CWGLogo

Union Insurance Company

Started in 1886, UIC was one of the first insurance companies west of the Mississippi.

uiclogo uiclogo uiclogo uiclogo
1920's 1950's 1980's 1990's

 

Over 120 Years of History

Insurance was still a relatively new concept to the early settlers and business proprietors who were busily building the farms and towns of the Great Plains in the 1800's. 

Holdredge, NE

 

 

 

Those who wanted to purchase insurance to cover their livestock and property had little choice but to deal with the agents of the "Eastern pool companies which receive four dollars in premiums and return one dollar in losses," according to an article in the Plum Creek Gazette of 1886. 

Thus it was that seven men met on September 1, 1886, in a sod building at Plum Creek (now Lexington), Dawson County, Nebraska, to form a new insurance company. It was incorporated as an "assessment fire insurance carrier," the first of its kind in Nebraska. Authorized capital stock was $25,000. 

soddy

 

 

 

Article 11 of the original Articles of Incorporation reads: "The nature of the business to be transacted by said corporation shall be the insuring of property against loss or damage by fire, lightning, cyclones, tornadoes and windstorms." 

tonrado damage

 

 

 

The September 16, 1886 issue of the Plum Creek Gazette reported it this way: "Every Farmer who acquaints himself with the plan and management of the newly organized Farmers' Union Insurance Company of Plum Creek, is impressed with the safety and cheapness of the system and resolves that in future he will keep his money at home and combine with his neighbors to invest his money at home and secure reliable indemnity at low rates." With that proclamation, the Farmers' Union Insurance Company (Mutual) was born! 

Claims Adjuster

 

 

 

During the past 121 years, Union Insurance Company has withstood dynamic changes to the Great Plains' economic base and the challenges presented by its varied and extreme weather conditions. Throughout it all Union Insurance has remained responsive to our policyholders and agents and has made changes when necessary, updating and evolving our products to meet the changing times and conditions. 

Financial Strength & Stability

In 1973, Union Insurance Company became part of the W.R. Berkley Corporation. This affiliation dictated a change from a mutual company to a holding company which does business through its subsidiaries, operating in four segments of the insurance industry: regional property casualty insurance; specialty lines of insurance; reinsurance; and insurance services. W.R. Berkley Corporation is based on the idea that unique, specialized knowledge about its customers and markets can give a group of autonomous insurance companies a long-term competitive advantage. Each Berkley company has the responsibility of ensuring that its individual business is successful as an independent enterprise. Each company is empowered to operate as it deems appropriate for its particular business and geographic territory.

Over the past 25 years, W.R. Berkley has produced one of the best financial records within the insurance industry. Therefore, Union Insurance Company's highly-focused commitment to the Midwest and our sound financial position is enhanced by our affiliation with W.R. Berkley Corporation. This association gives us substantial financial backing, along with access to specialized expertise beyond what is available to a comparable stand-alone company of our size. Union Insurance combines the best of what a small and a large company have to offer.