About us

We are different – and proud of it

Echo Re in a nutshell

Echo Reinsurance Limited was established in Zurich in 2008. We are part of the DEVK Group, one of the largest mutual insurance groups in Germany with more than 4 million policyholders, 14 million policies and more than 4.5 billion euros in annual premium income. Belonging to this exceptionally strong corporate, we benefit from an excellent network, long-term commitment and solid financial backing, while remaining entrepreneurially independent. Echo Re has been granted approval by FINMA, the Swiss financial market supervisory authority, to operate in all reinsurance segments (life and non-life) and is a member of the Swiss Insurance Association SVV.

History

Echo Re was founded in 2008 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of DEVK Group.

Over 130 years ago, on 1 April 1886, the railway workers of the Royal Saxon State Railways in Breslau had an idea: to create a burial fund through which they could provide for their families as a show of solidarity. An association dedicated to providing individuals with collective support developed on the principle of helping people to help themselves. Three years later, in the non-life segment, the fire insurance association ‘Brandversicherungs-Verein Preußischer Staatseisenbahn-Beamten’ was founded in Berlin.

These historical roots have had a critical influence on how we think – and on our understanding of partnership and sustainable growth. In the following eventful decades, these mutual insurance companies evolved into DEVK Lebensversicherungsverein and DEVK Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a. G. in the early 1950s. After various relocations, DEVK acquired an office in Cologne for the first time in 1953. Cologne, the metropolis on the banks of the Rhine, remains the headquarters of the Group to this day.

Our vision

To be a widely recognised, successful reinsurer and employer with a significant and growing footprint, contributing to the financial stability of our markets.

Our mission

We create added value and benefits for cedents and insurers. With our clients, we…

  • … identify needs, opportunities and risks.
  • … design individual reinsurance solutions.
  • … develop efficient and meaningful services.

Our financial strengths

Every year, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s rate our ability to fulfil all our financial obligations in full and on time. Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings recently upgraded us to an A rating, outlook stable.

Reports

Annual Report and Public Disclosure >

Ratings

How rating agencies assess our financial strength >

Markets

Africa, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean >

Corporate presentation

Key figures and trends at a glance >

Facts, facts, facts

Sometimes figures are able to say more than a thousand words. As transparency is at the core of our values, we lay our cards on the table for you.

Would you like to find out more?

No worries, we are happy to answer all of your questions.