On March 28, Main Street America Insurance, a leading U.S. provider of property-casualty insurance through independent agents, marked its 100th year in business. To mark the historic year, the company has planned yearlong activities within the community, including partnering with One Tree Planted's Urban Forestry fund.

“Since 1923, our company has protected the people, families and small businesses that line main streets across the country," said Chris Listau, president and CEO of Main Street America.

“For 100 years, we have delivered on our unwavering commitment to serving customers through the independent agent channel," he said. “Celebrating this milestone throughout 2023 and further supporting quality of life in communities gives us the opportunity to build on that promise and share our story of an ever-evolving company built on a foundation of strength, stability and relationships."

In honor of its 100th anniversary, the company's charitable contribution will fund the planting of more than 11,000 trees in 24 cities, mostly in low-income urban communities, including Jacksonville, Florida. Employees, retirees and agency partners will have an opportunity to participate in tree-planting events, according to the company's news release. 

Yearlong activities will continue throughout 2023, centering around employees, retirees, independent agents, community and industry partners, and others who have made the company's growth and success possible over the last century, the release said. Independent insurance agent partners will be recognized with milestone service awards.

In addition to annual giving through its charitable foundation, the company has also committed an extra $100,000 to support causes most important to employees and agents where they live and work.

The company released a variety of celebration toolkits for internal and external audiences, including a 100-year anniversary page, which features special history and major milestone videos. A video tribute and interactive “voices" platform will also be unveiled for employees, the release said.

The employee and community kickoff celebrations began in Keene, New Hampshire, where the company was founded on March 28, 1923, as National Grange Mutual Liability Company, and at its headquarters in Jacksonville, where the company moved to in 2005. The event included leaders from the American Family Insurance group of companies, which Main Street America has been part of since it merged with American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Company in 2018.

Olivia Overman is IA content editor.