Zurich Celebrates 100 Years of Insuring America

Year-long celebration honors past and looks toward future growth

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- America has experienced tremendous change in the last 100 years, thanks to risk-takers, entrepreneurs and legions of committed workers who embody the country’s can-do spirit. Zurich, a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in North America and globally, has worked alongside them since 1912 and today announces a year-long celebration of 100 years insuring America.

The organization’s rich American history – from being involved with the construction of the Hoover Dam to insuring the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 – will be commemorated through a variety of events, historical timelines and storytelling, volunteer service projects and a centennial advertising campaign throughout 2012.

The anniversary also arrives as organizations continue to grapple with new, complex risks, as shown in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk 2012 report that was released this week and which Zurich has supported as a partner and contributor. The report highlights how the world and businesses are now interconnected through technology and how this interconnectivity creates many new challenges in identifying risk.

It is key for companies to understand these new risk interconnections driven by technology. For example, cyber risks, such as hacking and data theft, are increasing rapidly, and Zurich's technology specialists are designing products to help Zurich customers address these new types of risk.

“Zurich has insured the success of American businesses large and small to help build the America we know today,” said Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America Commercial and Regional Chairman of the Americas for Zurich Financial Services. “Our legacy of helping our customers tackle obstacles in the past gives us the insights needed to take on the emerging risks of the future.”

Zurich’s centennial program is supported by:

• An online portal showcasing the centennial timeline, calendar of events and a Zurich fact of the week. Learn more at www.zurichna100.com;
• A traveling exhibit, which helps bring to life Zurich’s journey in the U.S. and will visit multiple sites across the country throughout 2012. Go to www.zurichna100.com for an updated calendar;
• A multi-media advertising campaign bringing forward Zurich’s point of view through the lens of its American experiences;
• The “100 Ways” challenge mobilizes Zurich employees to complete more than 100 projects of service and help meet local community needs across the U.S. and Canada alongside organizations like the United Way, Hands on Network, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.

"For the past 100 years, Zurich has contributed to a rich historical tapestry of a successful and productive America by supporting the communities in which we live and work," Foley said. "We are dedicated to continuing that commitment in the years to come."

For more information about the Zurich centennial, go to www.zurichna100.com

About Zurich

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurance provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well as other markets. 2012 marksZurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees. Zurich first brought its knowledge and experience in workers' compensation insurance from Switzerland to America in 1912 to help its customers take intelligent risks and help build the America known today. Zurich now offers a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, mid-sized and large companies as well as multinational corporations.

For more information about Zurich’s business in North America, go to http://www.zurichna.com/zna/media/news-releases/archive/boilerplate.htm

For more information about Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America, go to http://www.zurichna.com/100

Zurich, North America
Media contact:Jennifer Nowacki, (847) 605-6511
[email protected]

Source: Zurich Financial Services Group