About MoneyPeopleOnline
MoneyPeopleOnline is a FREE service for parents to help them to make the most of every penny and to save you time on finding the answers to your money questions. We’re a family-run business, and we’re also a team of fully qualified financial services professionals… so we’re absolutely the right people to help you. Our mission is to share our experience and expertise with families like yours to make your life easier and support you in all your family money decisions.
Created by industry and personal finance specialists, our aim is to give you the facts you need to decide whether going private could save time, offer faster diagnoses or deliver extra peace of mind for your household. Everything we publish is impartial and designed for everyday readers. It is general information, not personal advice, so we also help you speak with regulated brokers when you are ready to compare the market.
Key Points
- Independent, FCA-regulated business offering consumer information about private healthcare and insurance in the UK.
- Plain-English guides and tools to compare health insurance, life insurance and income protection.
- No advertising or pay-to-play listings – our recommendations are based on quality and independence.
- Free to use. If you buy through a partner broker, we may be paid a commission, which never increases your cost.
- The information we provide is general. For personalised recommendations, we connect you with FCA-authorised experts.
Who are MoneyPeopleOnline?
MoneyPeopleOnline family money experts is a UK website built by financial services professionals who specialise in mortgages, insurance, tax, and making the most of your cash. We publish impartial guides, reviews, and explainers to help you understand how family money can work for you, including how to manage your money better and make the most of everything at your disposal. We also help with advice about your consumer rights and how to complain if you’re not being treated fairly.
Compare Our Best Life Insurance Quotes
“MoneyPeopleOnline is a place where parents can go to find the answers that they need to help support them and their family in everyday financial decisions. MPO is all about sharing ideas and creating a safe community to help other like-minded parents to get free access to help, support, tips and guides.”
Caroline Sharpe-Szunko – Founder of Money People Online
Our editorial principles
Parents need clarity and fairness when weighing up money-saving options and choices for the whole household. To keep our content trustworthy and easy to act on, we hold ourselves to six principles.
| Principle | Our commitment |
|---|---|
| Independent | We present fair, balanced information and never promote a single insurer, lender, or partner. |
| Accessibility | We write in plain English and avoid jargon, so it is easy to scan between school pick-ups. |
| Clarity | We explain complex topics simply, using examples that make sense for families. |
| Improvement | We update articles frequently as products, prices and rules change. |
| Value | We produce detailed guides that genuinely help you decide and save time. |
| Respect | We respect readers and the companies we cover, keeping things factual and fair. |
Meet the MPO family
Our experienced team blends editorial skill with hands-on insurance knowledge:
- Caroline Sharpe-Szunko, ATT Fellow – Founder and Editor
- Daniel Sharpe-Szunko, CeMAP – Financial Editor
How we help parents compare and save money
- Clear guides that explain cover options, excesses and add-ons like virtual GP services, so you can decide what your family truly needs.
- Independent comparisons via carefully chosen partner brokers who search across the market for you.
- Transparency on costs and common ways to reduce premiums, such as adjusting hospital lists or adding an excess.
- Support if things go wrong – we monitor partner service levels and step in if standards slip.
Common questions parents ask us
How does MoneyPeopleOnline make money if it’s a free service?
Everything on our site is free to use. If you ask us to arrange a comparison and later buy a policy through one of our partner brokers, we may receive a commission. This does not increase what you pay. You are never obliged to purchase, and many readers choose to buy directly or via another route.
Do you provide financial advice?
No. We publish impartial, general information to help you understand your options. For tailored recommendations, we put you in touch with FCA-authorised brokers. For broader guidance about choosing advisers, MoneyHelper offers a useful overview on finding and choosing a financial adviser.
Why use MoneyPeopleOnline instead of going directly to an insurer?
Insurers only show their own products. Our partners compare the whole market, explain differences in plain English and help you build a policy that fits your budget. This can save you time and make it easier to avoid paying for features your family may not need.
Who can use MoneyPeopleOnline money experts?
Anyone in the UK. Whether you are a single parent, a couple planning for a new baby, a family of five, or a small business looking at employee benefits, our content and tools are designed to help.
What qualifications does your team have?
Our team includes Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) qualified professionals and Fellow. Founder Caroline Sharpe-Szunko holds ATT Tax qualifications and Fellow membership to the ATT (Association of Tax Technicians), and Daniel Sharpe-Szunko holds CeMAP (Certificate of Mortgage Advice and Practice). We also invest in ongoing training through the ATT.
How can I get in touch?
You can reach us by email or phone, and we also provide a contact page on our site. If you prefer to research first, our free guides are a good starting point before you speak to a broker.
Important information
Important: We do not provide financial or medical advice. Our website is designed to inform and educate you about insurance and private healthcare in the UK, but it is general information. Please do not base your decisions on our content alone. Speak to an independent, FCA-authorised adviser for personalised recommendations.
