Gjensidige Forsikring ASA provides general insurance and pension products in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The company operates through six segments: General Insurance Private, General Insurance Commercial, General Insurance Denmark, General Insurance Sweden, General Insurance Baltics, and Pension. It offers motor, home, accident and health, travel, leisure craft, boat, valuables, liability, commercial, marine/transport, agriculture, natural perils, life, and pet insurance products. The company also provides defined contribution occupational pension schemes for businesses, which include disability pension, spouse/cohabitant pension, and child's pension products. It distributes its products through various distribution channels comprising office channel, call center, Internet, partners, and brokers to private and commercial customers. The company was founded in 1816 and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

History

Although the company traces its roots back to 1816, the brand name Gjensidige originates from the life insurance company Christiania almindelige gjensidige forsørgelsesanstalt that was established in 1847. In the early 1970s the p&c-company traded under the name Samtrygd, whereas the life insurance company had simplified its name to Gjensidige Liv. The two companies formed a strategic alliance in 1976, adopting Gjensidige as a joint brand name, but as both companies were mutually owned they did not merge.

In 1992 Gjensidige acquired Forenede Forsikring and in 1993 Gjensidige Bank was created with banking services. In 1999 Gjensidige and the savings bank Sparebanken NOR created the Gjensidige NOR-group. The Group was a strategic alliance between mutually owned companies. When Gjensidige NOR merged with Den norske Bank in 2003 to form DnB NOR, Gjensidige Forsikring remained an independent company.

In 2007 Gjensidige acquired shares in Storebrand, and for some time held the position as the number one shareholder with 24.33% of the stock. The entire shareholding was sold in 2014.

In 2010 Gjensidige demutualised and was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The Gjensidige Foundation is the largest owner with some 62 percent of the shares.

Mission

The power of change through various phases of Norwegian social and business life forms the basis for our current and future competitiveness.

Vision

The power of change through various phases of Norwegian social and business life forms the basis for our current and future competitiveness.

Key Team

Ms. Catharina Elisabeth Hellerud (Chief Risk Officer)

Ms. Janne Merethe Flessum (Exec. VP of Analytics, Product & Price)

Mr. Mats Christian Gottschalk (Exec. VP of Denmark)

Mr. Lars Goran Bjerklund (Exec. VP of Bus.)

Ms. Aysegul Cin (Exec. VP of Sweden & Baltics)

Mr. Rene Floystol (Exec. VP of Private)

Mr. Erik Ranberg (Head of Investments)

Recognition and Awards

Gjensidige has won many awards over the years including the Eficom Business Excellence Award, the Financial Times Business Innovation Award, and the Årets Forsikringsselskap Award.