Aviva Life Insurance Ireland – Review, Benefits & Claim Stats
If you’re in the market for life insurance, income protection, or mortgage protection, you’ve probably come across Aviva. Big brand. Solid rep. Not always the cheapest, but that’s not the game they’re playing. And when it comes to income protection? They’re top of the class.
Let’s dig in.
Income Protection – Where Aviva Shine
If you’re only going to remember one thing about Aviva, let it be this:
They offer the best income protection policy in Ireland.
Why?
- Longest established provider of personal income protection (they bought Friends First)
- Highest benefit ceiling in the market
- Access to AvivaCare (exclusive to Aviva and free with your policy)
- Change jobs mid-policy? You’re still covered
- Waiver of premium when you’re on claim
- Best retraining and rehab support — they don’t just pay, they help you get back on your feet
If you fall ill and can’t do your job, they’ll not only pay you but support your retraining for a new role.
What is Aviva Care?
When you take out a policy with Aviva, you also get access to Aviva Care, a package of four virtual health and wellbeing services:
- Digital GP – talk to a doctor from your phone, even when you’re abroad
- Second Medical Opinion – get your file reviewed by top global consultants
- Mental Health Support – counselling and CBT with Irish psychologists
- Bereavement Support – because the worst days need the best help
It’s all powered by Teladoc Health. All included in your policy. No catches.
Life Insurance with Aviva
Aviva isn’t the flashiest when it comes to life cover, but they’re solid:
- You can buy cover up to age 89
- If you’re a smoker who quits, you can switch to non-smoker rates without more medical questions
- Terminal illness cover included automatically
- Aviva Care is bundled in, same as with income protection
Claims Stats 2024
- ✅ 98% of life insurance claims paid
- 💶 €63.9 million paid to 489 families
- 🧬 Top claim reasons: cancer, heart, and respiratory conditions
- 💰 €1.4 million was the biggest single claim paid
That’s what reliability looks like.
Mortgage Protection – Worth Considering
Aviva aren’t the cheapest, so if you’re after bargain-basement mortgage protection, you may want to shop around. But if you want value beyond price, there’s a lot to like:
- Dual life cover – pays out on both deaths, not just the first
- Best Doctors access for you and your family
- Family Care – mental health support, again for your whole household
- Guaranteed insurability – if your mortgage increases, you can increase your cover (up to €40k) without more medicals
- Extend term without conversion option – unique to Aviva
Serious Illness Cover – Not Their Best Game
Sorry Aviva, but you’re near the bottom here.
Some of their illness definitions are stricter, meaning it can be harder to claim. If serious illness cover is your priority, you’re better off with Zurich Life or Royal London.
Is Aviva Right for You?
If you’re:
- After best-in-class income protection
- Someone who values extra health support (Best Doctors, Aviva Care)
- Buying mortgage protection and want flexibility + mental health support
…then Aviva is a serious contender.
If you’re just after the cheapest policy? They’re not your bag.
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📝 Editor’s note: First published in 2016. Fully updated in 2025 with the latest Aviva product features and 2024 claims data.
