Be on your A-game with health insurance

What is health insurance?

It’s cover that helps pick up the bill for private medical care for a future short-term injury or illness, and is also known as private health insurance or private medical insurance.

You can take it out for you, your partner and your family, and having cover in place could make you feel more prepared for any eligible health-related bumps or bends in the road ahead. Our insurance can offer more control over your treatment choices, and help soothe worries about how long you might wait for an appointment, from a private GP consultation, to the diagnosis of a condition or surgery.

How does health insurance work?

You choose the healthcare benefits you need and pay a premium. Then if you get a short-term illness or injury, and are referred by your GP, we’ll help you choose from a wide range of high-quality private facilities and hospitals.

If you make a claim, we’ll make sure it’s quick and hassle-free, so you can focus on getting better.

Also, some of the terms we use in health insurance can sound like another language, so we’ve put together a glossary.

How we deal with pre-existing medical conditions

Do you need health insurance?

Private medical insurance could be for you if:

You don’t want to drag your feet on health matters – faster access to diagnosis, treatment and aftercare is important to you
You’d prefer continuity of care where possible
You’d like treatments that might not be available on the NHS

The benefits of our health insurance

It takes a name you can trust

Over 1.1 million ^{[1]Footnote 1} people agree, and have health insurance with us, as of June 2023.
Choosing where you're treated

Ask us to guide you to the most suitable hospital and specialist when you claim, by picking our Expert Select option (PDF 2.11 MB). Or decide up front on one of the ready-made hospital lists that make up our Hospital Options (PDF 476 KB).
Tools to take care of yourself every day

As part of our cover, you’ll benefit from a range of wellbeing services to help you live your best life, from advice around healthy eating choices to discounts at a nearby gym.
Cut down the waiting time

Private health insurance can help bring down how long you’ll wait for elective procedures, tests, and consultations, which can really benefit you if you have urgent health needs.
Privacy when you need it most

When you’re in hospital, our insurance could cover the cost of a private room, so you have your own space for extra peace and comfort.

Get a quote

How much does health insurance cost?

It depends on things like your age and where you live and, if you’re switching to us, how many claims you’ve had. But you can control the features you have and don’t have, which can increase or decrease your premiums.

Boost your cover

Add to your basic cover with these options, at an additional cost:

Dental and optical cover for routine dental treatment and eye care expenses
Mental health treatment adding daypatient and inpatient care to your core outpatient cover for acute mental health conditions
Extended hospital list increase the number of hospitals you can use, mostly in the Greater London area. This is instead of Expert Select, our core route to treatment or the standard Key hospital list
Other treatment and therapies such as GP-referred treatment to a physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor or acupuncturist
No claim discount protection pay a small sum to help keep future premiums down

Reduce your cover

Options to make your premiums more affordable:

Add the six-week option you’ll still be covered for private inpatient treatment and daypatient care if NHS treatment isn’t available within six weeks. We can’t offer this if you live in the Channel Islands or on the Isle of Man
Policy excess pay towards the cost of a claim – choose from £100, £200, £500, £1,000, £3,000 or £5,000 – no more than once per person, per policy year
Reduced hospital lists you can choose the Signature hospital list, which includes hospitals in Scotland and Northern Ireland only, or the Trust hospital list of the NHS Trust and Partnership private hospital units, if you live within the catchment area
Reduced outpatient cover you can choose to reduce your outpatient cover to a limit of £0, £500 or £1,000, as well as removing certain outpatient benefits These reduced limits don’t apply to cancer treatment

Renewal price guarantee

Take out a new health insurance policy with us, and we'll guarantee your premiums won't increase at first renewal if you haven't made a claim that's reduced your no claim discount level.

Terms and conditions apply (PDF 63 KB)

What does our health insurance cover?

Our insurance offers wide-ranging cover against illness, cancer, accidents and curable diseases. The language of health insurance can be confusing, and can mean very specific things, so here’s a guide to some of the key terms.

What's covered

Acute conditions
Our health insurance covers treatment for short-term illnesses or injuries that respond quickly to treatment.
Access to 100s of hospitals
Whether you choose Expert Select or a hospital list, you’ll have access to a wide range of private hospitals and facilities. These include BMI, Nuffield, Spire and NHS private units.
Extensive cancer care
Cover for cancer diagnosis, treatment and aftercare as standard – read more about our cancer pledge.
Hospital charges and specialist fees
Comprehensive outpatient cover, including diagnostic tests, consultations with a specialist, treatment with a specialist, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

What's not covered

Chronic conditions
We don’t cover a disease, illness or injury that needs ongoing or long-term care, such as diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy and asthma. Please note that cancer is covered as standard.
Pre-existing conditions
If we look at your full medical history when you apply (full medical underwriting), we’ll usually exclude any conditions you had previously. If we don’t look at your full medical history when you apply (moratorium underwriting), when you make a claim, we’ll ask about any pre-existing conditions you had in the five years before you took out the policy. These conditions won't be covered unless you’ve been free from medication, treatment, diagnostic tests or advice for them for two continuous years after taking out this policy.
Pregnancy and childbirth
We don’t cover treatment for pregnancy and childbirth but we do cover related conditions that can also be experienced outside of pregnancy and childbirth, and the specific complications listed in the terms and conditions. ^{[2]Footnote 2}

Policy documents

See a full list of what’s covered in our policy wording.

