The formation of the Heritage was created by the amalgamation of two short term insurance companies, the Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd and the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Ltd. The Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Ltd commenced its business in 1898. Legal and General as a branch of the Legal and General UK opened its doors for business in Rhodesia in Bulawayo in 1935, dealing in life, pension and short term insurance. In the late 1930’s, the Head Office for Rhodesia was transferred to Salisbury. Up until the early 1950’s the short term insurance was conducted on an agency basis. In 1953 the Fire and Accident Department was created. In April 1954, the Norwich Union opened a branch in Salisbury to manage their insurance business. In the mid 1970’s the Legal and General operations were split into two. The new company Legal and General Assurance of Rhodesia Ltd took over the life and pensions business, while the original company continued to manage the fire, accident, motor and marine portfolio. In 1977 the Legal and General and the Norwich Union Fire in Southern Africa merged their operations. Both companies ran joint offices in the four main centers, including staff and the insurance portfolios. However, both companies operated separate accounts, pension funds and staff-benefit schemes. The formation of Heritage Insurance Company in 1982 merges the two companies into one whole.