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Aviva: Health insurance reviews

Name: Health insurance
Rating: 1.94 (189 reviews)

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1.80

Based on 189 reviews, last reviewed 5th Sep 2025

50% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

71% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

19%

71%

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

Latest lowest rating:

1

Discussed with the level of care been waiting 3 week... Discussed with the level of care been waiting 3 weeks now got an NHS appointment quicker Reviewed on: 4th September 2025

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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 (189)

Review of the Aviva, Health insurance:

Horrendous. Utterly diabolic!

Horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. A nightmare. Utterly diabolic system, specifically designed to put your in constant stress, strain and struggle, so you run out of energy and give up. I have been having Aviva health insurance policy for a few years at the time I had to make a claim. Everything was fine while I paid, its a big company, so you kind of thinking you are protected, they have such a nice and shiny web site… Then when you dare to make a claim, this is where a nightmare starts. 1. No one picks up the phone for hours. Literally, for hours. No customer service presence EVER. The phone automatic msgs constantly says they are extremely busy, whatever time and day you call. You need to wait at least 45 mins on the phone to get throgh to the real person (thats the quickest I ever managed to get through after my many efforts) Im pretty sure this shortage on staff and responce is there deliberately. 2. Once you made a claim on their web site, and added all supporting documents, including GP referral and previous tests and scans (its mandotory before they even look into your claim) they suppose to contact you within 7 days. Guess what? Noone does. You have to chase them. Again. Call and wait for hours or try to get throgh their chatbot on the web site. 3. The chatbot is another nightmare. Everything is made to kick you off and not get you through to the real person. It is really hard to get through their automatic system. Sometimes just impossible. It is also, Im sure, made deliberately. 4. Once you made a claim, they will start looking for anything, literally, anything in you medical record to reject the claim. Trying to say its pre existing medical condition and etc. They try really hard, mind you. 5. Once you managed to get through these previous steps, and your claim was accepted, you still cant go to the consultant, no. They need to AUTHORISE your treatment. Otherwise its not gonna be paid for you. And this is your owns fault if you went to the doctor before they authorised any treatment in their system. They also choose a hospital for you and provide you the names of the authorised consultant. Only after this you can call to the hospital and book the appointment with a consaltant they choose. 6. Same steps happen with everything, every appointment or test you need to make. Whether its scans or tests or doctor consultations. Time flies by, appointments are not happening immediately, and here we are many months after without health issue being solved or any real result. ;) Congrats. 7. After months and months of struggle with their system, my surgery have been eventually postponed by the Spire hospital on the last day before the actual surgery. 3 weeks after the surgery assesment they suddenly decided I have to go to see a cardiologist and a GP, just to make them feel safer with what they do. ;) I have done this. And guess what? To the time I have done this (it was another month or so) the consultant who was suppose to perform this surgery just left this hospital ;))))) The end. At this point I could stand it no more! So I went to Russia (this is where Im from), and in 2 weeks there they have done all the tests and scans from scratch, prepared me for the surgery and performed the actual surgery. Done. And guess what? It was free. After this I canceled this ridiculous, torturing insurance and never looked back.) Eveything is hard, to the extent, its too much effort to make anything work. This is made deliberately by Aviva, to kick you off when you need them and cynically get their profit. And when you having health issues the last thing you want is more stress, struggle and palaver in your life. Having health issies is streessful enough. Then Aviva just adds more streess and struggle in already very hard circumstances. The whole reason of having private health insurance in the first place, is to have a stress free healthcare and fast specialist appointments. This is not what this is about. They just take your money and dont care about the rest. They dont even pick up the phone. Reviewed on: 17th January 2025

Shocking!

I have just had to cancel my AVIVA private health. It is the worst experience ever. When it came to a claim I had to wait up to 2+ hours on the phone, then they would not process the claim, I had to go through NHS (but continued to pay circa £299 a month but yet use the NHS! I appealed then they realised that I was in the right. They apologised and promised a £30 refund which I do not even know when I will receive this. I normally have BUPA or AXA PPP (which are much better). I will never take out an AVIVA policy again! steer clear of them! Reviewed on: 2nd December 2023

Would give zero if that was an option

Impossible to get through. Complete joke of a service Reviewed on: 27th November 2023

Terrible Service

Impossible to get through to Aviva over the phone to make or follow up a claim. Exhausting and intrusive claims process even when pre existing conditions are covered through a group policy and the icing on the cake - poor coverage. Do Not USE Reviewed on: 4th November 2023

Make a claim impossible

I went to see gynaecologist and they gave me medicine that I had adverse affects so need to go back to get different meds. Aviva don’t read documents probably say this is an existing condition and say do not do not do pre existing which it was a new condition. Then they look at the medication and say your menopausal we don’t cover that. I prove I am not and the medication can be used for different things. Then they say you have a prolapse according to the consultant notes and they don’t read clearly because it doesn’t say that. Then they Me the boss who is looking through the paperwork is medical trained. No clearly not and Aviva have been told don’t do things that cost too much money and refuse this claim. Happy to take money but not for you to claim. First time getting private health care but for sure will not be getting Aviva again. But I not sure if all insurance companies are like this. I hope not as I need to try a different company. Reviewed on: 23rd October 2023

Abysmal

If ever you are in need of healthcare this is not the insurance to have. Real time communication with a representative is nigh on impossible, the ChatBot worthless and response to online enquiries / requests take an inordinate period of time, e.g.: claim with GP referral letter submitted two weeks ago and still no response. Reviewed on: 11th October 2023

Absolute Disaster

If you want private healthcare then I suggest you stick with Bupa or Axa because at least these companies have people manning their phones ! I have spent hours on hold just trying to get through to someone ! They actually make the NHS look good ! So save your money or get a policy with a company that offers a service. Reviewed on: 3rd October 2023

Absolutely shocking. Impossible to get authority for a claim. Constantly looking for a reason not to pay

Aviva is absolutely shocking. Made me drive 3 hours to see a Specialist at a different Hospital. Messes us around with authority for our son, then messed us around with a claim form for our daughter, still havbt got authority numbers for either. Any excuse not to authorise or pay. Awful awful awful Reviewed on: 29th September 2023

claim

extremely poor service,they just dont want to approve a claim Reviewed on: 28th September 2023

Great

Good value health products, dealt with professionally. Reviewed on: 26th September 2023

Need to be dead before they pay

You pretty much need to be dead before they’ll honour a claim. They also need to update their medical terminology. I have two children I attempted to claim for; one has juvenile idiopathic arthritis, said they only pay for rheumatoid arthritis. Explained that’s exactly what it is only as she’s under 16 it’s called JIA. Fast forward- still won’t pay because despite having to adapt our home, employ a private tutor, give up one salary to be a full time carer as she’s not totally bed bound and can lift a glass of water she’s not sick enough! Son, 9, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Only cover you for type 1 diabetes if you’re over 40!! Reviewed on: 20th September 2023

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