Brexit and your policies

I’m an Aviva customer. Do I need to do anything?

The vast majority of our customers’ policies won’t be affected by the UK’s exit from the EU.

If you purchased an Aviva policy in the UK and are currently – and will continue to be – permanently resident in the UK, cover under your policy will not be affected.

A small number of our customers purchased their policy in the UK and are now permanently relocated or may, in the future, permanently relocate to a different country within the European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA). Following the outcome of the trade deal negotiations, the approach taken by the EU/EEA regulators may affect the policies of overseas customers in this position.

During the Transition Period, your insurance arrangements will be unaffected.

What happens after the end of 2020 is yet to be agreed so customers travelling to Europe may need to take action for some types of cover such as motor or travel insurance.

We’re continuing to monitor political developments and are engaging with regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise. We’ll always aim to provide the service our customers expect.

Whilst we believe that there’s no impact on your policy at present, you should take independent financial advice if you’re at all uncertain as to whether you need to take any action.

I purchased a policy from Aviva UK, even though I am permanently resident in an EEA country. What’s the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on my policy?

We’re aware that a small number of our customers purchased their policy from Aviva UK while permanently resident in an EEA country, or have risks situated in EEA countries, such as homes or premises insured there. We’ve transferred the majority of these policies to our business in Ireland.

If you’re in this position, we’ll already have written to you and there’ll be no change to the way your policy works, the way you contact us, or the level of service you receive.

If you’d like more information, you’ll find answers to specific questions about the transfer of these policies here.

What happens when I travel to the European Union now?

When driving your vehicle abroad now (during the Transition Period) your motor insurance provides the minimum cover required by law for each country when driving in the EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland (listed below). You’re able to drive from the UK into these countries with no need to show any additional documentation to evidence that you have the required insurance.

Countries where a Green Card isn’t required during the Transition Period:

EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden

EEA Countries not in the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Other Countries not requiring a Green Card during the Transition Period: Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland

What's a Green Card?

A Green Card is issued by the driver’s insurer, and acts as evidence that the minimum legal cover required is in force for the country visited whilst driving outside the UK. The Green Card is a physical document which is printed on green paper and can’t be issued in an electronic format.

Do I need a Green Card?

•  If you’re travelling outside the UK to the countries listed above and will return prior to the end of the Transition Period, you don’t need a Green Card

•  We’ll continue to monitor the developments of the UK and EU future relationship during the Transition Period and will update the Green Card requirements as this position becomes clearer.

I’m driving abroad beyond the borders of the EU. Do I need a Green Card?

Your motor insurance with us doesn’t extend beyond the EU territories plus Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland as standard (see above for full list). If you’re intending to drive your vehicle in any of the below countries, please contact us so we can ascertain your needs on 0345 030 8651.

•  Bosnia & Herzegovina

•  Israel

•  Morocco 

•  Montenegro

•  Tunisia

•  Turkey

How do I get a Green Card?

If you still need a Green Card you can request one here. Please allow four weeks for processing.

Will I still be able to use my insurance to drive in other EU member states after the UK’s exit from the EU?

Yes. Your current motor insurance cover will continue to provide the legal minimum motor insurance (third-party cover only) for travel to EU & EEA countries, Serbia, Switzerland and Andorra. Customers won’t need to purchase additional third-party motor insurance policy cover when travelling to these countries with a UK-registered vehicle. However, we suggest you check the terms of your cover, as the minimum requirements may not reflect the full cover you have when driving in the UK and you may wish to ‘top up’ your cover for driving abroad (e.g. comprehensive cover, which would include damage to your vehicle). 

It’s worth noting that this is the case whilst we’re in the Transition Period. We’ll continue to monitor the situation during the Transition Period as the UK’s relationship with the EU becomes clearer.

Where can I get more information?

The Government has published guidance on driving in the EU after the UK’s exit from the EU. Please visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu-after-brexit

We’re continuing to monitor political developments and are engaging with regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise. We’ll update our website with further information and/or actions you may need to take that are relevant to your policies as soon as Brexit, and what it means for your insurance, becomes clear.

Can I still travel to the European Union during the Transition Period?

Yes, with the correct documentation.

Check what passports, visas and documents you may need – this may have changed. We recommend you review Foreign & Commonwealth Office guidance for the country you intend to travel to.

If you’re driving your car in the EU / EEA, Andorra, Serbia or Switzerland, and will return prior to the end of the Transition Period you won’t need a green card for evidence of proof of car insurance.

It’s worth noting that this is the case whilst we’re in the Transition Period. We’ll continue to monitor the situation during the Transition Period as the UK’s relationship with the EU becomes clearer.

There’s no cover under your travel policy if you need to make a claim that’s the result of not having the appropriate documentation when leaving the UK.

Will there be any changes to my travel insurance?

No, we’re not planning to make any changes – all our travel policies will provide the same level of cover after the UK’s exit from the EU.

Will my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) still be valid during the Transition Period?

An EHIC will continue to provide you with state-provided healthcare available to residents of EU countries during the Transition Period. Further EHIC guidance is available on www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card

Whether you have a valid EHIC or not doesn’t affect the cover provided through your travel insurance.

I used to live and work in the UK and during this period my pension fund was created. I'm an EU citizen and am now resident in the EU. What will happen to my pension?

A small number of our customers purchased their policy in the UK and are now permanently relocated or may, in the future, permanently relocate to a different country within the European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA). Following the outcome of the trade deal negotiations, the approach taken by the EU/EEA regulators may affect the policies of overseas customers in this position.

We’re continuing to monitor political and regulatory developments, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise.

We’ll always aim to provide the service our customers expect.

Is Aviva strong enough to withstand market movements following the UK’s exit from the EU?

We’re financially strong, with a very significant capital surplus of £11.8 billion announced in our half year results on 8th August 2019. This strong financial position, resilience and diversification means we are very confident in our ability to continue to meet our commitments to customers.

How will the UK’s exit from the EU affect my pension or investments?

We can’t predict what impact, if any, the eventual deal will have on financial markets.

We’d like to remind you that your policy offers a range of different funds you can invest in and you can track the performance of your funds regularly by logging onto MyAviva. You can also contact us using the telephone number on your most recent statement.

We recommend you take financial advice before making any decision relating to your particular investments with us.

We’re continuing to monitor political developments and are engaging with regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise. We’ll always aim to provide the service our customers expect.

We’ll update our website with further information, including any relevant actions you may need to take, as soon as possible.

Will you be able to make a payment to me overseas?

We make international payments into non-UK bank accounts. Currently we believe that we’ll continue to be able to do this for cross-border payments. It’s possible that new transaction charges may be levied on these, both for us and for our customers; however, this is still uncertain.

Additionally, following the outcome of negotiations, the approach taken by EU/EEA regulators may affect the way in which any payments from the UK into non-UK bank accounts may be regulated or taxed by the country in which the recipient is based.

We don’t yet know what the approach of these regulators or tax authorities will be. We’re continuing to monitor political developments and are engaging with our regulators, so we can minimise any regulatory or operational difficulties that might arise. We’ll always aim to provide the service our customers expect.