Aviva Life Insurance review
Best Life Insurance
Level term and decreasing term life insurance from one of the UK's largest insurers. Critical illness cover add-on available.
Overview
Aviva is one of the UK's largest and most trusted life insurers, with a claims payout rate exceeding 95%. They offer level term, decreasing term, and whole-of-life cover with optional critical illness cover — making it a comprehensive choice for family protection.
Who Is Aviva Life Insurance Best For?
- Parents and families — protecting dependents if the worst happens
- Mortgage holders — decreasing term cover that matches your mortgage balance
- Those wanting critical illness cover — add-on available alongside life cover
- People who value a trusted brand — Aviva has insured UK lives for over 300 years
Types of Life Insurance
| Type |
How It Works |
Best For |
| Level term |
Fixed payout for a set period |
Families, income protection |
| Decreasing term |
Payout reduces over time |
Mortgage protection |
| Whole of life |
Pays out whenever you die |
Inheritance tax planning |
How Much Cover Do You Need?
A common rule of thumb:
- 10x your annual salary if you have dependents
- Outstanding mortgage balance as a minimum
- Plus any debts you would not want family to inherit
- Plus childcare costs if relevant (£10,000-15,000/year per child)
If you have a repayment mortgage, your outstanding balance decreases over time. A decreasing term policy matches this — the payout reduces as your mortgage shrinks, and the premiums are significantly cheaper than level term.
Premium Examples (Approximate)
| Cover |
Term |
Age 30 |
Age 40 |
Age 50 |
| £200,000 level |
25 years |
~£8/month |
~£15/month |
~£35/month |
| £200,000 decreasing |
25 years |
~£5/month |
~£10/month |
~£24/month |
| + Critical illness |
25 years |
~£25/month |
~£50/month |
~£120/month |
Adding critical illness cover roughly triples the premium. But it pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious illness (cancer, heart attack, stroke) — even if you survive. Consider it carefully, especially if you have a family depending on your income.
What Aviva Lacks
- Medical screening required — more questions than some competitors
- Pre-existing conditions excluded — or loaded with higher premiums
- Premiums increase with age — the younger you apply, the cheaper it is
- No premium guarantee — reviewable policies can increase
The Bottom Line
Aviva life insurance is a trusted, reliable choice for family protection. The 95%+ payout rate gives confidence that claims will be honoured. The key decision is level vs decreasing term, and whether to add critical illness cover. Start young — premiums only get more expensive.
Pros
- Flexible term options
- Critical illness add-on
- Large, established insurer
- Online application
- Joint life policies available
Cons
- Medical screening required
- Premiums increase with age
- Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
- Decreasing term means less cover over time