STATE AUTO : A 100-YEAR COMMITMENT TO INDEPENDENT AGENTS
In 1921 , Robert S . Pein established the first home office casualty company in Columbus , Ohio , with $ 30,000 in borrowed funds and three employees . Rates were unreasonably high , he believed , and the claim process was slow and frustrating . Pein believed
Robert S . Pein that every person deserves affordable insurance , prompt service , and fair treatment .
State Auto excelled quickly , breaking ground on its corporate headquarters in Columbus in 1930 and earning the title of “ Ohio ’ s largest insurer of automobiles ” by 1931 , just ten years after its founding . That growth continued as the company expanded to other states , acquired other companies , and delivered innovative products and services to become a completely digital company today .
Treating people fairly and with respect . Serving customers , independent agents , and communities . While much has changed in 100 years , our purpose has not , and we enter our second century with a renewed commitment to becoming the best property and casualty insurance company in the industry ,” said Mike LaRocco , State Auto President and CEO .
Celebrating our centennial is just one milestone in State Auto ’ s journey . It is a journey about people , passion , innovation , perseverance , and a commitment to service , customers , agents , communities , and one another . While 2021 continued to bring many changes to how it works as a company and engage with its customers and communities , the commitment to doing the right thing remains as strong as ever .
Throughout its 100-year history , State Auto developed a well-respected heritage and built a strong foundation . It has always celebrated a culture of people who care . Who deliver exceptional service . Who plant themselves firmly in the communities they serve . Who genuinely understand their customers . Who develops trusted relationships . Who honors the past while looking ahead to the future . That is who State Auto is .
Today , it employs more than 2,000 associates and writes personal and commercial insurance exclusively through independent insurance agencies . It ’ s financially strong with an AM Best rating of A- and assets of $ 4.6 billion , and written premiums topped $ 2.0 billion in 33 states .
“ This great company was founded to do things differently .
State Auto donates 1,000 “ newly laid eggs ” to the city ’ s needy . In the depths of the Great Depression , Bob Pein purchases 1,000 dozen eggs , offering six each to 2,000 people . The effort is front-page news in the local newspapers and cements Pein ’ s , and State Auto ’ s , reputation as a caring community partner .
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