Critical illness cover with a pre-existing medical condition

Critical illness cover is an insurance policy that will pay out a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness, or must go through surgery that relates to a critical illness.

A pre-existing medical condition is a medical condition that you have already been diagnosed with and have either now or have had in the past.

• Blindness
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Anxiety
• Asthma

Yes, you can! Just make sure that when you’re filling out your quote,  you’re completely honest about any pre-existing conditions you may have as some may lead to other conditions. Your insurer may decide that those conditions become an ‘exclusion’ on your policy,  meaning if you’re diagnosed you won’t be able to make a claim. Otherwise your policy may be more expensive.

When an application is assessed by an underwriter, they may choose to offer cover but with an exclusion. This means that you would not be able to claim for the condition in the exclusion. However, you would be covered for all other conditions on the product.

There are usually certain conditions that aren’t covered by critical illness cover, but you can take a look at our policy conditions for the details of the 52 conditions that we cover.

Yes, when it comes to taking out critical illness cover honesty is the best policy. If you don't declare a medical condition, this could result in your policy being cancelled without your premiums being refunded.  If your policy is cancelled, you won't be able to make a claim.

If you're diagnosed with a new condition once your insurance policy is in place, you don't need to tell us about a change in your medical status.  However, you should be able to make a claim against it, if it is a condition that is covered under the policy conditions.  This will then be reviewed and if the claim is covered under the policy, you will be paid out.

This varies based on your personal circumstances.  However, there are a few things that may impact the price of a critical illness policy:

• Age – The older you are, usually the more you will pay, this is because you’re more likely to get unwell.
• Health – If you're generally a healthy and active person then your premiums are likely to be less compared to a person who may be less so.
• Job – If you have a high risk job like a pilot or you work underground or underwater.
• Hobbies and lifestyle – If you’re one for throwing yourself out of planes or you’re a smoker you’re more likely to pay more.

If you decide to take out critical illness cover, you’ll choose between having level cover or decreasing cover. To put it simply, with level cover, you choose the cover amount and how long it runs for, and the amount will stay the same until your policy ends. With decreasing cover your monthly payments will decrease as you get closer to your policy end date. 

Learn more about the different types of live insurance cover.

With Aviva critical illness insurance, you not only get our excellent cover, but so do your children. As with our insurance, your children are included as part of your policy.

You also get access to the Aviva Digicare+ app^ giving you immediate access to:

• Annual health check
• Nutrition support
• Mental health support
• Second medical opinion
• Bupa Anytime HealthLine
• Bereavement support

^ This is a non-contractual benefit Aviva can withdraw at any time. Terms and conditions and the privacy policy for the Aviva DigiCare+ can be found within the app. Of course, the main reason for taking out a policy with us is financial protection, you shouldn’t take out a policy for Aviva DigiCare+ alone.