Trace the fascinating and complex history of Aviva over three centuries.
Our ancestors include the oldest mutual life insurer, the first company to issue a burglary policy, and the first and only insurance company to hold a royal warrant. Uncover a wealth of history with our Timeline.
1700s
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1700s
1706
Amicable Society founded
Transcript for video Amicable society clip
1706 when Queen Anne over the Great Seal of England granted a charter to the Amicable Society for a perpetual assurance office.
Under the inspiration of a Fleet Street bookseller, Mr John Hartley, this society started something new.
It began to insure its members for a whole life, not just for a year, a voyage or a fixed term, and only on personal application.
Thus was founded the very first life insurance office in the world.
For over a century, it grew and prospered, being the only life office to survive the effects of the bursting of the South Sea bubble in 1721.
But with the growth of younger and more vigorous competition, it was finding itself cramped and hampered by its early charters. So in 1866 it amalgamated with the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society.
The Norwich Union continued to administer the Amicable’s business as a closed fund until the last policyholder, Samuel Stevens, who joined the Amicable at the age of 19 in 1857 died in 1932 at the age of 94.
Our life insurance business began when John Hartley, a London bookseller, established the Amicable Society for a Perpetual Assurance Office. Founded under a charter of Queen Anne, the Amicable claimed to be the world's first mutual life assurance society. Its primary purpose was to ensure that the widows and children of members were provided for in the event of their death. The Norwich Union Life Insurance Society acquired the Amicable in 1866.
1710s
1714
Union Assurance established
The Union Assurance Society was founded at the Amsterdam Coffee House in Threadneedle Street, London. The company provided insurance against fire for the contents of properties. It was later acquired by Commercial Union in 1907. The company's fire brigade rewarded volunteers, who assisted with buckets of water, with tokens that could be exchanged for beer.
1750s
1758
Insurance of London Landmarks
The Hand in Hand insured the temporary London Bridge in May 1758. Its predecessor had been destroyed by fire. The company insured many London landmarks over the years including the British Museum, Guy’s Hospital, and Lambeth Palace.
1780s
1780
First roots in Ireland
Aviva's connections with Ireland date back to the establishment of the Liberal Annuity Company of Dublin. It was acquired by the National Assurance Company of Ireland in 1876, which amalgamated with the Yorkshire Insurance Company in 1906. The Yorkshire was acquired by General Accident in 1967.
1790s
1792
Norwich General established
The Norwich General Assurance Company was established by Thomas Bignold to insure against loss by fire. In 1797, the company moved from Gentleman's Walk in Norwich to new premises at St Giles. Bignold remained at Gentleman's Walk and established a new company, the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, which absorbed Norwich General in 1821.
1797
Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society founded
The Norwich Union Society for Insuring of Buildings, Goods, Merchandises & Effects from Loss by Fire was founded by Thomas Bignold in 1797. The company was a mutual enterprise, owned by its policyholders, who not only pooled their premiums to pay out in the event of a claim, but also received a share of the company’s profits. Norwich Union was one of the principal companies that merged to create Aviva.
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Flickr
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Historypin
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Medium
Unearth some fascinating stories from our past.
The National Archives
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About the Archive
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Legacy companies
Our oldest constituent was established in 1696. Learn more about the companies that have come together to create Aviva.
Remembrance
In memory of our 1,623 colleagues who were killed in the two world wars.