Our Archive

We can trace our heritage back to 1696. Our business began in an age of highwaymen but is as relevant to customers today as it was then.

Our Archive is the most important insurance industry archive in the United Kingdom.

Learn more about the Archive

It documents our 300+ years of history and holds records for more than 750 companies that have contributed to our heritage.

Find out more  about Learn more about the Archive

Meet the ancestors

For over three hundred years our ancestor companies have adapted to meet customers’ needs, just as we strive to do today.

Find out more  about Meet the ancestors

Explore our timeline

Our ancestors include the oldest mutual life insurer, one of the oldest fire insurers, the first company to issue a burglary policy, and the first and only insurance company to hold a royal warrant.

Find out more  about Explore our timeline

Featured article

Our Anna: “Somebody claimed for a pickled egg that went missing”

Anna Stone, Group Archivist, on keeping people honest by preserving Aviva’s 325-year-old archive. Others describe it as the most important insurance archive in the UK but for Anna, it’s ‘like a third child’.

Read Anna's story

Gallery

A selection of images from the Archive collection.

More from the Archive...

The National Archives

Explore our catalogue on The National Archives' Discovery service.

Go to The National Archives  about The National Archives

Historypin

Uncover hidden gems from our photograph collection on historypin.

Go to historypin  about Historypin

Medium

Read the Archive blog on Medium and unearth some fascinating stories from our past.

Go to Medium  about Medium

About the Archive

We represent a unique and irreplaceable heritage. Find out more about the Archive and how to contact us.

Go to About the Archive  about About the Archive

Timeline

From our earliest beginnings to the present day, trace the fascinating and complex history of Aviva.

Go to Timeline  about Timeline

Legacy companies

Our oldest constituent was established in 1696. Learn more about the companies that have come together to create Aviva.

Go to Companies  about Legacy companies

Remembrance

In memory of our 1,623 colleagues who were killed in the two world wars.

Go to Remembrance  about Remembrance