History of CIGNA
CIGNA was formed in 1982 through the combination of INA Corporation and Connecticut
General Corporation. Our name mixes the letters INA and CG together. Today, CIGNA's
service mark, the Tree of Life, symbolizes the corporation's culture, mission and
products. Like a strong and healthy tree, CIGNA has deep roots.
The histories of our two main predecessors,
the Insurance Company of North America (INA) and Connecticut General Life Insurance
Company (CG), reach back to earlier centuries. INA was founded in 1792 in Philadelphia
after meetings in Independence Hall. The organizers were merchants and other prominent
citizens who sought to protect ships, cargoes, warehouses and homes through a company
offering marine and fire insurance. CG began business in Hartford in 1865 as a life
insurance company. It grew slowly until the end of the century, mainly providing
low-cost policies to the residents of small towns in New England and New York.
Both companies experienced explosive growth
in the twentieth century because their leaders were devoted to the goal of expanding
insurance protection to average Americans. In the 1930s and 40s, INA executives
broke down the artificial walls that segregated various types of property and casualty
coverages, eventually winning approval for multiple-line underwriting. The resulting
modern "bundled" automobile and homeowners insurance were of great benefit
to American consumers because they substantially lowered the price of coverage.
Sophisticated multiple-line contracts for business soon followed. CG executives
concentrated on bringing affordable life, medical, dental and retirement coverage
to working Americans. From the sale of its first group life policy in 1913, CG was
a leader in the development of integrated group insurance and group pension contracts.
CIGNA's formation in 1982 combined a leading
property-casualty insurer with a leading supplier of life insurance and employee
benefits. Over time, CIGNA has tightened its focus on employee benefits, divesting
its individual life insurance business in 1998, and its domestic and international
property and casualty operations in 1999. Today, CIGNA continues to innovate, expand
and grow. In offices throughout the United States and around the world our employees
are united by a shared past and a mutual commitment to building "A Business
of Caring."
History of CIGNA, provide by cigna.com