Tuesday 10th February 2026
Private ambulance: Supporting the community
Posted by Lee Partner, Head of Private Clients and Commercial
Pressure is mounting on all ambulance services in England, and many are redirecting most of their services to handling 999 calls and reducing their private medical cover contracts. This change is driving increased demand for private ambulances, which already deal with many non-emergency services across the UK.
Ambulance services data shows that in May 2025, the average response time for life-threatening emergencies (Category 1) was 7 minutes 51 seconds, still missing the seven-minute standard but under eight minutes for the first time since 2021. For serious conditions such as strokes or chest pain (Category 2), the average response time was 27 minutes 54 seconds, which is better than January’s 35 minutes but still far above the 18-minute target. In late 2024, response times for suspected strokes and heart attacks surged to 47 minutes, nearly triple the original benchmark. These extreme circumstances prompted Government ministers to ask the public to take extra precautions during heatwaves to avoid adding to the overwhelming workload.
Managing the risks
Private ambulance operators, blood bikes, paramedics, and mountain rescuers are high-risk professions. Specialist emergency vehicle schemes generally include patient and organ transfer and cover for attendance at events. Firms can buy Emergency Services Cover and medical malpractice cover separately, but this increases the chance of gaps in cover. Each insurer will have differences in cover, so it’s advisable to buy both from the same provider.
Working with an insurance broker specialising in private ambulance cover is advisable to protect your business properly. They will ensure no gaps in cover and advise on all the latest legislative and regulatory developments in this area. Medical Malpractice Insurance generally covers advice, treatment, stock, equipment, contents, and business interruption. A broker can also advise on the need for Motor Fleet Insurance, Public Liability, and Employers Liability for private firms with more than one employee. Claims such as accidents occurring during patient transfers and patient injury can often fall under other Public Liability Insurance.
Kerry London covers companies that range from:
- Specialist patient transfer
- Non-emergency patient journeys
- Repatriation of patients to the UK
- 999 emergency services to NHS Ambulance Trusts at times of peak demand
We can insure the full range of companies from one-person operations to large fleets of vehicles. All firms serving the NHS must be Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered private ambulances when working for the NHS.
The firms we insure typically attend the following events:
- Motor cross shows
- Sports events requiring paramedics on site
- Film and TV medical provision
- Blue light
- Individuals who can transport blood and specimens
- Standard patient transfer
- Air ambulance clients – helicopter ambulances
- Psychiatric transfer
- Airside medical services
- Blood bikes
- Repatriation/overseas work
- Organ and tissue transfer
- Search and rescue – potholes and caves
- Collection of deceased persons
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Kerry London is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company is a leading UK independent and Lloyd’s registered broker, which means that we work with a wide range of niche and major insurers.
This note is not intended to give legal or financial advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon for such or regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. In preparing this note, we have relied on information sourced from third parties, and we make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. You should not act upon information in this bulletin nor determine not to act without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. We and our officers, employees or agents shall not be responsible for any loss whatsoever arising from the recipient’s reliance upon any information we provide herein and exclude liability for the content to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Categories: Emergency & Healthcare,
