State Auto Insurance Companies

State Auto Insurance Companies
518 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(833) 724-3577
www.stateauto.com

State Auto Insurance Companies is a leading insurance dealer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. They specialize in writing both personal and business insurance. The company markets its products through more than 23,000 independent insurance agents in about 3,400 agencies all over 33 states. State Auto Insurance is part of State Auto Insurance Group, with assets of $3.25 billion and annual direct written premium of $1.5 billion. State Auto Group is rated A+ (Superior) by the A.M. Best Company.

Established in 1921 by Robert Pein, the company was founded as State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, writing only auto insurance then and distributed through independent agents. During the late 1920s, State Auto adopted the Protective Giant advertising symbol, used on all policies and promotional materials. In 1931, State Auto expanded from Ohio into Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, employing more than 700 agents and continued to expand into Maryland, South Carolina and Michigan in the mid-1930’s. Its product line also expanded beyond that of purely auto coverage. In 1954, State Auto was given a rating of A+ (Superior) which the company continues to earn to this day. State Auto is one of only 14 insurers in the U.S. to have earned such a high rating from A.M. Best Co. every year since 1954.

State Auto added fire insurance and inland marine coverage to its offerings in Ohio and other states in 1955. In 1962, the company acquired the Columbus Mutual Life Insurance Co. and began offering health insurance. During the 1970’s, State Auto celebrated its 50th anniversary and in the 1980’s, dynamic growth continued as the company operated in 14 states. It expanded in 1989 into the state of Mississippi. One of the most dramatic changes in company history was the initial public offering of State Auto Financial Corporation in 1991. In 1993, State Auto purchased the Milbank Insurance Company of Milbank, SD, thereby entering the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Utah.

The company celebrated its 75th anniversary and entered its 23rd state of operation in Oklahoma in 1997. It acquired Midwest Security Insurance Company of Onalaska, Wisconsin, making Wisconsin the 24th state of operation. The company expanded in Iowa and Kansas in 1998. State Auto expansion and growth continues in a remarkable way. State Auto’s new, streamlined Business Owners’ Choice Policy was introduced for small to medium-size business owners in 2001. State Auto introduced the CustomFit auto policy in 2005, featuring flexible pricing and diminishing surcharges for accidents and minor violations. In addition, State Auto announced plans to expand into the states of Arizona and Colorado in the coming months.

Robert Restrepo Jr. is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of State Auto Insurance. Mark Blackburn, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven English is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and James Yano is the Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. Furthermore, the company’s Vice Presidents are Doug Allen (Director of Information Technology), Joel Brown (Director of Personal Insurance), David Dalton (Director of Internal Audit), James Duemey (Investment Officer), Nancy Edwards (Chief Security and Continuity Plan Officer), Clyde Fitch Jr., (Chief Sales Officer), Steven Hazelbaker (Director of Corporate Enterprise Risk Management), Rick L. Holbein (Personal Insurance Underwriting), among others.

The company offers business insurance, home, auto, farm, and boat. Farmowners program include dwellings, household personal property, farm outbuildings/barns/structures, farm personal property, livestock, and liability. State Auto also offers bonds consisting of commercial surety (license and permit, public official, and probate) and contract surety.