UK Insurance Companies

VitalityHealth #

TypeSubsidiary
IndustryHealth insurance
Founded1994 (acquisition of Prime Health by Standard Life)
HeadquartersLondon, UK
ProductsHealth Insurance
OwnerDiscovery Limited
ParentVitality Corporate Services
Websitehttps://www.vitality .co .uk
  • VitalityHealth is a United Kingdom-based company specialising in private medical insurance sold to the UK market.

  • The company is a subsidiary of Discovery Limited and alongside VitalityLife and Vitality Corporate Services it forms Discovery Limited’s UK insurance offering.

  • VitalityHealth falls under one of the Vitality Group International companies.

  • International partners include Generali (Europe), Ping An Insurance (China), AIA Group (Asia and Australia), Manulife (Canada), John Hancock Financial (USA) and others.

Western Provident Association #

TypeProvident Association based in the United Kingdom
IndustryHealth insurance
Founded1901
HeadquartersTaunton, Somerset, UK
Websitehttps://www.wpa.org.uk
  • WPA, or Western Provident Association, is a not-for-profit private medical insurance firm based in Taunton, Somerset.
  • Its subsidiary, WPA Protocol Plc, administers corporate healthcare trusts.

Coinsurance #

  • WPA was described by the World Health Organization as leading in the development of coinsurance, or “shared responsibility”, policies, in which the patient pays a portion of the liability until an agreed limit.

WPA Protocol Plc #

  • WPA Protocol administers corporate healthcare trusts.
  • This is an alternative arrangement to private medical insurance whereby larger companies, defined by Protocol as usually those with 400 or more members, can use WPA’s infrastructure to administer their own healthcare provision.
  • Companies provide the funds from a trust, and WPA Protocol provides bespoke literature and telephone lines, as well as staff, infrastructure and economies of scale.

WPA Healthcare Practice Plc #

  • The WPA Healthcare Practice Plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPA, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
  • Healthcare Partners (franchisees), either as sole traders or limited companies, are Appointed Representatives of the WPA Healthcare Practice Plc.
  • Partners buy into the Healthcare Practice franchise model – they market and distribute WPA health insurance products on WPA’s behalf.
  • The Healthcare Practice is WPA’s main distribution channel with responsibilities for the appointment and monitoring of Healthcare Partners.

Aviva #

TypePublic limited company
Traded asLSE: AV. FTSE 100 Component
IndustryFinancial services
PredecessorCGU plc Norwich Union
Founded2000; (2000) (by merger)
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
ServicesLife insurance, Pensions, General Insurance
Websitehttps://www.aviva.com
  • Aviva plc is a British multinational insurance company headquartered in London, England.
  • Aviva has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Operations #

  • Aviva’s main activities are the provision of general and life insurance, long term savings products and fund management services.

  • Principal subsidiaries

    • United Kingdom
      • Aviva Life – Pensions, investments, life insurance and long term savings (formerly Norwich Union)
      • Aviva Insurance – General Insurance (including the Quotemehappy brand)
      • Aviva Investors – Fund Management (formerly Morley)
    • Canada – Aviva Canada
    • China – Aviva-Cofco
    • Hong Kong
    • India – Aviva India
    • Indonesia - Astra Life
    • Ireland
      • Aviva Direct
      • Aviva Health
    • Singapore
  • Friends Provident International Limited is part of the Aviva Group.

Phoenix Group #

British insurance company

TypePublic
Traded asLSE: PHNX
IndustryInsurance
Founded1857
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Area servedUnited Kingdom, Ireland, Germany
Websitehttps://www.thephoenixgroup.com
  • Phoenix Group Holdings plc (formerly Pearl Group plc, LSE: PHNX) is one of the largest providers of insurance services in the United Kingdom.
  • It is a multinational listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Operations #

  • Phoenix Life comprises a number of regulated life companies in the UK:
    • Phoenix, covering Phoenix Life and Phoenix Life Assurance (former Pearl Assurance)
    • Phoenix Wealth
    • Standard Life
    • ReAssure, covering ReAssure and ReAssure Life and also including Ark Life
    • SunLife
  • plus other unregulated businesses:
    • Vebnet

Prudential plc #

British multinational life insurance and financial services company This page is about the British company. For the American company, see Prudential Financial.

TypePublic limited company
Traded asLSE: PRU\\ NYSE: PUK\\ SEHK: 2378\\ FTSE 100 Component
IndustryInsurance
Founded1848 ; ( 1848) in London
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Area servedWorldwide
ProductsLife insurance\\ Investment management\\ Consumer finance
Websitehttps://www.prudentialplc.com
  • Prudential plc is a British multinational insurance company headquartered in London, England.
  • It was founded in London in May 1848 to provide loans to professional and working people.
  • Prudential has dual primary listings on the London Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
  • It also has secondary listings on the New York Stock Exchange and Singapore Exchange.

