Celebrating Zurich Insurance's 100 years of insuring America, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed the month of December Zurich Insurance Month in the city.

Emanuel recently signed a proclamation urging residents of Chicago and the surrounding business community to recognize the significant role the company has played in the history of Chicago and the United States.

Zurich notes it was one of the first continental European casualty insurers to come to the United States and first authorized to transact business here on Dec. 17, 1912.

By the end of that year, Zurich was conducting business in Chicago and rang in the New Year at its new U.S. location in the city's tallest skyscraper at the time—the Insurance Exchange Building.

During the next 100 years, Zurich says it helped shape not only Chicago, but America, from insuring the first section of the Chicago subway in 1930 and Chicago's 1933 World's Fair to providing the largest portion of insurance for the construction of the Hoover Dam from 1931 to 1936.

“We are proud to have grown alongside one of the greatest cities and nations in the world,” says Mike Foley, chairman of North America and chief executive officer of North America Commercial for Zurich Insurance Group. “We have always seen our success as deeply tied to the success of the communities around us.”

Currently, Zurich says it employs 9,000 people in the United States, including 500 employees in Chicago and 2,500 throughout the surrounding area.

Together, the company and its employees, continue to help shape the communities they serve by offering support and funding for the health and welfare of children in need; sustainable community development, and health, safety and disaster relief programs.

To celebrate Zurich's 100th U.S. anniversary, employees across the nation have completed more than 100 service projects alongside organizations like the American Red Cross, HandsOn Network, Habitat for Humanity and the United Way.

Zurich is ranked as one of the top insurers in the United States today.

Special Reports /

Chicago Proclaims December Zurich Insurance Month

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