We are proud to have been associated with Britain's trade union movement for more than a century:
1890
Friday 3rd October 1890 saw the registration, under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1876, of The Poor Law and Local Government Officers' Mutual Guarantee Association, Limited - the predecessor of NALGO.
1905
The organisation takes root when the National Association of Local Government Officers (NALGO) introduces a Benevolent and Orphans fund for members, and then a Provident Society in 1914 to provide sickness benefits and life assurance.
1926
Name changed to 'The National and Local Government Officers' Mutual Insurance Association, Limited'.
1930
NALGO merges with the National Poor Law Officers Association. The latter had already launched the Local Government Mutual Insurance Association (known as Logomia) in 1890. By 1930 Logomia has a share capital of circa £100,000 with all shares held by members.
1952
The name of the union is changed to 'National & Local Government Officers Association'. Logomia remains as the insurance division of the Association.
1969
Logomia becomes the NALGO Insurance Association Ltd. In the early 1980s the name is simplified to NIA.
1993
NALGO merges with NUPE and COHSE to form UNISON. Although all three unions have their own insurance providers, NIA wins the right to provide insurance to all the members of the newly formed union. NIA is renamed 'UIA (Insurance) Ltd'.
Some frequently asked questions about UIA:
What does UIA do?
We provide insurance to members of the trade union movement and other not-for-profit organisations. We are known as a 'specialist mutual affinity insurer' and we have over 100 years' experience in this field.
Are UIA's products available to the families of its members?
Yes, they are available to a member's partner/spouse and children.
You say that UIA is a 'mutual' company. What does that mean?
As a mutual company we are owned by our policyholders and do not have shareholders. So, instead of profits going to shareholders or directors, they are reinvested into the company, so we can keep premiums low and service standards high. This means that our members get insurance products that are excellent value.
How big is UIA?
We have grown significantly in recent years and now employ more than 100 employees in our modern office in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. During this period of growth, we have taken care to retain the overriding value we have always shared with the not-for-profit organisations that we serve: to put the individual first. To do this we have to offer a consistently high standard of service and customer care, and we regularly invest in state-of-the-art technology - particularly at our call centre - that helps our friendly advisers to respond quickly and efficiently to claims and enquiries.
What are the benefits of becoming a partner of UIA?
Becoming a UIA partner will provide added benefit to your members in the shape of very competitive insurance products, which in turn will help your recruitment and retention initiatives. It can also generate significant extra revenue for your organisation.
How does an organisation become a UIA partner?
Start by visiting the Partners section of this website.