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Aviva: Health insurance reviews

1.81
Based on 190 reviews, last reviewed 18th Oct 2025
50% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
50% increase in 1 star reviews
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Latest highest rating:

5

Reasonable cost, clear communication, I have had thi... Reasonable cost, clear communication, I have had this account with them for the last 9 years and have no complaints so far - luckily I haven't had to ... Read more Reviewed on: 5th September 2025
Aaron E's avatar
Aaron E

Latest lowest rating:

1

I cancelled my policy in its last month as I cant af... I cancelled my policy in its last month as I cant afford it.I told them clearly I would not renew,sent back documents & blocked their number. They hav... Read more Reviewed on: 18th October 2025
Denise Barnes's avatar
Denise Barnes

About this product

Aviva health insurance helps pay for private medical care for short-term injuries or illnesses.

You'll have access to a range of private hospitals and facilities that include Circle, Nuffield, Spire and NHS private units. Aviva won't increase premiums at first renewal if you haven't made a claim that's reduced your no claim discount level.

Aviva health insurance reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Aviva before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

Aviva Health insurance reviews (190)

Review of the Aviva, Health insurance:

Abysmal service - avoid!

1
My broker found me this policy, and I decided to proceed. I contacted them not long after policy started, and after 2 calls, waiting for over 45mins - I opted for a callback, which after a week never appeared. I’m afraid for £175 per month, I used this as a sign that I shouldn’t proceed with the policy so cancelled the DD. 1 month later they wrote asking to me complete a new DD mandate. I wrote back advising of the terrible service, to which they just cancelled the policy. A lucky escape and won’t touch them again either a barge-pole for any other policy. Reviewed on: 9th February 2025

3 year moratorium turns to 5

1
Aviva could not care less when you phone to make a claim; it became clear at the outset that the person taking the call was just after a way to find any evidence at all to stop them paying out. When I brought my insurance I was told I had a 3 year moratorium, however when I phoned to claim that somehow became 5? They blamed this on the insurance broker and a misunderstanding, but honestly it was apparent from the outset that they were going to move heaven and earth not to pay out. I feel I've been paying out every month for worthless cover. The staff member thought I'd started my policy in July 2019 and wouldn't pay because of the amazing time-travelling moratorium, but when I pointed out my cover started in December 2019 somehow, by sleight of hand, had I had my cover for 3 months longer I actually would have been covered. How does that work? Reviewed on: 22nd September 2021

Doesnt cover emergency

1
My partner went to A&E and NHS and was told they needed to have surgery urgently or go blind. We called Aviva who we have had insurance with for over a year and never used. We were told it would take two weeks to get the surgery done. If we waited that long my partner would be permanently blind. Do not buy this insurance. It isnt worth the paper it's written on. Absolutely horrible Reviewed on: 18th September 2021

Disgusting

1
Aviva is hands down the worst health insurance company I have ever been with unfortunately I have no choice as through my work but will be raising this with HR. It is very true per the other comments that customer service will do anything to find a way not to cover more than an initial appointment. Full diagnosis is not covered even though my policy says it does. I am left with no proper diagnose or management plan. I fail to understand what the point is of having this insurance. Not worth your time or money. AVOID. Reviewed on: 6th September 2021

Comprehensive policy that is almost impossible to claim on

1
Do not take out a policy with these f*ckwits, they will find a way to weasel out of a claim any way they can. Reviewed on: 4th September 2021

Up against a brick wall

1
Staggeringly difficult to make a claim. If you were not feeling well, you would give up within ten minutes, which I can only imagine is what their `goalkeepers` who answer the phone are trying to achieve. I would not recommend this company to any one. Absolutely dreadful. This is a zero star (you have to give a minimum of one apparently - they are not worth one star) review. Reviewed on: 27th May 2021

Company seeking loopholes to avoid claim

1
Five months ago I bought health insurance. Under my policy, I cannot claim for anything I suffered within the two years prior to the start of the policy. I understand that. I accept that. It also says that if the issue can be treated by the NHS within six weeks they would not pay the claim. I understand that. I accept that. A painful medical issue has arisen which satisfies all criteria and for which I require private treatment. I called to enquire about the process as I have not used the insurance before. I was put on hold for a long time. Eventually, the lady returned to recite all the clauses of my contract and also to says that even though this occurred AFTER I bought the policy and I am now seeking treatment FIVE MONTHS after the purchase of the policy the first symptoms occurred TOO CLOSE after the purchase date. Therefore, they need to do a full investigation. They need to requisition complete medical history and get it assessed before making a decision. This was not the question I put to them but this is what they wanted to say anyway. It's a time-consuming process and I am in pain. I want this solved right now not six weeks from today. The reason I bought medical insurance was to access a fast health care as Covid-19 was hogging the show. The treatment is only a couple hundred pounds. If they treat me this way, for a couple hundred pounds, what would happen if it were thousands of pounds? The way this came over was that they were looking for the slimmest loophole to avoid a pay-out. This was my first time and first impressions count. The amount of money that I have paid in premiums in the last five months together with the excesses on the policy, it is worth my while to go to a private doctor, dentist and optician, pay their fully fees and the total cost will be a fraction of the cost of the premium. Needless to say, the policy has been cancelled and shame on me for falling under the spell of their sales pitch. I want an insurance that will work for me, not the other way around. Aviva is not it. Reviewed on: 22nd April 2021

Terrible service on the phone. . Disgraceful.

1
Long winded way to get to see a specialist taking up to 2 weeks for them to deal with even the initial enquiry. Disgraceful. I shall be meaning this company ASAP Reviewed on: 8th April 2021

Medical insurance

1
Don’t touch this company they are an utter con........., they don’t pay out at all. My daughter took pcos and said because she had acne teenager and fatigue it was a symptom. They also get you to fill in forms which Your gp take a fee. It’s an utter disgrace I don’t ever recommend them and will tell everyone happy to take your money but nt pay you out. Don’t use them!!!!!! Reviewed on: 20th March 2021

What a con!

1
Tip 1. when you go to the Doctor and they ask how long have you had the symptoms just reply "on the way in". Went to Doctors with pulled shoulder blade muscle from golf. 18 months later had to go with different symptoms and pain in top shoulder joint (not muscle strain). Turns out I need an operation which is NOT covered because I had complained of pain previosuly! Total crap service and 14 months of pain. Paid for the op myself and would cancel my companys health insurance if it wasnt for the other staff I have on it. Reviewed on: 15th January 2021

Simply awful service

1
Bought my company’s private medical insurance from Aviva on advice of broker against web advice to go for the No.1 provider AXA. Turns out that if you have something as simple as a bruise or a pulled muscle (in my case) in apart of the body you are automatically excluded from any claim for absolutely anything for two years from policy start. So, if you pull a muscle in January one year and then have pain in the shoulder due to bone cancer the following year you are not covered. Better still notes made by non medically qualified personnel are treated as if a Doctor had written them! MY strong advice is this: 1. When booking your Dr’s appointment just say you are ill with no mention of what is wrong or with what. Also only book a week or two before expected appt. 2. Do not say how long you have had the symptoms or indeed what they are but just say it started just before you walked in. 3. Do not mention or comment on any of your medical history. 4. Always request access to your medical records so you can see what is written about you. 5. Make sure if they diagnose something you are given the proper investigative procedure (X-ray, MRI, blood test etc). This will determine exact issue and if you then have another different issue some time later it should be treated as a separate claim. 6. Choose another private medical insurer. Reviewed on: 1st January 2021

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