Aviva Life and Annuity Company

Among the many companies that became Aviva was Hand-in-Hand, a lineage that goes back to the world’s first fire insurance office. It was formed in Tom’s coffee house, London, in 1969 under the original name of Contributors for Insuring Houses, Chambers or Rooms from Loss by Fire, by Amicable Contribution. In 1713 it changed to the much easier to remember name of Hand-in-Hand Fire Office, soon after the company adopted an emblem of two hands joined beneath a crown. In 1836 it became the Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Insurance Society. For 135 years it insured against fire by also operating its own fire brigade and made a significant contribution to fire fighting and fire prevention legislation. It insured Sumuel Whitbred’s first brewery in 1743 and Methodist founder john Wesley’s chapel in 1813.

One of the cornerstone companies to become Aviva, General Accident, opened its first office in Philadelphia. It would later insure John F. Kennedy and his family. In 1899, it also became a quoted company on the London Stock Exchange.

A simpler global brand emerges when Commercial General Norwich Union or CGNU changed its name to Aviva in July of 2002. Its then listed as Aviva on the London Stock Exchange.

In April of 2008 Aviva held a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new U.S. operations headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa. Since acquired AmerUs in late 2006, more than 280 new jobs have been added to the Greater Des Moines area, where there are currently 900 Aviva employees. The $135-150 million project is planned to accommodate up to 1,500 employees. The new building will comply with guidelines adopted by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). The LEED Rating System is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. To offset the impact of tree clearing during the construction phase, Aviva donated $50,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation for the planting of trees in West Des Moines.

Life Insurance Products

Term Life Insurance

Aviva term life protects your family with a death benefit but does not accumulate a cash value. Many employers offer it, but the benefit may not be enough to replace your income for very long. Talk to one of your local Aviva agents to find out if any insurance you currently have would meet the needs of your family.

Universal Life Insurance

Aviva universal life is a type of permanent policy that can achieve multiple goals. It builds in value over time and provides flexibility in premiums and income options. It also has a death benefit that can be left to your heirs.

Indexed Universal Life

Unlike a traditional universal life insurance policy where the insurance company sets the interest rate, an indexed universal life policy credits interest to your cash value based partly on the upward movement of a major-market stock index