Shared Values: How policyholders benefit from a mutual insurance company

For over 150 years, we’ve been insuring the people and businesses that make our communities grow and thrive. Unlike big, national insurance companies, we don’t answer to stockholders. As a mutual insurance company, all of our coverage and claims decisions are driven by what’s right for you, the customer. 

A brief background on mutual companies and the origins of Rockingham Insurance

The first insurers in the United States were mutual companies, created by farmers and property owners with common interests who wanted to share risk within a larger group. The Homestead Act of 1862 led farmers to create their own social and political organizations; these organizations became the state’s first farm mutual insurers. Over 1,000 county farm mutual insurance companies were formed between 1870 and 1900. 

In 1869, Rockingham Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company was formed in a Port Republic, Virginia, church by a group of farmers who rebuilt shortly after the end of the Civil War. The farmers and property owners became members of the mutual company and had fire policies that covered mills, silos, barns and homes. 

Today, 60% of mutual companies are more than 100 years old.

The Rockingham Insurance difference

Throughout their history, mutual companies like Rockingham Insurance have provided economic stability that doesn’t rely on meeting stock performance. The Rockingham Mutual difference is built on a structure that has proven durable and compatible with the long-term needs of our policyholders. While Rockingham Insurance has grown through mergers with Virginia mutual companies, our mission remains building long-lasting relationships and developing trust. 

One of the ways we maintain a personal connection with our policyholders and provide long-term value is through our board of directors, who are elected by policyholders using annual proxy ballots.

“At Rockingham Insurance, all our policy decisions are based on the long-term interests of our policyowners,” said Bill Bayer, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “From the initial quote to closing out a claim, our agents remain policy-holder focused because they have chosen to place their trust in us, so there is really a mutual goal to provide the best service and value possible.”

Since our humble beginnings over a century ago, we continue to evolve and provide insurance products that meet the needs of our policyholders, and we are thankful for your continued trust now and into the future.