Allianz. Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin. Agencies in Brussels

Collection

Holding institution:: National Archives of Belgium 2 – Joseph Cuvelier Repository

Holding institution (official language):: Archives Générales du Royaume 2 – Dépôt Joseph Cuvelier

Title:: Allianz. Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin. Agencies in Brussels

Title (official language):: Allianz. Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin. Agentschappen te Brussel

Creator/accumulator:: Allianz. Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin; L’Alliance. Compagnie d’Assurance à Berlin

Scope and content:: Two series from this fonds are of particular interest for our guide. Firstly we note the series concerning rejected insurance applications (dated 1905-1918); apart from formal documents they generally also contain information on the policy holder, the risk and motivation for rejection. Occasionally these files are fairly voluminous and contain plans, sketches, etc. Secondly, we point out the series of individual insurance files (1906-1921) consisting of i.a. application forms, correspondence with the policy holder etc. They especially concern fire insurance. In both series we find Jewish individuals (e.g. businessmen) as well as businesses owned by Jewish entrepreneurs – see for example the well-known companies Hirsch & Cie (no. 1230), Grands Magasins L. Tietz (no. 1357), etc.

Administrative/biographical history:: Allianz was established in February 1890; its headquarters was located in Berlin. In 1895 itwas listed on the German stock exchange. The first foreign branch opened in London in 1893. Allianz was the first German insurance company offering insurance for machinery (in 1900). In addition, the company operated in virtually all branches of insurance (theft, transportation, fire, accidents, glass breakage, storm damage, war damage, etc). A first branch in Brussels was opened in 1898 and directed by Constant Van Bellingen. In 1907, a second Brussels agency was created, led by Nicolas Philippart. There was a specific division of labour between both offices – for example, the agency of Philippart was responsible for the fire and theft insurance. By 1911, Allianz was represented in Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi, Ghent and Bruges (through agencies or independent agents). The Belgian subsidiaries were placed under sequester after the First World War. (K. Carrein, Fonds van sekwesterarchieven – Fonds des archives des séquestres VII: Inventaris van het archief van Allianz Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin Agentschappen te Brussel (1889-1924), I 303, Brussel, ARA-AGR, 2001.)

Finding aids:: K. Carrein, Fonds van sekwesterarchieven – Fonds des archives des séquestres VII: Inventaris van het archief van Allianz Versicherungs-Aktien-Gesellschaft in Berlin Agentschappen te Brussel (1889-1924), I 303, Brussel, ARA-AGR, 2001.