Aviva today announced the launch of Aviva Specialty, its wholly owned U.S. specialty insurance platform headquartered in New York City, marking Aviva’s expansion into the U.S. specialty insurance market.[1]
Aviva Specialty will begin underwriting commercial property risks in the fourth quarter of 2026, serving open market brokerage, and partnering with leading program administrators. The business was built around a partnership-led model designed to combine disciplined underwriting, responsive decision-making, and modern technology with the financial strength and global capabilities of Aviva.
The platform will initially focus on commercial property, with a roadmap to expand into additional lines of business including cyber, specialty & financial lines as well as specialty casualty.
Aviva Specialty will write on Aviva Insurance Limited paper, providing brokers, clients, and program partners with access to Aviva’s financial strength and underwriting expertise. The new business is designed to bring partners the best of both worlds: the agility and entrepreneurial mindset of a specialty insurance start-up, backed by the capabilities and resources of a leading global insurer.
Mike Karmilowicz, president of Aviva Specialty, said: "What differentiates Aviva Specialty is the combination of a seasoned specialty insurance team and the agility of a purpose-built platform. We are building the business from the ground up for today's market, giving our teams the tools and flexibility to deliver responsive underwriting, exceptional service and consistent execution for brokers, clients and program partners.”
The launch represents the first stage of Aviva’s U.S. specialty strategy. The company intends to build its presence deliberately, focusing on classes and partnerships where Aviva’s underwriting expertise, capital strength, and long-term approach can create meaningful value.
Jason Storah, CEO, UK & Ireland General Insurance, Aviva, said: “The launch of Aviva Specialty represents an important step in Aviva’s growth strategy. As we continue to expand our global specialty capabilities, the U.S. is a market where we see significant opportunities to grow and create value. We are entering the market with a long-term perspective and a commitment to being a trusted specialty insurance partner.”
Aviva Specialty operates as a wholly owned surplus lines carrier and has capabilities to serve risk nationwide.
-ends-
Footnotes:
1. Aviva Specialty Insurance Services US, Inc., dba Aviva Specialty Insurance Agency Inc. in CA and FL; CA Lic. No. 6020053 [↑]
Enquiries:
US enquiries
Liz Harish
(929) 646-6402
liz.harish@aviva.com
UK enquiries
Heleana Greeves
(+44) 7392 138791
heleana.greeves@aviva.com
About Aviva Specialty:
Aviva Specialty is a US specialty insurance platform, wholly owned by Aviva and headquartered in New York City. Built to serve the US commercial insurance market, Aviva Specialty combines experienced specialty insurance leadership with a modern, technology-enabled operating platform and the financial strength of Aviva Insurance Ltd. (A+ by AM Best, as of September 2026). The company will begin underwriting commercial property business in Q4 2026, with plans to expand into additional specialty lines and delegated authority and program business capabilities. For more information, visit https://specialty.aviva.com
Notes to editors:
- We are the UK's only diversified insurer and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India and China.
- We help our 25.3 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
- We have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2025, we paid £31.9 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
- Aviva is a Living Wage, Living Pension and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
- As at 30 June 2026, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group were £479 billion and our estimated Solvency II shareholder capital surplus was £6.8 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
- For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us
- The Aviva newsroom at www.aviva.com/newsroom includes links to our spokespeople images, podcasts, research reports and our news release archive. Sign up to get the latest news from Aviva by email.
- You can follow us on:
- X: www.x.com/avivaplc
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/avivaplc/
- For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/aviva
