Aviva has launched an innovative top-up health insurance product focused on supporting people with cancer. Cancer Essentials is the first in a range of low-cost insurances designed to provide medical, financial and emotional support on diagnosis of specific conditions, and to complement treatment customers receive through NHS health services.
The Essentials range will sit alongside Aviva’s Private Medical Insurance, and signals a new direction in Aviva’s approach to health insurance in the UK, aiming to provide cover for all budgets and across all life stages.
Cancer Essentials provides support for adults on diagnosis of cancer. Recent research from Aviva shows that British adults are more worried about being diagnosed with cancer than any other serious disease1, including dementia/Alzheimer’s, heart disease or stroke.
This is perhaps unsurprising, as the disease will affect one in two people born in the UK after 19602. Internal data from the insurer shows that cancer is the single most common cause of critical illness claims, further highlighting the prevalence of a disease which can have a devastating impact on families.
Cancer Essentials cover includes:
- Up to £100,000 towards the cost of non-NHS funded cancer drugs, on request from the customer’s NHS specialist.
- A £5,000 cash sum payable on the diagnosis of cancer, to help with immediate everyday costs.
- 24/7 access to a GP Helpline.
- Access to online and phone based support from a team of personal nurse advisers.
The insurance is priced according to the age of the individual and whether or not they smoke. For example, a 50 year old would typically pay between £5 and £8 per month.
New and existing Aviva customers can request a quote and apply for cover direct via Aviva’s website. Customers can view their policy documentation at any time via a secure online portal. Claims can also be made online, making the customer experience fast, simple and efficient.
Dr Doug Wright, Medical Director for Aviva Health comments:
“The NHS does a brilliant job of offering an extensive range of cancer services but financial pressures mean it simply cannot fund every cancer drug that is available. That’s where Aviva is stepping in. For a low monthly cost, customers have the peace of mind of knowing that if diagnosed with cancer, they will benefit from being able to access up to £100,000 worth of additional cancer drugs and treatments, should these by requested by the customer’s NHS specialist.
“In addition, customers diagnosed with cancer will immediately have access to high quality medical advice and support, provided by GPs and nurse advisers over the phone, as often as they need it. We recognise how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be, and how crucial it is to be able to access the right information and emotional support, at a time that suits the individual.
“Cancer Essentials is the first in a number of innovative new top-up health insurance products Aviva has planned over 2016 and beyond, targeting customers’ specific health needs.”
- Ends -
For further information on Cancer Essentials, and other Health Insurance products from Aviva, please visit: http://www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/
If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact:
Aviva Press Office: Jess Geoghegan: 01904 684128 jess.geoghegan@aviva.com
Instinctif Partners: Rachel Morrod or Sam Fisk: 0207 427 1431 / 0207 427 1432 or twc.aviva@instinctif.com
References:
1 Online survey conducted by ICM research for Aviva UK Health. The survey was carried out in December 2015. Respondents were invited from ICM’s online panel and 2,004 interviews were conducted amongst a nationally representative sample of the British adult population.
2 British Journal of Cancer - http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v112/n5/full/bjc2014606a.html
Notes to editors:
- Aviva provides life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and asset management to 34* million customers, across 16 markets worldwide
- In the UK we are the leading insurer serving one in every four households and have strong businesses in selected markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE100 index.
- Aviva’s asset management business, Aviva Investors, provides asset management services to both Aviva and external clients, and currently manages over £245 billion in assets.
- Aviva helps people save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life; we paid out £24.6 billion in benefits and claims in 2014.
- By serving our customers well, we are building a business which is strong and sustainable, which our people are proud to work for, and which makes a positive contribution to society.
- The Aviva media centre at http://www.aviva.com/media/ includes company information, images, and a news release archive.
- For an introduction to what we do and how we do it, please click here http://www.aviva.com/about-us/aviva/
- For broadcast-standard video, please visit http://www.aviva.com/media/b-roll-library/
- Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/
* Before the deduction of overlapping customers.