Healthier Solutions Insurance Product Information Document (PDF 98 KB)

Healthier Solutions brochure PDF (4.9 MB)

Expert Select flyer (PDF 1 MB)

Healthier Solutions terms and conditions (PDF 562 KB)

Hospital Options (PDF 471 KB)

About our insurance services (PDF 68 KB)

Get a quote

Your total wellbeing

The tools you need to make positive changes. Here's how our wellbeing services can be there for you.

MyHealthCounts

An online health and wellbeing tool that helps you find out how healthy you are. It could also help save you money when it’s time to renew your policy.

Aviva Digital GP

An app that gives you access around the clock to five GP video consultations per member, per policy year, and repeat NHS prescriptions – at no extra cost ‡

Get Active

We’ll help you get fit and stay healthy with savings on gym services, discounted lifestyle products and offers at over 3,000 nationwide health and fitness clubs ‡ You could even try our BMI calculator if you think it'd help you.

24-hour stress counselling helpline

If you’re stressed and want to talk to someone, experienced counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (for members aged 16 or over)

Mental health support

If you're struggling with stress, anxiety or poor mental health, it can be difficult to get back on track. We can help by providing easy access to information and articles, on a range of topics ‡

Cancer Care with Get Active

You can benefit from savings on products and services that can help make a small difference if you or someone close to you is living with cancer. The service provides you with discounted products and services that can help with the daily living adjustments a cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring, as well as offers on services and experiences that may enhance quality time spent with family and close friends ‡

‡ These services are non-contractual and can be changed or withdrawn at any time.

Aviva Digital GP is powered by Square Health. It’s available if you’re a resident of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, at home or abroad. Terms and conditions and the privacy policy can be viewed in the Aviva Digital GP app before you sign up, and mobile data charges may apply.

Already have health insurance?

Leaving an Aviva health insurance scheme?

Continuing your cover with us is easy. ^{[3]Footnote 3} Call us on: ^{[4]Footnote 4}

0800 015 2470

Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays: Closed

Moving to us from another insurer

To talk to us about switching, just call us on ^{[4]Footnote 4} :

0800 068 8174

Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays: Closed

Other health cover options

Here’s how else you can protect yourself.

Diagnostics insurance

Find out what’s wrong quickly with easy access to diagnostic tests and consultations.

It doesn’t cover any treatment resulting from your diagnosis.

Learn more

Why choose us for health insurance?

We’re proud our cover is 5 Star Rated by trusted industry expert Defaqto.

It takes a name you can trust
Over 1.1 million people agree, and have health insurance with us ^{[1]Footnote 1}
A doctor in your pocket
Medical help anytime, anywhere, with the Aviva Digital GP app
Quality you can rely on
Our health insurance is rated 5 Star by industry experts, Defaqto

5 minutes and done

Get a quote, and your cover, in minutes. Stay protected for years.

What you need to get a health insurance quote

When you get a quote from us, we’ll ask for a few details, including:

Personal information – such as your name, date of birth and address
When you want your cover to start – today or a date in the future
If you want to add anyone else to the policy – if you include a partner or children, we’ll need to know their details too.What type of cover you want – customise your policy by choosing add-ons and your hospital option.
Any medical history – we’ll ask you to pick either moratorium underwriting or full medical underwriting, which deal with pre-existing medical conditions in different ways.

Get a quote Retrieve a quote

Or call us free^{^ 4}

0800 015 9830

Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Weekends and bank holidays: Closed

Value: For our joint protection, telephone calls may be recorded and/or monitored and will be saved for a minimum of 5 years. Calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers from UK landlines and mobiles are free. The cost of calls to 03 prefixed numbers are charged at national call rates (charges may vary dependent on your network provider) and are usually included in inclusive minute plans from landlines and mobiles. Our opening hours may be different depending on which team you need to speak to.

Or get us to call you

Request a callback

Grandparent being hugged tightly by their loving grandchild, in an outdoor countryside setting

Get independent information about the quality and cost of private treatment available from doctors and hospitals from the Private Healthcare Information Network.

Health insurance FAQs

Do I need to renew my policy every year?

Yes, you need to renew your policy every 12 months. We’ll send you a renewal invite around 30 days before your renewal date so you can check your details are correct and the cover still meets your needs.

If you’ve previously filled out our MyHealth Counts health questionnaire, you’ll also discover if your Q score has helped you secure a discount.

After checking all the renewal details, if you don’t need to make any changes, then simply leave the rest to us. On your renewal date, we’ll automatically renew your policy and take payment (using the payment details we have saved for you).

Does my health insurance cover me abroad?

Can I add others to my policy?

Yes, you can add other people to your policy if they’re part of your immediate family group. For example, this means you can add a spouse, a partner, or your children.

If you add two or more children aged 19 or under, you'll only pay for the oldest (until they turn 20). Plus, adding your partner to your health insurance could mean you pay less than if you both had your own individual policies.

Are there any age limits to buying health insurance?

Will my health insurance premiums change every year?

How much you pay for your health insurance might change year-to-year. Because when we work out your renewal price, we consider several factors. Some of them are about you specifically, like your age or postcode. Others are about what’s happening in the world or the insurance market in general, like the cost of medical treatments increasing.

Discover other factors that might cause your health insurance premiums to change.

See all health insurance FAQs

Be the best you

Get health and wellbeing know-how the easy way with our guides and info.

Health insurance