Aviva group income protection: what employers should check
Aviva is one of the biggest names in group protection, and its group income protection comes with rehabilitation and wellbeing support built in. Here is what the cover pays, how long it lasts and how a broker helps you compare it with the wider market.
Family-run and regulated. We are a broker, not part of Aviva or any insurer, and we help employers across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and the UK compare group protection.
What is Aviva group income protection?
Aviva group income protection is a group protection policy that an employer takes out to protect its staff’s income. If an insured employee cannot work because of illness or injury and their sick pay has run out, the policy pays a proportion of their salary until they recover, retire or the policy term ends.
The employer is the policyholder and pays the premiums. It is one of the most valued employee benefits because it acts as a financial safety net at the point when an employee’s income would otherwise drop sharply. Aviva also offers group life and group critical illness, so many employers build a wider group protection package around it.
This page is general information from a broker. We are not part of Aviva, and we compare several insurers so that you can see how Aviva’s terms stack up against the rest of the market.
What does Aviva group income protection pay?
Aviva says its group income protection can pay up to 80 per cent of an employee’s salary, or 50 per cent for equity partners. The policy can also pay a proportionate benefit if an employee returns to work part-time or in a lower-paid role, which supports a phased return.
Employers choose the deferred period, the wait before benefits begin. Aviva describes a range of 8 to 52 weeks, and many businesses align it with the end of their own company sick pay. A longer deferred period reduces the premium, but it means the employer must carry the cost of absence for longer.
These are headline features. The exact terms of any scheme depend on the policy the employer chooses, the insurer’s underwriting and the definition of incapacity, so always check the current wording before you decide.
- Benefit of up to 80% of salary, 50% for equity partners
- Deferred periods from 8 to 52 weeks
- Proportionate benefit for a phased return to work
- Payment for a fixed term or to State Pension Age
The support that comes with Aviva group income protection
The insurance is only part of the picture. Aviva says insured employees have access to dedicated case managers who provide clinical, emotional and physical support, alongside vocational rehabilitation services designed to help people return to work safely.
Aviva also lists a range of wellbeing services, including Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace, an employee assistance programme, mental health support, a digital GP service, cancer care support, legal support through Red Apple Law, and tools called Get Active and Thrive. Aviva’s cancer support has involved Macmillan Cancer Support. What is available can depend on the type of policy and on the date, so it is worth confirming what your scheme includes.
On its own figures for 2024, Aviva reports that it paid more than £127 million in group income protection benefits and helped 2,658 employees through its rehabilitation services. It says 86 per cent of those employees returned to work or remained in work. These figures come from Aviva, and outcomes will always depend on the individual and the condition.
Financial safety net
A monthly benefit that replaces part of an employee’s salary when they cannot work.
Rehabilitation
Case managers and vocational rehabilitation to help people back to work.
Wellbeing services
Employee assistance, mental health support, digital GP and cancer care support.
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Book a free business protection callHow long does Aviva income protection pay out for?
The length of the benefit depends on the payment term the employer chooses. Aviva describes long-term cover that pays until State Pension Age, and shorter terms of two to five years. Payments stop earlier if the employee returns to work full time, recovers or no longer meets the definition of incapacity.
A benefit that lasts to State Pension Age offers the strongest protection for staff who might face a long-term illness, but it costs more. A shorter term keeps the premium lower and may suit an employer who wants to protect staff through the most common periods of absence without paying for the longest tail.
This is one of the first decisions we help employers with, because it has such a big influence on both price and the protection you are actually buying.
Is Aviva income protection good?
Aviva is a large, well-known insurer with a long track record in group protection, and it publishes claims and rehabilitation figures. Those are reasons why many employers and advisers include it in a quote comparison. But whether it is good for your business depends on your workforce, your budget and how you value the support services.
Every insurer has strengths, and the honest answer is that no single insurer is best for everyone. Pricing can vary widely depending on your age profile, occupation mix and scheme size. Differences also show up in definitions of incapacity, the treatment of pre-existing conditions and the flexibility of the underwriting.
