Aviva vs Vitality health insurance — broker comparison

A side-by-side comparison of Aviva and Vitality UK private medical insurance, written by the brokers who place both. We compare hospital networks, underwriting, outpatient and mental-health limits, and where each insurer wins on renewal.

At a glance

Where Aviva wins

• Out-patient cover is unlimited as standard rather than sold as a separate module (Aviva Healthier Solutions brochure, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• No limit published on the number of eligible claims you can make (Aviva Healthier Solutions brochure, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• Aviva Digital GP app: unlimited video GP consultations, repeat NHS prescription ordering with free UK delivery, and up to six consultations with a menopause-trained health professional, provided by Square Health as a non-contractual benefit that Aviva can change or withdraw (Aviva Health Adviser, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• MyHealthCounts digital health tool can qualify members for up to 15% off their renewal premium if health actions are completed between months 6 and 9 of the policy year (Aviva Health Adviser, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• Aviva's Six Week Option carries its own terms and conditions, set out in a separate PDF rather than the main brochure, which we check with clients before they rely on it (Aviva, Healthier Solutions terms and conditions, static.aviva.io/.../gen6842.pdf, checked 15 Oct 2026).

Where Vitality wins

• Cancer cover is in the core plan, with 12 months of Cancer Nurse Specialist support.
• Up to eight Talking Therapies sessions without a GP referral, in core cover.
• Out-patient limits still cover MRI, CT and PET scans in full.
• Mental health limits are restored after 56 days without in-patient or day-patient treatment.
• A rewards programme with partner discounts, including up to 40% off Garmin devices and up to 50% off Virgin Active membership, plus an Apple Watch offer on a 0% APR credit agreement, subject to eligibility and a credit check (Vitality rewards pages, checked 15 Oct 2026).

Aviva watch-outs

• Chronic and long-term conditions are not covered; Aviva may cover an unexpected acute flare-up of a chronic condition until it is re-stabilised, except this exclusion doesn't apply to cancer treatment (Aviva Health Adviser, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• Specialists' and practitioners' fees are paid only up to the limits in Aviva's fee schedules, and hospital fees and CT/MRI/PET scans are covered in full only at a facility agreed by Aviva (Aviva Healthier Solutions Insurance Product Information Document, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• Pregnancy and childbirth are excluded, though related conditions that can also occur outside pregnancy are covered; birth control and infertility treatment are excluded (Aviva Healthier Solutions Insurance Product Information Document, checked 15 Oct 2026).
• If you reduce your out-patient limit, some in-patient and day-patient benefits are removed too (Aviva Health Adviser, checked 15 Oct 2026).

Vitality watch-outs

• Consultant fees are paid in full only with a consultant Vitality recognises.
• Physio outside the Priority Physio network is paid up to £35 a session, taken from your out-patient limit.
• Vitality does not publish the size of its renewal adjustments.
• Rewards are not guaranteed for the life of the policy, depend on staying active and linking a device, and can change; we don't put a cash value on them when comparing providers.

Hospital access compared

Aviva: You choose one hospital option when you take out Healthier Solutions, and it affects your premium: Expert Select (guided choice at claim time), the Key list (200+ hospitals nationwide), the Extended list (adds more hospitals, mainly in Greater London, for an extra cost), the Trust list (NHS/partnership private patient units, subject to catchment area) or the Signature list (Scotland and Northern Ireland only) (Aviva Healthier Solutions Insurance Product Information Document and Health Adviser product pages, checked 15 Oct 2026). Aviva doesn't publish a current total hospital count for Healthier Solutions beyond the Key list figure, so we check which hospitals and specialists a specific quote covers before recommending it.

Vitality: Without a hospital list (Consultant Select), Vitality finds care for you and offers up to 10 consultants. Countrywide covers most private hospitals and NHS private patient units outside central London and a limited central London choice, including The Cleveland Clinic London, The London Clinic, St John & Elizabeth Hospital and King Edward VII's Hospital. London Care covers all private hospitals and NHS private patient units in the UK. Vitality does not publish hospital counts, so we check your hospital in its finder at quote.

Underwriting compared

PremierPMI verdict

Aviva's Healthier Solutions is a modular policy that puts unlimited out-patient cover and cancer treatment into its core, then lets you add or strip back cover and choose a hospital option to manage price. We check the hospital option and any reduced out-patient limit against a client's needs before recommending it.

Vitality is a strong choice if you want cancer cover and Talking Therapies in the core plan and will use the rewards programme. Check the hospital option carefully: the cheapest price uses Consultant Select, where Vitality chooses the hospital.

• Choose Aviva if: Unlimited out-patient cover as standard, with flexible hospital options.
• Choose Vitality if: Core cancer cover and Talking Therapies, plus rewards.
• Both are placed whole-of-market by PremierPMI — we quote each side by side so you compare like for like before you commit.

PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 020 4525 0884, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.