QBE

Founded in 1886 QBE Insurance Group is Australia's largest international general insurance & reinsurance group and belongs to one of the top 25 insurers and re insurers worldwide.

In October 1886, James Burns, a young Scotsman formed The North Queensland Insurance Company Limited. By 1890, the company had established over 36 agencies, including New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, many Pacific Islands and London.

Its growth, nationally and internationally since its small beginnings in 1886 is the story of an institution that has played an important part in Australian commercial history.

QBE distinguishes itself from the other major Australian-based insurance organizations by focusing solely on General Insurance and Reinsurance and by conducting the majority of its business outside of Australia.

The four operational divisions are geographically organised: European operations based in London, the Americas managed from New York, and Australian operations and Asia-Pacific both managed from Sydney.

It operates in all key insurance markets, has offices in 45 countries and over 13.000 staff worldwide.

QBE European operations consists of the commercial insurance and reinsurance division, of which QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited forms part, operations at Lloyd’s via the managing agency Limit, and the retail division.

A+ rated by Standard & Poors and A- (Excellent) rated by A.M. Best, which confirms its ability to pay for liabilities stemming from insurance.

Carlife SK

Carlife SK, s.r.o., a Lifeco Group company, was established in 2004 by British investors with an objective to provide complementary insurance products to the automotive industry. The company now provides and administers extended warranty programs and  EuroGAP® – invoice value insurance for vehicle manufacturers, insurers and automotive dealers throughout Central Europe.

Carlife products are distributed via more than 400 auto dealers, insurance brokers and authorized agents, generating premium income in 2005 in excess of 10 million Euro.

Carlife deals with administering insurance programs in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. At present the company is the largest independent warranty programs administrator in Central Europe. In 2005 Carlife extended its operations also to Romania and is in the process of establishing a subsidiary in Hungary.

Carlife has commercial links with A rated companies in London financial markets and its products are directly insured by Lloyd’s of London, Amtrust Financial Group and QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited.

Carlife and its sister companies are proactive in developing new, innovative insurance solutions in the Central European region for auto dealers, leasing companies and lenders.