Mission and History

Mission
EMC’s mission is to grow profitably through partnership with independent insurance agents and to enhance the ability of our partners to deliver quality financial protection to the people and businesses we mutually serve.

History
EMC began in 1911 as an association of business people providing workers’ compensation coverage to Iowa manufacturers. For nearly 100 years, policyholders, agents and employees have come to Count on EMC for comprehensive protection, superior service and financial stability.

1911	Employers Mutual Casualty Association is formed on April 24, to provide workers’ compensation insurance for its members.
1914	Employers Mutual Casualty Association goes into actual operation with the enactment of Iowa’s workers’ compensation laws. Written premiums reach $52,525.
1920	As the number of automobiles on the road grows, the company begins to market automobile insurance.
1924	Employers Mutual Casualty Association is changed to Employers Mutual Casualty Company.
1928	The company is licensed to sell insurance in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.
1934	The first branch office is established in Wichita, Kansas.
1938	The company moves into its own building in downtown Des Moines.
1947	Assets reach $13,000,000. John W. Gunn retires as president and is succeeded by John Hynes.
1955	The company adds homeowners, inland marine and multi-peril coverage to its book of business.
1956	The company’s home office is enlarged to accommodate the needs of a growing staff.
1962	Employers Modern Life Company is formed to provide property and casualty agents with life insurance products.
1968	To enhance its marketing presence on the East Coast, the company affiliates with Union Mutual Insurance Company of Providence.
1969	Construction begins on EMC’s 10-story home office building at 717 Mulberry in downtown Des Moines.
1973	To acquire a larger share of the fire insurance market in North Dakota, the company acquires Dakota Fire Insurance Company.
1974	EMC Insurance Group Inc., a downstream holding company, is formed.
1975	EMC Underwriters, Ltd. is formed to broker business that cannot find insurance policies through regular insurance markets.
1976	Illinois EMCASCO Insurance Company is formed to help the company better compete in Illinois.
1981	EMC Reinsurance Company is organized to handle part of EMC’s reinsurance assumed business from other property and casualty companies.
1982	Acquisition of American Liberty Insurance Company, a Birmingham, Alabama, insurance company gives EMC a stronger presence in southern states.
1982	EMC Insurance Group Inc. launches its initial public offering.
1984	EMC Insurance Group Inc. launches a secondary stock offering.
1984	Acquisition of Farm and City Insurance Companies provides EMC and its agents with access to a stable source of nonstandard risk automobile insurance.
1991	The company reaches $1 billion in assets.
1997	EMC’s new 20-story office tower opens. Affiliation with Hamilton Mutual Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, expands EMC’s marketing efforts.
2001	EMC launches Count on EMC brand.
2002	EMC reaches over $2.1 billion in assets, more than $1 billion in written premium and more than 500,000 policies in force.
2003	Employers Modern Life merges with National Travelers Life to form EMC National Life Company.
2004	EMC finishes the year with more than $2.6 billion in assets, an all-time high consolidated policyholder surplus of $665.7 million and more than $1.2 billion in net written premiums. EMC Insurance Group Inc. completes a successful stock offering adding significantly to capital base.