Founder

Known today as Security Mutual Insurance Company, the Tompkins County Co-operative Fire Insurance Company, was organized on March 21, 1887 through the efforts of Otis E. Wood, the company's first corporate secretary; and was licensed to write fire insurance in the central New York counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Tompkins, and Seneca.

Our first policy was issued April 9, 1887, and provided $500 of coverage on the contents and $500 of coverage on a store owned by George H. Houtz in Etna, New York. The annual premium was $4.50.

In 1910, the New York State Insurance Department issued a certificate under the provision of Section IX of the Insurance Law allowing the company to continue to issue policies under the "advanced premium" plan in the counties of central and eastern New York.

During February 1927, the New York State Insurance Department granted the company permission to write coverage against windstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes, theft of automobiles, as well as, loss by legal liability for property damage resulting from the maintenance and use of automobiles.

Tompkins County Co-operative Fire Insurance Company merged with Security Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Delhi, New York, and the name was changed to Security Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Ithaca, New York.

As the sole remaining member of the Joint Underwriting Association known as New York Mutual Underwriters, a branch office known as Security Mutual Albany was formed to serve critical non-standard markets.