Allianz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Allianz

Headquarters in Munich
Type	Public (Societas Europaea)
Traded as	FWB: ALV DAX component
Industry	Financial services
Founded	5 February 1890; 135 years ago (1890-02-05) in Munich, Germany
Founders	Carl von Thieme Wilhelm von Finck
Headquarters	Munich, Germany
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Oliver Bäte (CEO) Michael Diekmann (chair, supervisory board)
Services	Insurance General insurance Health insurance Vehicle insurance Travel insurance Home insurance Life insurance Mortgage loans Investment management Asset management Mutual funds
Revenue	€179.8 billion (2024)
Operating income	€16.02 billion (2024)
Net income	€10.54 billion (2024)
AUM	€2.448 trillion (2024)
Total assets	€1.045 trillion (2024)
Total equity	€60 billion (2024)
Number of employees	156,626 (2024)
Subsidiaries	Allianz France Allianz Global Investors Allianz Life Bajaj Allianz Allianz Trade PIMCO

Allianz SE is a big German company that works all over the world. Its main offices are in Munich, Germany. Allianz mostly helps people with insurance and manages money for them.

Allianz is one of the largest insurance companies in the world. It's also one of the biggest financial companies in Europe. In 2023, Forbes magazine ranked Allianz as the 37th largest company globally.

History of Allianz

How Allianz Started

An early share from Allianz, issued in 1890

An early Allianz agent's sign

Allianz AG was founded in Munich in 1889. It officially started its work in Berlin on February 5, 1890. The company was started by Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck. They began with 4 million marks (an old German currency).

At first, Allianz offered insurance for ships and accidents, but only in Germany. In 1893, Allianz opened its first international office in London. This helped German customers get insurance when they traveled or did business abroad.

By 1900, Allianz was the first insurer to get a license to sell policies to other companies. In 1904, Paul von Naher became the leader, and Allianz expanded into the US and other countries. By 1914, Allianz was Germany's largest company for shipping insurance.

Allianz in the 20th Century

In 1905, Allianz started offering fire insurance. In 1911, they began selling insurance for machinery breakdowns. Allianz was the only company in the world to offer this type of insurance until 1924. In 1918, they started offering car insurance.

In 1922, Allianz began selling life insurance. By the end of the 1920s, it was the biggest life insurance provider in Europe. In 1927, Allianz joined with another big insurance company called Stuttgarter Verein Versicherung AG.

Allianz had a difficult role during the time of the Nazi government in Germany. The company supported the Nazi movement and its leader was even part of Hitler's first government. Allianz provided financial help to the Nazi party and expanded its business as the German government grew. This included taking over Jewish-owned insurance businesses. From 1940, Allianz provided insurance for factories, barracks, and vehicles in areas controlled by the Nazi government.

After World War II ended in 1945, Allianz's main office in Berlin was destroyed. The company moved its headquarters to Munich in 1949. In 1956, Allianz was the first big European insurance company to use a mainframe computer. After the war, Allianz slowly started doing business around the world again. They opened an office in Paris in 1959 and bought back parts of their old companies in Italy and Austria.

In the 1970s, Allianz expanded into the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, and the United States. In the 1980s, they bought Cornhill Insurance in London and invested in Riunione Adriatica di Sicurtà (RAS) in Milan.

In 1990, Allianz began expanding into Eastern Europe, starting with Hungary. In the same decade, Allianz also bought Fireman's Fund in the United States and Assurances Générales de France. They also expanded into Asia, with new partnerships and purchases in China, South Korea, and Australia. Around this time, Allianz also grew its money management business by buying companies in California. In 1999, Allianz bought the investment firm PIMCO.

Allianz in the 21st Century

The original Allianz logo, designed in 1923

Allianz's current head office in Munich.

In 2001, Allianz bought Dresdner Bank. They combined their money management parts to create Allianz Global Investors. In 2006, Allianz changed its company structure to become a "Societas Europaea," which is a type of European company. They also updated their logo. By 2008, Allianz was the largest insurer in Europe.

In 2008, Allianz sold most of Dresdner Bank to Commerzbank. Allianz still owns a small part of Commerzbank.

Allianz X, started in 2013, is Allianz's special fund for investing in new technology companies. In 2015, Allianz led a group that bought a German company called Tank & Rast, which runs motorway service stations.

In October 2020, Allianz was named the world's top insurance brand by Interbrand. In 2021, the United States Department of Justice started looking into Allianz because some of its investment funds lost a lot of money. In May 2022, Allianz agreed to pay $6 billion in the U.S. fraud case related to these losses.