How our website funded
MoneyPeopleOnline is completely free to use. Companies cannot pay to appear in our articles, and we do not run advertising. After researching with us, you might ask for a comparison from an FCA-authorised broker. If you then purchase a policy, we may receive a commission. Many readers go on to buy elsewhere, in which case we do not earn anything. Either way, your price is the same.
Our promise to parents and families
- Independence first – we are 100% independent and consumer led.
- Clarity over complexity – we keep things straightforward and practical.
- Your time matters – we aim to reduce research hours with guides you can trust.
- Up-to-date knowledge – we review and refresh our content regularly.
What does private health insurance typically cover for families?
Most family policies focus on treatment for acute, short term conditions. Core cover usually includes in patient and day patient care, surgery, hospital accommodation and specialist fees. Depending on the insurer and options you choose, you can add outpatient diagnostics and consultations, therapies such as physiotherapy, mental health support, cancer care, a choice of hospital lists and virtual GP access. The exact mix varies by provider, so our plain English guides help you compare what is included and decide what your household genuinely needs before you speak to a broker.
How can parents reduce the cost of a family policy without losing essential benefits?
There are several practical ways to manage premiums:
- Choose a higher excess to lower monthly costs, making sure it is still affordable if you need to claim.
- Select a smaller hospital list if it still covers convenient, good quality facilities near you.
- Limit or remove outpatient cover if you are comfortable using the NHS for routine tests and consultations.
- Consider a 6 week option that uses the NHS if treatment is available quickly, switching to private care only if there is a longer wait.
- Use guided care or approved specialist networks where the insurer steers you to vetted clinicians.
Our guides explain these levers in simple terms so you can balance cost against the services your family values most.
Will pre existing conditions be covered for me or my child?
It depends on the condition, insurer and underwriting. With moratorium underwriting, new claims for recent pre existing conditions are normally excluded for a period, typically until you have spent a set time without symptoms, treatment or advice. With full medical underwriting, the insurer reviews your medical history upfront and confirms any exclusions at the start. Some long term or chronic conditions remain excluded across the market. A regulated broker can explain how each option might affect your family’s circumstances before you apply.
Do I need a GP referral to use private care through insurance?
For many claims, insurers ask for a referral to a specialist. This can often be provided by your NHS GP or by a virtual GP service that is included with many policies. Some benefits such as physiotherapy may allow self referral within set limits, although rules vary by insurer. Your policy documents will spell out what is needed for each type of claim, and our explainers summarise the common requirements in plain English.
What is the difference between private medical insurance and a health cash plan?
Private medical insurance aims to cover the cost of diagnosis and treatment for acute conditions, usually in private hospitals, and can include inpatient, day patient and outpatient benefits. A health cash plan is different. It pays set cash amounts towards everyday expenses such as dental check ups, eye tests and some therapies. Many families use the NHS for routine care, consider a cash plan for predictable costs and reserve private medical insurance for faster access to diagnostics and treatment when it matters.
Can I add a newborn or remove a family member mid policy?
Most insurers let you add dependants during the policy year, and many offer simple processes for newborns, often within a specified time window. If you need to remove someone because of a change in circumstances, you can usually do this at renewal or mid term depending on the provider’s rules. The exact terms and any underwriting depend on your policy, so it is worth checking the small print or asking a broker to confirm the steps and timing.
Why use myTribe instead of going direct to an insurer?
Insurers can only show their own products. myTribe provides impartial guides and then introduces you to carefully chosen, FCA authorised brokers who compare the wider market, explain differences in clear language and help you avoid paying for features you do not need. Our service is free to use. If you buy through a partner broker, we may receive a commission that does not increase your price. Our trading name is Mytribe Health Limited and our FCA reference is 1008629, which you can verify on the FCA register.
Can I keep using the NHS and still have private insurance?
Yes. Private medical insurance is designed to complement the NHS, not replace it. Many families use NHS services for routine or urgent care where appropriate, then rely on insurance for faster access to diagnostics or treatment when wait times are longer. Some policies include a 6 week option that uses the NHS first if it can treat you quickly. For non urgent issues and advice, you can still contact NHS 111 or visit NHS services.
What support and complaint routes are available if something goes wrong?
We monitor partner service levels and will step in if standards slip. If you ever need independent guidance on next steps, Citizens Advice sets out practical routes for insurance complaints. Your broker will also explain the insurer’s complaints process and, if you remain unsatisfied, your right to escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Remember, our content is general information – for tailored help, speak with an FCA authorised adviser.
How do I get started with a comparison and what will I need?
You can begin by reviewing our guides to decide on must have benefits, acceptable trade offs and a budget. When you are ready, request a comparison and have to hand ages of all applicants, any recent or ongoing medical conditions, preferred hospitals or locations and an idea of your excess. A broker will then search the market, explain the options in plain English and help you make a confident choice. If you prefer, you can get started online and speak to an expert when it suits you.
Compare Our Best Life Insurance Quotes
Find the right cover to protect you and your family. Compare quotes from some of the UK’s leading Life Insurance brands.
