Here is a detailed history of Allied Insurance, an American insurance brand with deep Midwestern roots that eventually became part of the Nationwide Insurance group:
🏛️ 1. Founding and Early Years (1929–1940s)
- Founded: 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa
- Founder: Harold Evans, a prominent Iowa businessman and entrepreneur
- Original Name:ALLIED Mutual Automobile Association
- The company was formed to provide affordable auto insurance to Iowa residents during the Great Depression.
- The structure was mutual, meaning it was owned by policyholders rather than shareholders—a common structure for regional insurers at the time.
Early Focus:
- Auto insurance for residents of Iowa
- The company emphasized conservative financial practices and customer service to build trust during economically challenging times.
🌱 2. Regional Growth and Diversification (1940s–1980s)
- As demand for insurance grew post-World War II, Allied expanded its operations beyond Iowa into other Midwestern states.
- The company diversified its insurance offerings, adding:
- Homeowners insurance
- Farm insurance
- Small business/commercial lines
- Continued to operate with independent agents, rather than direct-to-consumer sales.
Key Characteristics:
- Maintained a strong Midwestern identity
- Built a reputation for responsive claims handling and reliable coverage, especially in rural and suburban markets
🔄 3. Rebranding and Modernization (1980s–1990s)
- The company shortened its name to simply Allied Insurance to reflect a broader range of services and a more modern identity.
- Continued expansion into western and southern states, growing into a regional insurer with a multi-state presence.
🤝 Acquisition by Nationwide (1998–2004)
- 1998: Allied Insurance entered into an affiliation with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a major national insurer based in Columbus, Ohio.
- 2004: Nationwide completed its full acquisition of Allied Insurance, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
- This allowed Nationwide to strengthen its independent agent channel, particularly in markets where Allied had a strong presence.
- Allied maintained its headquarters in Des Moines, operating with some autonomy.
🧩 Integration into Nationwide Brand (2010s)
- Throughout the 2010s, Nationwide began consolidating its various regional brands—including Allied, Harleysville, and others—under the Nationwide brand umbrella.
- By 2014–2016, the Allied name was gradually phased out, and all business began operating under the Nationwide brand.
- This rebranding was part of Nationwide’s “One Nationwide” strategy to unify its presence and streamline customer recognition.
- Today, the Allied brand no longer exists as a public-facing entity, but many of its employees, agency relationships, and customers remain part of Nationwide.
🏢 Legacy and Impact
- Des Moines Legacy: Allied played a key role in building Des Moines into a major insurance hub in the United States.
- The company’s longtime presence contributed to economic development, job creation, and the insurance talent pool in Iowa.
- Many of Allied’s independent agent networks were integrated into Nationwide’s broader agency operations.
📅 Timeline Summary
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1929 | Founded in Des Moines, IA as Allied Mutual Automobile Association |
| 1940s–80s | Expanded regionally and added property, farm, and business insurance |
| 1998 | Entered strategic affiliation with Nationwide |
| 2004 | Fully acquired by Nationwide |
| 2014–2016 | Brand phased out and integrated into Nationwide |
Would you like a visual timeline or a comparison of Allied’s legacy with other regional insurers that merged into national brands?
