Lloyd's started life in a 17th century coffee shop, providing insurance to the burgeoning ship and cargo trade. As new markets emerged, the business evolved, bringing in modern technologies and pioneering new kinds of cover.
Today, Lloyd's is the world's leading specialist insurance and reinsurance market, bringing together an outstanding concentration of specialist underwriting expertise and talent. The Lloyd's market insures complex and specialist risks from oil rigs and wind farms to major airlines and private space shuttles. Lloyd's insures 88% of FTSE 100 and 97% of Dow Jones industrial average companies.
In 2009, 80 syndicates are underwriting insurance at Lloyd's, covering all classes of business. Together they interact with thousands of brokers daily to create insurance solutions for businesses in over 200 countries and territories around the world.
Lloyd's unique capital structure, often referred to as the 'chain of security', provides excellent financial security to policyholders and capital efficiency to members.
Lloyd's strength and robust capitalisation is reflected in its ratings. Lloyd's currently holds A+ ratings from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's, and an A rating from A.M. Best. These ratings apply to every policy issued by every syndicate at Lloyd's since 1993.
Lloyd's is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
For more information go to www.lloyds.com