Groupama

Groupama an abbreviation for Groupe des Assurances Mutuelles Agricoles (English: Group of Mutual Agricultural Insurances) is a French insurance group headquartered in Paris with operations in 14 countries.^[1]

It is listed in the 2007 ICA Global 300 list of mutuals and co-operatives, ranked 6th by 2005 turnover, making it the 2nd largest mutual insurer in the world.^[2]

History

The predecessor of Groupama was founded in the 19th century by a group of farmers to address their own specific insurance needs. It was set up as a mutual organisation and focused on agricultural as well as individuals, professionals, local authorities and businesses.

History:

• December 22, 1840 establishment of the first local agricultural mutual fire Insurer by farmers in Mions (Rhône)
• 1900 A new law is passed on July 4 that sets the specific legal framework for Agricultural Mutual Insurance Funds.
• Establishment of a central fund for the agricultural reinsurance "Fire" (1906) and "Livestock" (1908)
• 1963 Creation of Samda for risk protection of non-agricultural damage.
• 1972 Creation of SORAVIE (Society of Agricultural Organizations Life Insurance), in partnership with Crédit Agricole
• 1975 Creation of SOS-AMA (generalized assistance)
• 1986 AMA Samda, SORAVIE, SOREMA are merged under the new name Groupama
• 1992 Creating B.CERP bank, which took the name of Groupama Financial Bank
• 1998 Groupama acquires GAN the 4th largest French insurer at that time making Groupama the second largest French general insurer
• 1999 The acquired GAN business hit by large claims from exceptional storms and floods at the end of 1999
• 2001 Groupama expand its banking services continues to expand its insurance business in France and other countries through acquisitions
• 2009 Acquired Banque Finama which is merged with Groupama bank
• 2011 The company get into financial In difficulties and sells a number of subsidiaries in 2011 early 2012 to stay afloat. On 5 October 2012, Groupama announced that it exercises its option not to pay interest on a portion of its debt by the deadline of October 22. According to the group, it is not a default, but a part of the outstanding action plan initiated in early 2012.

Subsidiaries

United Kingdom

Its UK subsidiary Groupama Insurances was created by the merger of Lombard Insurance Company Limited and Gan Insurance Company Limited, when the parent companies, namely Groupama (who owned Lombard) and Gan in France, were brought together in 1999.

The group's Groupama Insurances United Kingdom division is one of the major insurance companies in the UK, with a head office in London. It has branches in Croydon, Manchester, Portsmouth, Borehamwood, and Letchworth, following its acquisition of Clinicare Insurance in 2005. The UK group offers motor, home and health insurance and also provides insurance protection to a growing number of smaller UK businesses. The company employs over 800 staff in 6 centres UK.

In 2006, the group acquired UK motorcycle insurance broker Carole Nash.^[3]

In 2008, Groupama acquired specialist motor insurance broker, ChoiceQuote Insurance Services.

Ageas UK Limited acquired the UK subsidiary of Groupama SA in November 2012. Groupama Insurance Company Limited then underwent a statutory Part VII transfer under FSMA and its business, customers and employees were transferred to Ageas Insurance Limited on 1 November 2013.

See also

• List of investors in Bernard L. Madoff Securities

References

External links

• Official site
• (French) Official Site
• (English) ChoiceQuote Insurance Services