Our history | EMC Insurance

EMC Insurance timeline

What started in 1911 as a group of businesspeople providing workers’ compensation coverage to Iowa manufacturers has grown into a countrywide company. Today, EMC offers commercial property and casualty, bonds, and life insurance through independent agents across the United States.

1911	We were founded on April 24 as Employers Mutual Casualty Association, created to provide workers’ compensation insurance.
1914	We officially began operations when Iowa’s workers’ compensation laws took effect.
1920	We added automobile insurance to our offerings.
1924	Our name changed to Employers Mutual Casualty Company.
1925	We entered the reinsurance business, covering policies written by other companies.
1928	We became licensed to sell insurance in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas.
1934	We opened our first branch office in Wichita, Kansas.
1938	We moved into our own building in downtown Des Moines.
1955	We expanded our products to include homeowners, inland marine, and multiperil coverage.
1956	We grew again, expanding our home office to support our growing team.
1962	We formed Employers Modern Life Company to offer life insurance through property and casualty agents.
1968	We partnered with Union Mutual Insurance Company of Providence to strengthen our presence on the east coast.
1969	We became licensed to do business in all 50 states.
1971	We celebrated our 60th anniversary with the opening of a new 10-story office at 717 Mulberry Street in Des Moines.
1973	We acquired Dakota Fire Insurance Company, expanding our fire insurance market in North Dakota.
1974	We formed EMC Insurance Group Inc., a downstream holding company.
1975	We established EMC Underwriters Ltd. to broker hard-to-place insurance.
1976	We formed Illinois EMCASCO Insurance Company to better compete in Illinois.
1981	We organized EMC Reinsurance Company (EMC Re) to manage our assumed reinsurance business.
1982	We acquired American Liberty Insurance Company, strengthening our presence in the South, and launched the initial public offering of EMC Insurance Group Inc.
1984	We acquired Farm and City Insurance Companies, which gave EMC and its agents access to nonstandard risk auto insurance.
1989	We created the Employers Mutual Charitable Foundation, now known as the EMC Insurance Foundation.
1991	We reached $1 billion in assets.
1997	We opened a new 20-story office tower at 700 Walnut Street in Des Moines and affiliated with Hamilton Mutual Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.
2001	We introduced the Count on EMC® brand.
2002	We surpassed $2 billion in assets, $1 billion in written premium, and 500,000 policies in force.
2003	We merged Employers Modern Life and National Travelers Life to form EMC National Life Company.
2005	We introduced EMC Choice® products for business owners, with tailored coverages for specific industries.
2007	Our assets grew to more than $3 billion.
2010	We were named to Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Companies list (also honored in 2014, 2016, and 2017), and we purchased the Hub Tower in downtown Des Moines.
2011	We celebrated our 100-year anniversary.
2013	A.M. Best upgraded our rating to A (Excellent) with a stable outlook.
2015	Our assets topped $4 billion.
2017	We opened a new four-story office at 219 Eighth Street in Des Moines.
2018	We made the decision to exit personal lines insurance.
2019	Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMCC) acquired all remaining shares of EMC Insurance Group Inc. (EMCI), and EMCI stock was delisted for trading.
2020	Scott Jean became President and CEO, succeeding Bruce Kelley after his 35-year career at EMC.
2022	We announced our decision to exit assumed reinsurance through EMC Re.
2024	We amplified our brand with a new logo, visual identity, and tagline: Keeping insurance human®. We also became the naming rights sponsor of the exhibit hall and meeting space venue in downtown Des Moines, now known as the EMC Expo Center.
2025	We announced the creation of four new business units—middle market, small business, specialty, and large accounts—to deliver broader appetite and deeper expertise. We also streamlined our structure, transitioning from 17 branches to 10 regions to better serve agents and policyholders.