In the autumn of 1895, a group of lumber dealers and woodworkers from several eastern states met to discuss issues of mutual concern. Among the hottest topics were that of insurance coverage and the high rates being charged to members of their industries by stock insurance companies of the time.
It was at this meeting that one Philadelphia lumber dealer, Edward Henson, proposed a plan for these business owners and operations to form a mutual insurance company dedicated to meeting their unique insurance needs. Henson’s ideas were positively received by the group, and the result was the establishment of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
More than 100 years later, the company continues as Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company. PLM still writes specialized coverages for the lumber and woodworking industries, and has grown to include building material dealers, sawmills, manufacturers and distributors.
In the 1930s, the company not only expanded its lines to offer a broader range of coverages and risks, but also expanded geographically. The company first moved to adjacent states and by the mid-1960s, extended its reach both north and south of its home base in Pennsylvania.
Today, PLM provides protection for some 6,000 businesses nationwide. Its primary lines include Property, General Liability, Inland Marine, Business Automobile, Commercial Excess Liability and Equipment Breakdown coverages — a mix that is designed to protect every aspect of one’s business.