COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services

We’ve spent more than 75 years defining our culture. During that time, the COUNTRY story always has been one of people helping people. Our Heritage (1925-1950) Our beginnings can be traced to a group of Illinois farmers who in 1925 formed a fire and lightning insurance company owned and governed by its policyholders. "These farmers had trouble finding insurance because few salesmen would travel the gravel and dirt roads to their farms and houses, so they formed their own company," says John Blackburn, COUNTRY chief executive officer. In the company's first year of operation, more than 385 Illinois farmers worked part-time, offering insurance services to their friends and neighbors. As we do now, COUNTRY responded to customer feedback and offered new products in the early years to meet needs: crop hail insurance became available in 1926, auto insurance in 1927, and life insurance in 1929. Despite the Great Depression, COUNTRY thrived and grew as customers continued to see the value of fire, crop hail, auto, and life insurance. In 1935, COUNTRY hired its first female agent. That same year, state law required insurance agents to be licensed. The outcome resulted in the organization hiring and training agents. By the 1940s, full-time agents were serving COUNTRY clients. Our Reputation (1950-1975) COUNTRY built its reputation on excellent customer service and financial stability. As our agency force grew, so did the size of our claims force. In the 1950s, COUNTRY added claims representatives throughout Illinois to parallel that growth. Shortly after moving its offices from Dearborn to Ohio Street in Chicago, COUNTRY was recognized as a leader in the industry. In 1952, COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® was known throughout the nation as one of the lowest net cost companies in the industry. At that same time, in the property and casualty field, we were known for low operating cost, sound business principles and excellent customer service. Our long-standing dedication to financial strength is evidenced by our high industry ratings. The insurance companies of COUNTRY have been included in A.M. Best's highest rating category of Superior for more than 65 consecutive years. COUNTRY moved from Chicago to Bloomington in 1960 and, four years later, purchased the Mid-America Fire and Marine Company, adding Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma to its area of operation. COUNTRY Today (1976-Present) The organization’s next major expansion came in 1986 when we purchased the Northwest Farm Bureau Insurance Company, a move that added three more states to our area of operation: Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The following year, COUNTRY also began operating in Alaska. In the 1990s, the organization began forming strategic alliances to expand its geographic area and increase its financial strength. COUNTRY also built on its commitment to excellent customer service by opening a customer service center, providing customers with 24-hour access to help 365 days a year. In 1998, COUNTRY formed an alliance with Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company of Middletown, Conn. Then in 2000, we allied with Holyoke Mutual Insurance Co. of Salem, Mass., and MSI Insurance Companies of Arden Hills, Minn. Also in 2000, COUNTRY announced plans to deliver a higher level of financial service to customers. We went from primarily offering insurance to providing customers with a broader range of investment management, financial services and insurance. COUNTRY continues to grow and change. But through it all we've never forgotten why a group of farmers got together in 1925. Their thoughts and ideals are the foundation for our commitment to service, exceptional financial strength, top-notch product lines and first-rate financial solutions.