About Aviva

Aviva is the country’s largest insurance company, with over 15 million customers in the UK, as well as 33 million more customers worldwide. It can trace its roots all the way back to 1696 – though its focus has never changed: helping people prepare for whatever life throws at them. As a composite insurer, Aviva offers lots of different insurance and savings products – including life insurance and critical illness cover.

Aviva critical illness policy features

If you buy critical illness cover through Aviva, your policy is likely to come with the following features:

Core benefit Receive your critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. After this, your policy ends.
Additional benefit Receive a proportion of your critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed with one of the less serious illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. Your policy won’t end after claiming the additional benefit.
Child benefit Receive a proportion of your critical illness cover amount if your child is diagnosed with one of the children’s illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. Your policy won’t end after claiming the child benefit.
Total permanent disability benefit Claim your full critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed by a doctor has having become permanently disabled during your policy term.
Waiver of premium Don’t pay your monthly premiums if you’re off work for medical reasons. A minimum time off work usually applies.

Aviva critical illness extra policy benefits

Aviva critical illness policies often come with a number of extra benefits, outlined below. These features are ‘non-contractual’, meaning they’re not related to the contractual conditions of your own policy, and are often provided by a third party. Everyone is eligible for them – though they’re usually only made available if you buy your Aviva policy through an adviser.

Carer support This service, provided by Workplace Options, offers specialist support for carers, with a range of resources and services available to help cope with the challenges faced.
Get active Access to a range of gym discounts to suit your needs. Available with all Aviva life insurance products.
Mental health counselling Also provided by Workplace Options, this service provides face-to-face or phone-based counselling for you and your family.
Second opinion by Best Doctors® This service entitles you to a second medical opinion from a specialist if you receive a diagnosis. The outcome of the consultation is summarised in a report that can be shared with your GP.
Bupa Anytime HealthLine A 24/7 telephone support service offering advice from a nurse on specific medical conditions or general health and wellbeing.

Aviva critical illness cover claim rate

In 2020, Aviva paid out 92.7% of critical illness cover claims, amounting to £314m. The most common reasons for claims were cancer (57.5%), heart attack (10.7%), and stroke (7.8%). Critical illness claims not being paid out are usually due to not meeting the definition agreed in the policy.

Aviva critical illness cover prices

£25,000 level critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £6.85 £8.45
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £9.49 £11.98
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £11.97 £16.67
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £17.35 £24.46
45 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £23.63 £37.87
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £35.24 £56.46

£25,000 decreasing critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Interest rate Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £5.00 £6.02
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £7.28 £9.16
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £7.58 £10.89
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £12.28 £17.73
45 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £14.62 £22.91
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £24.74 £39.08

£50,000 level critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £11.39 £13.75
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £14.33 £17.69
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £21.28 £30.57
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £27.30 £39.35
45 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £44.34 £69.91
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £57.41 £90.83

£50,000 decreasing critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Interest rate Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £7.84 £9.38
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £10.43 £12.80
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £13.05 £19.19
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £18.20 £26.73
45 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £25.87 £44.63
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £36.93 £62.58

Standard adult and standard child cover: Aviva Life Insurance+
Upgraded adult and upgraded child cover: Aviva Life Insurance+ Upgraded
Quoted on 06/04/2020

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Critical illness cover: Anorak's complete guide Best critical illness cover providers Critical illness cover policy comparison Children's critical illness cover: What it's for and how it works Glossary of critical illness cover terms
How many conditions does Aviva critical illness cover?
It depends which policy you buy. A standard adult policy covers 39 core illnesses and 2 additional illnesses; an upgraded adult policy covers 55 core illnesses and 42 additional illnesses.

True as of 6/01/20
What % of Aviva critical illness claims are paid?
In 2020, Aviva paid out 92.7% of critical illness cover claims, amounting to £314m. The most common reasons for claims were cancer (57.5%), heart attack (10.7%), and stroke (7.8%). Critical illness claims not being paid out are usually due to not meeting the definition agreed in the policy.
Is diabetes classed as a critical illness?
Type 1 diabetes is typcially considered a critical illness in critical illness policies. However, it’s best to check each individual policy's details, as this can vary from insurer to insurer. You may find it is included in upgraded critical illness policies, but not in standard policies, or is not included at all. Gestational and type 2 diabetes tend not to be classed as critical illnesses.
Is COVID-19 classed as a critical illness?
No, COVID-19 (coronavirus) is not one of the illnesses listed in any critical illness policy, so it wouldn’t pay out for that. However, if a COVID-19 diagnosis led to other serious complications (e.g. a stroke, heart attack or kidney failure), these might be defined as critical illnesses in your policy – in which case, you’d be able to claim.