Type Mutual Number of locations 2 Founded 1825 | Industry Insurance Founder John Endecott | |
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Headquarters Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. Area served New England, Mid Atlantic, Arkansas Key people Tim Hegarty (Chairman), Joel Murray (President & CEO), Erin Cummings (VP) | ||
The N&D Group is a group of mutual insurance companies based in Dedham, Massachusetts. The group comprises three regional property and casualty insurance companies which market personal and commercial insurance product lines through independent insurance agents. The group conducts business in New England, New Jersey, and Arkansas, and wrote about a third of a billion dollars in annual insurance premium in 2013. Founded as The Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1825, the group is one of the oldest mutual insurance companies in the United States.
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History
As early Dedham, Massachusetts residents were establishing new farms and businesses, it quickly became apparent that the community needed financial protection against various risks, especially the peril of fire. As a result, the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established by a group of prominent citizens, electing John Endicott as the company's first president. The company quickly grew and evolved with the industry, expanding to various states in the Northeast, while being subject to ever changing regulation. The growing complexity of American property and casualty insurance brought on new coverages, new protocol for storms, and product enhancements. Some of these enhancements included the onset of comprehensive insurance packages which constituted the forerunners of today's common homeowners and businessowners policies. In the 1950s with the company doing business in 26 states, the group constructed their current headquarters building along the Charles River, and Homer, a black French Poodle, became the company's mascot. The Norfolk & Dedham Group became known locally for Homer, giving out a live black poodle at national conventions. The group eventually withdrew from many less profitable states, and now focuses on general P&C insurance in New England, New Jersey, New York, and farmowners policies in Arkansas. About 350 independent agencies sell Norfolk & Dedham insurance, which employs about 135 people, and manages roughly $500 million in assets.
Companies
The N&D Group consists of three separate mutual companies:
Charity and local service
The group is a primary sponsor of the annual James Joyce Ramble, a USATF certified 10K road race, and the largest literary road race in the country. The race takes place in the center of Dedham, and the route runs by the headquarters building near the fifth mile mark.
Every three years, the company hosts a charity event for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest childhood cancer research public charity fund. The foundation was started by executives from the insurance industry in 1999. In March 2014, the group raised nearly $50,000, and many employees shaved their heads for the event.
The insurance carrier participates in the Cristo Rey Network by hiring high school students as part of their work study program.
Each year around the holidays, the company conducts a Cradles to Crayons drive in Dedham as well as a food drive for the Dedham Food Pantry.