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Why CGU

With almost 160 years of service, CGU understands what’s important to you.

Why choose CGU?

CGU has been protecting the Australian way of life for almost 160 years by providing a comprehensive range of market-leading products that encompass commercial, rural, personal and workers’ compensation insurance needs.

We are one of Australia's largest intermediary-based insurers and are supported by a nationwide network of insurance advisers and business partners. We offer high-quality policies that can be tailored to your insurance requirements, so you can choose the cover that’s right for you and only pay for what you need. Our outstanding service, dedication to paying valid claims promptly and customer support systems are just some of the ways we make it easy to do business.

Service support

At CGU we know that you, our customer, are the foundation of our business. We pride ourselves on outstanding customer assistance, with all CGU products and services supported by a nationwide network of branches. Personal products also have access to a 24/7 claims lodgement service.

CGU proudly supports the General Insurance Code of Practice. The objectives of the Code are:

  • to promote better, more informed relations between insurers and their customers
  • to improve consumer confidence in the insurance industry
  • to provide better mechanisms for the resolution of complaints and disputes between insurers and their customers
  • to commit insurers and the professionals they rely on to higher standards of customer service.

Reflecting this Code of Practice, in the unlikely event you are not satisfied with our products or services, please contact CGU and our staff will help you in any way they can.

CGU facts & figures

Further Information

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CGU Insurance:

  • One of Australia’s largest intermediary-based general insurers
  • Approaching 160 years of providing insurance to Australians.
  • Insure over 1,000,000 Australian homes and 500,000 private motor vehicles. In excess of 3,000,000 policies in total.
  • AA- Insurer Financial Strength rating from international ratings agency Standard and Poor's.

CGU Insurance:

  • Network of over 75 branches throughout metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.
  • State offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
    Major regional offices in Ballarat, Bendigo, Newcastle and Wollongong.
  • Australia's largest regional and rural insurer.

CGU Insurance:

  • Australia's largest provider of workers' compensation services.
  • Business partnerships with over 100 financial institutions and affinity groups.
  • Approximately 4,000 employees across Australia.

CGU is part of Insurance Australia Group (IAG):

  • Australasia's leading general insurance group and an ASX Top 50 company.
  • IAG’s businesses underwrite approximately $7.8 billion of premium every year and employ 15,000 people worldwide.

History of CGU Insurance:

  • 2003: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) acquired CGU from UK-based insurer, Aviva plc.
  • 2001: CGU acquired the Australian operations of international insurer, Fortis, which operated in Australia under the VACC Insurance, AIM Insurance and AMEV Insurance brands.
  • 1998: CGU was formed through the global merger of Commercial Union plc and NZI's parent company, General Accident plc. The global merger brought together two highly regarded insurers with almost 160 years of experience in Australia.

History of Commercial Union Insurance:

  • 1905: Hand in Hand became part of the Commercial union Group.
  • 1900: By the turn of the century, Commercial Union had offices in the United States, Canada, India, Germany and Singapore.
  • 1865: Commercial Union established its first Australian office.

History of Commercial Union Insurance continued:

  • 1861: Commercial Union founded in response to drastically increased insurance premiums following a huge dockland fire in London.
  • 1696: Hand in Hand Fire & Life Insurance Society was founded after the Great Fire of London. Its original name was the Amicable Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses against Fire. Today, Hand in Hand is the oldest active fire insurance provider in the world.

History of NZI Insurance:

  • 1984: New Zealand South British Group became known as NZI Corporation Limited.
  • 1981: NZI and the South British Insurance Company merged and became known as the New Zealand South British Group.
  • 1921-1936: NZI acquired Eagle, Star and the British Dominions Insurance Company, as well as a major interest in the United Scottish Insurance Company.

History of NZI Insurance continued:

  • 1905: NZI acquired the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company.
  • 1860s: NZI underwent a period of rapid expansion, establishing branches in most Australian capital cities as well as around the globe.
  • 1859: Australian arm of General Accident plc, the New Zealand Insurance Company (NZI) founded in Auckland, New Zealand.
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