Milestones

With insurance operations running around the world, 24 hours a day, the Collinson Insurance Group never stops developing and innovating in insurance delivery.

  • 1986: Columbus Direct Insurance launched. First 'direct' provider in UK of travel insurance, saving customers money on travel insurance fees.
  • 1999: Columbus becomes the first company to sell travel insurance online.
  • 2000: Columbus Direct goes global offering travel insurance in over 40 countries via its pioneering multi-country online booking engine.
  • 2000: Columbus first to send customers a Policy Certificate as a PDF.
  • 2001: Trinity Insurance agreed new proposals for Personal Accident cover for HM Forces personnel going to Afghanistan following 9/11, eclipsing MoD's own scheme.
  • 2001: Columbus Direct launches international offering – to 50 countries world wide.
  • 2003: Columbus Direct launches first high volume XML travel insurance application in the UK
  • 2004: Trinity Insurance provided immediate Personal Accident cover for HM Forces personnel going to Iraq when MoD scheme imposed a 6 month. moratorium 2004.
  • 2005:  In July Astrenska is launched to build & market innovative insurance products via the worldwide web.
  • 2005: Insure for All launched, market leading travel insurance for the over 65’s only.
  • 2006: Astrenska reaches 250,000 customers in first year of trading.
  • 2006: Astrenska wins ‘best travel insurer’ for ‘Insure for All’ voted by the readers of the International Travel Insurance Journal (ITIJ).
  • 2007: PTI the only insurer to offer Air Miles cover as part of travel insurance in the UK.
  • 2007: Mediquote launches specialist travel insurance for cancer patients and sees revenue increase fourfold.
  • 2008: Astrenska product ‘Travel Insurance Web’ receives 8 Which? Best Buy awards.
  • 2008: Columbus Direct wins the International Travel Insurance Journal prestigious ‘Insurance Intermediary of the Year’ award. 
  • 2009: Columbus shortlisted for Best Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance 2009 with What Mortgage magazine.
  • 2009: Columbus wins best Life Insurance Provider in the Personal Finance Awards.
  • 2010: Collinson Insurance Brokers Ltd launched (International Insurance and Reinsurance Broker at Lloyd's).
Milestones