Wisconsin-based mutual insurers, Rural Mutual Insurance Company and Badger Mutual Insurance Company, have announced an affiliation.

The affiliation is subject to regulatory approval with an anticipated effective date in January 2025.

Together, Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual have provided farm, commercial and personal policies for 227 years.

In a statement, the companies said that each will bring value to the affiliation, including an extensive breadth of industry knowledge, exceptional customer service, and deep community involvement. They believe this affiliation will generate long-term growth and stability for employees, agents, and policyholders.

With financial strength and an A+ AM Best rating, Rural Mutual brings seasoned staff, local agents, and operational excellence.

Badger Mutual contributes an experienced management team and independent agents with an expanded sales footprint in six states outside of Wisconsin.

Both companies share a similar vision and culture that will support collaboration, but they will each retain their distinct brand identities.

Both companies will also continue to maintain their existing Wisconsin headquarters with Rural Mutual in Madison and Badger Mutual in Milwaukee.

“The opportunity to affiliate these two reputable brands for mutual growth is exciting, and we look forward to working together to increase the value of both organizations even more,” said Dan Merk, Rural Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO, in a media statement. “Even beyond our shared Wisconsin roots, Badger Mutual’s consistent commitment to their employees and communities make them a perfect cultural fit for us.”

Dan Nigro, President and CEO of Badger Mutual described Rural Mutual as “a top-tier insurance brand with a strong reputation, whose values and principles are closely aligned with ours.”

“This strategic alliance will be a significant milestone, marking a new chapter in Badger Mutual’s history,” Nigro said. “From the outset, we felt a great synergy with the Rural Mutual team, and our entire organization is eager to embrace the growth and scale this affiliation will foster,” he added.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been protecting Wisconsin for 90 years and is the state’s No. 1 writer of farm insurance and No. 4 writer of commercial insurance in the state, with over 150 local agents.

Badger Mutual Insurance Company has been providing a range of property and casualty insurance products since 1887, and is currently represented by over 320 local agencies across seven states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada.

Source: Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual