West Indies General Insurance Company Limited (“WIG”) evolved out of a thinking that was conducive to the CARICOM approach to localize as a means of arresting the flight of capital and savings from members states.

Primarily, the aim was and still is to reinvest profits to help the financial development of the State and sub-region.

Before 1977, the then renowned London based English & America Insurance Company Limited – (E&A), (now in liquidation), operated here in Saint Lucia and the other Windward Islands through its agent Julian R. Hunte & Co. Limited.

A fervent ambition of the founder, Hon Sir Julian R. Hunte –(former Ambassador of Saint Lucia to the United Nations in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Government of Saint Lucia, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations and President of the West Indies Cricket Board)- was realized with the formation in 1977 of West Indies General Insurance Company Limited (“WIG”), a company jointly owned by English and America Insurance Company Limited and Hon. Sir Julian R. Hunte, with majority interest being held by the latter.  The directors of the London based Company appreciating the aim towards National goals, agreed to the control of   West Indies General Insurance Company Limited being in Saint Lucia with Hon. Sir Julian R. Hunte and with E & A providing support and technical expertise.

From inception, WIG has been able to successfully attract business and had grown from strength year after year.

The Company’s reputation for fair settlement of claims over the years has become widespread. It characterizes pride, reliability, honesty and integrity.

However, WIG did not escape life’s setbacks. Early in its history, in attempt to consolidate its base, hurricane “Allen” struck the state in 1980 and left a trail of destruction.  The company staggered but did not stumble. With the assistance of its re-insurers WIG met all its financial commitments to the satisfaction of its policyholders.

Suffice it to say, WIG gained valuable experience because of this disaster. One being that it is of necessity that small insurance companies reinsure a substantial portion of it potential claim liabilities with reinsurance institutions of financially sound repute.

The directors of the Company were also persuaded that potential liabilities of the Company would be better protected if the Capital base of the Company were increased beyond just adequate levels.

To achieve the latter, the local share holding in the Company was increased from 51% to 80% on January 01, 1982 followed by 100% share holding in 1992.

A significant aspect of the development of West Indies General Insurance Company Limited has been that management has been St. Lucianised although it began operations with managers from the United Kingdom who gave service for three years. In the process St. Lucians were trained to take over. By the end of 1979 the local staff has effectively assumed control.

After many years of steady growth and fluctuating fortunes WIG has established itself with a splendid reputation for integrity not easily matched in the State.

Now in its 37^th year the Company’s management is continued by Saint Lucians. Currently, our management team comprises of Mr. Rudolph F. Springer a Fellow of International Accountants and an Associate Member of Chartered Insurance Institutes; (CII) of London.  He is ably assisted by Mr. Harvey Alphonse our Accounting Officer and Ms Leah Deterville, who is the Manager for Underwriting & Claims.