Commonwealth General Corporation history

The company sustained major losses due to the Great Depression, but rebounded by 1935 as a result of the intensified efforts of its field sales force.

The consolidation of several field offices, elimination of problem policies, and suspension of dividend payments for 1938 contributed to the company's economic recovery.

A revitalized product line introduced in 1941 boosted sales force morale and increased insurance sales.

By 1954, the Korean War had given way to a recession that forced Commonwealth to curtail its ambitious expansion plans and focus instead on maintaining its field sales force.

By mid-1962, a pilot operation based in Louisville, Kentucky, began selling residential fire and homeowners insurance and individual automobile policies.

The new organization was incorporated in Delaware in 1969 as Capital Holding Corporation, a name which was felt to be appropriate regardless of the type of business the company purchased.

In 1981, Capital acquired National Liberty Corporation, a holding company that sold health insurance to middle-class consumers by direct mail, telephone solicitation, and television commercials.

In 1984, Capital purchased First Deposit Corporation from Parker Pen Corporation.

Capital joined with four other insurance companies in 1988 to settle previous complaints lodged by Delaware's insurance commissioner.