Operations #

The Company has two business units:

Prudential Corporation Asia: based in Hong Kong, the business is the largest UK life assurer in Asia. It has had a presence in the continent since 1923 when an overseas agency for life assurance was created in India. Although this was subsequently nationalised, Prudential relaunched in India in 2000 as ICICI Prudential, a 26% joint venture with ICICI Bank. As CITIC Prudential Life, a 50–50 joint venture, they were the first UK company to re-establish a life business in China in 2000. There are also businesses in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Prudential’s Asian asset management business, Eastspring Investments, has total funds under management of USD247. 8 billion. Since 2014 Prudential has been building a multi-product, multi-distribution business in Africa, with operations now in eight countries across the continent, including Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon and over one million customers. Nairobi has been the regional office for Prudential’s Africa business since 2021.

Abbey Life #

This page is about the UK life assurance company.

TypeLimited company
IndustryLife assurance
Founded1961
HeadquartersBournemouth, UK
OwnerPhoenix Group
Websitehttps://www.abbeylife.co.uk
  • Abbey Life Assurance Company Limited is a life assurance business based in London also with an office in Bournemouth.
  • The company has been closed to new business in 2000.

-On 30 December 2016 Abbey Life was acquired by the Phoenix Group. Phoenix is a FTSE 250 company with a long history in life insurance.

Bequest #

British life insurance company

TypePrivate
Founded2019
FounderJames Buckley-Thorp
HeadquartersLondon, England, United Kingdom
ServicesLife insurance, Wills and estate planning
Websitehttps://www.bequest.com
  • Bequest is a privately owned British fintech life insurance company headquartered in the United Kingdom.
  • It operates under two insurance licenses: life and wills.
  • Bequest is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is one of the earliest of a number of new app-based insurance providers in the UK.
  • Bequest was founded by James Buckley-Thorp in 2019.
  • Its head office is located in London, England, United Kingdom.
  • Bequest is backed by both Aviva and Covea and provides life insurance, wills, and estate planning to consumers.
  • In 2021, the company raised just over £1.7m in investment from Clocktower Ventures, Kuvi Capital, and Form Ventures.

SunLife #

This article is about the UK insurance company. For the Canadian financial and insurance company, see Sun Life Financial.

FormerlySun Life Direct
TypeLimited
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1810 ( 1810)
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Area servedUnited Kingdom
Products- Life insurance - Equity release - Funeral plans - Home insurance
ParentPhoenix Group
Websitehttps://www.sunlife .co .uk
  • SunLife Ltd is a UK-based financial services company.

  • Founded in 1810, the company is best known for its range of services for people aged 50 and over.

  • SunLife offers over 50s life insurance, equity release, funeral plans and home insurance in the United Kingdom.

  • SunLife has been part of the Phoenix Group since 2016.

  • SunLife is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and their qualifying products are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

  • The company is a member of the Data & Marketing Association.

Business activities #

  • Over 50s life insurance
    • SunLife offers a whole-of-life insurance plan called the Guaranteed Over 50 Plan.
  • Equity release

    • SunLife offers an equity release plan called The Over 55 Equity Release Service.
    • This is arranged and administered by Age Partnership.
  • Funeral plans

    • SunLife offers a funeral plan called the SunLife Guaranteed Funeral Plan.
    • Dignity Funerals Ltd arranges and provides the funeral services.
  • Home insurance

    • SunLife offers a home insurance plan called the SunLife Home Insurance.
    • This is arranged and administered by BISL Limited and underwritten by a panel of insurers.

Standard Life #

UK based investment company

TypePublic limited company
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1825 ; ( 1825)
HeadquartersEdinburgh, Scotland, UK
ParentPhoenix Group

Standard Life, is a life assurance, pensions and long-terms savings company in the UK which is owned by Phoenix Group.

Scottish Friendly #

TypeFriendly Society
IndustryInsurance
Founded1862 ( Glasgow)
HeadquartersScottish Friendly House, 16 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4HJ
Area servedIreland, United Kingdom
ProductsLong-term insurance and investment products
SubsidiariesScottish Friendly Asset Managers Limited\\ Scottish Friendly Insurance Services Limited\\ SFIS (Nominees) Limited
Websitehttps://www.scottishfriendly .co .uk

Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited (Scottish Friendly) is a leading UK mutual life and investments organisation. It provides a range of investment and protection products and provides life and investment products and services to other financial organisations. One of the largest life offices in Scotland, Scottish Friendly is based in Glasgow, United Kingdom and operates throughout the UK and Ireland.

