Switching health insurance is when you (and possibly your family too) move your cover from one provider to another.
When you switch to Aviva you could carry over your underwriting from your current policy. So, you may be able to claim for symptoms or conditions you or your family have experienced in the past, as long as you meet our criteria for switching.
Our terms and conditions may differ from your previous insurer, but switching to Aviva gives you an opportunity to review your needs and take advantage of the many benefits we offer.
Why choose Aviva for health insurance?
We're delighted that our private health insurance has been awarded 5 stars by both Moneyfacts and Defaqto - two trusted industry experts. Here's some of the reasons why we're a leading provider of health insurance:
It takes a name you can trust Over 1 million Footnote [1] people agree, and have health insurance with us.
Access to 100s of hospitals nationwide Whether you choose Expert Select or a hospital list, you'll have access to a wide range of private hospitals and facilities. These include BMI, Nuffield, Spire and NHS private units.
Quality you can rely on Our health insurance is rated 5 Star by industry experts, Defaqto.
We reward loyalty Existing Aviva customers get up to 10% off new policies Footnote [2].
Save up to 15% on your first year premium If you meet our health-related eligibility criteria. The discount will reduce over future renewals. Please view Health Discount Footnote [3]terms and conditions (PDF 65KB) for full details.
Renewal price guarantee Footnote [3] Take out a new health insurance policy with us, and we'll guarantee your premiums won't increase at first renewal if you haven't made a claim that's reduced your no claim discount level. Terms and conditions apply (PDF 63KB).
Switch your medical history If you switch to Aviva from another provider, you could carry over your previous underwriting to your new policy. This means you may be able to claim for past symptoms or conditions, subject to our terms and conditions.
What does our health insurance cover?
Core cover
Benefits that come as standard with our health insurance:
Consultations and/or treatment with a specialist
Diagnostic tests
Hospital charges
Full cancer cover
Out-patient mental health treatment
With a choice of:
Expert Select Guided hospital option
Key hospital list Our standard list
Enhance cover
Enhance your cover with any of these optional add-ons. Choose from:
Dental and optical
Mental health upgrade – 28 days in or day-patient treatment
Other treatment and therapies including osteopathy, physiotherapy and chiropractic
Extended hospital list
Protected No Claim Discount
Reduce cover
Reduce your premiums by removing cover you don't want. Here's what you can remove:
Get access to a range of wellbeing services included with our health insurance, including: MyHealthCounts, MyAviva, Cancer care with Get Active*, Stress Counselling helpline, Aviva Digital GP*, Mental health support*.
* These benefits are non-contractual benefits that Aviva could amend or withdraw at any time.
Learn more
Enhance cover
Add to your basic cover with these options, at an additional cost:
Dental and optical cover for routine dental, accidental dental injury and eye care expenses
Mental health treatment adding daypatient and inpatient care to your core outpatient cover for acute mental health conditions
Extended hospital list increase the number of hospitals you can use, mostly in the Greater London area. This is instead of Expert Select, our core route to treatment or the standard Key hospital list
Other treatment and therapies such as GP-referred treatment to a physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor or acupuncturist
No claim discount protection pay a small sum to help keep future premiums down
Reduce cover
Options to make your premiums more affordable:
Add the six-week option you’ll still be covered for private inpatient treatment and daypatient care if NHS treatment isn’t available within six weeks. We can’t offer this if you live in the Channel Islands or on the Isle of Man
Policy excess pay towards the cost of a claim – choose from £100, £200, £500, £1,000, £3,000 or £5,000 – no more than once each member, every policy year
Reduced hospital lists you can choose the Signature hospital list, which includes hospitals in Scotland and Northern Ireland only, or the Trust hospital list of the NHS Trust and Partnership private hospital units, if you live within the catchment area
Reduced outpatient cover you can choose to reduce your outpatient cover to a limit of £0, £500 or £1,000, as well as removing certain outpatient benefits. These reduced limits don’t apply to cancer treatment
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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.
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