Aviva meets 744 CI claims

The company also paid out a further £82 million to the families of loved ones who have died, or been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Key statistics include:

• Total payments for CI policies were almost £60 million. In total 744 claims were paid during the first six months of the year.
• Aviva paid 89% of all claims.
• The number of claims declined for non-disclosure of medical facts at the policy's outset was consistent with the full year 2008, at 2%.
• The number of claims declined as the condition claimed for was not covered by the policy was 9%.
• Cancer remains the most common cause of claim at 64%

Commenting, Michael Whyte, chief underwriter for Aviva, said: "Critical illness and life policies are the type of policy nobody wishes to need to claim against yet evidence shows that these are vitally important policies that can support families and secure their financial well-being during the worst of times. We are proud that we can make a difference to these families when they need it most, removing financial worries so that they can focus on what is most important to them."