Operations #

The group and its subsidiaries

  • Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited (SFAS) is a friendly or mutual society and the largest mutual life office in Scotland.
  • Scottish Friendly has three wholly owned subsidiaries:
    • Scottish Friendly Asset Managers Limited (conducts the business of managers for the transactions in Scottish Friendly ISAs, and Child Trust Fund)
    • Scottish Friendly Insurance Services Limited (provision of administration services)
    • SFIS (Nominees) Limited (nominee company in relation to Scottish Friendly Insurance Services Limited’s ISA custody assets).
  • Scottish Friendly Investment Funds ICVC, an open-ended investment company, provides the stocks and shares component of the Scottish Friendly ISA and child trust fund.

Royal London Group #

British mutual insurance firm

TypeMutual Society
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1861 ; ( 1861)
HeadquartersLondon , England, UK
ProductsLife assurance, Investment management, Pensions
Websitehttps://www.royallondon.com
  • The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited
  • Royal London is a mutual life, pensions and investment company in the UK
  • Royal London is registered in England with its head office in the City of London.

The Equitable Life Assurance Society #

British life insurance company

TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1762
HeadquartersAylesbury, England, UK
Parent CompanyUtmost Life and Pensions
Websitehttps://www.equitable.co.uk/
  • The Equitable Life Assurance Society ( Equitable Life), founded in 1762, is a life insurance company in the United Kingdom.

Sale to Utmost, 2019 #

  • In June 2018, Equitable Life announced that Life Company Consolidation Group (LCCG) had agreed to buy the company for £1.8bn, with policies to be transferred to LCCG’s Reliance Life subsidiary and converted to unit-linked.
  • LCCG (now Utmost Life and Pensions) is backed by Oaktree Capital Management.

Clerical Medical #

TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1824 ; ( 1824)
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Productslife assurance\\ Pensions\\ Investments
ParentLloyds Banking Group
Websitehttps://www.clericalmedical .co .uk

Clerical Medical is a British life assurance, pensions and investments company founded in 1824, and a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group.

In 2015, Lloyds Banking Group sold Clerical Medical International (CMI) to offshore life assurance company RL360°.

Scottish Widows #

Scottish Widows Limited

TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1815;
HeadquartersEdinburgh, Scotland, UK
ProductsLife insurance - Pensions - Investments - Savings
ParentLloyds Banking Group
Websitehttps://www.scottishwidows.co.uk

Scottish Widows is a life insurance and pensions company located in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group. The investment and asset management arm (Scottish Widows Investment Partnership) was sold in 2013 to Aberdeen Asset Management.

Friends Provident #

British life insurance company

TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFinancial Services
Founded1832
Defunct2018
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
ProductsInsurance, Inheritance tax products, Investment Management Pensions
OwnerResolution Limited
  • Friends Provident was an organisation offering life insurance based in the London, England.
  • On 29 March 2011 Friends Provident changed its trading name to Friends Life, although its registered name remains as Friends Provident.
  • The head office was located at 100 Wood Street in London.
  • The registered office is at Pixham End, Dorking in Surrey.
  • It is a member of the Association of British Insurers and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
  • It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index until being acquired by buyout firm Resolution in November 2009.
  • In 2018, it merged into its parent company Aviva. It is now part of the Aviva group.

Operations #

  • The UK Life and Pensions business markets a range of life protection, income protection, pensions and investment products for individual customers and corporate clients throughout the UK.
  • The International Life and Pensions business operates throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Offices #

  • Friends Provident had large offices in a number of locations including Manchester, Clyst St. Mary in Exeter and Dorking, and was the second largest employer in Salisbury.

  • There are also a few smaller area offices such as those in Bristol and Preston.

  • Internationally Friends Provident had offices in Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

abrdn #

UK based investment company

TypePublic limited company
Traded asLSE: ABDN, FTSE 100 Component
IndustryFinancial services
Founded1825; (1825)
HeadquartersEdinburgh, Scotland, UK
Websitehttps://www.abrdn.com
  • abrdn plc (pronounced “Aberdeen”), formerly Standard Life Aberdeen plc, is a United Kingdom-based global investment company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.

  • It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

  • It is the largest active asset manager in the UK, with investments in equities, multi-asset, fixed income, liquidity, sovereign wealth funds, real estate and private markets.

  • In July 2021 the company changed its name from Standard Life Aberdeen to abrdn plc.

  • The registered office of the company is at 1 George Street in Edinburgh.

Operations #

  • abrdn is an investment company, headquartered in Edinburgh, with operations across the globe.
  • abrdn has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.
  • It is also listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), including the DJSI World, which ranks the world’s leading sustainability-driven publicly listed companies.