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LET US INTRODUCE YOU to Patrons Oxford Insurance Company located in the Auburn Business Park in Auburn, Maine. The early motto of our company, "A Maine Company for Maine People", takes us back to the origin of the company.
IN THE BEGINNING... Two companies were formed, Oxford County Patrons of Husbandry Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established in Oxford County on May 5th in 1876 and a year later, May 5, 1877, Patrons Androscoggin Mutual Fire Insurance Company was founded in Androscoggin County. Each company was established by a group of Grange members, all of whom were Maine farmers. Their reasons for organizing the companies were simple; insurance costs were extremely high on farm properties so they banded together, in a very Maine way, and agreed to share the cost of any loss suffered by one of their subscribers. Operations were conducted under these original names until April, 1965 when the names Patrons Mutual Insurance Company and Oxford Mutual Insurance Company were adopted.
THE PHILOSOPHY THEN... Of both companies was to provide protection and service at an affordable cost and still have moderate growth. Only fire coverage was offered and this practice continued until the 1940's when extended coverage was offered.
THE CONTINUATION... Through the 1950's and 1960's, many changes took place. The companies began writing more lines of business such as Inland Marine, Automobile, and Homeowner policies; began writing policies for those who were not members of the Grange; and combined their offices, the Oxford's office was located in South Paris and the Patrons' office was located in Auburn. The advent of the computer age added to the changes with the company issuance of policies instead of the agents typing policies at their places of business.
THEN... On December 16, 1977, in the one hundredth year, a special Policyholders' meeting was held and it was voted to merge the Patrons and the Oxford Mutual Insurance Companies under the new name, Patrons Oxford Mutual Insurance Company. Our growth has been moderate but steady. The company today is a Personal Lines company offering selective products at competitive prices. It is licensed in Maine and is one of the ten largest automobile and homeowner writers in the state with a Best's Rating of A+ (Superior).
THE PHILOSOPHY TODAY... Is the same as it was when the company was formed 125 years ago, to provide protection and service at an affordable cost and still have moderate growth. The company is still supportive of the Maine State Grange, the organization of its beginnings.
THE MARKETING SYSTEM... The company is represented by over 100 Independent Agencies in Maine. The Independent Agent sells insurance for the company.
THE COMPANY CONVERSION... Patrons Oxford’s conversion to a Stock Company and the acquisition of the stock of the converted company by Quincy Mutual of Quincy, Massachusetts on December 30, 1997 provided Patrons Oxford with growth capital and strengthened the Quincy Group’s position in the Maine marketplace. Combined, at the time of this acquisition, the two companies have assets totaling $700 million dollars, surplus in excess of $500 million dollars, and the group writes nearly $150 million in property-casualty premiums throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey. Financial stability, A+ Best Rating, a local presence, and personal service demonstrates that Patrons Oxford is and will continue to be the company “For all the things you value”.
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