Quick Links
Print This Page Print This Page
Forward to a Friend Forward to a Friend
Announcements Announcements
Search Opportunities Search Opportunities
Stay Informed Stay Informed

Life at Travelers

History

The Two Cents Behind Travelers' History

The incident occurred at noon-time on March 24, 1864, when a Hartford businessman, James G. Batterson, met a local banker, James E. Bolter, in the post office. Mr. Bolter had heard that Mr. Batterson and several fellow townsmen were organizing a company for the purpose of introducing accident insurance to North America.

“I’m on my way home for luncheon,” said Mr. Bolter. “How much would you charge to insure me against accident between here and Buckingham Street?”

“Two cents,” Mr. Batterson quoted promptly, as he took Mr. Bolter’s two pennies and tucked them into his vest pocket.

Mr. Bolter walked the four blocks to his home without mishap. His two-cent “premium” is a souvenir treasured by the company Mr. Batterson founded, Travelers.

Our Joint History  

 The St. Paul – 1853
 Seeing the need for a local insurance company, Alexander Wilkin and 16 fellow St. Paul businessmen founded St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. The company paid its first claim in 1855. 

 Travelers – 1864
J. G. Batterson and nine others formed the Travelers Insurance Company "for the purpose of insuring travelers against loss of life or personal injury while journeying by railway or steamboat."

 St. Paul Travelers – 2004
The St. Paul and Travelers merged on April 1, 2004 forming The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc., the nation's second largest property-casualty insurer and one of the largest financial services firms.

 Travelers – February 2007
The company named changed to The Travelers Companies, Inc., and we began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TRV. The 137-year-old insurance icon, the red umbrella, was reinstated.

On The Cutting Edge

Claim University

Claim University, a leading-edge educational facility, offers in-depth training to our Claim professionals.

Privacy | Legal Notices | Equal Opportunity Employer
©2008 The Travelers Companies, Inc.