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What is Aviva life insurance?
The Aviva Life Insurance Plan is term life insurance. It pays a lump sum if, during the term, you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness that meets the policy definition and you are not expected to live more than 12 months. Once it pays, the cover ends.
You choose level cover, which stays the same throughout, or decreasing cover, which falls broadly in line with a repayment mortgage. Decreasing cover costs less because the insurer's exposure shrinks every year, so it suits a mortgage and it does not suit family income needs.
A single policy covers one person. A joint policy covers two, and ends when the first person dies or makes a successful terminal illness claim. That is the trap with joint cover, one payout, then the survivor has nothing and has to buy again at an older age.
Aviva quotes cover from £5 a month, with a quote in a few minutes. Price still depends on your age, medical history, whether you smoke, and the amount and length of cover.
Who can apply, and what is not covered
Aviva publishes clear boundaries on the Life Insurance Plan. Knowing them before you apply saves a declined application on your record.
| What | Aviva's position |
|---|---|
| Age at application | 18 to 77 |
| Residency | In the UK with a legal right to live there, and the UK is your main home |
| Excluded from that residency test | The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar |
| Medical exam | Not needed in most cases. If Aviva asks for one, Aviva pays for it |
| Suicide | Not paid in the first 12 months of the policy |
| Cash value | None. Cancel or stop paying and cover ends with nothing back |
Aviva DigiCare+, included with new plans
DigiCare+ comes with a new Life Insurance Plan, Critical Illness Plan or Over 50s Life Insurance. The app is provided by Square Health. Many services can be shared with eligible family members.
Digital GP, 24/7
Unlimited video consultations with a private GP, up to 20 minutes each, every day of the year. This is the benefit clients use most, because it removes the wait for a routine appointment.
Annual health check
A pin-prick blood sample tested for 20 health markers, with a report in the app and a follow-up GP appointment to discuss it. The health check costs £39.95.
Mental health support
Eight video sessions a year with a qualified specialist, shared with eligible family members.
Nutritional consultations
Up to eight sessions a year with a nutritionist, shareable with eligible family members.
Bupa Anytime HealthLine
Unlimited calls to a qualified nurse, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Personal training, second opinion, bereavement and legal support
Eight digital personal training sessions a year, a second medical opinion service, bereavement support, and access to free and discounted legal services.
What Aviva actually paid
These are Aviva's own published figures for 2025. They are the reason a claims record belongs on a provider page, alongside the price.
98.7%
of all life insurance claims paid in 2025
90.7%
of critical illness claims paid in 2025
£69,559
average critical illness payout in 2025
£63.5m
paid to income protection customers in 2025
Aviva paid 5,586 critical illness claims in 2025, a figure that combines critical illness, children's benefit and total permanent disability. Cancer accounted for 54.8% of its critical illness claims that year. Aviva works with Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists to speed up payment for some customers with a cancer diagnosis.
Who Aviva tends to suit, and who it does not
Households that want the health benefits used, not filed
Unlimited 24/7 GP access shared across the family is worth real money if anyone in the house needs appointments. That is the practical difference from a cheaper plan with nothing attached.
Mortgage protection on a budget
Decreasing cover tracking a repayment mortgage is the cheapest way to cover the debt. See mortgage protection for which type fits which situation.
Not the right fit
If you are over 77, or your main home is outside the UK, you cannot take this plan. If you want cover for life rather than for a term, you need whole of life, not this.
You might also find this useful
Other provider guides and cover types we can talk you through.
Aviva Global Treatment
Access to world leading hospitals and treatment for six serious conditions.
Royal London Life Insurance
The adviser-only Personal Menu Plan, and the Helping Hand support it includes.
Zurich Life Insurance
Flexible cover with free protection during underwriting and house purchase.
Vitality Life Insurance
Life cover that reduces your premium when you stay active.
Family income benefit
A monthly income for your family instead of a lump sum.
Get protection advice
Not sure which insurer or cover type fits? Send us an enquiry and we will work through it with you.
Common questions
Plain English protection guides
Protecting the mortgage is the part we advise on ourselves. Read how mortgage protection insurance works, including which type of cover suits which situation.
Where these figures come from
Product terms change. Check the insurer's own key features document before you apply.
Talk it through with us
Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back to you, usually the same day. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.