Allstate

The Allstate Corporation's story began on April 17, 1931, amidst the financial uncertainties of the Great Depression. Born as a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co., the idea for Allstate Insurance Company emerged from a simple proposal by insurance broker Carl L. Odell to his neighbor, Robert E. Wood, then president of Sears. Odell envisioned selling auto insurance by direct mail, mirroring Sears' successful catalog sales model. The Sears board approved, and Allstate, named after Sears' tire brand, commenced operations, initially offering auto insurance directly to consumers. The first policy insured a 1930 Studebaker, and the first claim was remarkably straightforward – a customer walked into the one-room headquarters with a door handle pried off by a would-be thief. By the end of its first year, Allstate had 4,217 active car insurance policies, a number that grew to over 113,000 by the decade's end.

The company's early years saw innovation in its approach. In 1933, Allstate utilized the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago to sell insurance at a booth in the Sears pavilion. A year later, the first permanent sales office opened within a Chicago Sears store. Recognizing the evolving needs of its customers and the changing landscape of the nation, Allstate began to expand its offerings. Fire insurance was added in 1954, followed by homeowners and life insurance in 1957. The iconic slogan, 'You're In Good Hands With Allstate®,' was conceived in 1950 by General Sales Manager Davis W. Ellis and quickly became a cornerstone of the company's identity. The 1950s also marked Allstate's international expansion, with operations beginning in Canada in 1953. The Allstate Foundation, one of the country's pioneering corporate foundations, was established in 1952, underscoring a commitment to community and safety, initially focusing on driver training scholarships. This dedication to societal well-being continued through decades, with initiatives supporting nursing scholarships and neighborhood revitalization. A significant milestone occurred in 1993 when Allstate became a publicly traded company. Two years later, in June 1995, Sears divested its remaining shares, making Allstate a fully independent entity in what was then the largest IPO in U.S. history. Throughout its journey, Allstate has continued to adapt and grow, acquiring companies like National General and expanding its services to meet the diverse needs of millions of households across North America.