Allstate vs The Hartford Insurance Group: Founders, CEOs and History
Allstate was founded in 1931 by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and is led by Tom Wilson. The Hartford Insurance Group was founded in 1810 by Nathaniel Terry and is led by Christopher J. Swift.
Company facts
Allstate
- Founded
- 1931
- Headquarters
- Northbrook, Illinois
- Current CEO
- Tom Wilson
- Employees
- 53,300
The Hartford Insurance Group
- Founded
- 1810
- Headquarters
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Current CEO
- Christopher J. Swift
- Employees
- 19,200
Founders
Allstate
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears created Allstate Insurance Company as a subsidiary in 1931. Allstate initially sold auto insurance by direct mail through Sears catalogs, placed its first agent in a Sears booth at the 1933 Century of Progress fair, and began operating agent offices in S…
The Hartford Insurance Group
Nathaniel Terry
Nathaniel Terry was a Hartford, Connecticut lawyer, merchant and politician who served as the first president of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company after its 1810 charter. He later served as a U.S. Congressman from Connecticut.
CEOs and their tenures
Allstate
- Wayne E. Hedien1993–1994
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hedien led Allstate during its 1993 initial public offering, when Sears sold 19.8 percent of the company.
Source - Jerry D. Choate1994–1998
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Choate was elected president and chief executive officer on August 10, 1994 and became chairman on January 1, 1995.
Source - Edward M. Liddy1999–2006
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Liddy served as chairman and chief executive officer from January 1999 through the end of 2006 after serving as president and chief operating officer from 1994 through 1998.
Source - Tom Wilson2007–present
Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer
Wilson became CEO on January 1, 2007 and chair in May 2008. The 2025 Form 10-K identifies Transformative Growth and multichannel distribution as current strategic priorities.
Source
The Hartford Insurance Group
- Donald R. Frahm1988–1997
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
He retired in 1997 and Ramani Ayer succeeded him.
Source - Ramani Ayer1997–2009
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ayer's tenure represents both the zenith and the near-destruction of the historic Hartford conglomerate.
Source - Liam McGee2009–2014
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Liam McGee saved The Hartford from complete corporate collapse. His willingness to dismantle a portion of the company's historic business model provided the essential liquidity required to repay the federal government bailout funds and restore the confidence o…
Source - Christopher Swift2014–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Swift is widely credited with finalizing the salvation of The Hartford. While his predecessor stopped the bleeding, Swift rebuilt the company into a modern, profitable, and disciplined underwriter.
Source
Timeline: Allstate and The Hartford Insurance Group side by side
1810The Hartford Insurance Group
The Connecticut Launch
Wealthy merchants launch the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, establishing an influential risk protection syndicate in early America.
1835The Hartford Insurance Group
The New York Payout
Following a catastrophic fire, the president guarantees all claims with his personal wealth, establishing the foundation of the company's trusted brand.
1931Allstate
Allstate launches
Allstate Insurance Company opened on April 17 as a Sears mail-order auto insurer. Its first policy covered a 1930 Studebaker for $41.60 a year.
1933Allstate
First Allstate agent booth
The first Allstate agent sold policies from a card table in the Sears Roebuck booth at Chicago's Century of Progress fair. Agents began working in Sears stores in 1934.
1939Allstate
Risk-based auto rates introduced
Allstate began tailoring auto rates by the driver's age, mileage, and use of the car.
1947Allstate
Illustrator Policy debuts
Allstate introduced an insurance policy that used plain language and illustrations to explain coverage.
1950Allstate
Good Hands slogan begins
Allstate adopted the You're in good hands slogan developed by sales executive Davis Ellis.
1952Allstate
Allstate Foundation created
Allstate established The Allstate Foundation, which initially supported driver education and community programs.
1959Allstate
Catastrophe response plan launches
Allstate created a plan to deploy large teams of claim specialists immediately after disasters.
1967Allstate
Headquarters moves to Northbrook
Allstate moved its headquarters to a 122-acre, six-building complex in Northbrook, Illinois.
1970The Hartford Insurance Group
Acquired by ITT
ITT Corporation bought Hartford Fire Insurance in 1970.
1984Allstate
Neighborhood Office Agent program
Allstate introduced neighborhood agent offices. By year-end, 1,582 agents worked at 944 locations.
1993Allstate
Allstate initial public offering
Sears sold 19.8 percent of Allstate in what Allstate identifies as the largest U.S. IPO to that date.
1995Allstate
Full separation from Sears
Sears distributed its remaining Allstate shares to Sears shareholders, making Allstate fully independent and publicly held.
1995The Hartford Insurance Group
Spun Off From ITT
ITT spun off ITT Hartford as an independent listed company in December 1995.
1997The Hartford Insurance Group
Ramani Ayer becomes CEO
Ramani Ayer became CEO of The Hartford Insurance Group in 1997. Ayer's tenure represents both the zenith and the near-destruction of the historic Hartford conglomerate.
2000Allstate
Online purchasing begins
The Good Hands Network launched in Oregon, allowing customers to buy auto insurance online, by telephone, or through an agent.
2008The Hartford Insurance Group
The Financial Crisis
Losses on variable annuity guarantees during the financial crisis pushed The Hartford to raise capital, including $3.4 billion from the U.S. Treasury's TARP program in 2009, which it later repaid.
2009The Hartford Insurance Group
Liam McGee becomes CEO
Liam McGee became CEO of The Hartford Insurance Group in 2009. Liam McGee saved The Hartford from complete corporate collapse.
2010Allstate
Drivewise begins
Allstate began offering Drivewise to reward low mileage and safe driving measured by a telematics device. Drivewise Mobile followed in 2014.
2011Allstate
Esurance and Answer Financial acquired
Allstate closed its $1 billion cash purchase of the Esurance business and Answer Financial on October 7.
2012The Hartford Insurance Group
The Life Insurance Exit
The Hartford announced the sale or run-off of its individual annuity, individual life and retirement plans businesses to refocus on P&C, group benefits and funds.
2017Allstate
SquareTrade acquisition closes
Allstate completed its acquisition of consumer protection plan provider SquareTrade on January 3.
2017The Hartford Insurance Group
Acquisition of Aetna's U.S. Group Life and Disability Business
The Hartford agreed to buy Aetna's U.S. group life and disability business for $1.45 billion, scaling its Group Benefits segment.
2018Allstate
InfoArmor acquired
Allstate announced on October 5 that it had completed its acquisition of identity protection provider InfoArmor.
2019The Hartford Insurance Group
The Navigators Buyout
The Hartford completed its roughly $2.1 billion acquisition of The Navigators Group, adding marine, energy, environmental and Lloyd's capabilities.
2020Allstate
Shelter-in-Place Payback
Allstate returned almost $1 billion to auto customers over three months after pandemic restrictions reduced driving.
2021Allstate
National General acquired
Allstate completed its acquisition of National General on January 4, making National General a wholly owned indirect subsidiary.
2025Allstate
Health businesses sold
Allstate closed the employer voluntary benefits sale on April 1 and the group health sale on July 1, recording pretax gains of $888 million and $715 million.
2025The Hartford Insurance Group
Rename and Brand Refresh
On February 6, 2025, the holding company became The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. and unveiled a modernized stag logo; segments were renamed Business Insurance, Personal Insurance and Employee Benefits.
2025The Hartford Insurance Group
Record Annual Earnings
FY2025 net income reached $3.836 billion on $28.368 billion in revenue, with an 88.3 P&C combined ratio.
Acquisitions
Allstate
- National General Holdings Corp.2021$4B
- InfoArmor2018$525M
- SquareTrade2017$1.4B
- Esurance and Answer Financial2011$1B
The Hartford Insurance Group
- The Navigators Group2019$2.1B
- Aetna's U.S. Group Life and Disability Business2017$1.4B
- Fortis Financial Group U.S. Businesses2001$1.1B
Questions about Allstate vs The Hartford Insurance Group
Who is the CEO of The Allstate Corporation and The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.?
The Allstate Corporation is led by Tom Wilson and The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. is led by Christopher J. Swift. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was The Allstate Corporation founded vs The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.?
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. was founded in 1810 — 121 years before The Allstate Corporation, which was founded in 1931. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger The Allstate Corporation.
How many employees does The Allstate Corporation have compared to The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.?
The Allstate Corporation employs approximately 53,300 people, while The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. employs approximately 19,200. The Allstate Corporation has the larger workforce at 53,300 employees, compared to The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.'s 19,200. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are The Allstate Corporation and The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. headquartered?
Both The Allstate Corporation and The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded The Allstate Corporation and The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.?
The Allstate Corporation was founded by Sears, Roebuck and Co.. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. was founded by Nathaniel Terry.
Which company has a longer operating history — The Allstate Corporation or The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.?
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. has been operating for approximately 216 years, making it the more established of the two companies. The Allstate Corporation has been in operation for around 95 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Allstate vs The Hartford Insurance Group overview