History of Allstate in Timeline

Allstate is an American insurance company established in 1931 as a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois since 2022, it became fully independent in June 1995 after being spun off in 1993, though Sears retained partial ownership for a time. Allstate also provides personal line insurance services in Canada.

1925: Sears Held a National Contest

In 1925, Sears held a national contest to decide the name of a new brand of car tires, ultimately choosing "Allstate".

April 19, 1927: Allstate Trademark Registered

On April 19, 1927, the Allstate trademark was officially registered, and the new tires' name debuted in the Sears catalog in spring 1927.

April 17, 1931: Allstate Insurance Company Goes Into Business

On April 17, 1931, Allstate Insurance Company started its operations, offering auto insurance by direct mail and through the Sears catalog, named after Sears' tire line.

1931: Allstate Founded as Part of Sears

In 1931, Allstate was founded as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., marking its entry into the insurance industry.

1933: Allstate at the Century of Progress World's Fair

In 1933, Allstate sold insurance at a booth in the Sears pavilion at the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago.

1934: Allstate Opens First Sales Office

In 1934, Allstate opened its first permanent sales office in a Chicago Sears store.

1941: New York's Financial Responsibility Law

In 1941, the state of New York passed a law establishing financial responsibility for drivers, inspiring similar legislation in other states.

1949: Allstate Headquarters Building Completed

In 1949, Allstate's Headquarters Building was completed in Chicago as part of the Sears, Roebuck and Company Complex.

1950: Advertising Campaign Launched

In 1950, Allstate's long-running advertising campaign, "Are you in good hands?", was launched.

1950: Allstate Slogan Created

In 1950, Allstate's slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate" was created by general sales manager Davis W. Ellis.

1950: You're in Good Hands Slogan Origin

The Allstate slogan "You're in good hands" was created in the 1950s by sales executive, Davis W. Ellis, based on a phrase he used to reassure his wife, and it has been the slogan ever since 1950.

1952: Sears Sold Automobile Called Allstate

In 1952, Sears also sold an automobile called Allstate.

1952: Allstate Car Produced

In 1952, an Allstate car was produced, but it was considered a flop.

1953: Allstate Car Pulled From Stores

By 1953, the Allstate car was pulled from stores due to poor sales.

1953: Allstate Began Selling Insurance to Canadians

In 1953, Allstate began selling insurance to Canadians.

1954: Allstate Added Fire Insurance

In 1954, Allstate added fire insurance to its product offerings.

1957: Allstate Added Homeowners and Life Insurance

In 1957, Allstate expanded its offerings to include homeowners and life insurance.

1964: Allstate Insurance Company of Canada Incorporated

In 1964, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada was incorporated.

1964: Allstate Added Worker's Compensation Insurance

In 1964, Allstate began selling worker's-compensation insurance.

1966: Allstate Added Surety Bonds

In 1966, Allstate began selling surety bonds.

1967: Allstate Moved Home Office

In 1967, Allstate moved its home office from Skokie to Northbrook, Illinois and started selling inland-marine coverage.

1969: Allstate Added a Business Package Policy

In 1969, Allstate began offering a business package policy.

1975: 1975 Commercial

In 1975, a commercial showed an egg roll falling down and being saved by a hand.

1991: Allstate Went Public

In 1991, Allstate went public.

1992: Inspiration for Mayhem Character

The character Mr. White from the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs played by Harvey Keitel, was the inspiration for Allstate's Mayhem character.

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June 1993: 19.8% of Allstate Became Public

In June 1993, 19.8% of Allstate became public through a stock offering.

1993: Allstate Partially Spun Off From Sears

In 1993, Allstate was partially spun off from Sears, Roebuck and Co., beginning its transition to becoming an independent company.

1993: Allstate IPO

Since its IPO in 1993, Allstate has grown to be a major insurance provider.

June 1995: Allstate Became Completely Independent

In June 1995, Allstate achieved complete independence as Sears spun off its remaining stake.

1999: Allstate Purchased CNA Financial's Personal-Lines Division

In 1999, Allstate expanded by purchasing the personal-lines division of CNA Financial, later renaming it Encompass Insurance Company.

2000: Slogan Recognizability

In 2000, a study found that Allstate's slogan "You're in good hands" ranked as the most recognizable in America.

2003: Dennis Haysbert as Spokesman

Beginning in 2003, Allstate's television commercials used Dennis Haysbert as the spokesman.

2003: Dennis Haysbert Became Allstate's Spokesman

In 2003, Dennis Haysbert became the Allstate spokesman, known for the tagline "That’s Allstate’s stand."

2005: Sponsorship of Allstate 400 at the Brickyard begins

In 2005, Allstate began its sponsorship of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

November 2006: Allstate's Policy Non-Renewal in Florida

In November 2006, Allstate did not renew 120,000 policies in Florida, leading to a 90-day emergency order by Governor Charlie Crist to temporarily prevent insurance companies from not renewing policies.

2006: Business Week Review of 'From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves'

In 2006, Business Week magazine published a review of the book "From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves" which relates profit-boosting strategies that consulting firm McKinsey & Company presented to Allstate to maximize profits and diminish the amount of money sent to clients who put in a claim.

