According to the figures, in 2008 a total of more than six million people were covered by corporate or personal medical insurance, while a further one million were covered through Healthcare Trust arrangements.

In total, more than seven million people have some form of private health insurance in the UK, which is an increase of 2.7 per cent compared to 2007.

Commenting, Nick Starling, director of general insurance and health at the ABI said: “The continued rise in the number of people covered by Private Medical Insurance is good news.

“PMI gives people the peace of mind that they are able to get access to the treatment they need, at a time they need it, where they need it.”

Commenting on how medical insurance could help both the economy and companies that are battling the recession, Mr Starling added: “PMI is good for companies and the economy because it enables employees to get back to work after illness or injury as quickly as possible.

“This is why there has been a continued rise in the number of people covered by corporate policies.”

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