Many things that we think of as common today were quite revolutionary just a hundred years ago. By now, many folks know some of the basics of automotive history, but have you ever considered the history of auto insurance and other types of insurance? We’re going to take a look. If you’re looking for (modern) auto insurance, feel free to reach out to Brent Young Agency LLC, serving greater Manchester, CT.
Now let’s take a look at the history of auto insurance in the United States.
A Quick Look at the History of Auto Insurance
The first auto insurance plan was taken out in 1897. While Michigan and Detroit specifically are perhaps the most famous place in America for cars, the first insurance plan was actually issued in Ohio. Gilbert J. Loomis of Dayton took out an insurance plan with the Travelers Insurance company.
Travelers Insurance Company had been around for several decades at that point. Up until Mr. Loomis took out auto insurance, however, the company was focused on fire insurance and maritime insurance. The oldest known insurance plans covered maritime trade. In the 14th century, traders in Genoa started to insure maritime shipments. The same principles of mitigating risks were eventually carried over to auto insurance plans.
These days, state governments typically require that you insure your car so that you can drive it on the road. Driving without insurance is often illegal. However, for a long time, insurance was treated as optional.
Things started to change in 1927 when Massachusetts became the first state to make auto insurance a must-have. Still, change was slow, and New York became the second state to institute a requirement, but that didn’t happen until 1956. By the 1970s, however, most states had made auto insurance mandatory.
Need auto insurance right now?
Get in touch with the Brent Young Agency LLC, serving greater Manchester, CT.