Online reviews of insurers can be helpful as colour, but claims experiences are personal. A better test is to ask how the insurer handles claims, how quickly it responds and what support it gives to employers, then compare that with alternatives.
Can I get a lump sum settlement from group income protection?
Group income protection normally pays a regular monthly benefit rather than a lump sum. The benefit is designed to replace part of an employee’s income for as long as they are unable to work, up to the end of the policy term. It is therefore not usual to expect a lump sum settlement.
If an employee wants a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious illness, that is the job of group critical illness cover, which pays a one-off sum on diagnosis of specified conditions. The two are often bought together, because they solve different problems.
If you are unsure what your scheme provides, ask your HR team for the policy booklet. It will explain what is paid, when and for how long.
How does Aviva compare with Unum and other group income protection insurers?
Aviva, Unum, Canada Life, Legal and General and Zurich are all active in the group income protection market. They differ in areas such as pricing, underwriting appetite, claims philosophy and the wellbeing services they include, and no comparison table can capture all of that.
The best way to compare is to look at quotes on the same basis: the same benefit level, deferred period and eligibility. Then read the definitions of incapacity and the exclusions, and look at the support services and how they are delivered. A slightly higher premium can be good value if the rehabilitation support is strong.
A broker can run that comparison for you, explain the differences and negotiate where terms allow. We do this every day, and it costs you nothing extra because commission is already built into the premium.
Going direct to Aviva
- You see one insurer’s terms
- No side-by-side view of definitions
- You manage set-up and renewals yourself
- Harder to test whether the price is competitive
Using a broker to compare
- Aviva and other insurers on the same basis
- Definitions and exclusions explained plainly
- Help with set-up, renewals and claims support
- No extra cost to you
Tax on group income protection: what employers and employees should know
When an employer pays the premiums for a group income protection scheme, the premiums are generally an allowable business expense and are not normally treated as a taxable benefit for the employee. Rules can change, so check the position with your accountant.
The benefit that an employee receives is normally paid through payroll, so it is subject to income tax and national insurance like earnings. That is different from an individual policy owned and paid for by the person, where the benefit is usually tax-free.
We do not give tax advice, but we can explain how a scheme is structured and work with your accountant or payroll provider.
How to get a quote for Aviva group income protection
To start, we need the number of employees, their ages and salaries, the benefit level and deferred period you would like, and details of any existing scheme. We then approach Aviva and other insurers on your behalf and compare the results.
Using a broker gives you a clear view of what is on offer and someone to call at renewal or when a claim is made. We are a family-run firm, so you speak to a real person who understands your business.
If you would like to see how Aviva and the wider market would price your team, use the form at the top of this page or book a call.
Aviva group income protection: your questions answered
What is group income protection insurance?
It is a policy an employer buys to pay part of an employee’s salary if they cannot work for a long period because of illness or injury, once sick pay has ended.
Is Aviva income protection good?
Aviva is a large and well-known group protection insurer, but whether it is right for you depends on your workforce, budget and priorities. We compare it with other insurers on the same basis.
How long does Aviva income protection pay out for?
It depends on the policy term. Aviva describes long-term cover to State Pension Age and shorter terms of two to five years, ending earlier if the employee recovers or returns to work.
Can I get a lump sum settlement from group income protection?
Group income protection normally pays a monthly benefit rather than a lump sum. Group critical illness cover is the product that pays a one-off sum on diagnosis.
What is the deferred period?
It is the wait before benefits begin. Aviva describes a range of 8 to 52 weeks. Many employers match it to the end of company sick pay.
Are you connected to Aviva?
No. We are a broker, not part of Aviva or any insurer. We compare the market and explain your options.
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Book a free business protection callThis page is general information from a broker and is not affiliated with Aviva. It is not a personal recommendation. Figures are quoted from Aviva and product details and tax rules change; always check current terms.