Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland (Aviva) Pays Over €125 Million in Protection Claims in 2025 as More People Rely on Income Protection for Years After Illness and Injury
New Aviva claims data shows a sharp rise in income protection claims, with psychological illness now the most common cause
Key highlights
€125.6 million paid in protection claims in 2025, supporting more than 2,900 customers – the equivalent to €344,000 every day
New income protection claims increased by 32% compared to 2024, reflecting increased reliance on income protection and the planned growth of Aviva's income protection customer base
Psychological illness was the most common cause of income protection claims in 2025
The average income protection claim lasted 7.8 years, up from 7.5 years in 2024
The longest income protection claim has been in payment for 34 years
€290,000 invested by Aviva in rehabilitation and recovery support services for claimants
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland (Aviva) paid €125.6 million in protection claims to more than 2,900 customers in 2025, according to its latest claims data covering income protection, life insurance and specified illness policies.
The Aviva figures show that while some claims arise suddenly, the impact of illness or injury on a person’s ability to earn an income is often long term, with many customers relying on income protection payments for several years.
Income protection claims rise sharply
Income protection accounted for the largest share of customers receiving claims payments in 2025, with €54.6 million paid to approximately 2,300 customers. In total, 92% of income protection claims were paid during the year.
New income protection claims increased by 32% compared to 2024. This reflects both a growing number of people unable to work due to illness or injury, and the planned expansion of Aviva's income protection customer base during 2025.
The data shows that loss of income is often prolonged. The average income protection claim lasted 7.8 years, up from around 7.5 years in 2024, highlighting the long term financial impact illness or injury can have on working lives. More than half (55%) of income protection claims remained in payment for more than five years.
Reflecting the long-term nature of many claims, the longest active income protection claim has now been in payment for 34 years.
Psychological illness was the most common cause for income protection claims overall, accounting for 26% of claims. This was followed by orthopaedic conditions (25%) and cancer (21%).
Women made up just over half (54%) of income protection claims in 2025, with men accounting for 46%.
Men were more likely to claim for orthopaedic conditions, which accounted for 30% of male income protection claims, compared with 22% among women. Cancer was a more common cause of claims among women, making up 23% of female claims, compared with 17% for men.
Claims affected people across a wide range of ages. The youngest income protection claimant was aged 23, and in one case a claim was paid just 13 weeks after a policy began, highlighting how quickly illness or injury can affect a person’s ability to work.
Life insurance: almost all claims paid
Aviva paid €59.4 million in life insurance and terminal illness claims to 463 customers during 2025.
Almost all life insurance claims (97%) were paid during the year. The largest individual life claim paid totalled €6.35 million.
Cancer remained the most common cause of life insurance claims, followed by cardiac, respiratory, stroke and neurological conditions.
Specified illness claims continue to be driven by cancer
During 2025, Aviva paid specified illness claims to 151 customers, with total payouts of €11.6 million.
The acceptance rate for specified illness claims increased to 87%, up from 82% in 2025. The largest specified illness claim paid was €500,000.
Cancer accounted for 67% of all specified illness claims, with cardiac conditions (16%) and stroke (6%) accounting for most remaining claims.
The average age at diagnosis was in the early fifties, and the youngest claimant was aged 32. One specified illness claim was paid just six weeks after cover began.
Investment in rehabilitation and recovery
Alongside claims payouts, Aviva invested €290,000 in rehabilitation and recovery supports for income protection customers during 2025.
These supports included:
Psychological and counselling services
Physiotherapy and orthopaedic treatment
Cancer care programmes combining physical and psychological supports
The aim of these supports is to support recovery, and, where possible, help customers return to work.
Expanded Aviva Care services
Aviva individual and group protection customers can also access Aviva Care, at no extra cost, which has been expanded to include a new Get Fit programme.
Get Fit is a four to eight week online fitness and nutrition programme, designed by exercise and nutrition professionals. It provides:
Structured meal planning guidance
Personalised fitness routines delivered online
Support for building sustainable health and fitness habits
Aviva Care also includes access to a Digital GP service, mental health and bereavement support, and a second medical opinion from leading specialists worldwide.
This year’s claims data shows that illness and injury can have a long-lasting impact on people’s ability to earn a living. Many customers rely on income protection payments not for months, but for years, demonstrating the importance of having cover in place to protect their income when they need it most. The sharp increase in new income protection claims highlights how quickly people can find themselves unable to work. Alongside paying claims promptly and fairly, we continue to invest in rehabilitation supports and services such as Aviva Care, to help customers manage the wider impact of serious illness or injury.
Commenting on the figures, Siocha Costello, Senior Protection Marketing Manager at Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland said:
ENDS