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Continental Western Insurance Company

Started in 1907, CWIC has changed its name several times.

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In the early 1900’s, Midwestern towns and businesses were growing, and insurance was fast becoming a necessity to protect property from fire and windstorms. Many business owners believed that the fire rates being charged by stock companies at the time were excessive.

On July 10, 1907, at the Savery Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, the Western Grain Dealers Association called a meeting to organize a mutual insurance company to protect their-and others-mutual interests. Western Grain Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Association was incorporated on August 7, 1907 with the express purpose to write insurance coverage for grain elevators. Jay A. King was President of this new company and the first policy was dated August 15, 1907, at 521 Flynn Building. Office personnel consisted of a stenographer and a part-time secretary.

Throughout the succeeding years, the company aggressively added new types of insurance coverage and new states, including dwelling and mercantile policies in 1921, automobile and truck insurance in 1935, inland marine in 1953, and contractors coverage in 1956!

Continental Western Insurance Company has changed names several times throughout its history. In 1949 the company name was changed to Western Mutual Insurance Company from Western Grain Dealers Mutual, and to Continental Western in 1968. The company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Holding Company, which also owned banks, leasing companies, a printing company, and a life insurance company.

Over the years Continental Western has changed a great deal, but a strong relationship with independent agents, the provision of the best overall insurance value to our policyholders, and carrying-on our traditions with technology remain focal points of our company.

In 1986, Continental Western was acquired by the W.R. Berkley Corporation, a holding company with subsidiaries covering all segments of the property casualty insurance business. Berkley's unique structure allows each operating unit to serve its market in an autonomous manner, capitalizing on regional expertise. The financial backing of a world-wide insurance leader and the specialized knowledge of a regional insurer provide stability and confidence for our customers. For management purposes, W.R. Berkley Corporation combined three operating units, Continental Western Insurance, Union Insurance and Tri-State Insurance Company of Minnesota, into one Regional segment named Continental Western Group in 2000.