Aviva also paid £62m to its CI customers during the first six months of 2011, a 21% increase on the same period last year. In total 755 people received CI payments between January and June 2011, averaging £81,000 each.
During the first six months of the year 92.5% of critical illness claims were paid, bringing the last 12 months’ claim paid percentage to 94.3%.
The number of CI claims rejected for reasons of “non-disclosure” during the January-June period fell to just 1.46%.
Aviva also paid out £150m through life insurance claims during the first half and paid 99.7% of claims resulting from death.
Robert Morrison, chief underwriter for Aviva, said: “At Aviva we believe it is crucial we pay every claim we can.
“While unfortunately across the industry there are a small number of claims insurers are unable to pay, these latest figures should help to reassure customers that we are there to help them when it matters most.
Morrison cited examples of why insurers were unable to pay claims were because they did not meet policy criteria or if there was a clear case of deliberate non-disclosure.
He added: “We would like to see critical illness claims figures rise even higher across the industry and at Aviva we are constantly reviewing how we work with our customers and advisers to assist them from the point of purchase.
“This way they can be confident that should the unexpected happen and they need to make a claim we can help provide the financial support they require so they can concentrate on more important matters.”
