The first under-18s only insurance product has been put on the market.
An innovative new "children's only" insurance product has been launched.
The policy, developed by French firm AXA PPP and known as First Healthcare, offers private medical cover for under-18s, which gives an alternative for children who previously had the insurance as part of their family policy or as a standalone adult policy.
It is also thought to be the first of its kind ever offered to the UK market.
Under its terms, the children are covered for consultations with specialists, early diagnosis scans and out-patient tests. It also offers payments for private hospital treatment if the NHS is not able to provide care within six weeks of treatment being requested, costs of accommodating parents who wish to stay overnight with hospitalised children under the age of 11 are also covered, and access to a 24 hour medical helpline for children is also offered.
Commenting on the policy's launch, Geoff Salter at AXA PPP said: "First Healthcare is for people who may not be able to afford private healthcare cover for their whole family but who want to make sure their children are covered. It will give parents peace of mind knowing that their children can be seen promptly as a private patient."
