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Our History

Celebrating 120+ Years of Capital Insurance Group

For over 120 years, Capital Insurance Group has been serving the Western United States.

CIG is committed to building strong relationships with our customers and communities by providing appropriate insurance protection, professional advice, and caring, responsive service. We are the leading regional property and casualty insurer, serving the Western U.S since 1898. With a solid financial track record and extensive local knowledge, claims, and underwriting experience, we provide a superior balance of coverage, protection, and value. CIG insures personal autos, homes, condos, vacation properties, rented apartments, and covers a wide range of commercial and agricultural businesses, vehicles and property.

 

 

Our History

Our humble roots started in Ventura, California when a group of farmers saw a need for protection from disastrous claims, especially fire. Over the years the Ventura County Mutual Fire Insurance Company grew, moved and changed names all the while maintaining a high quality of servitude to their clients and their community.

April 4, 1898
Ventura County Mutual Fire Insurance Company is founded, with E.P. Foster elected President and Director. Later, on June 27th, the first employee check is written for $24.00.
The last 50 years saw the Gold Rush, the founding of Yosemite as a National Park and California’s statehood.
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1900
The company merges with Humboldt County Fire Insurance Association of Ferndale. As part of the merger, the company acquires a safe (pictured here).
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September 1, 1939
Ventura County Mutual Fire Insurance Company moves into its new location at 692 East Main Street in Ventura, California.
On Sept. 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, the act that started World War II. “Gone With The Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz” premiered, and the average monthly rent for a home was $28.
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June 15, 1942
In the midst of WW II, the company sends a letter to policyholders announcing War Damage Insurance that protects against losses “resulting from enemy attack, including action taken by the military, naval or air force of the United States in resisting enemy attack.”
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1960
To promote Fire Prevention Week, the company delivers advertisements in local, Southern California newspapers.
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1966
The company adopts a new name, California Mutual Insurance Company. A few short years later, the company moves its headquarters from Ventura to Monterey.
By this time, Alaska and Hawaii have become states, John F. Kennedy has been assassinated, and John Glenn has orbited the earth.
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1981
The company moves to their first home in Monterey, CA and assumes the name California Insurance Group.
This year sees the first Space Shuttle launch, gas at $1.25 per gallon, and the Internet is mentioned for the first time.
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1982

In August, the company completes a $6 million remodel at its headquarters in Monterey. The reconstruction can now accommodate 300 employees, with 3 buildings totaling 56,500 square feet.

October 20, 1984
The iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium opens to the public. The company is proud to be a corporate sponsor for the “Kelp Lab.”
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1996
Employees start using email for the first time. Internet Mail and News is released by Microsoft following the Internet Explorer 3 release.
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1998
The company adopts an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) the same year it celebrates its centennial.
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December 2000
In December, the company opens a Claims Service Center in Bakersfield, California.
Concerns over Y2K passes without the serious, widespread computer failures and malfunctions that had been predicted.
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2003

With expansion into other states, California Insurance Group is renamed Capital Insurance Group (CIG).
U.S. interest rates are at a 45-year low of 1% and Apple launches iTunes.
2004
CIG establishes a Customer Service Department in Reno, Nevada to better serve agents and policyholders.
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2007
In the spring, CIG rolls out it latest (and current) logo carrying its signature blue and modern Eagle “bug.”
Meanwhile, the average price of a new home is $313,000, gas is $3.38 per gallon, and Apple introduces the iPhone.
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2008
CIG celebrates its First Annual Customer Service Week! Employees get into the spirit with fun, casual attire dress days, including “Wear Your Favorite Hat Day.”
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2014
CIG completes its field organization restructuring, to include four key territories: Northwest, Northern California, Southern California, and Southwest.
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2016
In December, CIG’s Northwest region opens an office in Spokane, Washington to anchor its footprint there. Additional openings in Roseville to serve the Northern California region and Westlake Village serving Southern California follow soon after.
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2017
CIG launches a community giving program, “Protects and Restores,” and partners with like-minded organizations that serve communities during crisis, such as the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Through this program, the company also introduces a “Paid Volunteer Time” benefit, providing employees with paid time to give back. And in 2017 employees provided over 650 volunteer hours.
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April 2017
CIG launches a new agent portal, WINGSPAN. The portal marks the latest technology to further assist agents with a faster, more efficient quoting experience.
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April 2018

Find Out More About How We Help Our Communities

Throughout our region, we partner with local charities, non-profits, and governmental bodies to help protect and restore communities.

Read More
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