QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) was established back in 1886 by two shipping business partners in Queensland. Originally known as the North Queensland Insurance Company (QI), the business grew rapidly in its first years of operation, expanding into the United Kingdom and Asia.

During the 1920s, the pair also established Bankers’ and Traders’ Insurance Company (B&T). The son of one of the founders took over the running of both businesses following the deaths of the original owners. He continued to further expand the companies throughout Asia as well as across New York, Montreal and Cairo.

During the 1950’s to 1970’s, QI and BT embarked on a period of significant expansion and acquisition, purchasing large stakes in the Equitable Probate and General Insurance Company. In what was often regarded at the time as one of the biggest corporate mergers in Australian history, in 1973 the three companies merged to become QBE. It was at that time, QBE Australia listed on the ASX and became a division of QBE Group.

Since listing, QBE has continued to grow and diversify its business through numerous acquisitions. The company provides a broad range of insurance products across personal, business, corporate, and institutional markets. QBE provides a diverse range of home, car and personal insurance as well as specialist policies tailored to the needs of specific industries such as agriculture, marine, aviation, and professional liability insurance. QBE is also involved in insurance underwriting and reinsurance.

QBE is now Australia’s second largest international insurer and has over 11,000 employees in more than 25 countries around the world.

The QBE share price was hit hard by the March 2020 crash, falling from highs of over $15 in February 2020 to under $7.50 in March. The QBE share price spent the majority of the six months following the March crash trading under $10.