Gartenbau-Versicherung and Vereinigte Hagelversicherung intend to merge

Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG and Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG intend to join forces and embark on a shared path into the future. The two companies have already enjoyed close and trusting cooperation for more than 30 years under the “Agrorisk” brand.

Almost 180 years ago, horticulturalists founded Gartenbau-Versicherung. The roots of Vereinigte Hagel can be traced back more than 200 years to farmers joining forces. Both organisations were founded on the principle of sharing risks and assuming responsibility for one another. Today, both companies are leading specialist insurers in their respective sectors in Europe. “We share the same values, a similar corporate culture and the common goal of continuing to provide our members with reliable support in the future,” says Christian Senft, Chairman of the Executive Board of Gartenbau-Versicherung. “Our mutual insurance associations are shaped by our close relationship with our members and their right to participate in decision-making.”

Dr. Jan Keller, Vereinigte Hagel, Christian Senft, Gartenbau-Versicherung, Dr. Philipp Schönbach, Vereinigte Hagel, and Dr. Dietmar Kohlruss, Gartenbau-Versicherung

Changing conditions
The conditions facing agriculture and horticulture are changing. Extreme weather events and the consequences of climate change are placing increasing demands on risk assessment and risk-bearing capacity. These are compounded by changing market conditions, growing regulatory requirements and profound technological and digital transformation.

It therefore makes sense to pool experience and expertise while at the same time safeguarding sector-specific expertise, proximity to customers and identity.

“Our aim is to work together to create a strong and independent insurance company that remains committed to the needs of agriculture and horticulture. We do not see growth as an end in itself. Rather, it provides the foundation for preserving, in the long term, the principle of mutuality that has underpinned both companies for generations,” emphasises Dr Philipp Schönbach, Spokesman of the Executive Board of Vereinigte Hagel.

The proposed merger is being pursued from a position of strength by both companies. By joining forces, insurance products can be further developed to meet specific needs, innovation can be promoted and growing requirements and changes in the market can be addressed.

Next steps
The two partners are conducting the discussions on an equal footing. A fundamental prerequisite is that existing contracts and agreements remain valid in the event of a merger, that the Giessen and Wiesbaden locations are retained and that the legal form of a mutual insurance association is preserved.

The talks are scheduled to be concluded in 2027. Implementation of the proposed merger is subject to the approval of the members’ representatives’ assemblies, the highest governing body of both companies. In addition, approval from the competent supervisory authorities is required.

For more information:
Daniel Rittershaus
Vereinigte Hagel
Tel.: +49 641 7968 300
[email protected]