In April 2023, Allianz decided to sell its share in a financial technology company called N26. In December 2024, Allianz decided not to buy a large part of Income Insurance in Singapore. In June 2025, Allianz was mentioned in a UN report about companies that support Israel's actions in Gaza.

Allianz's Money Matters

As of 2022, Allianz was the world's largest insurance company, with about $1.02 trillion in assets. In 2022, Allianz made €152.7 billion in revenue, which was 2.8% more than the year before.

Where Allianz Works

Allianz works in over 70 countries and has about 150,000 employees. The main company, Allianz SE, is in Munich. Allianz has more than 100 million customers worldwide. They offer property and accident insurance, life and health insurance, and manage money. In 2013, Allianz was ranked 25th on the global Forbes 2000 list.

Countries served by Allianz as of May 2022

Allianz in Australia

Allianz Australia Insurance Limited started in 1914. Allianz bought the company in 1998. Allianz Australia works in Australia and New Zealand, offering many types of insurance. In 2012, Allianz Australia made a deal to have its name on the Sydney Football Stadium. This deal was renewed in 2022 for the new stadium.

In January 2025, Allianz Australia announced it would sell one of its companies, Hunter Premium Funding. In February 2025, Allianz Australia and AWP Australia were fined for making false statements.

Allianz in Belgium

Allianz works in Belgium through Allianz Belgium. In 2012, Allianz Belgium (including Luxembourg) and Allianz Netherlands joined to become Allianz Benelux.

Allianz in Bulgaria

Allianz Bank Bulgaria headquarters in Sofia

Allianz Bank Bulgaria is a bank in Sofia. It started in 1991 and got its current name in 2003. The bank has many branches and offers banking services across the country.

Allianz in Canada

Allianz came to Canada in the early 1990s. Allianz Canada continues to operate in Cambridge, Ontario. In 2014, Allianz Canada joined with TIC Travel Insurance, becoming one of Canada's largest insurance companies.

In February 2025, Allianz Canada was identified as the main insurer for a Delta Airlines flight crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Allianz in China

In January 2021, Allianz was allowed to create Allianz Insurance Asset Management in Beijing. The next month, Allianz bought more shares in Allianz China Life Insurance Co, making it the first foreign-owned insurance asset management company in China.

In January 2025, the company announced it would work with Fudan University to support research in finance and insurance.

Allianz in Colombia

In 1999, Allianz bought 60% of a Colombian insurance company called Colseguros. By 2002, Allianz owned all of Colseguros. In 2012, Colseguros officially changed its name to Allianz Colombia.

Allianz Colombia headquarters in Bogotá

Allianz in Finland

In 2017, Allianz, along with other companies, bought Elenia, which is Finland's second-largest power distribution company.

Allianz in Germany

The Allianz complex in Alt-Treptow, Berlin

Allianz offers many types of insurance in Germany through its Allianz Deutschland AG company. It is the biggest insurance provider in Germany for both general and life insurance. Allianz products are mainly sold through agents and also through Commerzbank branches since 2010.

In March 2025, Allianz was part of a group that bought Viridum Group for €3.5 billion.

Allianz in Greece

Allianz started working in Greece on December 2, 1985. It now has almost 500 offices in Greece. In February 2022, Allianz bought 72% of European Reliance.

Allianz in India

In India, Allianz mainly works through Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited. These are joint companies with Bajaj Finserv Limited. Bajaj Allianz has about 1,200 branches in India and offers many types of insurance.

In March 2025, it was agreed that Allianz would sell its 26% share in the joint company to Bajaj Finserv for about €2.6 billion.

Allianz in Indonesia

Allianz started in Indonesia with an office in 1981. In 1989, Allianz started a general insurance company there. In 1996, Allianz also started a life insurance company in Indonesia.

Allianz in Ireland

Allianz plc in Ireland has over 1,700 employees. It started in 1902 and works in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It provides insurance for cars, homes, pets, boats, travel, and businesses. Today, Allianz insures over half a million customers in Ireland. In 2017, Allianz plc became fully owned by Allianz SE.

Allianz in Israel

In April 2019, Allianz started working with Cynet, a cybersecurity company, to help with security threats.

Allianz in Italy

The Allianz Tower in Milan

The Allianz Group in Italy is led by Allianz SpA. It is the second-largest insurance company in Italy based on premiums and fifth for money managed.

The Italian company, Allianz SpA, was formed in October 2007 by combining three older insurance companies: RAS, Lloyd Adriatico, and Allianz Subalpina.

Allianz in Kenya

On November 25, 2016, Allianz opened a new office in Kenya.

Allianz in Luxembourg

Allianz's company Allianz Global Partners was fined €283,000 in 2022 for not following anti-money laundering laws. Allianz appealed, but the fine was confirmed in February 2025.

