Jack Schiff

Jack Schiff, along with his brothers James and Harry, founded the Cincinnati Insurance Company in 1950, driven by the frustration of observing small to mid-sized commercial enterprises struggling to find reliable, affordable property and casualty insurance from the massive, national carriers. His defining founding philosophy was that an insurance carrier could achieve superior underwriting profitability by treating its independent agents not as mere distribution conduits, but as true partners in the risk selection process, a principle that became the bedrock of the 'Cincinnati Way'.

Jack Schiff served as the foundational leader of Cincinnati Financial during its early years, personally overseeing the underwriting of the first commercial policies in the Ohio region and establishing the rigorous actuarial standards that allowed the company to survive the inflationary crisis of the 1970s. His relentless determination and commitment to underwriting discipline ensured that the company maintained its market share by communicating transparently with its independent agents, a decision that cemented its reputation as the most reliable carrier in the mid-market. Schiff's leadership established the company's core mission of providing absolute financial protection through the trusted intermediary of the independent agent, a mission that remains central to Cincinnati Financial’s brand identity and product offerings today. His legacy is defined by his ability to transform a small, family-owned regional carrier into a national powerhouse, creating a multi-billion dollar industry that protects millions of American businesses every year.