Record profit lifts Aviva shares, pays out on coronavirus claims

A woman wearing a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus walks past South Korean soldiers in protective gear sanitizing a street in Seoul, South Korea, March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

LONDON: Aviva shares jumped on Thursday as the life and general insurer posted a record profit in its first year under chief executive Maurice Tulloch, although he said the Covid-19 coronavirus added uncertainty to the outlook.

The insurer has received around 500 travel insurance claims related to the coronavirus so far and paid out around 500,000 pounds ($644,750), its executives said.