Homegrown protection: major Indiana-based players in property/casualty insurance.

• Author: Kaelble, Steve
• Position: Insurance

BALDWIN & LYONS

Founded in 1930, Indianapolis-based Baldwin & Lyons and subsidiaries Protective Insurance Co. and Sagamore Insurance Co. are major providers of insurance for the motor-carrier industry. Protective offers coverage for large and medium-sized trucking fleets. Sagamore markets non-standard private passenger auto-insurance products, commercial auto coverage for small trucking fleets, and worker's compensation insurance for small businesses. The Baldwin & Lyons group reports total assets of $467 million, with net premiums written totaling $77 million.

BROTHERHOOD MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.

This Fort Wayne insurer traces its roots to 1916. It was organized as a mutual aid program to offer fire and storm protection to members of the Mennonite Church.

Today Brotherhood is one of the nation's leading insurers of churches and related ministries in all denominations. Products include property coverage protecting everything from buildings to buses and sound systems. Liability coverage ranges from personal-injury protection to food-preparation liability. The company, licensed in 44 states, reports assets of $130 million and net premiums written totaling $76 million.

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Farm Bureau offers auto, homeowner, farm and business insurance products on the property/casualty side, as well as life insurance. Though it was founded by Indiana farmers to serve Indiana farmers, customers today range from rural to urban and businesses covered may be far from the fields.

Farm Bureau's P&C coverage is handled by the company's United Farm Family Mutual Insurance, a multiple-line carrier that focuses solely on Indiana. Its customized business policies include comprehensive property, liability and automobile coverages, plus contractor coverage and worker's comp. Farm insurance includes crop coverage and "Rural Guardian," with property and liability coverages tailored to farm operations. Property/ casualty assets are $551 million, with net premiums written $315 million.

GRAIN DEALERS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.

Launched in 1902 to cover commercial grain elevators, this Indianapolis-based company operates in much of the United States, and offers both commercial and personal lines of property and casualty coverage. It underwrites all classes of business through independent agents, and some 450 agencies serve as representatives. The company reports assets of $60 million, and $39 million in net premiums...