- Get a quote
- Retrieve a quote
What is critical illness cover?
It’s an insurance policy that helps protect your income if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness. For times when you can’t work, tax-free cash can offer one less worry and maybe even a better night’s sleep.
The benefits of critical illness cover
-
You can count on us
We paid out £345 million in critical illness claims in 2023Footnote [1]
-
Enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts
Unlock your family's therapist, nutritionist and health checker in the palm of your hand through ourAviva DigiCare+^ smartphone app at no extra cost
-
Pair up your policies
You can buy life and critical illness cover at the same time. The policies are separate, so they could both pay out
Get a quote "Get a quote for critical illness cover"
How does critical illness cover work?
When you pay monthly premiums for the policy term, we'll be standing by to pay out the cover amount if you're diagnosed with one of the 52 conditions listed on our policy plan. Our policy also includes a children's benefit that covers any children you have at no extra cost.
Do you need critical illness cover?
No one can predict your future health, but you can prepare yourself financially. It's like having a fire extinguisher in your house. You may never have to use it, but you’ll be glad it’s there if you need it.
Think about expenses you’d need to cover if you were critically ill and couldn’t work. From feeding your family to balancing your bills, making ends meet without your normal income can be the toughest nut to crack. That’s why critical illness cover comes in useful.
How much critical illness cover do I need?
It depends on things like what you want to cover, how much you’re looking to pay each month, and for how long. Our critical illness cover normally comes in at under £19 a month, according to figures from September 2022 to September 2023. But we’re all different, so you’ll be quoted a price we piece together based on things like your policy’s length, amount you’ve asked for and medical history.
Want to know more about critical illness cover?
Watch our video about Want to know more about critical illness cover?
Do you already have critical illness cover with us?
- View your policy on MyAviva
- Try the MyAviva app
- Make changes to your policy
- Make a claim
- Help and support
Why get critical illness cover?
Did you know?
- Around 1.4 million people alive in the UK today have survived a heart attackFootnote [2]
- There are 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UKFootnote [3]
- 1 in 2 will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimeFootnote [4]
Our phones ring the most for claims relating to cancer, heart attacks, strokes, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. But we're happy to cover as many as 52 illnesses, which are listed in the critical illness policy summary (PDF 113KB).
How critical illness cover helped Linda when she needed it most
Linda took out critical illness cover with us when she bought her house. Within a few years, she got some bad news completely out of the blue. Here’s how we could help her at this difficult time.
Watch Linda's story
How to choose the type of critical illness cover that’s right for you
It's all down to what you want to protect and how much you're willing to set aside each month. Pick between level cover (a set amount which you can also protect from inflation) or decreasing cover (the amount you’ll get drops over time).
Level cover
With level cover, you choose the cover amount and how long you want the cover to run for. The amount of cover and the amount you pay each month stays the same until your policy ends.
Level cover could be a good option if you're looking to help maintain a loved ones' living standards, and the lump sum can help to cover things like:
- Your salary
- Any additional health and living costs
- Rent payments
- Continue to make mortgage payments
- Children’s school fees or other childcare costs
Protecting your cover from inflation
You can choose to make your cover amount increase in line with inflation. This means that your monthly payments may rise, and ensures the lump sum won’t be worth less in the future because of the rise in the cost of living.
If you choose this option, the maximum annual increase would be 15% to your premium and 10% to your cover amount.Footnote [5]
Decreasing cover
This could be a great option to help pay off a mortgage, debt or other loans if you're diagnosed with one of the defined illnesses while the policy’s active.
- Just like level cover, it has an expiry date, and your monthly payments are set in stone unless you change your policy
- In general, decreasing cover is lighter on your wallet than level cover as it's only there to pay off loans and debts you’re chipping away at. The payout amount won't need to be as high if you claim as you'll owe less money over time.
Are you eligible for critical illness cover?
To get cover, you'll need to:
- Consider your main home as being in the UK, with a legal right to live here, and no current intention of packing your bags to move elsewhere for good. By the way, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar aren’t considered part of the UK.
- Be aged between 18 and 64. For a joint policy, the maximum age applies to the oldest person covered.
What our critical illness insurance covers
If you already have critical illness cover with us, check what conditions you’re covered for in your policy documents, as it may be different from what’s detailed below.
These are included:
- Lump sum payment
Tax-free cash if you survive more than ten days after being diagnosed with any of the critical illnesses listed in ourpolicy definition.See the list of 52 conditions (PDF 124 KB) - Flexible length of cover
Your policy could last anywhere between five and fifty years – up to the age of 75 - Cover for your kids
We’ll pay up to£25,000, or50% of the cover amount (whichever is lower),for children diagnosed with critical illnesses (not terminal). It's valid from when they're 30 days to their 18th birthday (or 21st if they're in full time education). The conditions are listed in thepolicy conditions (PDF 124 KB)
- Changing from a joint policy to a single policy
If you separate from your partner, you can split your policy into two single policies, and won’t have to answer any new health and lifestyle questions - Cover up to£1 million
To help you when you need it most - Additional critical illness benefit
You can claim for some additional critical illnesses – and the policy won’t end if we pay a successful claim
These aren't included:
- If you're diagnosed with a critical illness outside the policy term
You’re only covered while your policy’s active
- If you don’t survive 10 days following the diagnosis
You’d need a life insurance policy to be covered by this - If you pass away
Your policy will end, and we won’t pay out. If you have a joint policy and one person passes away, the other policyholder will still be covered - If you don't pay every month
Your cover will stop. The policy has no cash-in value - If you’re diagnosed with a critical illness not listed in our policy
You’re only covered for the conditions listed - If this policy’s paid out, it ends
Customers can only get paid from their policy once, unless it’s a children’s or additional critical illness claim
Policy documents
See a full list of what’s covered in our policy wording.
