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Article: Farmers became industry giant with roots planted deep in L.A.(Farmers Group Inc.)(Company Profile)
- Article from:
- Los Angeles Business Journal
- Article date:
- August 22, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 CBJ, L.P. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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THE first policy that Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance underwrote was for a 1925 Cadillac owned by a Santa Ana orange rancher.
It was for six months and cost $45.
That was considered a discount--even in 1928 when there was not yet any requirement to have auto insurance. And it fit perfectly with the business model developed by founders Tom Leavey and John Tyler.
"The simple idea was if they focused their sales force on farmers and ranchers who live in the country and have fewer vehicles and accidents, they could charge them less," said Jeff Beyer, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Farmers Group Inc.
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