Net premiums written 1999: $6,783m (£4,760.3m)

European head office: 8-10 rue d'Astorg , 75383 Paris, Cedex 08 France

Tel: +33 1 44 56 77 77 Fax: +33 1 44 56 72 74
Website: groupama.com

Established in 1900

Main classes of business: Insurance products for the individual , professional insurances, credit insurance, international insurance and financial services

History
Groupama became France's second-largest multi-line insurer with the acquisition of GAN in July 1998. In its domestic market, the group pursues a multi-distribution strategy centred on the Groupama Insurance and GAN brands.
1900 In France, the law of July 4 1900 defined the legal framework for establishing mutual agricultural
insurance funds to provide cover for professional risks (barn fires, livestock, etc.).
1930 Launch of a health and benefit insurance scheme specially designed for the agricultural sector, then
extension to family allowances in 1936.
1935 The 40,000 mutual insurance funds in existence counted nearly a million members.
1949 Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA) was reorganised to integrate management of the health and family
benefits insurance scheme for farmers.
1972 Creation of SORAVIE in partnership with the Crédit Agricole bank, to distribute life insurance products
to all markets. This was France's first experience with “bancassurance” (distribution of insurance products through retail financial establishments).
1977 Groupama became the first insurer to offer widespread emergency assistance cover.
1986 Introduction of the Groupama name, federating all AMAs and their subsidiaries.
1987 Groupama introduced the first individual comprehensive insurance policy providing homeowners, motor and health cover for the entire family, as well as life insurance and legal protection.
1997 Acquisition of Navigation & Transports and the transport insurance portfolio of Chegaray.
1998 Groupama acquired GAN, France's fourth-ranked insurer, to become the country's second largest multi-line insurer.


Biography
Jean Azema CEO
Jean Azema, 48, has spent his whole career within the group, working firstly for the Regional Mutual for the Eastern Pyrenees (1975-1978) and then for the Regional Mutual of L'Allier (1979-1986).

Between 1987 and 1995 he was director of Finance for Groupama Vie and then director of Investments, director of Consolidation and director of Insurance for Groupama.

He was appointed CEO of Groupama Sud Ouest in 1996 and CEO of Groupama Sud in 1998.

Jean Azema has been CEO of Groupama Central Mutual since June 2000.

Major shareholders: Mutual insurer

Key personnel: Jacques Giraud, chief operating officer

Subsidiaries: UNIVYP, Spain; Groupama Seguros Y Reaseguros, Spain; Europa Gan Biztosito, Hungary; Groupama Insurances, UK; Gan Italia Vita, Italy; Gan Italia, Italy; Luxlife, Luxemburg; Gan Portugal Vida, Portugal ; Gan Portugal Seguros, Portugal; Zenith Vie, Switzerland; Gan Incendie Accidents, Switzerland; Günes Sigorta, Turkey