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ERGO (ERGO Insurance Group, ERGO Versicherungsgruppe) is one of the major insurance groups in Europe. Worldwide, ERGO is represented in more than 30 countries and concentrates on Europe and Asia. In Europe, ERGO claims to be no. 1 in the health and legal expenses insurance segments, and in its home market of Germany it is among the market leaders. 50 000 people work full-time for the Group, either as salaried employees or as self-employed sales representatives.

With premium income amounting to €19bn, ERGO offers different types of insurance and other services. 40 million customers – of which 20 million in Germany – currently buy the services provided by ERGO and its companies.

History
Legal expense insurance originates from the sports car endurance race, “24 Heures de Man” (24 hours of Le Mans), in the early 1920s. The event resulted in a number of accidents over the years with complicated legal disputes against the drivers and their insurers. In response, “Defence Automobile et Sportive” developed a unique product to cover accidents, theft and fire. This concept soon spread throughout Europe.

DAS became independent from its founder, changing its name to German Automobil Protection (Deutscher Automobil Schutz) and moved its head office to Munich after World War Two. In the 1950s, there was a demand for specialised advice and assistance due to the increase of accidents occurring from the influx of travellers visiting Europe who had different legal systems and language barriers. Other subsidiaries were soon set up in Austria, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Greece & Luxembourg. UK DAS Legal Expense Insurance was established in 1975 when the German D.A.S. company partnered with Phoenix Assurance (formerly Royal & Sun Alliance Company). DAS UK is now owned outright by D.A.S. Germany (/ D.A.S.) after purchasing the Sun Alliance Shareholding in 1989.

Structure
DAS head office is in Bristol with regional sales offices in London & Manchester. DAS has a dedicated claims office in Bedwas, South Wales that handles motor and high net worth business. DAS UK is part of a wider international group of DAS companies and is owned by D.A.S. Germany (/ D.A.S.). Ergo Insurance Group (ERGO Insurance Group) is the parent company of DAS Group. The majority shareholder in Ergo Insurance Group is Munich Re Group (Munich Re), one of the world’s largest re-insurer.

DAS UK is structured by a network of subsidiary companies, as there are:

DAS Ireland is a wholly owned subsidiary of DAS UK offering a product portfolio based on the UK proposition. Their head office is based in Dublin. DAS Canada is part of the DAS Group. The product suite offering includes drive, living, business and group protection. The head office is based in Toronto and their regional sales office is based in Vancouver. DAS Group purchased online legal services company, Everything Legal Limited (ELL) at the end of 2011. ELL, originally called Claims Financial handled claims against banks & lenders on behalf of those who were mis-sold payment protection. In 2010, they acquired legal advice website Law on the Web (www.lawontheweb.co.uk) from Solicitor, Martin Davis, along with over 100 microsites that deal with specific areas of the law. Features and services include a Find a Solicitor service, comprehensive directories and a collection of free legal documents. After being granted an alternative business structure (ABS), DAS acquired CW Law, a Bristol law firm and launched DAS Law in April 2013.

The move enabled the DAS Group to be a significant provider of legal services and legal protection insurer. The portfolio of products ranges from employment and personal injury claims to legal advice. The MD is Kathryn Mortimer, Head of Legal Services for the DAS UK Group. In 2014 they aim to expand functionalities and launch life service products in 2014.

Products
DAS is a specialist insurance and legal service company. DAS underwrites and sells legal expenses designed for individuals and families as well as small and large businesses. Policies underwritten by DAS are sold to insurance companies and brokers and are then sold onto the public.

Product structure is broken down into:


 * Legal expense insurance: family, commercial legal protection, property let, group, marine, travel, and motor ULR & accident management.


 * Assistance class insurance: home emergency, motor breakdown, licence assist and loss assist.


 * Supporting assistance services: Helplines that include counselling, legal advice, tax advice, health and medical advice. Assistance services included.