Hello,
I have come here for some guidance and advice.
I have had Aviva Critical Illness cover for both myself and my wife through my employer as an employee benefit that I pay for each month. This cover started in January 2024.
Earlier this year my wife was diagnosed with a Meningioma (Benin Brain Tumour) a condition that is covered by Aviva’s Critical Illness. My wife is due to under go surgery in September to have the tumour removed.
I spoke to Aviva and processed the claim as per their instructions. Alarm bells started right away as soon as I received the first email responding to the claim. I understand the need for due diligence on Aviva’s part and provided the medical letters and documentation that was requested.
The situation is that my wife started to experience severe headache in December 2025. Through MRI’s with contrast dye, we received the diagnosis that she had a 1.8cm meningioma. Back in January 2023 she also experienced headaches and had multiple scans on the NHS and privately and nothing was diagnosed and it was put down to cluster headaches.
Aviva are now rejecting my claim as a pre-existing condition as the neurosurgeon has put in his medical notes that with hindsight in 2026 he can see a small lesion on the MRI in 2023 that would most likely be the start of the meningioma.
Aviva are claiming they will not proceed with the claim as there is medical evidence that the meningioma was present in January 2023 (Not diagnosed by any medical professional) and they classify this as a pre-existing condition as the policy did not start until January 2024.
Whilst I appreciate, I am feeling very emotional and angry about this but it feels like an injustice on our part and betrayal by Aviva which has robbed us of something positive to come out of this awful situation. I have paid in to a system for almost 3 years in good faith and had no knowledge of any Meningioma until February 2026.
The policy wording on pre-existing conditions is very generic making it very easy for Aviva to find ways to not pay out on claims. I have no idea if there is any legal route I can take? Does anyone have any experience of fighting a similar circumstance? I have requested an appeal\complaint but do not hold out any hope.
Any constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated.
