Compañías de seguro marítimo en España (1650-1800)

Abstract

During the 17th century an innovative leading role of insurance companies transformed the Spanish market. For the first time such renovation is documented from the Majorcan market. From the 1670’s, the maritime insurance companies became the predominant method of insuring in Majorca. The maritime insurances societies (Caixes de Seguretat) replaced individuals and they soon controlled the business. The convert community (chuetas) was the driving force behind this change. The converts practice one of marrying and carrying on economic and social activities within their community allowed to create a closed community. This «closed community » enabled them to create a complex network of insurance companies of different sizes linked through common partners (Caixes majors and caixons). In this way they were able to reduce the transaction costs. This model lasted during for the most part of the 18th century. The features of the model and companies do not differ largely from those documented in other places during the 18th century. Such similarities corroborate the evolutionary model rather than success was related with the novelty of the creation of the insurance companies in the 18th century.