Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurer, providing personal and commercial insurance products nationwide. The company is differentiated from its competition through its product and service excellence, and exceptional claims handling.

Fireman's Fund has insured some of the nation's most notable landmarks and events, such as construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, the trans-Atlantic flight of The Spirit of St. Louis and many of Hollywood's most famous movies. It sells insurance through independent agents and brokers. The company is widely regarded for its catastrophe management expertise.

Based in: Novato, California

Company history: Founded in San Francisco in 1863, Fireman's Fund was named for its founding social mission: contributing a portion of its profits to widows and orphans of firefighters. Today the company continues its philanthropic mission, supporting firefighters for safer communities through its Fireman's Fund Heritage Program®.

Fireman's Fund has a history of innovation and community involvement, as one of the few insurance companies to honor all claims following the 1871 Chicago fire and 1906 San Francisco earthquake; as a pioneer in insuring major civic infrastructure projects like the Golden Gate Bridge; and through volunteer programs and corporate giving. The company's first policy was one half-interest in 1,000 kegs of Boston syrup. The premium was $12 cash in advance.

Parent company: Fireman's Fund is a member of the Allianz Group, one of the world's largest providers of property and casualty insurance.