Phoenix Fire Office
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Phoenix Assurance or Phoenix Fire Office was a fire insurance company founded in 1680 in England.[1]
The history of the company includes the nostalgia of red-coated attendants clattering to the fires of London on horse-drawn tenders.[2]
The Phoenix figured in Case Law. In 1796, the company refused to pay damages awarded of £3,000 (2011: £240,000) following a 1792 fire at a house in Tavistock Street, London. Phoenix claimed that the owners had failed to obtain a Certificate from the ministers and churchwardens of the parish affirming the good character of the victims. Phoenix issued a Writ of Error to appeal against the original decision.[3]
Phoenix diversified into life insurance, establishing the Pelican Life Office in 1797.[4] In 1907 Phoenix reabsorbed Pelican Life Assurance, at that time known as the Pelican and British Empire Life Office, becoming a composite insurer.[4]
Sun Alliance & London acquired Phoenix Assurance in 1984.[5]
References[]
- ^ The Times, 27 June 1785 Category: Classified Advertising
- ^ Clive Aslet, The Times, 10 September 1983, Picturing the past frame by frame
- ^ The Times, 8 June 1796; Law Report. Court Of King's Bench, June 7., Phoenix Fire Office
- ^ a b "Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group Plc". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ Trebilcock, Clive (1999). Phoenix Assurance and the Development of British Insurance: Volume 2, The Era of the Insurance Giants 1870–1984. Cambridge University Press. p. 1021. ISBN 978-0521254151.
External links[]
- Financial services companies established in 1680
- Financial services companies established in the 17th century
- Defunct fire and rescue services of England
- Insurance companies of the United Kingdom
- Organizations established in the 1680s
- 1680 establishments in England