History of Allstate in Timeline
Allstate is a major American insurance company that started in 1931 as a unit of Sears, Roebuck and Co. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois since 2022, Allstate became fully independent in June 1995 after being spun off from Sears in 1993. In addition to its significant presence in the United States, Allstate also provides personal line insurance services in Canada.
1925: Name the Tire Contest
In 1925, Sears held a contest to name a new brand of car tires, resulting in the name "Allstate" being chosen.
April 19, 1927: Allstate Trademark Registered
On April 19, 1927, the Allstate trademark was officially registered for a new line of tires to be sold by Sears.
April 17, 1931: Allstate Insurance Company Goes Into Business
On April 17, 1931, Allstate Insurance Company officially went into business, offering auto insurance by direct mail and through the Sears catalog.
1933: Insurance Sales at World's Fair
In 1933, Allstate sold insurance at the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago.
1941: New York's Financial Responsibility Law
In 1941, the state of New York passed a law establishing financial responsibility for drivers, influencing similar legislation in other states.
1950: "You're in Good Hands with Allstate" Slogan Created
In 1950, Allstate's general sales manager Davis W. Ellis created the slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate".
1950: "You're in good hands"
In the 1950s Davis W. Ellis created Allstate's slogan "You're in good hands".
1952: Sears Sells Allstate Automobile
In 1952, Sears began selling an automobile called Allstate.
1952: Allstate Car Produced
In 1952, an Allstate car was produced based on the Henry J car by Kaiser Motors.
1953: Allstate Begins Selling Insurance to Canadians
In 1953, Allstate began selling insurance to Canadians.
1953: Allstate Car Pulled From Stores
In 1953, the Allstate car was pulled from stores due to being a flop.
1954: Allstate Adds Fire Insurance
In 1954, Allstate added fire insurance to its product offerings.
1957: Allstate Adds Homeowners and Life Insurance
In 1957, Allstate added homeowners and life insurance to its product offerings.
1964: Allstate Insurance Company of Canada Incorporated
In 1964, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada was incorporated.
1964: Allstate Adds Workers' Compensation Insurance
In 1964, Allstate began selling worker's-compensation insurance.
1966: Allstate Adds Surety Bonds
In 1966, Allstate began offering surety bonds.
1967: Home Office Moved to Northbrook, Illinois
In 1967, Allstate's home office was moved from Skokie to Northbrook, Illinois.
1969: Allstate Offers Business Package Policy
In 1969, Allstate introduced a business package policy.
1991: Allstate Public Offering
In 1991, the Allstate company had its initial public offering.
June 1993: Allstate Goes Public
In June 1993, 19.8% of Allstate became public through a stock offering.
June 1995: Allstate Becomes Independent
In June 1995, Allstate became a completely independent company when Sears spun off its remaining 80% stake, distributing shares to stockholders.
1999: Allstate Purchases CNA Financial's Personal-Lines Division
In 1999, Allstate purchased the personal-lines division of CNA Financial and renamed it Encompass Insurance Company.
2000: Allstate's slogan Ranked Most Recognizable
A 2000 study found that Allstate's slogan, "You're in good hands", was ranked the most recognizable in America.
2003: Commercials with Dennis Haysbert Begin
Beginning in 2003, Allstate's television commercials featured Dennis Haysbert.
2003: Dennis Haysbert Becomes Spokesman
In 2003, actor Dennis Haysbert became Allstate's spokesman, using the tagline "That’s Allstate’s stand."
2005: Sponsored the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
In 2005, Allstate became a sponsor of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
November 2006: Did not renew 120,000 policies that were expiring at that time
In November 2006, Allstate did not renew 120,000 policies that were expiring at that time in Florida. Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet passed a 90-day emergency order to temporarily prevent insurance companies from not renewing policies.
2006: Business Week reviewed "From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves"
In 2006, Business Week magazine reviewed the book "From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves", which covers alleged strategies Allstate used to maximize profits and diminish claim payouts.
February 2007: CNN revealed that major car insurance companies are increasingly disputing auto insurance claims
In February 2007, an investigative report by CNN revealed that major car insurance companies, like Allstate, are increasingly disputing auto insurance claims from individuals injured by their insured members.
