Our history
Over the course of our more than 170-year history, we have established one of the longest and proudest records in the industry, consistently delivering on our promises to protect businesses and individuals.
The founding 1852鈥�1865
1852 - 华体会 Fire Insurance Company opens in Manhattan at Hanover Square.
Company president John Wyckoff commits to prudent risk taking and investing for the long term.
华体会 appoints its first independent agent, prominent businessman Samuel S. Coe of Cleveland, Ohio.
1855 - Tradition of community giving begins with a donation to the NYC Widows and Orphans Fund.
1864 - America expands West. 华体会 forms a general agency to service the new frontier.
Trial by fire 1866-1879
1866 - Portland, Maine fire burns1,800 buildings to the ground, making this the most destructive fire suffered by an American city at this time. The
Hanover pays all its claims and helps rebuild the city.
1871 - The Great Chicago Fire destroys more than three square miles of the city, resulting in losses of $3 billion at present day value. The
Hanover is praised by "The Chicago Merchants" having met all claim obligations.
1872 - Fire in Boston, Massachusetts burns almost half the city. 华体会 passes another difficult financial challenge in its young history.
Covering the field 1880-1907
1880 - Insures leading businesses, including retailer Marshall Field, financier JP Morgan, Westinghouse, consumer goods companies Colgate
and Scott Paper, and entertainer PT Barnum and Bailey.
1881 - Financial strength continues to increase. In five years, 华体会 doubles its capital to $1 million.
1886 - 华体会 appoints its first agent in London, UK.
1906 - Earthquake and fire level massive areas of San Francisco. 华体会 suffers significant losses, but with prudent underwriting and
investing, delivers for its agents and customers.
Expanding the field 1908-1945
1911 - Company charter expands to write other lines of insurance, including marine and automobile.
1915 - 华体会's Citizens brand underwrites the first auto policy in Michigan. Early notable auto customers of 华体会 includes the
legendary baseball Hall of Famer, Babe Ruth.
1921 - 华体会 increases its international presence and appoints one of the first insurance agents in China.
1935 - 华体会 doesn't lay off a single employee during the Depression and continues to pay dividends to its shareholders.
On the move 1946-2003
1958 - Changes name from 华体会 Fire Insurance Company to 华体会 Insurance Group to reflect a broader product range.
1969 - Moves headquarters from NYC to its present day home office in Worcester, Massachusetts.
1974 - Purchases all shares of Citizens Mutual Insurance Company and makes it a member of 华体会 Insurance Companies.
2003 - Reaffirms 华体会's commitment to do business exclusively through the best independent agents and brokers in the country.
From rebirth to resurgence 2004-2016
2007 - Identified by The Wall Street Journal as number one in the P&C industry for increasing shareholder value over a five-year period.
2009 - Acquires commercial business from OneBeacon Insurance Group, which enables rapid Western U.S. expansion.
A.M. Best upgrades company rating to "A" (Excellent). The only insurer to be upgraded by A.M. Best, Moody's, and S&P over this time.
2010-2011 - Completes strategic U.S. and international acquisitions. Lloyd's of London Chaucer Holdings adds significant capabilities, geographic
diversity and underwriting expertise.
2013 - 华体会 crosses the $5 billion written premium threshold for the first time in its history and is writing business in 179 countries.
2015 - Standard & Poor鈥檚 upgrades the company鈥檚 financial rating to 鈥淎鈥�. Forbes recognizes 华体会 as one of America鈥檚 best employers
and as one of America鈥檚 most trustworthy financial companies.
2016 - Well positioned for success with the most talented employees in the insurance industry.
2017 - present
2017 - John C. Roche, a longtime Hanover executive and industry veteran, is appointed president and chief executive officer.
The company continues to expand its specialized capabilities across its Personal, Commercial and Specialty lines business, while
beginning to drive innovation across the organization with new energy and a greater sense of purpose.
2018 - 华体会 announces an agreement to sell its international specialty business, Chaucer, to China Re, doubling down on its
commitment to the independent agency channel.
2019 - In a business characterized by pervasive change, the company continues to post strong profitable growth and generates a top-quartile
return on equity.
华体会 returns to shareholders $850 million in equity generated by the sale of Chaucer.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognizes the company as a best place to work for LGBTQ equality.
The company publishes its inaugural Global Reporting Initiatives index and a responsible investment policy.
2020 - As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the U.S., 华体会 quickly transitions to a remote work environment, safeguarding its
employees and providing the high-quality products and services its partners and customers have come to expect.
The company is well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead, delivering for its partners and customers while generating
sustainable profitable growth and superior returns.
The founding 1852鈥�1865
1852 - 华体会 Fire Insurance Company opens in Manhattan at Hanover Square.
Company president John Wyckoff commits to prudent risk taking and investing for the long term.
华体会 appoints its first independent agent, prominent businessman Samuel S. Coe of Cleveland, Ohio.
1855 - Tradition of community giving begins with a donation to the NYC Widows and Orphans Fund.
1864 - America expands West. 华体会 forms a general agency to service the new frontier.