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The history of Unigard begins in Oregon in 1895. Frank J. Martin, a local hardware store merchant from McMinnville, recognized his customers' need for protection from fire losses and formed the Oregon Fire Relief Association.
This mutual association prospered, but by 1900, Frank Martin had encountered major disagreements with the Association's Board of Directors. Martin took his idea to Seattle, where he joined up with his old college friend, attorney Corwin S. Shank.
Before they could begin to write fire insurance, legislation had to be drafted allowing for the operation of mutual insurance companies in the state of Washington. In 1901, they formed the Northwestern Mutual Fire Association.
An insurance company, like any other business, rarely stays the same. Over the years, the Northwestern Mutual Fire Association changed size, character and location continually, adjusting to the economics, the technologies, and the needs of the times.
Strength, stability and service
Unigard has a policy of prompt, fair claims handling. Our centralized facility is staffed by knowledgeable adjusters who work closely with a network of local experts. We are conscientious about seeking ways to keep costs as low as possible through efficient operation and loss control techniques.
Operating through independent agents who are professional insurance counselors assures the best available insurance protection for policyholders.
Unigard has been in operation over 100 years. In the insurance business, that kind of longevity means a good reputation...for strength, stability and service. |
Historical Timeline
1901
Northwestern Mutual Fire Association is incorporated.
1928
Created Northwest Casualty Company to write automobile insurance.
1933
Moved into 217 Pine Street, Seattle, which would be the company's home for many years.
1956
Renamed the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company.
Once the company began to write insurance coverages other than fire, its name needed to reflect this.
1965
Acquired controlling interest of Olympic National Life Insurance Company and Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company
1971
Renamed as Unigard Mutual Insurance Company.
As the company grew and opened offices across the country, it needed to take on a less regional identification. The name Unigard, coined to mean "one guard" -- or a single source of insurance protection -- was adopted.
1974
Construction completed on Unigard Park, which would eventually become our "home."
1984
Unigard was acquired by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. Following the conversion of Unigard from a mutual to a stock company for the purpose of affiliation with the John Hancock, the name of the lead company in the group was changed to Unigard Security Insurance Company. Nearly ten years later this company would be the only one to remain with John Hancock. The life insurance entity, Unigard Olympic Life Insurance Company, was sold at this time to Provident Life Insurance Company.
1993
Unigard was acquired by the Swiss-based Winterthur Insurance Group -- one of the world's largest insurance companies -- and developed a new focus as a member of a family of regional U.S. insurance companies. The Unigard Insurance Group of today includes these wholly owned subsidiaries:
- Unigard Insurance Company
- Unigard Indemnity Company
2007
QBE Insurance Group purchased Unigard and its sister company General Casualty (Sun Prairie, Wis.) from Winterthur Insurance. The companies operate under QBE Regional Insurance and fall under the QBE the Americas division. With their acquisition, QBE the Americas is now one of the 20 largest U.S. insurers, while Australia-based QBE Insurance Group, is a top 25 insurance provider worldwide and operates in 44 countries.