Nationale-Nederlanden (NN) is one of the most well-known insurance brands in the Netherlands. And rightly so, with a history that began in 1845. This year we celebrate our 180th anniversary, a long and rich history filled with many stories.
How did it all begin?
On 12 April 1845, Christiaan Henny and Gerrit Jan Dercksen founded the 'Assurantie-maatschappij tegen Brandschade' (Insurance Company against Fire Damage). The first claim was for a fire in a customer's barn, where a stock of processed and unprocessed flax was stored. Due to quick action, the damage was limited and 12 guilders were paid out. The fire insurer later became known as De Nederlanden van 1845, which merged with De Nationale Levensverzekeringen Bank in 1963. This resulted in the largest insurer in the Netherlands: Nationale-Nederlanden.
An attractive workplace
By the end of the 19th century, the company had grown significantly. Under the leadership of Carel Henny (son and successor of Christiaan), the organisation modernised, including hiring an external accountant. Henny also paid attention to improving working conditions, which was quite remarkable at the time. Employees received a pension scheme and bonuses, and women received salary increases to support themselves.
Automation
The rapid growth in the number of customers led to a huge increase in policy data and administrative work. Initially, we did this with a quill, later we switched to calculators and punch cards. In 1959, the first computer – the IBM 650 – was purchased. Developments followed, and some processes became fully automated. Today, we use computers and artificial intelligence to do our daily work, but personal advice remains just as important.
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Internationalisation
In 1857, our predecessors opened an agency in Batavia, and within thirty years there were agents all over the world. After the Second World War, the agencies disappeared and insurers focused on acquisitions in Canada, the United States, and Australia. In Europe, we started new activities in various markets. We opened offices in Spain and Greece and, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, moved into Central and Eastern Europe. In 1986, Nationale-Nederlanden became the first European insurer to be admitted to the Japanese market. Today, NN Group, of which Nationale-Nederlanden is a part, is active in ten countries with approximately 16,000 employees.
Social partner
As a financial service provider, NN is at the heart of society, and therefore we do a lot of sponsorship, both socially, sportingly, and culturally. In collaboration with social organisations, we contribute to increasing the financial, mental, and physical well-being of those who need it. Additionally, we sponsor art and culture, including partnerships with Kunsthal Rotterdam, the Mauritshuis, and as the naming partner of NN North Sea Jazz. NN is also known as a sports sponsor, initially as a partner of the Dutch national football team. Since 2015, the focus has shifted to running, and Nationale-Nederlanden sponsors major running events such as the NN Marathon Rotterdam and the NN Dam tot Damloop.
We have a long history and much has changed in the past 180 years. NN has grown, but the essence of what we do has remained the same: we help people take care of what they find important.
