Major Milestones in SOS International's history
1957
SOS International was founded by the Royal Danish Automobile Club (RDAC) and the Zone Rescue Team. In the beginning SOS International provided services to the members of RDAC but later the services are provided to all motorists. The insurance coverage was extended to all of Western Europe and personal assistance was added.
1961
SOS International was established as a limited company with KDAK, Räddningskåren AB, Stockholm and the insurance company Thule, Stockholm as its owners.
1963
Thule introduces the first travel insurance with worldwide SOS service.
1965
All Swedish, most Finnish and Norwegian insurance companies and the Danish European Goods and Luggage Insurance Company enter a joint Nordic agreement to use SOS as a Nordic assistance organisation.
1970
The majority of Danish car insurance companies join the Nordic agreement now known as “The Red Card”. SOS International provides services to motorists exposed to engine failure and accidents abroad.
2004
SOS International's status as a club-owned company changed to be a 100 % market-driven company owned directly by 24 Nordic insurance companies. A strategy for Nordic consolidation was formulated.
2006
SOS International acquires the Swedish assistance organisation Skade- & Räddningslarm AB which changes its name to SOS International AB. A network of 26 SOS-service offices is established at major travel destinations.
2007
An independent department is established in Helsinki under the name SOS International Oy.
2008
SOS International buys the Danish assistance organisation Euro-Alarm Ltd. In addition, the Norwegian Global Medical Support (GMS) specialising in medical emergency, assistance and advice is acquired.
2008
In 2008 SOS International launches a new logo to be used across all Nordic countries. The ring is our name, SOS, written in the Morse code.
2010
SOS International formulates a new and ambitious growth strategy titled 3in5, referring to an ambition to triple sales within five years. Much of the growth will be achieved through further acquisitions.
2011
SOS International supplies a helicopter with crew as The North Denmark Region and Central Denmark Region in June 2011 starts a 13-month pilot scheme for the use of emergency medical helicopter services to reach seriously ill and injured patients in the two regions.
2012
SOS International acquires Assistance Finland Oy and thereby becomes an even bigger player in the Finnish assistance market. Shortly after SOS International also acquires Dansk Autohjælp and by this acquisition enhances its position as the largest assistance company on the Nordic region.
2013
SOS International becomes ISO certified in Quality Management (9001) and Information Security Management System (27001).
2014
A new strategy is launched, SOS Next Generation, focusing on core business and our reinforcement of the competitiveness in the Nordic market. SOS Next Generation strategy leads towards closure of the business area Offshore in Norway and withdrawal from bids for ambulance services in Denmark.
2014
SOS International becomes the market leader in Nordic roadside assistance by entering into an agreement with Norges Automobil-Forbund (NAF), establishing a new company offering roadside assistance in Norway.
2016
Trygghetssentralen in Oslo is divested as a part of the SOS Next Generation strategy.
2016
SOS International receives another ISO certification, ISO14001, this time in environmental management in the Technical Division.
2016
SOS International introduces a new international supplementary brand, SOS First.
2017
SOS International launches a new strategy called Connected 2020.
2017
SOS International joins the UN Global Compact and defines own signature areas within CSR: Climate & Environment, People & Health and Ethics & Security.
2018
SOS International expands with an independent Healthcare Division and increases its ambitions in the Nordic healthcare markets.
2018
SOS International in Sweden establishes own nationwide roadside assistance network.
2019
SOS International establishes a new environmentally friendly and sustainable office concept solution which was introduced in Aarhus and Oslo.
2020
In 2020, SOS International obtains a new ISO certificate; ISO27701 (Privacy Information) – as the first Nordic company.
2020
Technical Division is renamed to Mobility Division and Medical Division is renamed to Travelcare Division.
2020
The Covid-19 pandemic leaves its mark on the whole world. In SOS International, the Travelcare Division is particularly affected.
2021
SOS Dansk Autohjælp introduces cycling roadside assistance. Two specially designed electric cargo bikes provide roadside assistance in Copenhagen.
2023
SOS International closes its Healthcare Division in Norway, and in Denmark it is integrated into the Travelcare Division. In Sweden, the Healthcare Division continues.
2023
SOS International adopts a new strategy towards 2027: Going in One Direction