ABSTRACTThe majority of the existing studies on interfirm cooperation have concentrated on cooperation in the manufacturing sector. The paper therefore examines the characteristics and development of international horizontal alliances that Finnish insurance companies have with insurance companies outside Finland. The paper employs case study methodology and a longitudinal approach through retrospective examination. Based on the empirical material, which was collected by interviews and documentation, it is argued that the major motive behind the observed cross-national alliances has been the gaining of the opportunity to serve the insurance company's domestic customers abroad.