Cancer, covered

Published: 03 May 2023 Last updated: 27 Sep 2023

By Catherine Gasson

“You’ve got cancer.” The words nobody wants to hear, but statistically half the UK population will at some point in their life [1]Footnote 1. The fact is, cancer diagnoses are getting more common [2]Footnote 2. Most of us will know someone who’s been affected, even if we haven’t ourselves. Having health insurance in place means you’ll get prompt and expert care if it happens to you.

Understanding cancer

Learning more about cancer could help you feel more in control of a diagnosis. While cases are on the up, with Macmillan Cancer Support estimating there are 3 million people currently living with cancer in the UK [2]Footnote 2, higher awareness and earlier detection means survival rates are improving [3]Footnote 3.

Did you know, in the UK:

There’s an estimated 3 million people living with cancer2

1 in 2 people are likely to get cancer in their lifetime1

50% of people diagnosed with cancer in the UK survive their disease for 10 years or more3

Aviva’s top 5 health cover claims are related to cancer

Health insurance and cancer cover

With the NHS under increasing pressure, you might worry you could be left waiting to start treatment. This is where health insurance steps up, giving you more choice about when, where, and how you’ll get treatment. 

Our cancer pledge means you’re guaranteed specialist support all the way from your initial cancer diagnosis, through your treatment and into aftercare. So whatever your new normal looks like, we’ll help you to get there that little bit quicker.

Does health insurance cover cancer?

Our health insurance is all about getting you back on your feet when a diagnosis knocks you down. This means picking and choosing the benefits you need, for your recovery. Whatever you decide, cancer care is always part of the package with our core cover.

Full details of our comprehensive cancer cover are in our Healthier Solutions brochure, but we’ve highlighted some of the key benefits below:

  • Cover at every stage of treatment (including after care, palliative, and end of life care).
  • The latest diagnostics for the best treatment options.
  • Access to treatments and tests that might not be available from the NHS.
  • A choice of local hospitals.
  • Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy covered in full.
  • £100 for each day or night of eligible treatment on the NHS – this can help towards everyday costs such as parking and childcare.
  • Treatment at home wherever possible.
  • Routine monitoring after finishing treatment.
  • Preventative surgery (following cancer treatment we’ve paid for).
  • Access to wellbeing support, such as our Digital GP and Stress Counselling helpline.

Making a claim

If you decide to go ahead with our health insurance, you’re only ever four steps away from making a claim and starting your treatment journey.

  • Ask your GP for a referral
    This can be from your usual GP, or you can use our Digital GP app. They’ll outline the treatment or investigations you need.
  • Contact our claims team
    You can do this online through MyAviva or call us on 0800 068 5821 [4]Footnote 4. We’ll ask some questions about your symptoms and guide you through your claim.
  • Starting treatment
    We aim to make a decision on your claim there and then. And we’ll get you booked in for your first appointment so you can start your treatment as soon as possible.
  • Picking up the bills
    We’ll settle everything with your approved healthcare provider, meaning you can focus on your recovery without worrying about the fees.

Getting a quote

You can get a quote online, by calling us on 0808 239 7592, or you can request a call back [4]Footnote 4. You’ll be able to choose the level of cover that’s right for you and customise what’s included.

Cancer covered as standard

Specialist care from diagnosis, through treatment and into aftercare.

Explore cover options