United Fire Group

About United Fire Group

The story of United Fire Group, or UFG, begins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, right after World War II. On January 2, 1946, a businessman named Scott McIntyre Sr. started a stock insurance company called United Casualty Company. It began in a small two-story house, initially focusing on automobile and liability insurance, products in high demand at the time. The company soon began to expand its playbook. In 1950, it added 'Fire' to its name, becoming United Fire & Casualty Company to reflect its broader product lines. This was followed by the introduction of surety bonds in 1952 and the launch of a life insurance company in 1962. This strategy of diversification was a key part of its early growth. A major turning point came in 1971 with its first public stock offering, which provided the capital for further expansion. This event marked its transition from a regional player to a growing national presence. Over the decades, UFG continued to grow through strategic acquisitions of other insurance companies. The company surpassed $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2015, a testament to its steady, long-term strategy. Despite facing major challenges, including having its headquarters submerged in a 500-year flood in 2008, the company has demonstrated considerable resilience.