130 years Munich Re – An exciting story Jump to content Jump to main navigation Normal view (turn off text only mode) Munich RE You are here: Home The Group Group History Company Portrait Strategy Board of Management Nikolaus von Bomhard Ludger Arnoldussen Thomas Blunck Georg Daschner Doris Höpke Torsten Jeworrek Peter Röder Jörg Schneider Joachim Wenning Supervisory Board Employees Corporate Responsibility Group History 1880–1889 1890–1909 1910–1919 1920–1949 1950–1969 1970–1989 1990–1999 2000–2010 Corporate Art 130 years Munich Re – An exciting story It all started on a small scale in April 1880: two rooms, four staff members, standing desks, oil lamps, no telephone. But behind this modest new business lay a great idea. The founding of Munich Reinsurance Company heralded the onset of a new reinsurance era. Von Thieme’s aim was to achieve success with a company that was independent of insurers, had a broad spread of risk and an efficient system of reinsurance treaties, and remained very close to its clients. The idea worked. Within a few years, Munich Re had become a world leader in its field and has continued to play an important role in shaping the insurance industry up to the present day. However, there have been some serious setbacks on the way – Munich Re has had to cope with large loss events, two world wars and upheaval in the financial markets, but has emerged from all of these crises and surged ahead again with renewed strength and ideas. From a four-man business to one of the world’s leading risk carriers – a company story that has never been low on excitement: 1880–1889: The early years The founding of the company and the first treaties. Initial ventures into primary insurance. more 1890–1909: Expansion beyond Germany’s borders Munich Re enters the British and US markets. The company introduces machinery insurance and suffers its first large losses. more 1910–1919: The company’s first building, the war years New risks are covered, such as aviation and life insurance for all, and the Main Building is erected. Success is dampened by the difficult war years. more 1920–1949: The Weimar Republic and the Second World War The Second World War constrains the company’s operations: international transactions are prohibited, the company is brought before a military tribunal and severe catastrophes have to be absorbed. more 1950–1969: Growth years International transactions are again permitted. Munich Re regains its old strength. After only three years, business stands at around two-thirds of pre-war levels. more 1970–1989: Natural catastrophes – the growing threat As a result of the increasing occurrence of natural catastrophes, Munich Re sets up a research unit for natural hazards. The company celebrates its centenary and expands its international business. more 1990–1999: Years of expansion The 1990s are marked by many decisions that safeguard the company’s long-term position in the national and international markets and strengthen its balance sheet. These include the acquisition of American Re and the founding of the ERGO Insurance Group and MEAG, the Group’s asset management company. more 2000–2010: The new Munich Re brand Munich Re sets out to offer its clients more than “classic” reinsurance and becomes a provider of solutions for the insurance industry’s entire value chain. more Main Navigation Search Navigation Enter search term Search The Group Company Portrait Strategy Board of Management Supervisory Board Employees Corporate Responsibility Group History Corporate Art Focus Topics Climate Change Solvency II Emerging Risks Publications Media Centre Reports Key Figures Reports Reinsurance Profile Reinsurance Portrait Strategy Business & Solutions Spectrum of reinsurance services Non-Life reinsurance Life reinsurance Health reinsurance Risk Solutions Claims Magazines Topics Online Publications Media Centre Apps Topic Portals Touch Engineering Touch Life Touch Natural Hazards Touch Space Flight Customer Media connect.munichre Contact Munich Re worldwide Primary Insurance Focus Portrait Strategy ERGO Overview Products & Services ERGO in the Conversation Brands International Munich Health Profile Munich Health Portrait Strategy Management Competencies Spectrum of Services Contact Munich Health worldwide Investor Relations Our Shares Key figures Outlook Share price and chart service Dividend Share Buy-Back Analysts Target Achievement Shareholder Profile Share Profile Activities Bonds Munich Re Group Bonds Bonds of Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft Bonds Chart Service Catastrophe Bonds Capital Structure Credit Analysts Ratings and Solvency Ratings, Solvency Ratios and CDS Spreads Ratings of Subsidiaries Bond Ratings Publications Annual Report 2013 Financial Reports Presentations Ad-hoc Announcements Voting Rights Articles of Association Annual Documents Media Centre Shareholder Information Shareholder Portal Annual General Meeting Corporate Governance Corporate Responsibility Acquisitions and Divestments Shareholders' Register Contact and Service Dates Contact Newsletter Order Reports FAQ Glossaries Feedback IR-Website Useful Links Mission Statement Media Relations Publications Press Releases Other Company News Press Dossiers Reports and Presentations Media Centre Image Archive Board of Management Architecture Historical Images Media Service Dates Newsletter Contact Career Jobs and applications Overview Current Job Openings Application Advice Help Contact for Applications Event Calendar Munich Re as an employer Overview What we do Corporate Structure Job profiles What we offer Careers at Munich Re Diversity Culture and Values Corporate responsibility Publications Media Centre School leavers Overview Vocational Training Combides Professional Training Study Work Experience Placement Prospects Applications Students Overview Working Students Interns Degree Thesis Legal Traineeship Prospects Application University graduates Overview Graduate Trainee Programm Direct Entry PhD Prospects Application Professionals Overview Experts at Munich Re Lateral Career Entry for Engineers Prospects Application Service Men Sitemap Contact RSS-Feeds Privacy Statement Legal Notice Imprint Desktop Version Deutsch Search Accessibility Text only Reduce font Reset font size Enlarge font High contrast mode Note This publication is available exclusively to Munich Re clients. 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