Aviva Health Insurance UK is a well-established provider of private medical insurance, known for offering flexible and
comprehensive health cover for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong focus on prevention and digital healthcare,
Aviva provides access to private diagnosis and treatment, virtual GP consultations, mental health support, and a wide network of
private hospitals across the UK.
Their core cover includes in-patient and day-patient treatment, with optional extras such as
out-patient care, dental and optical benefits, and therapies. Aviva also emphasizes wellness, offering services like stress counselling,
health assessments, and fitness discounts. Competitive pricing and a user-friendly claims process make it a popular choice for those
seeking tailored, supportive, and modern healthcare solutions.
Aviva Health Insurance UK is part of Aviva plc, one of the country’s oldest and largest insurance providers, with origins dating back over 320 years. Its health insurance arm evolved through the merger of historic firms such as Norwich Union, founded in 1797, and CGU plc, which itself was formed from Commercial Union and General Accident. In 2000, Norwich Union and CGU merged to form CGNU plc, later rebranded as Aviva in 2002, with Norwich Union Health officially becoming Aviva Health Insurance in 2009. Over the years, Aviva has modernised its health offering, focusing on digital innovation, preventative care, and virtual services like 24/7 GP access. Today, it provides flexible, user-focused private medical insurance supported by centuries of industry experience.
Aviva Healthier Solutions is a robust and versatile health insurance plan ideal for those seeking flexibility and a balance between cost and coverage. It stands out for its digital GP access, emphasis on wellness, and strong core protection for major health issues. With smart customisation, it caters well to both budget-conscious users and those looking for comprehensive private medical care.
Aviva Digital GP: 24/7 access to GP video consultations and repeat NHS prescriptions via our app, at no extra cost.
Wellbeing Benefits: From mental health support to discounts on top brands (including Fitbit and Gousto) and health and fitness clubs nationwide be on your A game with our wellbeing services.
My Health Counts: An online tool to measure your health and potentially give you a discount on your renewal premium.
Mental health Support: Common mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders and OCD are covered for up to £2,000 of outpatient mental health treatment, including therapy and counselling. All you need is a GP referral.
Aviva Healthier Solutions rated 5 star by independent rating service Defaqto.
Aviva Health holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.3/5 from almost 44,000 reviews.
Winner of the Best Individual Provider Year at the Health & Protection Awards 2020.
Aviva topped a 2023 Fairer Finance customer experience survey for PMI.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| In-patient treatment | Full cover for surgery, diagnostic tests, and specialist care when admitted to a private hospital. Includes hospital accommodation, nursing, operating theatre fees, and drugs needed for treatment. Specialist Consultations covered during in-patient or day-patient stays. Includes fees for surgeons, anaesthetists, and physicians. Aviva Healthier Solutions Includes MRI, CT, and PET scans when referred by a specialist. |
| Out-patient treatment | Aviva allows members to choose between different levels of outpatient cover, such as: Full Out-Patient Cover: Unlimited out-patient consultations and diagnostics within Aviva’s network. Limited Out-Patient Cover: £500 or £1000 limit for out-patient consultations and diagnostics. |
| Cancer cover | Comprehensive cancer cover is included as standard and includes specialist fees, hospital charges for surgery and medical admissions, diagnostic surgery, MRI, PET and CT scans and radiotherapy and chemotherapy. |
| Digital GP | Access to medical advice through up to five GP video consultations per year and repeat NHS prescriptions. |
| Additional Options & Benefits | Aviva Health policies offers a range of additional benefits and options: 6 Week Option. Protected No-claims discount. NHS cash benefit. NHS cancer cash benefit. Home treatment for certain eligible treatments. Private ambulance. Parent accommodation. Dental & Optical. |
As with most health insurers Aviva have three options you can choose from for how your policy is underwritten:
Moratorium: No requirement for detailed medical history upfront, a moratorium period of two years is in place for any condition for which you have experienced symptoms or received treatment for in the last five years.
Full medical underwriting: Full medical underwriting means you disclose your full medical history when applying, allowing the insurer to assess and confirm which conditions are covered or excluded from the start.
Continued medical exclusions (Switch): You will need to answer a few questions regarding your medical history in the last five years and some questions on specific health conditions. The underwriting will transfer from your previous insurer rather than being re-underwritten. This option is only available to those with an existing health insurance policy with another insurer.
For more definitions of terms, please see our glossary.
An excess is the amount you will pay towards a claim, the higher the excess you choose the lower the premium will be. Aviva offer the following excess options:
£0, £100, £200, £500, £1000, £3000, and £5000.
The excess is per person per year if you claim and not per claim, so multiple claims can be made without paying the excess again.
Choosing the right hospital list ensures you have access to facilities you require, Aviva have four hospital lists:
Signature, Trust, Key and Extended.
Expert Select:
Aviva will offer you a choice of hospitals nationally which may include some from the largest hospital groups. All will be local, offering access to a number of specialists. Aviva base our recommendations on your diagnostic or treatment needs to make sure you get appropriate quality treatment options every time.
Health insurance does not cover accident and emergency situations. Most leading health insurers do not cover treatment overseas, self-inflicted injury and professional sports related injuries are also not covered on a health insurance policy.
