Guardian

http://www.guardianlife.com/

		Guardian was founded by Hugo Wesendonck in 1860 in New York. At the time, it was called the Germania Life Insurance Company of New York.

		Within two short years, the company began opening agencies across the country. We even served policyowners in Colorado, the Dakotas, New Mexico and Arizona, long before these territories became states.

		In 1868, Germania became the first U.S. insurance company to start an agency in Europe. By the early 1900s, almost half of its business was outside North America, until the pressures of World War I forced it to stop writing business in Europe.

		In 1917, the company changed its name to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

		In 1925, Guardian converted from a mixed stock and mutual company to a wholly mutual company. As such, we have no stockholders or private owners. The policyholders own the company and profits are distributed to them in the form of dividends on policies. Guardian has paid dividends consistently for the 145 years we've been in business.

About Guardian

Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2006, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $39.5 billion in assets (on a consolidated statutory basis). With more than 5,000 employees and 3,000 financial representatives, as well as more than 80 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses, and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care, and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products and trust services.