There are a lot of property-casualty insurance companies – nearly 2,700 according to the Insurance Information Institute’s last count. While they all have one thing in common -- accepting risks in exchange for premium, they differ a lot in name. A review of a list of United States P&C companies reveals a wide-ranging thought process in how they’ve chosen to be identified.

Some companies take the bland approach – Accident Insurance Co. On the other end of the spectrum is Lightening Rod Mutual Insurance Company. Nothing bland about those guys. Other companies choose names so you have no doubt where they are located. No problem finding San Antonio Reinsurance Company. Others, like Alamo Title Insurance, tell you where you can find them, but you just need to think about it for a second. Lots of insurance companies seem to like the name Farmers. I’m sure there isn’t too much confusion between those 60 or so companies. Some insurers want to leave no doubt about what they insure. Guess what kind of insurance The Dentists Insurance Company sells. I wonder if Balboa Insurance Company and Lewis & Clark LTC RRG, Inc. ever get together and share exploring tips. There are insurance companies that want you to know that they are strong. Don’t even think about messing with Olympus Insurance Company. The nation’s oldest insurance company might just also have the longest name – Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, Inc. Some insurer’s names are just fun to say, like Pymatuning Mutual. And some insurers choose names that make you scratch your head… Elephant Auto Insurance Company. I guess they sell their policies for peanuts.

That’s my time.

I’m Randy Spencer.

Contact Randy Spencer at Randy.Spencer@coverageopinions.info