Aviva made income protection payments totalling £12.9 million in 2013, the insurer has revealed.

Mental health conditions were the most common reason for claim, accounting for 31% of claims. This was followed by musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, each accounting for 19% of claims, while rheumatological conditions (9%) and cancer (8%) also led to a significant number of claims.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 960,000 workers have absences classed as ‘long-term’ each year, yet Aviva data suggests that fewer than one in 10 families have income protection in case of a loss of income through accident or illness.

The average age of the Aviva claimant at the point of incapacity was 44 overall. This breaks down as 45 for males and 42 for females. The proportion of claims paid in 2013 was 92.8%.

Of the 7.2% claims declined overall, the majority (6% of all claims) did not meet policy criteria, while 1.2% were declined for misrepresentation.

Robert Morrison, chief underwriter for Aviva, said: “It’s staggering to think that almost a million people in the UK are on long term absence from work due to illness or accident. Some of these people may have had some financial support from their employer, but often there are restrictions on how long employers will pay workers who are off sick. Meanwhile, many self-employed people are unlikely to have had this kind of cushion. This can mean that people are left to rely on their own resources, or turn to state benefits, which usually pay less than their original income.

“Given that our average income protection claimant receives payments for more than nine years, this shows just what a lifeline protection can be. We’d encourage everyone – particularly workers with dependent families – to look at what employee benefits they might receive if they were unable to work due to illness or injury. That way people can be sure what to expect and then potentially take steps to secure their family’s financial future.”