Since our founding in 1848, Unum has been a leader in the employee benefits business through innovation, integrity and an unwavering commitment to our customers. This simple philosophy has guided us through America’s fledgling insurance landscape and helped us become a global leader in financial protection benefits.
Below are key milestones in our history.
1848: Union Mutual is chartered in Maine and sets up its headquarters in Boston. The first policy is issued the following year for $5,000 in life insurance.
1864: In what would become the first of many firsts, Union Mutual becomes the first American company to reinsure the business of another by reinsuring Chicago Mutual Life.
1881: Union Mutual relocates from Boston to Portland, Maine.
1887: Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company is founded in Chattanooga, Tenn. The company would quickly find a niche in the railroad insurance business.
1895: The Masonic Protective Association (MPA) is created in Worcester and sells insurance exclusively to Masons.
1924: Union Mutual offers the industry's first group life insurance plan.
1930: The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company is founded by the MPA to expand its business beyond serving Masons. Paul Revere would eventually buy out the MPA.
1937: Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company is founded in Columbia, S.C.
1939: Provident becomes the first insurer to offer disability benefits.
1970: National Employer's Life Permanent Health Insurances Limited (NELPHI) is incorporated in the U.K.
1983: Goudchaux’s Life Insurance Company founded in Baton Rouge, La., to serve customers of Goudchaux’s/Maison Blanche department stores. The insurance company was renamed Starmount Life in 1992.
1986: Union Mutual changes its name to Unum.
1989: Unum becomes the first to offer group long term care coverage.
1990: Unum completes the U.K. acquisition of NELPHI and renames it Unum Limited (now Unum UK) the following year.
1993: Unum merges with Colonial Life.
1997: Provident completes acquisition of Paul Revere.
1999: Unum and Provident merge to form UnumProvident Corporation. That year, the company becomes the first to offer an employee assistance plan with group disability coverage.