The company was founded in 1824, in York, as the Yorkshire Fire and Life Insurance Company.
[1] Its objects were initially "to effect insurance against loss by fire and on lives and survivorships and the sale and purchase of annuities and reversions and the endowment of children".
[2] In November 1824, the company purchased a fire engine,[1] and from 1830 until 1876, it operated the fire brigade for the city of York.
[3] In 1847, it constructed its headquarters building on St Helen's Square in the city.
[1] The company took over the following insurance companies: In 1967, the majority of the company's shares were bought by the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, which purchased the remainder in 1968.