5 minutes and done
Getting a quote could be done by the time you’ve boiled the kettle. Combining life insurance and critical illness cover can be done on our life insurance page.
All we need to know is:
- Your date of birth
- Whether you smoke
- How much cover you need
- How long you want to be covered for
Get a quote Retrieve a quote
Or call us free
0800 068 5549
Monday to Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Weekends and bank holidays: Closed
Calls may be monitored or recorded. Calls to 0800 numbers from UK landlines and mobiles are free.Our opening hours may be different depending on which team you need to speak to.
Round-the-clock wellness support with Aviva DigiCare+^
Once your critical illness or life insurance policy kicks into gear, you’ll unlock the door to Aviva DigiCare+^, our one-stop smartphone app. For no extra cost, you’ll be treated to a range of health and wellbeing benefits like personalised nutrition and a home health check that could save you time, money, and maybe even sleepless nights.
Provided by Square Health, it's your digital gateway to a healthier body and happier mind, to help shake up how you feel, inside and out. Download it from where you normally get your apps, mobile data charges may apply.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Annual health check
- Nutrition support
- Mental health support
- Second medical opinion
- Bupa Anytime HealthLine
- Bereavement support
^There's no guarantee that the app's benefits will always be in your plan, as they can change or disappear at any time. This is a non-contractual benefit we can withdraw at any time. Terms and conditions and the privacy policy for the Aviva DigiCare+^ can be found within the app.
You shouldn't just take out a policy for the sake of Aviva DigiCare+^; it's primarily a financial protection policy.
More about Aviva DigiCare+
Critical illness cover FAQs
Am I eligible for a critical illness policy?
You can take out our Critical Illness cover if you’re aged between 18-64 and are a permanent UK resident. We will then complete a health and lifestyle document to understand your medical history.
Which critical illnesses are covered under this policy?
We cover 52 critical illness conditions, including heart attack, stroke and some cancers.
Will my children be included in my critical illness policy?
Yes. They will be covered under our Children’s Critical Illness cover from the age of 30 days until their 18th birthday (or 21st birthday if they're in full time education), where we will pay up to £25,000 or 50% of the cover amount, whichever is lower.
How much does critical illness cover cost?
This will depend on your personal circ*mstances and medical history. Over half of our customers pay just £19.00 or less for our Critical Illness Cover.
How do I make a critical illness claim?
You can notify us of a claim by calling our team on 0800 015 1142 or by completing our online form. If you are considering making a claim, see our claims process.
See all critical illness cover FAQs
Why choose our critical illness cover?
We're proud our cover is5 Star rated by trusted industry expert Defaqto.
- We can help you stay healthier today
Our critical illness cover comes with access to health and wellbeing services through the Aviva DigiCare+ smartphone app - We’ve got heritage
We’ve been protecting people like you for over325 years - You can count on us
We paid out £345 million in critical illness claims in 2023Footnote [1] - We’re taking action on climate change
We're the first major insurer worldwide to target becoming a Net Zero company by 2040.While we are working towards our sustainability ambitions, we acknowledge that we have relationships with businesses and existing assets that may be associated with significant emissions. More information can be found athttps://www.aviva.com/sustainability/climate/
Looking for more cover?
Here are some other ways to help protect your family’s future.
Life insurance
Explore life insurance
Income protection insurance
Explore income protection insurance
Free Parent Life Cover
Explore Free Parent Life Cover
Life and critical illness insurance articles and resources
Get insight and useful info on protecting you and your family.
Is critical illness cover worth it?
Is it worth it? about Is critical illness cover worth it?
Terminal illness vs critical illness
Learn about the difference about Terminal illness vs critical illness
Children’s critical illness benefit
Discover how it works about Children’s critical illness benefit
Linda's Story
Watch our video about Linda's Story
Judie’s cancer claim story
Read the story about Judie’s cancer claim story
What is critical illness cover?
Learn about this cover about What is critical illness cover?
The real value of critical illness cover
Why critical illness insurance is… critical about The real value of critical illness cover
Understanding critical illness cover
What is critical illness cover? about Understanding critical illness cover
How much critical illness cover do you need?
Read more about How much critical illness cover do you need?
What does our critical illness insurance cover?
Find out more about What does our critical illness insurance cover?
The difference between income protection insurance and critical illness cover
Read more about The difference between income protection insurance and critical illness cover
See all our life articles
