The Founding of OOM Verzekeringen
In 1940, the Onderlinge Oorlogschadeverzekering Maatschappij was founded by its five directors. Their goal was to insure the damages caused by the war. This was done by mutual agreement, which means that they each had an equal share in collectively bearing the consequences of the damages. Every six months, the damages were examined and the income from the semi-annual premium fees was used to compensate them.
OOM Was Progressive Even Then
In those days, ‘de OOM’ (as OOM Verzekeringen had been called for years, meaning ‘the uncle’) was already quite progressive. We were unique in that even then, we did not limit ourselves to one specific area or region, but provided insurance policies throughout the country.
Protecting Our Staff
During the difficult years of the Second World War, OOM provided the members of its staff, Jewish or otherwise, who had gone into hiding the opportunity to continue working. Their families were provided with food as much as was possible. At the end of the war, OOM was employing 600 people, and policies were delivered all over the country by bicycle.
Trusted
By that point, OOM had won the complete trust of the citizenry. Where the government was providing compensation according to the current market value, OOM was compensating according to the rebuilding value. OOM provided advance sums, so that people received help fast. Eventually, OOM even provided insurance for damages which came about because the original insurer had refused to pay any compensation.
New Markets
After the war, the founders looked for new markets for OOM Verzekeringen, in addition to the war and kindred risks market. They quickly came upon the market for special fire and health insurance risks. Where other normal insurance companies could provide no solution, people could come to OOM Verzekeringen. To this very day, OOM is active in these three markets.
Pride
We are proud of the vision, the social character and the qualities that the founders of OOM Verzekeringen had.
In A Nutshell
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1940 — the Onderlinge Oorlogsschadeverzekering Maatschappij is founded;
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1961 — the name is changed to ‘Onderlinge Verzekering Maatschappij O.O.M.;
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1969 — collaboration with AGO;
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1978 — the company splits into ‘O.O.M. Onderlinge Ziektekostenverzekering Maatschappij U.A.’ (for health insurance) and ‘O.O.M. Onderlinge Verzekeringmaatschappij U.A.’;
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1983 — collaboration with AEGON;
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1987 — ‘O.O.M. Onderlinge Molestverzekering Maatschappij U.A.’ (for war damage) is founded;
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2000 — OOM Global Care N.V. and OOM Schadeverzekering N.V. (for non-life insurance) are founded.
