Yorkshire Insurance Company

• Yorkshire Insurance Company; 1824-2006

Fire-fighting was originally organised at the parochial level but became organised by wards in the late 17th-early 18th centuries. In 1720 the corporation had four large and four small engines. Throughout the 18th century the Sun Fire Office contributed to salaries and maintenance. Due to problems with hiring staff and the quality of service and equiptment the Corporation was able to provide, the function was out sourced to the Yorkshire Insurance Company in 1830.

The Yorkshire Insurance Company had been established in 1824 as the Yorkshire Fire and Life Insurance Company. The company opened for business on September 1 1824 and, in 1826, adopted York minister as its official emblem. A deed of settlement was signed on 21 July 1825 and was replaced by an act of parliament in July 1831. The company purchased its first engine in November 1824 and the 'Yorkshire' brigade tackled fires for over 50 years - including those at York Minster in 1829 and 1840.

The company disbanded the fire service in 1875 but contributed resources to the Corporation. It was part or all of the police force until 1940.

Around 1900 the company began a period of considerable expansion. In 1898, it started to offer accident insurance while a burglary business was added in 1901. The company extended its business to include fidelity guarantee insurance in 1904 followed by plate glass and livestock insurance in 1907. On May 27 1908, the company changed its name to the Yorkshire Insurance Company and was registered as a limited company on June 3 1908. By 1938, the company was offering fire, life, annuity, sickness, accident, employers' liability, burglary, fidelity guarantee, motor, plate glass, third party, boiler and engineering, live stock and marine insurances.

In 1967, the majority of the company's share capital was acquired by the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd (now part of the Aviva Group), which acquired the remaining share capital the following year. By 1974, the Yorkshire had ceased operating in the United Kingdom but was still active in Brazil, Iran and France. In 1991, its principal business was United States business written in the United Kingdom and general insurance through overseas agencies. The company was registered as non-trading on 31 March 2006.
Fire-fighting function gained from Corporation in 1830, and transferred back in 1875.

Insurance company. Ran the city's fire brigade from 1830-1875.

Fire-fighting was originally organised at the parochial level but became organised by wards in the late 17th-early 18th centuries. In 1720 the corporation had four large and four small engines. Throughout the 18th century the Sun Fire Office contributed to salaries and maintenance. Due to problems with hiring staff and the quality of service and equiptment the Corporation was able to provide, the function was out sourced to the Yorkshire Insurance Company in 1830. \n\nThe Yorkshire Insurance Company had been established in 1824 as the Yorkshire Fire and Life Insurance Company. The company opened for business on September 1 1824 and, in 1826, adopted York minister as its official emblem. A deed of settlement was signed on 21 July 1825 and was replaced by an act of parliament in July 1831. The company purchased its first engine in November 1824 and the 'Yorkshire' brigade tackled fires for over 50 years - including those at York Minster in 1829 and 1840. \n\nThe company disbanded the fire service in 1875 but contributed resources to the Corporation. It was part or all of the police force until 1940.\n\nAround 1900 the company began a period of considerable expansion. In 1898, it started to offer accident insurance while a burglary business was added in 1901. The company extended its business to include fidelity guarantee insurance in 1904 followed by plate glass and livestock insurance in 1907. On May 27 1908, the company changed its name to the Yorkshire Insurance Company and was registered as a limited company on June 3 1908. By 1938, the company was offering fire, life, annuity, sickness, accident, employers' liability, burglary, fidelity guarantee, motor, plate glass, third party, boiler and engineering, live stock and marine insurances.\n\nIn 1967, the majority of the company's share capital was acquired by the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd (now part of the Aviva Group), which acquired the remaining share capital the following year. By 1974, the Yorkshire had ceased operating in the United Kingdom but was still active in Brazil, Iran and France. In 1991, its principal business was United States business written in the United Kingdom and general insurance through overseas agencies. The company was registered as non-trading on 31 March 2006.

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa

VCH York; http://heritage.aviva.com/our-history/companies/y/yorkshire-insurance-company-ltd/