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.
Meet the ancestors
For over three hundred years our ancestor companies have adapted to meet customers’ needs, just as we strive to do today.
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.
Featured article
Life at Aviva
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’.
Gallery
A selection of images from the Archive collection.
Norwich Union postcard featuring Surrey House, c. 1915
Employers' Liability postcard, c. 1910
Norwich Union postcard, 1923
Hand in Hand Fire Office policy header, 1779
Road Transport & General blotter, c. 1920
Norwich Union promotional booklet cover, 1963
Sun Life annual dinner menu cover, 1966
More from the Archive...
The National Archives
Explore our catalogue on The National Archives' Discovery service.
Historypin
Uncover hidden gems from our photograph collection on historypin.
Medium
Read the Archive blog on Medium and unearth some fascinating stories from our past.