Hungary

Country History

Northern Assurance Company calendar, 1895

1853

In March, the Northern Assurance Company, later part of the Commercial Union Assurance Company, appoints Franz Schomburgh agent for Vienna and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

1868

On November 19, the board of the North British & Mercantile Insurance Company, later part of Commercial Union, sends its superintendent to Vienna to make the necessary arrangements for commencing direct business in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

1869

On April 12, North British & Mercantile appoints Mr Stein of Pesth as sub agent for Vienna, with instructions to undertake direct business in Hungary.

1875

North British & Mercantile appoints General Klapka agent for Pesth. The company also signs an agreement with the Northern for the reinsurance of its Hungarian business.

1876

North British & Mercantile is now operating in Bad Gasse, Pesth, offering fire insurance through its representatives, Burgher & Scharf.

1887

By this year Commercial Union has signed a reinsurance contract for its Hungarian business.

1897

Anglo Elementar, later part of Commercial Union, is established in Vienna by Austrian and Hungarian industrialists.

1899

On July 22, the board of Commercial Union decides to open an agency in Vienna for direct business in Austria-Hungary.

1909

A branch office of the North British & Mercantile is established in Budapest to be known as North British & Mercantile Insurance Company Magyarorezagi Igazgalosaga. The new office offers fire and burglary insurance only, under the management of Joseph Burger.

1910

On January 19, the North British & Mercantile board approves the lease of offices at 24 Balvanygasse, Budapest, at Kr 5,000 per annum (£208.6.8). The company also announces the appointment of the 31-year-old Alexius Hurzeis as messenger, on an annual salary of Kr 1,200 (£50). On February 2, Karl Julius Dahmer is appointed secretary at the North British & Mercantile Budapest branch office on a salary of Kr 7,200 (£300) per annum. In April, additional staff members are appointed. They include Mr A Kallay (33) as organiser, on a salary of Kr 3,400 (£141) per annum; Miss Radary (31) as cashier, on a salary of Kr 1,440 (£60) per annum and Mr M Henzel (22) as clerk, on a salary of Kr 1,200 (£50) per annum. In June, further staff members are transferred from Vienna, including Mr D Burolyn, chief of the reinsurance department, along with Mr Zdenko Lvorski and Paul Baldassari. Further staff appointments this year are recorded as follows: Joseph Engel (21), on a salary of Kr 1,440 (£60) per annum; Karl Eigner (20), on a salary of Kr 1,200 (£50) per annum; Johann Lampelmayer (19), on a salary of Kr 1,200 (£50) per annum; Mr F Rosivall (20), on a salary of Kr 1,200 (£50) per annum and Bela Grunberger (17) on a salary of Kr 960 (£40) per annum.

1911

Commercial Union appoints Gustav Ullmann manager of its Austro-Hungarian offices.

1912

On November 27, the North British & Mercantile chief agency at Triscolzs becomes a sub branch.

1913

On December 10, Dr Sailaus Lewak is appointed joint representative for North British & Mercantile in Hungary.

1926

On July 14, North British & Mercantile closes its business in Hungary. Commercial Union obtains a formal license to transact business in Budapest, under manager Mr Frutcher.

1927

Commercial Union acquires the majority shareholding in Anglo Elementar and, through it, opens a branch office in Budapest.

1935

The General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation has started operating in Budapest.

1939

On June 6, Commercial Union appoints a new representative in Budapest. The outbreak of the Second World War brings an end to the operations of British companies in Hungary. Anglo Elementar is sold to Colonia of Cologne.

1996

Mébit, later part of Aviva, is established by Magyar Hitel Bank (Hungarian Credit Bank).

2001

In March, Mébit is acquired by CGNU, later Aviva plc.

2003

In February, Mébit changes its name to the Aviva Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Hungary) Aviva Életbiztosító Rt.