A Remarkable Milestone As Hastings Mutual Reaches 125th Anniversary
Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Commemorates a Proud Past and Exciting Future
Hastings, Michigan, April 1, 2010: Hastings Mutual Insurance Company, a regional Property Casualty insurance organization serving six states in the Midwest, is celebrating with their agencies, employees and community. The cause for this occasion is their milestone 125th Anniversary. Hastings Mutual is known as a financially solid, customer focused organization that maintains their Midwest values while offering world-class commercial, farm and personal insurance products.
Recognizing the importance of strong relationships in the Company’s long history, Hastings Mutual will spend this year in appreciation to agent partners, former and current employees and private individuals who have played a role in the development of their business. The official kick-off will be on April 5, 2010, which marks the anniversary of the incorporation day dating back to 1885.
Dan Hill, Vice-President of Marketing, at Hastings Mutual comments, “We are excited to spend this year remembering our proud past. We were a company built from incomparable values and we maintain our spirit of quality, responsibility and customer service. I am proud to say that today we are stronger than ever before. And, we look forward to an exciting future, which includes geographic expansion, technology enhancements and continued agency focus.” Hastings Mutual recently introduced Iowa as the sixth state where they work exclusively through independent agents to write property and casuality insurance. This development highlights the 125 year old Company’s focus on measured growth and financial responsibility. Only 13 percent of property and casualty companies reach a century old (according to the Insurance Information Institute), and Hastings Mutual has readily surpassed that mark. For more information and an enhanced history of the company, visit their Web site at: www.hastingsmutual.com.
About Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
Hastings Mutual is an award winning, A. M. Best: A+ rated, regional Property Casualty insurance company. Hastings Mutual operates in six Midwestern states. The company, based in Hastings, Michigan, has been writing commercial, farm, and personal lines business through independent agents since 1885. For more information about Hastings Mutual and their 125th anniversary, access the company web site: www.hastingsmutual.com.
Hawkeye State Welcomes Hastings Mutual
We now serve six states in the Midwest. Beginning April, 2010, Hastings Mutual began offering farm, commercial and personal insurance products exclusively through their independent agency partnerships.
This is an exciting development for the 125 year old company. Dan Hill, Vice President of Marketing states, “Expanding our national reach was a decision we did not take lightly. We spent a considerable amount of time ensuring a new state addition would blend well into Hastings Mutual’s current market mix. We take pride in our financial strength and we know Iowa will offer us the opportunity to grow while providing exceptional coverage and service.”
The company will use their existing business model to begin operations. This includes territory managers who are responsible for developing and maintaining independent agency partnerships. Vallery Jameson, is Hastings Mutual’s first hire in Iowa. She has 14 years of insurance experience with agricultural and commercial lines focus. As the new territory manager, Vallery commented, “I am excited to begin developing relationships with independent agents. I have had the privilege to work with many of these same individuals in the past and I am eager to introduce all of Hastings Mutual’s products and benefits to Iowa.”
Hastings Mutual Insurance Company is planning on developing additional staff in Iowa to ensure quality services and customer satisfaction.
About Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
Hastings Mutual is an award winning, A. M. Best: A+ rated, regional Property Casualty insurance company. Hastings Mutual operates in six Midwestern states. The company, based in Hastings, Michigan, has been writing commercial, farm, and personal lines business through independent agents since 1885. For more information about Hastings Mutual and their 125th anniversary, access the company web site: www.hastingsmutual.com.
About Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
Hastings Mutual is a regional Property Casualty insurance company operating in five midwestern states. The company, based in Hastings, Michigan, has been writing commercial, farm, and personal lines business through independent agents since 1885.
Hastings Mutual is represented by over 900 independent agencies in the Midwest.
Hastings Mutual has been protecting its policyholders since 1885.
Hastings Mutual is financially sound, with assets exceeding $617 million as of 12-31-07.
A.M. Best, a leading insurance company rating organization, rates Hastings Mutual A+ Superior.
Hastings Mutual’s Past and Future
In 1880, and again in 1882, tornadoes tore through parts of the small community of Hastings, Michigan, destroying over $225,000 worth of property. At the time, this amount was nearly 500 times the cost of a new home. D.W. Rogers, a local farmer, took action. At his request, his brother, state legislator Jeremiah Rogers, sponsored a bill legalizing the formation of windstorm insurance companies in Michigan, which became law in February of 1885.
On April 5, 1885, the Hastings-based Michigan Mutual Tornado, Cyclone and Windstorm Insurance Company was incorporated. By 1908, "The Windstorm Company" had grown from 160 to 43,000 policyholders, sharing $74,000,000 of insurance in force. At the end of 1925 the company was the second largest mutual windstorm insurance company in the world. Prosperity continued through the 1930's, 40's and 50's, even during the Great Depression.
On January 15, 1959, "The Windstorm Company" formally reorganized as a general, non-assessable mutual known as Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. Insurance policy documents weighing almost four tons had to be rewritten to facilitate the change.
For well over 100 years, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company has had an outstanding reputation based on good customer service and needed insurance products, backed by sound company finances. We are indeed proud of our past and look forward to a progressive future of serving you!
