Ergo Group

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Ergo Group AG (stylized as ERGO) is a German insurance group headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is one of the largest primary insurers in Europe and a wholly owned subsidiary of Munich Re (Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG), one of the world’s leading reinsurance companies.[1][2]

History

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Ergo Group was established in 1997 through the merger of Victoria Holding and Hamburg-Mannheimer Holding, both of which trace their origins back to the 19th century.[3] Over time, other insurers such as DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung and Europäische Reiseversicherung were integrated into the group.[3]

In 2016, the company was restructured and renamed Ergo Group AG, introducing sub-holdings including Ergo Deutschland AG, Ergo International AG, and Ergo Digital Ventures AG to manage regional and digital operations.[3]

In 2025, Ergo, acting through Munich Re, acquired the remaining 71% of U.S.-based Next Insurance for US$2.6 billion. The deal brought Ergo’s stake to 100% and marked its official entry into the U.S. insurance market. The acquisition was completed on 1 July 2025.[4][5]

Operations and business segments

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Ergo operates through three main divisions:

  • Ergo Deutschland AG – Manages the German market with products spanning life, health, property, liability, and legal protection insurance. Subsidiaries include Ergo Versicherung, Ergo Vorsorge Lebensversicherung AG, DKV, and Ergo Reiseversicherung.[3]
  • Ergo International AG – Oversees operations in over 20 countries worldwide, focusing on Europe, Asia, and since 2025, the United States.[1][3]
  • Ergo Technology & Services Management AG – Provides centralised IT services and digital infrastructure for the group.[6]

Additionally, Itergo Informationstechnologie GmbH was established in 2000 as a wholly owned IT service provider supporting Ergo’s operations in Germany.[7]

Management

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The management of Ergo Group AG is overseen by a Board of Management, which is responsible for strategic direction and day-to-day operations, and a Supervisory Board, which monitors and advises the executive team.[1]

As of 2025, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management is Markus Rieß, who has held the position since 16 September 2015.[8] Other board members are responsible for Finance, Technology, Digitalization, Underwriting and Human Resources.[9]

Financials and workforce

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As of 2024, Ergo reported annual insurance revenue of €20.8 billion and had around 37,000 employees and sales partners worldwide.[10]

Stock market presence

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Ergo was listed in the MDAX until 2001; following Munich Re’s move to full ownership, Ergo ceased to have an independent stock market listing. Shares of Munich Re are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the company is included in the DAX index.[11][2][12]

Headquarters

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Ergo’s headquarters are located in the Victoria-Haus (also known as the Ergo Tower) in Düsseldorf’s Pempelfort district. The cylindrical high-rise, constructed between 1994 and 1998, stands approximately 108 metres tall with 29 floors above ground.[13]

Sponsorship

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Since 2022, Ergo has been the official insurance partner of the German Football Association (DFB), including support for the men’s, women’s, and under-21 national teams as well as the DFB Academy.[14]

The company also served as an official national partner of UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, with a focus on the tournament’s volunteer programme.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Company". ERGO. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Munich Re announces squeeze-out at ERGO". Munich Re. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Facts and figures – History of the ERGO Group". ERGO. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Germany's Munich Re to buy 71% of Next Insurance, valuing it at $2.6 billion". Reuters. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  5. ^ "ERGO successfully finalizes the full acquisition of NEXT Insurance" (Press release). ERGO Group AG. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Technology and service provider". ERGO. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Ergo-Konzern legt IT-Ressourcen zusammen". Computerwoche (in German). 2003. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Dr. Markus Rieß – Curriculum vitae". ERGO. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Boards of group companies". ERGO. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  10. ^ "ERGO successfully finalizes the full acquisition of NEXT Insurance" (Press release). ERGO Group AG. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Historical Index Compositions of DAX Equity Indices" (PDF). STOXX. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Our Shares – index listings". Munich Re. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  13. ^ "VICTORIA-Haus". The Skyscraper Center (CTBUH). Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Partner des DFB". DFB (in German). Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  15. ^ "ERGO becomes official national partner of UEFA EURO 2024". UEFA. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
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