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MUTUAL CONCEPT
Rooted in 1752
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Benjamin Franklin began the mutual concept in Philadelphia in 1752. He reasoned that if people pooled their resources, they could protect each other against financial ruin due to fire. By helping each other, no individual would suffer a great financial burden.
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MUTUAL CONCEPT
Makes its way to Belleville’s Courthouse steps and, the Board is formed
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In 1870, Chrisostomus Boul , a local farmer who believed strongly in this concept, traveled around the county visiting with fellow farmers, urging them to join in a Society of mutual protection against loss by fire. Over 120 farmers agreed with Boul’s plan. On February 1, 1871, a meeting was held at the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville with 82 farmers attending. Nine were elected to the Board of Directors.
Augustus Chenot was named President of the Board.
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YES VOTES INTRODUCE
Farmers Mutual
Fire Insurance Society of
St. Clair County
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On February 25, 1871, the Board of Directors meeting was held in the Grand Jury room of the Courthouse in Belleville. Four distinct organizational plans
were presented. The Board of Directors voted to accept a proposal to unite as a mutual protecting Society, without charter, and bound to each other by a pledge signed by each member. The organization would be known as
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Society of St. Clair County Illinois
. Only property in St. Clair County
was to be insured by the Society; however, no property “located inside towns or cities” would be insured. The office of the Society was located in West Belleville.
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NEW LEGISLATION
Membership grows at
more than 100 per year
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By March 1883, the Society had grown to 1,438 members. On
June 2, 1883,
it was resolved to organize in accordance with Illinois State Law as a County Insurance Company. The Company became known as Belleville, St. Clair County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Assets and Liabilities belonging to the Society in the amount of $2,661 were transferred to the new company with a risk in force of $421,392. |
NEAR CENTURY MARK
Property Insurance Begins
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On April 7, 1965, the Board of Directors voted to shorten the Company’s name to Belleville, County Mutual Fire Insurance Company and begin insuring property in neighboring counties.
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CELEBRATION
100 Years & still counting
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Then, as longevity of service would have it, on July 23, 1983 the company announces their 100th year
anniversary .
Clifford M. Woodrome is President .
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MORE COVERAGE
And another new name
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The Company continued to grow and once again changed their name to Belleville Mutual Insurance Company. On March 18, 1987, during the Board of Directors meeting, the vote was to extend coverage to 9 additional counties (for a total of 15) and to obtain authority from the Illinois Department of Insurance to write windstorm and hail coverage.
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FROM CONCEPT to FRUITION
HMIC is born
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On January 1, 2003, Belleville Mutual (Belleville) and Denver Mutual (Newton) were merged to form Heartland Mutual Insurance Company. The writing territory was expanded to 37 counties, with over $660 million risk in force and assets of $3.5 million.
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$800 MILL
To support risk
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On January 1, 2004 Washington County Mutual Fire Insurance Company was merged into Heartland Mutual Insurance Company. The writing territory remained at 37 counties, with over $800 million risk in force and assets of $4.5 million.
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Today, the Company has sixty-two counties in its writing territory, with over $1 billion risk in force and assets of over $5 million.
Elected in 2005, the current president is Les Mehrtens .
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