Imperio Bonanca

Companhia de Seguros Bonança was founded in 1808 and his first policy was issued in the 30th Sep 1808. It was a very dificult time right in the middle of Napoleonic wars, the Royal family´s escape to Brasil, the country was ocupied by the French troops, the liberation war. It was time to regenerate the country, and, the company´s moto reflected that. "Depois da Tempestade vem a Bonança" (After the Storm comes a calm). Conpanhia de Seguros Império was founded in the 1st Jul 1942 to insure the biggest risks of the CUF group (from the same owner). Both companies went trough several consolidation processes untill now. Bonança was merged with União Comercial in 1838. In 1975 it was nationalized and merged with "União", "Ultramarina" and "Comercio e Industria". In 1990 was sold to the BCP group becoming a private company. Império was one of the first Portuguese companies to invest in publicity and to create a strong corporate image. In 1963 created the "Homem Império" (Império Man), a specialist in security and a family friend. Lanched publicity campaigns that created long queues in front of his stores. It was the 1st Internationalized Portuguese Insurance company, and, in 1971 was the 1st company in Portugal to reach 1 million PT Escudos in Premium. In 1975 didn´t escape the nationalization process in Portugal and was merged with "Sagres" and "Universal". In 1992 is privatized and returns to it´s previous owers, the "Mello Group". In 2000 it was sold to the BCP group and was merged with Bonança becoming the actual Império Bonança: One Insurance company, two Marks, Two Networks that later would become only one with the culture of both companies. In July 2004 the company was sold to Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) , becoming part of its Insurance Holding, Caixa Seguros, the biggest Portuguese Insurance Group that also holds "Cares", "Fidelidade Mundial", "GEP", "Via Directa", "Multicare" and some smaller companies.