of those aged 65 and over.

The Health Gap research which survey 2,000 UK adults, found of those who had made a claim, the most common single reason was for diagnostic tests and scans, followed by injuries and rehabilitation and physiotherapy, with optical treatments and eye and ear conditions making up the top five.

However, Howden found the type of claim changed significantly by age.

For those over 65, optical treatment and physiotherapy were the top two types of claims, while mental health services were right down the list at number nine.

In contrast, young adults (18-24) and those aged 45-54, were much more likely to make mental health related claims; mental health services were the second most common claim for Gen X, with 18% making a claim and fourth for Gen Z with 24% claiming for this.

While cancer ranked lowest in terms of claim numbers, 7% of those aged between 18 to 24 claimed for cancer, with only 35 to 44 year olds making more cancer claims.

The figures follow data earlier this month from Healthcode which showed PMI claims volumes rose by around 4% in 2025 while data from Health & Protection and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) also emphasised the continued growth in policy usage.

Top 10 claim categories by age group (% in brackets is % that have made a claim in the past five years)

Jon Carroll, executive director of Howden Life & Health, said: “Our research underlines the crucial role private medical insurance plays in helping people access timely diagnosis and treatment – particularly when NHS waiting times for key services are under significant strain.

“Although NHS England data published in January 2026 shows the waiting list has fallen significantly from its peak, NHS targets state that fewer than 1% of patients should wait longer than six weeks for diagnostic tests such as MRIs and CT scans, and more than one in five patients are currently waiting beyond the NHS six week target, with around 1.7 million people on the waiting list for a test overall.

“Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that diagnostic tests and scans are the most common reason for PMI claims. Quick access to imaging can be vital for spotting issues early, from potential cancers to neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, and private cover helps people avoid prolonged uncertainty.

“What’s also particularly striking is the growing reliance on PMI for mental health support among younger adults.”

Carroll noted that with one in five under-25 making a mental health-related claim, it was clear that access to prompt, specialist care was becoming increasingly important for this generation.

“At the same time, older policyholders are using PMI in very different ways, reflecting how healthcare needs evolve over our lifetimes,“ he continued.

“The message for consumers is that PMI isn’t just about covering major illness – it’s about everyday health concerns, early intervention and ongoing wellbeing.

“Having the right cover in place, and reviewing it regularly with professional advice, can ensure policies continue to meet people’s changing needs and deliver real value when they need it most.”