History of Farmers Insurance Group in Timeline

Farmers Insurance Group is a major U.S. insurer providing vehicle, home, and small business insurance, along with other financial services. Operating under the trade name 'Farmers,' it encompasses three reciprocal exchanges (Farmers, Fire, and Truck) managed by Farmers Group, Inc. on behalf of policyholders. With a vast network of over 48,000 agents and approximately 21,000 employees, Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Zurich Insurance Group, a Swiss-based company.

March 28, 1928: First board of governors meeting

On March 28, 1928, the first meeting of the board of governors for Farmers Insurance was convened.

1949: Headquarters building expansion

In 1949, architects Claud Beelman & Herman Spackler added four floors and a seventh-floor garden terrace for staff to the Farmers headquarters building.

1989: San Francisco earthquake

In 1989, the San Francisco earthquake posed financial challenges to Farmers Insurance.

1991: Oakland fire

In 1991, the Oakland fire posed financial challenges to Farmers Insurance.

1994: Northridge, California, earthquake

In 1994, the Northridge, California, earthquake posed financial challenges to Farmers Insurance, with estimated losses of $1.3 billion.

September 1998: Zurich Financial Services Group creation

In September 1998, the Zurich Financial Services Group was created from the merger with the financial services business of B.A.T. Industries for $18.6 Billion through a dual holding structure.

March 2000: Farmers Exchanges acquired Foremost Corporation of America

In March 2000, the Farmers Exchanges acquired Foremost Corporation of America (Foremost Insurance Group), a leading writer of manufactured homes and a prominent insurer of recreational vehicles, boats and other specialty lines.

August 2000: Farmers Financial Solutions registration

In August 2000, Farmers Financial Solutions registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer, offering mutual fund and variable insurance products.

October 2000: Zurich structure simplified

In October 2000, the Zurich structure was simplified and unified under a single Swiss holding company. Allied Zurich and Zurich Allied shares were replaced by shares of the newly incorporated Zurich Financial Services.

2005: Response to Hurricane Rita

In 2005, after Hurricane Rita hit Beaumont, Texas, Farmers Insurance brought in almost 300 insurance adjusters to assess property damage, provided $100,000 for the emergency operations center, and two badly needed megawatt electric generators.

2006: Farmers Insurance received complaints

In 2006, Farmers Insurance received the highest number of complaints to state insurance departments in Washington and Oregon.

July 2007: Farmers Exchanges acquired Bristol West Holdings, Inc.

In July 2007, the Farmers Exchanges acquired Bristol West Holdings, Inc., the parent of a group of insurers specializing in non-standard auto insurance.

October 2007: Response to California wildfires

During the October 2007 California wildfires, Farmers set up facilities to aid customers, providing checks for evacuation costs, damage claims, lodging, and meals. The company now also has 2 buses serving as Mobile Command Centers.

April 2009: Farmers to acquire 21st Century Insurance

In April 2009, Farmers announced that it would acquire 21st Century Insurance from AIG for $1.9 billion. The acquisition made Farmers the joint third-largest personal lines insurer in the U.S. The acquired assets included AIG Hawaii.

2010: Farmers Insurance Open PGA tournament Title Sponsor

In 2010, Farmers became the title sponsor of the Farmers Insurance Open PGA tournament in Torrey Pines, CA.

2010: Farmers Insurance began researching a model that municipalities across the United States could use to significantly reduce the time required for residential recovery

In 2010, in response to the increasing number of deadly storms, Farmers Insurance began "researching a model that municipalities across the United States could use to significantly reduce the time required for residential recovery."

February 2011: Farmers announced plan to sponsor a football stadium in Los Angeles.

In February 2011, Farmers announced that it had agreed to sponsor a football stadium in the city of Los Angeles named Farmers Field. The stadium project was later cancelled.

2012: Farmers sponsor of Kasey Kahne

In 2012, Farmers was the sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolet SS driven by Kasey Kahne for Hendrick Motorsports in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

2013: Farmers Insurance continued researching a model that municipalities across the United States could use to significantly reduce the time required for residential recovery

In 2013, Farmers Insurance continued "researching a model that municipalities across the United States could use to significantly reduce the time required for residential recovery." Teaming with SBP, a disaster relief organization based out of New Orleans, the result was the Disaster Recovery Playbook, an evolving online resource.

2017: Farmers Insurance left Hendrick motor-sports and NASCAR

At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Farmers Insurance left Hendrick motor-sports and NASCAR. The combination produced 6 wins in 6 years together including a Brickyard 400.

December 2020: Farmers Exchanges and Farmers Group, Inc. to acquire MetLife's property and casualty business

In December 2020, Farmers Exchanges and Farmers Group, Inc. (FGI) announced they will jointly acquire MetLife's property and casualty business (MetLife Auto & Home).