RPS First Premium history

The year 1976 brought additional growth and expansion to Donegal Mutual, with the acquisition of Reading Mutual Insurance Company, a small mutual company in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and Laurel State Mutual Insurance Company of Wyomissing, also in Pennsylvania.

Cofounder Thomas Leavey stepped up to the post of CEO. Five years later, Leavey retired in the 50th anniversary year of the organization he had cofounded, continuing to serve as an adviser until his death in 1980.

1983 — The USAA Federal Savings Bank opens.

In 1984 Donegal Mutual acquired the charter of Southern Mutual Insurance Company in Virginia, known today as Southern Insurance Company of Virginia.

By 1987, written premiums reached $5 billion and policies-in-force grew to over 10 million.

In December 1988, Farmers was acquired by the United Kingdom-based British American Tobacco (B.A.T.) Industries, which became the sole stockholder of the company's 68 million shares of common stock.

1990 — The USAA Educational Foundation is established to help consumers make informed decisions by providing free information on financial management, safety concerns and significant life events.

1991 — Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is made available to members so they can move money from their bank accounts to pay insurance premiums or purchase mutual funds.

However, in 1992, the "big four" only claimed .1 percent of the $5 billion market, and specialized underwriters began to compete for market share growth.

Such growth--largely due to the low 1994 premiums due to the Northridge earthquake--allowed Farmers to overtake Nationwide, becoming number four in the industry (from number six).

By 1995, the company reorganized its core business operations into separate units for personal lines, commercial, and life insurance.

In 1996, a special partnership with Citibank offered auto loans through Farmers insurance agents.

The fifth largest property and casualty insurer in the United States in 1997, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles and operates in 30 states with a distribution network of over 16,000 employees.

So in 1998, its training center opened in Marietta.

In 2001, the mergers of Delaware Atlantic Insurance Company and Pioneer Insurance Company (New York) into Atlantic States Insurance Company were completed.

The Donegal Insurance Group’s Midwest expansion strategy entered its next phase in 2002, as Donegal Group Inc. acquired Le Mars Insurance Company, providing access to four additional Midwestern states.

The Donegal Insurance Group’s commitment to automation and ease of doing business prompted the 2004 construction of a new Technology Center as an addition to its corporate headquarters.

WritePro, an automated Personal Lines quoting, underwriting and issuing system, was released in 2005.

In 2006, the mergers of Southern Heritage Insurance Company into Southern Insurance Company of Virginia and Pioneer Insurance Company (Ohio) into Atlantic States Insurance Company were completed.

As 2008 came to a close, the Donegal Insurance Group’s overall premium writings were $457 million annually.

The Group’s ongoing plan for prudent growth continued in 2009, as Donegal Mutual entered into an affiliation agreement with Southern Mutual Insurance Company.

In 2010, Donegal Group Inc. acquired Michigan-based Michigan Insurance Company, which conducts business in the state of Michigan with annual premiums written in excess of $100 million.

2016 — We're the first bank to offer voice—guided mobile app check deposit for visually-impaired members.

The Donegal Insurance Group story is a one of steady, consistent growth, and the latest chapter in that story began in 2017 with the merger of Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company with and into Donegal Mutual.

In 2018, the insurance companies are renamed under a unified Nassau brand and Nassau Life and Annuity Company becomes the flagship.

Acquired by AmeriLife in 2021, Saybrus continues to represent Nassau products.