Hannover Rück (Hannover Re), short for Hannover Reinsurance Group, is a global reinsurance company based in Germany. In 2024, it earned EUR26.4 billion in reinsurance revenue and posted a return on equity of 21.2 percent.
The company was founded in 1966 as Aktiengesellschaft für Transport- und Rückversicherung. It quickly expanded into international reinsurance markets and changed its name in 1976.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading reinsurance providers with global reach. Other important milestones in Hannover Re’s history include:
1979: subsidiaries are set up in the US and UK to grow global market access
1988: joint underwriting agreement is formed with Eisen und Stahl Rück for stronger market support
1994: company goes public, listing 25 percent of shares in Frankfurt and Hannover
2003: acquires HDI’s financial reinsurance business and strengthens its presence in Ireland
2008: expands life and health network with new offices in Bermuda, Brazil, Bahrain, and Asia
2013: changes legal status to a European company, Hannover Rück SE, to reflect global reach
2016: celebrates 50 years as a profitable, globally active reinsurance company
2022: becomes part of Germany’s DAX index and broadens its foundation to support sustainability
2023: affiliate E+S Rück marks 100 years, reinforcing Hannover Rück’s strong presence in Germany
In 2024, the company reported strong global results with major gains in property and casualty reinsurance.
Hannover Re delivers a wide range of property, casualty, life, and health reinsurance solutions. These include:
Property and casualty products
traditional reinsurance: treaty and facultative reinsurance for nearly all property and casualty risks
multiline coverage: bundled risk protection across different lines through one reinsurance agreement
structured reinsurance: custom capital relief tools for financial and risk management
facultative reinsurance: single-risk solutions for complex or non-standard exposures
index-based reinsurance: payout based on measurable events like earthquakes or weather, not loss reports
retakaful reinsurance: Sharia-compliant coverage delivered through a Bahrain-based subsidiary
credit and surety solutions: reinsurance for trade credit, surety bonds, and political risk exposures
financial solutions: capital-driven tools for funding growth, acquisitions, or solvency improvements
longevity solutions: tailored annuity, pension, and equity release reinsurance products
mortality solutions: reinsurance backed by behavioral data and machine learning insights
health risk solutions: reinsurance for health plans with insights into claims trends and product design
critical illness cover: support for benefit definitions, claims triggers, and digital engagement tools
automated underwriting tools: digital platforms and guides that streamline underwriting decisions
data analytics services: help with product pricing, customer trends, and portfolio risk modeling
hr | equarium: digital hub that connects clients with global insurtech innovators
Hannover Rück’s reinsurance offerings are built to support long-term client strategy, not just risk transfer. Its local insight, paired with global tools, helps insurers move faster and manage risks smarter.
Hannover Rück’s Connecting Power culture values curiosity, teamwork, and taking on bold challenges together. Employees are also provided with:
competitive pay: fixed salary with holiday and Christmas bonuses
milestone bonuses: payouts for weddings, births, and anniversaries
employee shares: discounted stock purchase offered once per year
internship pay: paid internships across departments
flex hours: 38-hour week with flextime and overtime credit
remote work: home office setup with tech support
time abroad: work up to 20 days in EU/EFTA
vacation leave: 30 days off plus bonus leave
bike benefits: e-charging and JobRad leasing program
free transit: free “Deutschland Ticket” for local transit
parking access: free office-adjacent parking spaces
career paths: five-stage tracks with tailored development
training access: live and digital seminars, events, and tools
global mobility: short or long-term international placements
onboarding program: structured orientation with mentoring
childcare support: ReKids daycare and online kids' events
family help: eldercare and childcare via TALINGO
health focus: gym access, sports groups, and doctor care
mental wellness: 24/7 free external counselling support
Hannover Rück fosters a workplace where people, purpose, and reinsurance innovation grow together in balance. Its purpose is to help industries and people recover and keep moving forward. Its values are Responsibility, We-spirit, and Drive, which shape how it works and supports clients.
The company continues to grow steadily with strong earnings from both reinsurance segments. It remains focused on keeping loss levels controlled while maintaining a healthy combined ratio and solid returns. With such achievements, the company is built for long-term resilience.
Hannover Rück stays focused on long-term value, even after major wildfire losses in Los Angeles. It sees events like these as earnings hits, not reasons to raise global reinsurance prices. With discipline and market insight, it keeps delivering strength, especially through its core property lines.