February 2007: CNN Report on Auto Insurance Claims Disputes

In February 2007, a CNN investigative report revealed that major car insurance companies, including Allstate, were increasingly disputing auto insurance claims.

February 20, 2007: Clarification on Policy Non-Renewal

On February 20, 2007, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty clarified the order regarding policy non-renewals, stating that insurance companies can nonrenew policies if they meet certain conditions, including filing new, lower rates and giving customers 100 days’ notice.

2007: Sponsorship of Mexico National Team

In 2007, Allstate became a sponsor of the Mexico National Team.

2007: Allstate's Sponsorship of the Sugar Bowl

Since 2007, Allstate has been the title sponsor of the Sugar Bowl, one of the Bowl Championship Series games, and also sponsors the New Orleans Saints.

July 2008: Allstate Ranked No. 1 Among Nation's Worst Insurers

In July 2008, the American Association for Justice ranked Allstate No. 1 among the nation's worst insurers, citing a 'boxing gloves' strategy against policyholders. Allstate disputed the report.

2009: Allstate Declines TARP Funds

In 2009, Allstate successfully fought for federal government TARP fund eligibility but declined it once eligibility was obtained.

2009: End of Allstate 400 at the Brickyard sponsorship

In 2009, Allstate's sponsorship of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard ended.

April 2010: Mayhem Campaign Launched

Since the launch of the Mayhem campaign in April 2010, the character has been played by Dean Winters.

June 2010: Mayhem Campaign Launched

In mid-June 2010, Allstate launched the "Mayhem" campaign to target younger customers and compete with other insurance advertising characters.

November 20, 2010: Collegiate Football Game at Wrigley Field

On November 20, 2010, the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini played a collegiate football game at Wrigley Field, title sponsored by Allstate. This was the first football game at Wrigley Field since 1970.

2010: Allstate Auto Insurance Market Share

In 2010, Allstate commanded 18% of the auto insurance market in the United States.

2010: Allstate Paid Fine for Colossus Software

In 2010, Allstate paid a $10 million fine to settle a lawsuit brought by 41 states concerning inconsistencies in the manner in which the "Colossus" software was used. It also agreed to standardize its use of the software.

January 2011: Allstate Released The Lines

In January 2011, Allstate released The Lines, a web series aimed at promoting responsible teen driving.

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February 2011: Mayhem's Recognition

In February 2011, Advertising Age reported that Mayhem rose to third as most-recognized insurance advertising character.

May 2011: Allstate Purchased Esurance and Answer Financial

In May 2011, Allstate announced the purchase of Esurance and Answer Financial, a rate-comparison site, for approximately $1 billion.

2011: Allstate Won Industry Awards

By 2011, Allstate had won approximately 80 industry awards for the "Mayhem" campaign.

2011: Partnership with Major League Soccer and 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

On January 9, 2012, the Allstate BCS National Championship Game was played and broadcast on ESPN.

2012: Allstate Solutions Private Limited Inaugurated

In 2012, Allstate Solutions Private Limited (Allstate India) was inaugurated in Bangalore as a technology and operations center.

2013: Allstate Headquarters Building Vacant

As of 2013, the Allstate Headquarters Building was vacant and in danger of demolition.

2015: Mayhem Commercial

A 2015 Mayhem commercial features the character playing a portable grill hastily loaded into a car before being fully extinguished, which leads to an explosion when the still-burning embers ignite an enormous bottle of lighter fluid, warning viewers that certain "cut-rate" policies lack coverage for the situation he has caused.

2016: Dennis Haysbert's Tenure as Spokesman Ended

In 2016, Dennis Haysbert's tenure as Allstate's spokesman ended, having appeared in over 250 commercials since 2003.

January 2017: Allstate Acquired SquareTrade

In January 2017, Allstate acquired SquareTrade, a consumer electronics and appliance protection plan provider, for a reported $1.4 billion.

2018: Allstate's Revenue

In 2018, Allstate had revenues of $39.8 billion.

2018: Mayhem's New Year's Resolution

In early 2018, Allstate featured ads with Mayhem having a New Year's resolution to help keep people and property safe, before returning to his chaotic habits.

2019: Allstate's Fortune 500 Ranking

In 2019, Allstate ranked 79th in the Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.

July 2020: Allstate Announced Acquisition of National General

In July 2020, Allstate announced its plan to acquire National General for $4 billion.

January 2021: Allstate Acquired National General

In January 2021, Allstate completed the acquisition of National General.

2021: Allstate Completed Sale of Life Insurance and Annuity Businesses

In 2021, Allstate finalized the sale of its life insurance and annuity businesses to Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York and Everlake Holdings.

2022: Allstate's Headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois

Since 2022, Allstate has been headquartered in Glenview, Illinois (with a Northbrook, Illinois address).

2025: Allstate's Use of AI to Generate Emails

In 2025, it was reported that Allstate was using AI to generate less confusing and more empathetic emails to customers, reducing insurance jargon. Claims agents would still check them for accuracy. After Futurism reported on this, Allstate requested it be taken down.