Our History
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) began as eight separately managed regional insurance companies across the United States.
As originally chartered, each wrote primarily in its own “home state” – with some business in bordering states. The eight companies began as personal lines writers, and each had its local underwriting and management presence in their territories – a core strategy BHHC continues to embody.
Highlights
How It All Started
- Founded more than 50 years ago, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) began as eight separately managed regional insurance companies located across the United States.
- As originally chartered, each company wrote primarily in its own “home state” – with some business in bordering states. The eight companies began as personal lines writers.
- Each company had its own local underwriting and management presence in its respective territories – a core value BHHC continues to embody.
- Starting in the late 1990s, the remaining six companies began operating under the shared brand identity of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. The name was selected as a legacy to its local roots, while also representing the superior financial strength associated with being a Berkshire Hathaway company.
Today, BHHC has expanded its footprint nationally, while remaining committed to our heritage of offering the personalized service of a local home state insurance company. Our local presence, combined with our unparalleled financial strength, has resulted in knowledge, experience and staying power, allowing us to provide you solid and secure insurance products.
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. It was originally incorporated as Cornhusker Casualty Company in 1970 writing business in the state of Nebraska. In 1981, the Company acquired the Insurance Company of Iowa – an affiliated Iowa-domiciled insurance company.
In 2012, in response to its growing national presence, the company changed its name to Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company to better reflect its current national market position.
BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company
BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company is a North Liberty, Iowa domiciled surplus lines insurer. It was originally incorporated as Brookwood Insurance Company and began writing business in 1999. It historically focused its business within Oregon and Tennessee. In 2021, the company changed its name to BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company.
Continental Divide Insurance Company
Continental Divide Insurance Company is a Denver, Colorado domiciled company. The company was incorporated in 1978 to write business in the state of Colorado.
Cypress Insurance Company
Cypress Insurance Company is a San Francisco, California domiciled company. The company began writing business in 1963 and was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1977. Cypress Insurance Company serves as our leading writer for workers compensation insurance in California.
Oak River Insurance Company
Oak River Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. The company began writing business in 1993 and, in the same year, merged with Kansas Fire & Casualty Insurance Company. The combined companies continued on under the Oak River Insurance Company name.
Redwood Fire and Casualty Insurance Company
Redwood Fire and Casualty Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. Originally incorporated as Kerkling Reinsurance Corporation in 1970, it was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1976. The company changed its name to Central Fire & Casualty Company in 1977 and then assumed its current name in 1980.
As of: 11/9/2022
Manage Account
Agents/Brokers
Property and Casualty
Workers Compensation
Businesses/Policyholders
Commercial Auto
Workers Compensation