Allianz in Mexico

Allianz Mexico started its work in 1987.

Allianz in the Philippines

In 2003, Allianz AG started working in the Philippines with a partner company, which lasted for five years. Allianz returned to the Philippines in 2016 as a subsidiary, working with Philippine National Bank. They are now called Allianz - PNB Life Insurance Incorporated.

Allianz in Portugal

In 2018, Allianz bought the largest solar power project in Portugal that did not need government help.

Allianz in Russia

Allianz started working in Russia in 1990. In June 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Allianz sold most of its Russian operations to a Russian company, but kept a small share.

Allianz in Slovakia

The headquarters of Allianz – Slovenská poisťovňa in Bratislava

Allianz started its life and property insurance work in Slovakia in 1993. In 2001, Allianz AG bought a large part of the state-owned Slovenská poisťovňa (SP). The local Allianz company then joined with SP to create Allianz – Slovenská poisťovňa.

Allianz in Sri Lanka

In March 2025, it was announced that Allianz's life insurance business in Sri Lanka would be bought by Softlogic Life Insurance.

Allianz in Turkey

Allianz Tower in Ataşehir, Istanbul

Allianz's related services in Turkey began in 1923. Allianz itself started working directly in Turkey in 1988. Over the years, Allianz took over more shares in its Turkish partners. In 2013, Allianz Group bought Yapı Kredi Sigorta and Yapı Kredi Emeklilik. In 2014, Allianz Sigorta and Yapı Kredi Sigorta joined together.

In 2015, Allianz Turkey moved its main office to Allianz Tower in Ataşehir, Istanbul.

Allianz in the United Kingdom

Allianz bought a British insurance company called Cornhill Insurance plc in 1986, which later became Allianz Insurance plc. Allianz also bought Premierline in 2003 and Home and Legacy in 2006. Allianz Insurance plc owns Petplan UK, which is a pet insurance provider.

In 2017, Allianz bought a share in the general insurance part of Liverpool Victoria. In 2019, Allianz bought the remaining part of Liverpool Victoria's general insurance business and also took over the general insurance part of Legal & General. These deals were completed on January 1, 2020.

Allianz in the United States

Allianz has companies in the United States, including Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America is often listed as one of the best companies to work for. Allianz also has two money management companies, PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors.

Allianz Leaders

The Allianz board of directors is led by Oliver Bäte.

CEOs of Allianz

Allianz Sponsorships

The Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany

Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil

Allianz has its name on several sports stadiums around the world. These include the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, where the football club Bayern Munich plays. Other stadiums named after Allianz are:

• Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil
• Allianz Riviera in Nice, France
• Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy
• Allianz Stadion in Vienna, Austria
• Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States

Allianz was going to buy the naming rights for a stadium in New Jersey, USA, but those talks ended in 2008.

Allianz used to own the Polish football team Górnik Zabrze but sold its shares in 2011. Allianz has been involved in Formula One racing since 2000, sponsoring teams like Mercedes GP Petronas. In 2009, Allianz became a partner of the St. Andrews Links Trust for golf. In 2012, Allianz made a deal for the Sydney Football Stadium to be renamed Allianz Stadium. Also in 2012, Allianz partnered with the Saracens rugby team and their stadium became Allianz Park until 2020.

Allianz has been a key sponsor of Formula One since 2000.

The company also sponsors other sports events, including golf, tennis, swimming, and athletics. In Ireland, Allianz sponsors the national Gaelic football and hurling leagues. In Italy, Allianz sponsors the main basketball club in Trieste.

Allianz is also the official worldwide insurance partner for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Allianz's Past and Research

The former Allianz head office in Berlin

In 1993, Allianz started an archive to study its company history. In 1997, Allianz asked a history professor, Gerald Feldman, to research Allianz's activities during the time of Nazi Germany.

After this research began, some people who survived World War II and their families sued Allianz and other European insurance companies, saying they had not paid out insurance policies. Allianz and other insurers helped create the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC) to address these claims. Allianz also became a founding member of a German foundation called Remembrance, Responsibility and Future.

Professor Feldman published his research in 2001. His findings showed that Allianz, as a company and through its leaders, willingly worked with the Nazi government from the early 1930s until the end of Nazi Germany. Feldman stated that Allianz's business during that time connected with the terrible events of the era.

Allianz had supported the Nazi party financially before 1933. One of Allianz's directors, Kurt Schmitt, was even a government minister for Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1934. During the war, Allianz provided insurance for various operations across Germany until 1945.

After the war, a former military officer, Gustav Lombard, who had been part of the Waffen-SS, worked for Allianz in Munich.

See also

In Spanish: Allianz para niños

• Allianz Trade
• International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics