What does switching health insurance mean?
Switching health insurance is when you move your cover from one provider to another. You can do this for yourself, or for your family and partner too. Switching to Aviva is simple – you can get a quote online or over the phone in a few minutes. You’ll need to meet our criteria for switching – which includes things like whether your policy was bought in the UK as well as providing your medical history.
Simple to switch
Simple to switch Get a quote online in just a few minutes. Or speak to our friendly team over the phone if you have any questions.
Carry over existing underwriting
If you’re eligible, you could be covered for some conditions that started during your previous policy term.
Added benefits, included as standard
Added benefits, included as standard When you switch to Aviva, you get added benefits, rewards and discounts at no extra cost – including 24/7 Digital GP appointments.*
* Non-contractual benefit which can be changed or withdrawn at any time.
When can I switch health insurance?
A good time to review your health cover is when it’s coming up for renewal each year. Switching during the middle of your policy might mean you have to pay extra admin fees. And, if you’re in the middle of treatment or about to have treatment, this could make switching a bit complicated.
If you’re not sure when to switch, give us a call on 0800 068 8174 Footnote [1]
Get the low-down on switching
Transcript for video Switch to Aviva
Looking to get Aviva Health Insurance?
You can either switch or start a new policy.
If you have health insurance with another provider, you can switch to us.
Just have your policy information to hand, then get a quote online.
You might be thinking, why switch to Aviva? Well, there are many reasons.
To begin with, you can transfer your medical history from your current provider.
So, as long as you meet our criteria for switching, you may be able to claim for symptoms or conditions you or your family had in the past.
When switching, you can review what you and your family need, then add or remove cover.
Want cover for routine dental appointments? You can add it on. Already have it and don't need it? Take it off. You get the gist.
If switching isn't for you, you could start a new policy.
This might be the right option if you or your family don't have any pre-existing conditions or symptoms that you may need cover for later.
Or perhaps you had a condition or symptom in the past that you don't need cover for anymore.
It's important to remember that, if you choose to start a new policy you won't transfer your medical history. This means you can only claim for symptoms and conditions that develop after the policy starts.
So, if you had knee surgery a few months ago and need more medical attention, it won't be covered in your new policy.
Not sure whether to switch or start a new policy? You can always give us a call on 0800 404 8338 to talk through your options.
Why switch your health insurance to Aviva?
Over 1.2 million choose us for their health insurance, as at May 2026.
Save up to 10% on health insurance if you’re an existing Aviva customerFootnote 2
We're proud to be 5 Star rated by Defaqto and Moneyfacts. That's quality you can rely on.
You can choose from 100s of hospitals for your treatment, all over the UK.
Can I save on my health insurance?
Our core cover
When you take out health insurance with us, our core cover comes as standard. It includes lots of great benefits and we cover a whole host of conditions. To give you an idea of what’s included, we’ve broken some of these down below.
We don’t cover chronic conditions or pre-existing health conditions, which is anything you’ve had symptoms of or received advice, treatment or medication for. We talk about this in more detail in our pre-existing conditions article.
What you get with core cover
While this isn’t a full list of our benefits, core cover includes things like:
Conditions we cover
These are just some of the conditions covered in our core health insurance.
- Short-term illnesses or injuries
Conditions that are likely to respond quickly to treatment, like appendicitis or gallstones. - Extensive cancer care
Full cancer cover, including diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. - Outpatient mental health support
Cover for up to £2,000 towards therapy or counselling for mental health conditions. - Musculoskeletal conditions
Physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment if referred by a specialist.
If you're not sure what some of these terms mean, you can find them in our health insurance glossary.
Personalise your cover
Core cover comes as standard, but you can adapt our health insurance to make it work for you. These features are there to enhance or reduce your cover – which means they’ll either increase or decrease your premium.
These are just some of the ways you can personalise your cover. You’ll find a full list on our optional extras page.
Routine dental and optical care 
GP referred physio, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment 
28 day inpatient mental health cover 
Select from reduced hospital lists 
Six Week Option – only claim if the NHS can’t treat you in six weeks‡ 
Reduce your outpatient cover or increase your excess amount 
Important documents
Before you apply for health insurance with us, please make sure you’ve read the product information document and our terms and conditions.
For more detailed information you can read our Healthier Solutions brochure or about our health services.
You can also read about the different hospital lists we have on offer, including Hospital Options and Expert Select.
Not ready to switch just yet?
Learn about underwriting
We put together this article to help you understand more about underwriting and how it works.
Extra wellbeing services
Discover all the wellbeing benefits, discounts and rewards you get with our cover at no extra cost.*
* Non-contractual benefit which can be changed or withdrawn at any time.
Get a quote to switch
^ Lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Closed on weekends and bank holidays. We may record or monitor telephone calls.
Learn about health insurance
We have a range of guides and tools to help you understand how health insurance works and what you’ll be covered for.
Cover explained
How does private health insurance work
Explore the benefits, coverage, and limitations of private health insurance in our comprehensive guide.
-
Cover explained
Are pre-existing conditions covered by health insurance?
Here's why your health insurance might not cover a pre-existing condition.
-
Cover explained
Ways to enhance or reduce your health insurance
Discover the difference between our health insurance cover types, and what your options are.
-
Conditions
Health insurance: the different types and how affordable they are
Before you buy health insurance, consider your needs and your budget.
BMI calculator
Find out if you're a healthy weight.
BMR calculator
How many calories does your body need?
Switching health insurance FAQs
Can I switch my health insurance provider in the middle of my policy?
Yes, you don’t need to wait until the end of the policy year before switching. However, it’s a good idea to check with your current provider to see if there are any early exit or cancellation fees that would need to be paid.
How long does it take to switch health insurance?
The first step to switching is to get a quote - you can do this online or over the phone. How long it will take will depend on the individual – you might have questions to ask or want to mull things over. You don’t have to accept your quote straight away, but once you have we’ll send you the relevant policy documents. The only things left to do will be to cancel your current policy and email or post us your current provider’s certificate of insurance within 21 days to complete the switch.
Can I switch health insurance during treatment?
If you’re already having treatment and want it to continue, then it’s unlikely you’d meet our criteria for switching to us and bringing over your medical history. We’d be able to offer you a policy based on new underwriting terms, but this means that any pre-existing conditions, especially if ongoing, will not be covered.
Can I switch my health insurance policy before my renewal date?
Yes, customers can switch at any time, you don’t have to wait until renewal. Remember to check with your current provider to see if there are any early exit or cancellation fees that would need to be paid.
Do I have to switch everyone from my current policy to my new one?
No, if one or more family members want to stay with your current insurer (for example if they’re going through a claim), then you can choose to only switch the family members who want to move and the others stay where they are.