Our History

• 1852-1865

  The Founding

  1852 The Hanover Fire Insurance Company opens in Manhattan at Hanover Square. Among early investors was famed author Washington Irving.

  1852 Company president John Wyckoff commits to prudent risk taking and investing for the long term.

  1852 The Hanover appoints its first independent agent, prominent businessman Samuel S. Coe of Cleveland, Ohio.

  1855 Tradition of community giving begins with a donation to the NYC Widows and Orphans Fund.

  1864 America expands West, The Hanover forms a general agency to service the new frontier.

• 1866-1879

  Trial by Fire

  1866 Portland, Maine fire burns 1800 buildings to the ground, making this the most destructive fire suffered by an American city at this time. The Hanover pays all its claims and helps rebuild the city.

  1871 The Great Chicago Fire destroys more than three square miles of the city resulting in losses of $3 billion at present day value. The Hanover is praised by "The Chicago Merchants" having met all claim obligations.

  1872 Fire in Boston, Massachusetts burns almost half the city. The Hanover passes another difficult financial challenge in its young history.

• 1880-1907

  Covering the Field

  1880 Insures leading businesses, including retailer Marshall Field, financier JP Morgan, Westinghouse, consumer goods companies Colgate and Scott Paper, and entertainer PT Barnum and Bailey.

  1881 Financial strength continues to increase. In five years, The Hanover doubles its capital to $1 million.

  1886 Appoints first agent in London.

  1906 Earthquake and fire level massive areas of San Francisco. The Hanover suffers significant losses, but with prudent underwriting and investing, delivers for its agents and customers.

• 1908-1945

  Expanding the Field

  1911 Company charter expands to write other lines of insurance, including marine and automobile.

  1915 The Hanover's Citizens brand underwrites the first auto policy in Michigan. Early notable auto customers of The Hanover include legendary baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth.

  1921 The Hanover increases its international presence and appoints one of the first insurance agents in China.

  1935 The Hanover doesn't layoff a single employee during the Depression and continues to pay dividends to its shareholders.

• 1946-2003

  On the Move

  1958 Changes name from The Hanover Fire Insurance Company to The Hanover Insurance Group to reflect a broader product range.

  1969 Moves headquarters from NYC to its present day home office in Worcester, Massachusetts.

  1974 Purchases all shares of Citizens Mutual Insurance Company and makes it a member of The Hanover Insurance Companies.

  2003 Reaffirms The Hanover's commitment to do business exclusively through the best independent agents and brokers in the country.

• 2004-Present

  From Rebirth to Resurgence

  2003–2007 Identified by The Wall Street Journal as number one in the P&C industry for increasing shareholder value over a five-year period.

  2009 Acquires commercial business from OneBeacon Insurance Group, which enables rapid Western U.S. expansion.

  A.M. Best upgrades company rating to "A" (Excellent). The only insurer to be upgraded by A.M. Best, Moody's, and S&P over this time.

  2010–2011 Completes strategic U.S. and international acquisitions. Lloyd's of London Chaucer Holdings adds significant capabilities, geographic diversity and underwriting expertise.

  2013 The Hanover crosses the $5 billion written premium threshold for the first time in its history and is writing business in 179 countries.

  2015 Standard & Poor’s upgrades the company’s financial rating to “A” and Forbes recognizes The Hanover as one of America’s best employers and as one of America’s most trustworthy financial companies.

  2016 Well positioned for success—with the most talented employees in the insurance industry.