February 20, 2007: Florida Insurance Commissioner clarified the order about nonrenew policies
On February 20, 2007, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty clarified the order, stating that insurance companies can nonrenew policies if they satisfy certain conditions.
2007: Became a sponsor of the Mexico National Team
In 2007, Allstate became a sponsor of the Mexico National Team.
2007: Allstate Sponsors the Sugar Bowl
Since 2007, Allstate has been the title sponsor of the Sugar Bowl.
July 2008: Ranked No. 1 among nation's worst insurers by American Association for Justice
In July 2008, the American Association for Justice ranked Allstate No. 1 among the nation's worst insurers, citing the company's alleged "boxing gloves" strategy against policyholders. Allstate criticized the report.
2009: Sponsored the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
In 2009, Allstate sponsored the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2009: Successfully fought for federal government TARP fund eligibility
In 2009, Allstate successfully fought for federal government TARP fund eligibility, only to decline it once they obtained eligibility.
April 2010: Dean Winters Debuts as Mayhem
Since April 2010, Dean Winters has played the Mayhem character in Allstate's advertising campaign.
June 2010: Mayhem Campaign Launched
The Mayhem advertising campaign was first launched in mid-June 2010.
November 20, 2010: Collegiate Football Game at Wrigley Field
On November 20, 2010, Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini played a collegiate football game at Wrigley Field, title sponsored by Allstate.
2010: Commanded 18% of the auto insurance market in the United States
In 2010, Allstate commanded 18% of the auto insurance market in the United States.
2010: Paid a $10 million fine to settle a lawsuit concerning inconsistencies in the manner in which Colossus was used
In 2010, Allstate paid a $10 million fine to settle a lawsuit brought by 41 states concerning inconsistencies in the manner in which Colossus was used. It also agreed to standardize its use of the software.
January 2011: Allstate Releases "The Lines" Web Series
In January 2011, Allstate released "The Lines", a multi-episode TV drama web series about teen driving.
February 2011: Mayhem Ranks as Third Most-Recognized Ad Character
In February 2011, Advertising Age reported that Mayhem rose to third as most-recognized insurance advertising character.
May 2011: Allstate Purchases Esurance and Answer Financial
In May 2011, Allstate announced that it was purchasing Esurance and rate-comparison site Answer Financial for about $1 billion.
2011: Allstate Wins Awards for Mayhem Campaign
By 2011, Allstate had won approximately 80 industry awards for the Mayhem campaign.
2011: Partnered with Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation
In 2011, Allstate partnered with Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation.
January 9, 2012: Allstate BCS National Championship Game Played
On January 9, 2012, the Allstate BCS National Championship Game was played and broadcast on ESPN.
2012: Allstate India Inaugurated
In 2012, Allstate Solutions Private Limited (Allstate India) was inaugurated in Bangalore as a technology and operations center.
2013: Headquarters Building Vacant
As of 2013, the Allstate Headquarters Building was vacant and in danger of demolition.
2015: Mayhem Ad Example
A 2015 Allstate ad features Mayhem playing a portable grill hastily loaded into a car before being fully extinguished, which leads to an explosion.
2016: Haysbert Ends Commercials
In 2016, Haysbert stopped appearing in Allstate television commercials.
January 2017: Allstate Acquires SquareTrade
In January 2017, Allstate acquired SquareTrade, a consumer electronics and appliance protection plan provider, for $1.4 billion.
2018: Allstate's Revenue
In 2018, Allstate's revenues reached $39.8 billion.
2018: Mayhem's New Year's Resolution
In early 2018, Allstate released ads featuring Mayhem with a New Year's resolution to help keep people and property safe.
July 2020: Allstate to Acquire National General
In July 2020, Allstate announced it was acquiring National General for $4 billion.
January 2021: Allstate Acquires National General
In January 2021, Allstate's deal to acquire National General for $4 billion closed.
2021: Allstate Completes Sale of Life Insurance and Annuity Businesses
In 2021, Allstate completed the sale of its life insurance and annuity businesses.
2025: Allstate Uses AI To Generate Customer Emails
In 2025, Allstate began using AI to generate less confusing and more understanding emails to customers.
