Turkey

Country History

Stamps from a Commercial Union Turkey registration document, 1911

1863

On 29 December, the Commercial Union Assurance Company appoints Gout Brothers as agents for Smyrna (Izmir).

1864

On 18 April, the foreign committee of the North British & Mercantile Insurance Company, later part of Commercial Union, appoints John & George Rowell as agents for Constantinople (Istanbul). The Northern Assurance Company, later part of Commercial Union, appoints Hadkinson Merrylees & Co agent for Smyrna.

1868

The Northern is operating an agency in Constantinople.

1874

On 28 April, Commercial Union appoints George H Clifton as fire agent for Constantinople. Mr Clifton’s grandson, Charles Clifton, will still be running the agency in 1897.

1876    

The Northern appoints Maralon Pere et Fils as agents for Salonica.

1879

The Northern appoints Eduard Aslan as agent for Cavalla.

1880

On 20 April, Commercial Union appoints Joseph Isaac Modiano fire agent for Salonica. In October, Mr Modiano is also appointed marine agent. On 17 June, the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society appoints agent for Smyrna. The Yorkshire Fire & Life Insurance Company, established in 1824 and later part of the General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation, appoints Tebbutt & Co as agent for Smyrna.

Norwich Union Turkey prospectus, 1910

1881

On 7 December, Norwich Union Fire appoints John Honischen agent for Smyrna.

1883

Yorkshire Fire & Life appoints the Royal Insurance Company agent for Smyrna.

1886

On 20 September, the Norwich Union Fire agent for Smyrna requests permission from the board to set up a salvage corps for the society with a uniform and badges.

1889

On 7 August, Norwich Union Fire agrees to set up an agency in Constantinople.

1891

The Palatine Insurance Company, later part of Commercial Union, appoints an agent for Constantinople. On 21 December, Norwich Union Fire appoints Alfred Oscar Van Lennep as agent for Smyrna in place of Mr Honischen, who has resigned.

Norwich Union Turkey prospectus, 1908

1892

On 2 November, Norwich Union Fire appoints Gustave Couteaux agent for “Constantinople the ports and harbours in the vicinity thereof and of the Bospherous and the sea of Marmora.”

1893

The Northern appoints Theodore D Pissurica agent for Monastir.

1897

On 2 February, Commercial Union appoints Mr N T Petrocochino fire agent for Constantinople, with sub agencies in Galata, Gallipoli (Gelibolu), Availi (Ayvalik) and Rodosto (Tekirdag). Later in the year, the company appoints the Spartali Brothers as fire and marine agent for Smyrna.

1900

On 17 October, Norwich Union Fire appoints Rene Joseph Osinanne Glavany agent for Constantinople. Commercial Union is now transacting fire, marine and accident business in Constantinople through N T Petrocochino.

1901

On 10 April, N T Petrocochino, agent for Commercial Union, begins offering life insurance.

General Accident Turkey policy, 1907

1904

General Accident commences business in Constantinople through Clifton & Courtelly.

1906

The Union Assurance Society (No.1), later part of Commercial Union, opens a branch in Constantinople. The branch manager, appointed by the following year, is Albert Edward Mattass.

1908

By this date, Norwich Union Life has appointed Gilchrist, Walker & Co as agent for Constantinople.

1925

Commercial Union and Union Assurance both withdraw from Constantinople.

1927

General Accident opens a branch in Istanbul, under Mr P Courtelly.

1929

General Accident withdraws from Turkey.

1974

AK Emeklilik is incorporated as a subsidiary of the Sabanci Group.

1988

Commercial Union forms the general insurer Commercial Union Sigorta AS in conjunction with Finansbank.

General Accident Turkey letter, 1913

1991

On 14 November, Commercial Union forms Commercial Union Hayat Sigorta, a life company.

2001

Commercial Union Sigorta AS becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Commercial Union.

2003

On 31 March, Commercial Union Hayat Sigorta changes its name to Commercial Union Hayat ve Emeklilik AS to reflect the fact that it now offers pensions as well as life insurance.

2004

On 15 September, Commercial Union Sigorta AS changes its name to Aviva Sigorta while Commercial Union Hayat ve Emeklilik AS changes its name to Aviva Hayat ve Emeklilik AS

2007

On 31 October, Aviva Hayat ve Emeklilik AS merges with AK Emeklilik. Based on the equal share principal, both Aviva plc, and Sabanci Holding have a 49.7% share in the merged company. On 1 November, as a result of the merger, Aviva Hayat ve Emeklilik AS becomes Aviva SA Emeklilik ve Hayat.