1920’s
California Mutual is a California domestic insurance company which began operations in 1920, when a group of local businessmen came together to form the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of San Benito County located in Hollister, California. They were incorporated to insure farm buildings and equipment for fire loss only.
1930’s
In the 1930’s the company began insuring rural schools and residences in addition to the farm buildings. In 1932 the first church they insured was the Methodist Church, located in Hollister. The 30’s also included the largest policy written for Bolado Park coverage encompassed the pavilion and grandstands. This historic venue is the home of our local Saddle Horse Show which began in 1924 and the San Benito County Fair held for the first time in 1933. Both events are still going strong.
1940’s
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance began to explore commercial policies in 1945 by insuring the Hollister Womens’ Club building from there, the types of commercial policies offered continued to grow.
1960’s
In 1961 a large earthquake hit the San Benito County area causing extensive property damage. The company’s insured’s who sustained losses conferred with the Board of Directors to expedite claims as the county began to rebuild.
1980’s
In the summer of 1989 the company changed its name to Mid-State Mutual Insurance Company. Then on October 17, 1989 as Californians were leaving work and others were sitting down to watch the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s a massive earthquake hit Central California. Mid-State Mutual employees worked tirelessly to take care of their clients, as many of them had been with the company for years and were considered friends of the company not just policyholders.
2000’s
In September of 2006, Mid-State Mutual became California Mutual Insurance Company. The company has grown from 1920 to issuing fire coverage for farmers only, to writing policies on Homeowners, Rental Properties, Motels, Mercantile Buildings, Bed & Breakfast Inns, Light Industrial Buildings, Office Buildings, Business Owners Policy’s and more throughout California.