About IM
The Insurance Museum is a registered charity.
Our Mission
The Insurance Museum is focused on becoming an educational forum for engaging audiences in the global story of insurance – past, present, and future.
This story will be supported by new virtual galleries (coming soon), educational resources, lectures, film content and events.
Promoting: Education, careers, research, continuing professional development (CPD), heritage, culture and sharing the story of insurance for the greater good.
Our growing collection of insurance heritage objects and archives is intended as a resource for the curious public, for the insurance sector, for young people and potential recruits and for researchers.
Our long-term goal is to establish a world class visitor and research centre in the City of London, where we will exhibit our collections and engage everyone interested in the fascinating story of insurance.
Why an Insurance Museum?
The history of insurance dates back thousands of years to China, where traders would organise goods between several boats to spread risk. The Great Fire of London in 1666 sparked off the creation of fire insurance companies in Britain. Insurance supported Eighteenth century innovators and entrepreneurs that led to the Industrial Revolution and at the same time, marine insurers supported traders who helped to establish the economic success of the United Kingdom.
Late twentieth century events include the Piper Alpha disaster and recovering damaged satellites from space.
This history helps us see how insurance works, whether that is enabling people to drive a car or developing innovative ideas into something real.
The Insurance Museum will aim to tell these stories, but also explore future challenges, and deepen people’s knowledge and understanding.
Our Vision
By engaging with our audiences, we will create a deeper understanding of insurance and its heritage. Past stories will show the role of insurance in managing risk and developing innovation, while we look to the future and the challenges that may come.
We want young people to consider the importance of personal finance and even encourage them to enter the insurance profession, and support insurance sector workers through Continual Professional Development.
How you can support
Donate
Corporate Donation
Become a founding Member of the IM
Object Donation
Registered Charity address:
C/o Chartered Insurance Institute
3rd Floor, 20 Fenchurch Street,
London EC3M 3BY
Charity No. 1188138
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