Our history 

We're the UK's No. 1 musical instrument insurer, and have been providing musical instrument cover since 1960. Today, we insure over 70,000 musicians, from beginners to internationally renowned artists.

Take a look at our history:

1890: Allianz was founded in Berlin in 1890 by Carl Von Thieme. 

1893: 3 years after being founded, Allianz opened up their first international office in London. 

1905: Cornhill Insurance was founded 15 years after Allianz in 1905.

1935: 45 years after Allianz was established, the British Reserve Insurance Company (BRIC) was founded in 1935.

1960: 25 years after being founded, BRIC launched musical instrument insurance in 1960.

1987: In 1987 Allianz purchased Cornhill and BRIC but BRIC remained a separate company and became a subsidiary of Cornhill Insurance.

1994: In 1994 Allianz identified a gap in the market and launched the PowerPlay policy for electrical musical instruments and equipment.

1997: In 1997 Allianz Plc purchased the British Reserve Insurance Company (BRIC) along with their Musical Insurance portfolio.

2003: In 2003 Cornhill Insurance changed its name to Allianz Cornhill. BRIC still underwrite the musical insurance policy.

2009: In 2009 the trading name for the musical insurance product is changed to Allianz Musical Insurance – BRIC still underwrite the policy. 

2014: In 2014 Allianz Musical Insurance launcheds Music Protect - a more flexible policy that has no excess on instrument claims. Allianz Musical Insurance began to underwrite their own policies and BRIC no longer underwrites. 

2020: Celebrating our 60th anniversary - insuring the nation's musical instruments for 60 years.