About CMIC
A small but important segment of the Ohio Insurance Industry is a group of about 29 companies called Mutual Protective Associations. They are often referred to as Farm Mutuals or Assessment Mutuals. The majority of these companies began operation in 1876-77 when the Ohio Legislature authorized, under Chapter 3939 ORC, the formation of small associations of individuals to band together for the purpose of insuring each other's (members) properties. This was during a period when other insurance companies did not provide coverage in rural areas.
The concept of Mutual Insurance dates back to Biblical times where Phoenicians banded together to protect their ships and cargoes against losses from weather elements and piracy. At the same time merchants formed Protective Associations to protect their merchandise against losses from highwaymen and other hazards.
In Ohio, the same concept applies. These companies are permitted to insure against many perils including fire, lightning, wind, hail theft, etc. and provide coverage for dwellings, farm buildings, farm chattels, churches, farm machinery, livestock, household goods, and several other categories.
Delaware County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company was chartered September 11, 1877. In 1983 the name of the company was changed to The Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company. In 1992 Delaware County Mutual merged with Clark County Mutual Insurance Association of Springfield and became Country Mutual Insurance Company. Meetings were held at the Town Hall and Trenton Twp House during the early years. The company spent many years at 35 E Granville Street on the South side of the square in Sunbury, Ohio. The current office, 700 W Cherry St, was purchased in 1992. Fire and lightning were the only perils insured against at the beginning of the company. More coverages were added ever broadening the policy.
W.D. Miller served as the first President from 1877 to 1882 and again from 1887 to 1908. Other presidents included E.H. Dent, J.W. Condit, F.B. Ferson, Wm Loar, Clyde Cochran, Jerry Payne, and Randy Dammeyer. Paul H Miller, great grandson of W.D. Miller, served as President from 1982 to 2001. The current president and chairman is James Burkhart of Westerville.
The current board of directors consists of James Burkhart of Westerville, John E Hankinson of Alexandria, Earl Gorsuch of Gambier, Chip Klinedinst of Sunbury, W. Prentice Snow of Newark and Christina Neumeyer of Newark. Some recent past board members are; Clarence Stockwell, Robert F Lane, J Van Hoover, Merle Walker, Herbert Weiser, Clyde Liming, Robert Nichols, Glenn Ballinger, Don Ross, George Price, Paul Keys, James Weiser, Clyde Cochran, Wendell Davidson, Jack Brown, Randall Dammeyer and J. Herman Randall to name a few.
In 1929 Freda M Buel was hired at 12 1/2 cents a piece for "each policy made and recorded in the record book". In 1945 Robert Lane was employed by the company to do the Treasurer's work. Wilma Lane was employed soon after. Both served the company for over 30 years. Nancy Stockwell, daughter-in-law of Clarence Stockwell, was employed in 1976 as supplemental office help. Nancy was a devoted employee of the company for over 15 years. Some recent past general managers of the company include Clarence Stockwell, Clyde Cochran, Glenn W Ballinger, James F Hildreth, Paul H Miller and Randall Dammeyer.
The early history of the company has had some interesting claims. In 1903, $35.00 was paid for a colt killed by lightning. In 1907, $109.35 was paid for a barn and contents and $40.00 for a horse hit by lightning. In 1929, $10.00 was paid for one sheep and $.75 for one chicken. By 1937 threshing machines and combines, owned and operated by farmers, were covered up to a limit of $300.00 and all "steam outfits" were "barred".
Although the staff now uses computers to issue policies, record claims, print billings and keep records, in 1950 the board authorized installation of the first phone in the office. In 1965 the staff was given authority to purchase a new typewriter to type the billings which were all done using carbon paper.
At the end of 2007, Country Mutual Insurance Company has about 3,160 policies in-force with coverage of about $489,000,000 and assessments (premium) of about $2,600,000.