As with most health insurers Aviva's exclusions are very standard, they do not routinely cover:
Allergies, allergic disorders or food intolerances.
Birth control, conception, sexual problems and gender reassignment.
Chronic Conditions.
Contamination, wars, riots and some terrorist acts.
Cosmetic Surgery.
Fertility treatment and infertility.
Pre-existing conditions.
Pregnancy and childbirth.
Navigating health insurance especially understanding what’s covered can be complex, but our expert advisors are here to guide you in choosing the right policy and underwriting option for your needs.
Like all health insurance providers, Aviva considers a range of factors when calculating the cost of your private health
cover—some of which you can influence, and others that are fixed.
Aviva offers a customisable health insurance policy that you can tailor to suit your individual needs and budget. By adjusting options such as out-patient
cover levels, hospital lists, and the excess amount, you can manage the scope of your coverage and influence the cost of your premium.
In addition to your policy choice, here are several key factors Aviva takes into account when generating your quote:
Age: Age is one of the most significant factors—the older you are, the higher your premium tends to be. Taking out insurance early is a smart way to control future costs.
Who's covered: Including family members on your policy will result in higher premiums. Insurers do offer varying discounts for couples and familys.
Location: Where you live can impact pricing. Health insurance tends to be more expensive in London and the South East, where private treatment costs are typically higher.
Level of Cover: Comprehensive cover (e.g., private diagnosis and treatment) costs more than basic or treatment-only options. Extras like mental health cover, dental, and optical benefits increase the overall premium.
Excess Level: The higher the excess (the amount you agree to pay toward a claim), the lower your monthly premium will be. Choosing a high excess can reduce upfront costs.
Lifestyle and BMI: Most insurers now offer discounts based upon health and lifestyle. Your body mass index (BMI), fitness level, health conditions, and other lifestyle choices can affect your premium.
Smoking Status: Nearly all insurers charge higher premiums to smokers, reflecting the greater risk of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
Hospital and Consultant Access: Choosing a wider hospital network or the ability to select any consultant usually costs more. Guided care or restricted networks lower costs by limiting provider options.
No-Claims Discount: Aviva policies have a no-claims discount that increases each claim-free year. Claims on your policy could negatively impact your renewal price.
Understanding the key factors that affect your premium can help you take control of your health insurance costs. At Insured Health, we’re committed to supporting you throughout the life of your policy—helping you preserve the valuable benefits of private healthcare. We offer some the most competitive prices on the market, guaranteed not to be beaten elsewhere. Ready to take the next step? Get your personalised quote today.
What are the benefits of health insurance?
The main benefit of health insurance is that it gives you access to private healthcare. You can often bypass long NHS waiting times and receive prompt diagnosis and treatment getting you back to health sooner.
How does private health insurance work?
You’ll usually pay monthly or yearly for your cover. Then, if you become unwell or are injured, you can make a claim. Your insurer will then pay some or all of the cost of any private healthcare that you need.
How do you make a claim on health insurance?
Most insurers require a GP referral before you access private treatment. Some offer online GP appointments or allow direct access to specialists through a triage process. In most cases, you’ll need authorisation before seeing a specialist. The insurer usually pays the provider directly, though you may cover any excess or costs beyond your policy limits.
Will my premium increase every year?
Premiums can rise annually due to age and inflation in medical costs. Making a claim on your policy can impact your premium. If you've noticed an increase, speak to one of our advisers today.
I have medical history can I get cover?
Yes, you can still get health insurance if you have a medical history, but it may affect what’s covered. Some conditions you’ve had treatment or symptoms for may not be included right away. Depending on the policy, these conditions could be covered later if you don’t need any treatment for them. Speak to one of our advisers who can help find the right policy for your needs.
How much does private health insurance cost?
Costs vary based on factors such as your age, health, location, level of cover, and excess amount. Policies can range from under £30 per month to several hundred, depending on these variables. For an accurate price speak to one of our advisers today.
At Insured Health, we help you compare prices and cover from top UK health insurance providers like Aviva, AXA, and Bupa. Our service is completely free, and we remain fully independent and impartial to ensure you get the best advice for your needs.
Our expert, approachable advisers are here to guide you through every step with ease. They’ll take the time to understand your personal needs, compare prices and policies on your behalf, and provide clear, honest advice to help you find the best and most affordable cover.
Whether you're exploring health insurance options or already have cover and want to ensure you're getting the best deal, Insured Health is a trusted health insurance broker
We offer the most competitive prices available from insurers, you will not get a cheaper price for health insurance elsewhere.
Our service is entirely free, and we pride ourselves on being independent and impartial.
Based in Sheffield, our team of expert advisers is just a call or click away, ready to guide you through the process with ease.
At Insured Health, our customers trust us to make finding the right health insurance simple and stress-free. They consistently praise our knowledgeable, patient advisors who take the time to understand individual needs and provide clear, pressure-free guidance. Reviewers value our competitive pricing, better coverage options, and annual policy reviews that ensure lasting value. By comparing top UK providers, we deliver transparent, personalised service that gives customers confidence, peace of mind, and exceptional care.
