Aviva : Everything you need to know

Aviva: Everything you need to know

About Aviva

Aviva is a leading international provider of insurance, savings, and retirement products. To support its 33 million customers worldwide, the company operates in five divisions:

1. Investments, Savings, and Retirement: Brings together Aviva’s global asset managers, investors, and modern UK workplace and platform savings business to help people save enough income for retirement. It is the first combined savings and retirement business in the UK.
2. UK Life: Offers annuities and equity release products and provides protection and health products for individuals and businesses that want to support the physical, mental, and financial health of their people.
3. General Insurance: Helps individuals and businesses protect their property or valuables. It offers cover for home, car, pets, travel plans, flooding, and cybercrime.
4. Europe Life: Provides investment, insurance savings, and protection products for individuals who want to plan for their future and protect themselves from unexpected situations.
5. Asia Life: Helps customers meet their insurance and saving needs by delivering attractive growth and generating positive cash flows.

“My ambitions for Aviva are BIG,” said Group CEO, Amanda Blanc. “With the right strategic focus, a commitment to high performance and unwavering financial discipline, we will become the UK's leading insurer. Our investors, customers and people expect action, progress and improvement. And we are going to give it to them.”

History of Aviva

Aviva has been supporting customers since 1696, documenting more than 320 years of history and holding records for more than 750 companies that have contributed to its growth. Throughout the years, Aviva’s ancestor companies have adapted to meet their customers’ needs and thrive in the industry, becoming what we know as Aviva today.

The company’s ancestor companies comprise the oldest mutual life insurance company, one of the oldest fire insurers, the first company to offer a burglary policy, and the first and only insurance company to hold a royal warrant. Here's the Hand in Hand Fire Office policy header from 1779, which was started in 1696 in a coffee shop in London:

In 2015, Aviva completed its acquisition of Friends Life, making Aviva the leading life and pension provider in the UK. In 2016, the company partnered with the British Red Cross to help communities become safer and more resilient during a crisis.

Leadership at Aviva

George Culmer – Chair

George Culmer was named chair of Aviva plc on 27 May 2020. Prior to this, he was appointed to the company’s board on 25 September 2019 and as senior independent director on 1 January 2020.

Culmer is a seasoned finance executive with significant insurance experience, having worked at Lloyd’s, Prudential, Zurich and RSA for a total of 28 years. He boasts a deep understanding of the challenges that affect the industry, Aviva’s businesses, and the implications for shareholders, which enables him to lead the board in driving the strategy, culture, and values of the company. He has openly spoken out against sexism in the insurance industry, including that said against Aviva's CEO, Amanda Blanc.

Culmer also previously served as chief financial officer of Lloyd’s Banking Group plc, and joined their board on 16 May 2012. Between 2004 and 2012, he was a director and chief financial officer of RSA Insurance Group plc.

Amanda Blanc – Group CEO

Blanc started her career as a graduate at one of Aviva’s ancestor companies, Commercial Union. Following success in senior executive roles across the insurance industry, she came back to Aviva as CEO in July 2020. Blanc was formerly Group CEO at AXA UK, PPP & Ireland, and CEO Europe, Middle East, Africa & Global Banking at Zurich Insurance Group. She also held executive leadership positions at Towergate Insurance Brokers, Groupama Insurance Company, and Commercial Union.

Blanc also has previously served as chair of the Association of British Insurers and Insurance Fraud Bureau, and president of the Chartered Insurance Institute. In 2021, she was awarded the Women in Insurance Outstanding Achievement Award and recognised in the Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. The most interesting feather in her cap? Perhpas it's her appointment to the WWF's 25-member Council of Ambassadors.

Culture at Aviva

Aviva is committed to supporting its people, customers, partners, and communities around the world. It partners with different organizations to share best practices and develop solutions to social and environmental changes.

In 2021, the company’s community investment totalled £31.8 million. Its community development activity, which included the Aviva Community Fund and various carbon offset projects, benefitted 2,080 community projects and 3.5 million people globally.

Aviva’s people also continuously contribute to communities, with 11,600 employees donating more than 68,200 hours of volunteering time and giving or fundraising more than £2.1 million. The company’s 2019 survey revealed that 58% of Aviva employees believe that the company is a good corporate citizen – 10% more than the industry benchmark and up 5% since 2015.

How do I contact Aviva by phone?

As a global company, there are a number of different numbers to call. Here are a few options:

• Canada claims: 1-866-692-8482
• Canada general inquiries: 1-800-387-4518
• UK motor claims: 0345 030 6925
• UK home claims: 0345 030 6945
• UK travel emergency claim: (+44) 01603 208 044
• Uk travel non-emergency: 0345 030 6983
• UK roadside assistance: 0800 015 5755
• UK roadside assistance from abroad: +44 1603 202500