ALLIED DUNBAR ASSURANCE PLC Allied Dunbar is a trading name of the Zurich Financial Services Group and its subsidiary companies Allied Dunbar Assurance plc and Allied Dunbar Bank plc.  Setting up its headquarters in Swindon town centre in 1970 under the name 'Hambro Life', Allied Dunbar Uk expanded during the 70's and early 80's finally changing to 'Allied Dunbar' in 1985. Zurich Life Assurance now owns both Allied Dunbar & Eagle Star trading names of the Zurich Financial Services Group. It is no longer trading as a named sales force, as Zurich also bought Abbey Life sales force & rolled it into their new UK multi-tied financial distribution network, ZAN then Openwork. Allied Dunbar Life Assurance Plc was once a major force in the mortgage protection market place with its direct sales force then slowly disappeared in the early 2000's as a brand as the mortgage market slowly moved from endowments to repayment mortgages. The Financial Services Authority reportedly fined Allied Dunbar Life Insurance £725,000 in 2004 for mortgage endowment mis-selling and related deficiencies in its complaint systems and its control functions.  In 2009 Allied Dunbar plans continue to help meet the needs and circumstances of its existing policyholders only & you can still make certain changes to an existing plan. They recommend that you talk to your financial adviser before making any changes where applicable. Allied Dunbar's large product range included life cover, endowments, decreasing (mortgage protection) or level term assurance, Life with Critical Illness and Income Protection. Zurich Insurance Company in the 2000's has a multi-channel capability across the Uk and in 2009 includes distribution via Intermediaries, Direct Sales & Marketing and sales through the web.   Looking to compare old AlliedDunbar Life Insurance or Zurich Life against other Uk Insurers > Need a Competitive Life or Critical Illness Insurance Quote ?