U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 17--The Origins of Accident Insurance
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WASHINGTON--June 17, 2014: Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Profile America — Tuesday, June 17th. America's first accident insurance company was chartered on this date in 1863 in Hartford, Connecticut. It was the Travelers Insurance Company — still with us today as the Travelers Companies — and its first policies insured against loss during periods of travel only. In 1864, the charter was amended to cover all manner of accidents. The first such rider, sealed with a handshake, was to insure James Bolter of Hartford for $5,000 against accidents on his walk between his home and the post office. The premium for this coverage was two cents. Premiums have risen considerably since Mr. Bolter put in his two cents, and the insurance industry in the U.S. has annual business revenues in excess of $1.7 trillion. Profile America is in its 17th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 4504