We understand the importance of providing extensive cover and support at every stage of cancer treatment.
Our cancer pledge means we’ll cover eligible cancer treatment and the palliative care our customers need, as recommended by their specialist. We want to make things as comfortable as possible following their cancer treatment, so we’ll provide extensive cover for aftercare, including consultations with a dietician, as well as money towards prostheses and a wig.
Karin's story
When worrying symptoms led to an ovarian cancer diagnosis, Karin, one of our customers since 2021, saw first-hand how valuable Private Medical Insurance can be when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn. Watch her story:
Transcript for video Karin's story
I think people with cancer don’t like to say the word, and I’m not any different. It’s very loaded that word.
I really, really feel that I’m one of the lucky ones because of my health insurance.
My life before the diagnosis was quite a happy life. Before, I would’ve gone into London, I would’ve gone to a gallery, I would’ve gone to see a play or something.
Every morning I woke up feeling sick, and I said no… I cannot be pregnant. That can’t be it. So, I think it was my daughter in law who convinced me to go and see the doctor.
The doctor I saw, she said I have to have a stool test and I think they’re taking a blood test as well and see what it is.
The doctor I saw said to me ‘you have got cancer. It’s ovarian cancer’, and just this wall came down. I didn’t take it in.
I was there with my son who very kindly came with me. I’m glad he did. And my son asked a question and I [laughs] then we left and I said to my son: can we go into that pub, and you tell me what he [the doctor] said?
And he told me. I said ‘okay, I’ve got cancer. That’ll be alright. They know how to deal with it’.
I am an optimist. I always think things go right in the end.
So I then had to come back and had an 8-hour operation. And then I stayed in hospital for ten days.
When I came out of the operation, I was given a stoma and when I came home and I got used to my stoma, I called her Gladys. And Gladys and I are not friends. We tolerate each other. It stopped me doing things which I would’ve done before.
Life is so full of things and Gladys won’t hold me back much longer, I’m sure.
I felt the way Aviva supported me has been very pleasant. I think they’ve got an oncology department and that makes a difference.
With Aviva it was: you told them what you’ve been diagnosed with, you told them who you’re going to, how you got there.
They’re incredibly well trained. Or they’re just nice people. I think they’re just nice people.
I’m not one of those who wakes up and goes ‘Hallelujah I’m still alive’ but I do appreciate life more, and long may it last.
My father was 104 when he died, my mother was 78. So inbetween, I’ll probably live to about 100 [laughs]. That’s my logic.
Using Aviva's health expertise
Everyone who makes a cancer claim is looked after with understanding, patience and empathy by our dedicated cancer claims team, from the point of diagnosis right through to the completion of their treatment. This way, we can help to reduce the burden of administration by getting to know the case details inside out. Members can then concentrate on what’s most important: the right treatment and hopefully the road to recovery.
With training from our in-house clinicians and regular industry updates, the team have an in-depth understanding of what it means to be living with cancer - offering so much more than just paying medical bills.
As well as making sure the hospitals and specialists recognised by Aviva offer good practice standards to our customers, our in-house clinicians help develop and shape our products, meaning everything we do is informed by clinical input.
Aviva is committed to providing the best possible support to customers throughout their claim.
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Cancer. It's personal
So we take it personally, with cancer care shaped around each individual, not just their diagnosis. We're proud to provide support at every stage of the cancer journey. Because cancer doesn’t just affect health. It affects a person’s whole world, and support should reflect that.
Looking to support your clients and enhance how you explain our cancer proposition?
Explore our Cancer Pathway leaflet, designed to help you confidently outline each step of the journey and provide clients with reassurance when they need it most.
*These services are non-contractual benefits Aviva can amend or withdraw at any time.
Guidance that helps
From understanding the benefits of our cancer cover to discovering how we offer support, here are some additional tools to help make your client conversations easier.