Poland
The survival of many records from the earliest days of Aviva Group companies' involvement in Poland provides a fascinating and detailed account of the insurance business in the region during the latter part of the 19th century.
Country History
Northern Assurance Company calendar, 1895
1860
On November 29, the Northern Assurance Company, later part of the Commercial Union Assurance Company, appoints Adolphus Gradenwitz as agent and Dr Nathaus as medical representative in Warsaw (Warszawa).
1863
By April 13, the North British & Mercantile Insurance Company, later part of Commercial Union, has begun to transact insurance business in Warsaw. Minutes from a company meeting on May 11 refer to a fire policy taken out by the Bank of Poland for £7,500. The minutes indicate that the policy is not to be renewed. Minutes of another meeting, on October 12, state that the company will decline all further business in Poland for the present. This is possibly due to uncertainties following the January uprising. However, minutes from a meeting exactly two weeks later refer to plans to establish business in Prussia, under Mr Reinach, and include costs for his travel to Danzig (Gdansk), which was then part of the Prussian Kingdom. There are further references in minutes from November 26 to the Danzig and Elblag Baltic ports. On December 28, Theodore van Waterford is appointed to the company’s Prussian agency on a starting salary of £100 per annum.
1864
On January 4, North British & Mercantile agrees supplementary limits for Danzig. On April 4, the company agrees new instructions with its Prussian agency for Stettin (Szczecin), Danzig and Königsberg (Kaliningrad). On September 20, Commercial Union receives a letter from Mr Zernecke applying for an agency at Danzig. The company’s reply states that in view of the attitude of the Prussian government to England at the time, the directors have no immediate intention to apply for a Prussian concession. This correspondence may explain why the only Aviva Group companies undertaking business in Poland during this period are based in Scotland.
North British & Mercantile branded almanac and diaries, 1864 – 1899
Commerical Union policy Graudenz (Grudziadz) Poland, 1925
1868
On October 29, North British & Mercantile appoints Mr H Wawelberg as agent for Warsaw. On November 26, the company appoints Bie Bros as agent for Breslau (Wroclaw).
1870
On July 21, North British & Mercantile appoints Mr E Neumann as general agent for Danzig.
1874
North British & Mercantile appoints Otto Gichrauer agent for Breslau.
1885
Commercial Union is granted official permission to transact fire insurance business in all Prussian states, including the occupied western part of Poland.
1928
Anglo Elementar, part of Commercial Union, establishes operations in Poland through its subsidiary Silesia (formed in 1920).
1934
On February 13, Commercial Union appoints Duncker & Company as marine agent for Danzig. North British & Mercantile maintains its operations in Danzig.
1935
The General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation has established offices in Warsaw, Breslau and Lodz.
1937
On November 17, the Edinburgh Assurance Company, a subsidiary of Commercial Union, appoints H P Kleinschmidt & Michelson of Hundegasse 12 as agent for Danzig.
1992
CU Poland Life is established. The company issues its first life policy in November. It also offers the first insurance investment fund in Poland.
1999
CU Poland Pension begins operations.
