New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company was established and incorporated in the small upstate town of Edmeston, NY on April 11, 1899, by a group of 27 area businessmen and residents.

During the first year of operation, NYCM wrote $2,912 in premium and incurred no losses.

New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company, founded by Van Ness D. Robinson, was chartered to write fire and lightning insurance in Otsego, Chenango, and Madison counties.

New York Central Mutual’s first few decades were characterized by moderate growth and concentration on a strong local presence. Product expansion began in 1920 with the additional perils of a windstorm, tornado and earthquake being offered. Growth was aided by the assumption of the assets and liabilities of the Upstate New York Insurance Company of Onondaga County in 1921, and Protective Co-operative Fire Insurance Company of Alfred in 1923.

First
National Bank

First National BankNew York Central Mutual opened its first national bank office in 1939 with six employees.

1956

New York Central Mutual began writing homeowners policies.

In 1962, 36 employees moved into a newly constructed office building located at 1899 Central Plaza East. The building was designed in Early American 18th century architecture on 100 scenic acres on the edge of Edmeston. It was at this time that New York Central Mutual also expanded into its 26th state, the largest footprint held by the company before strategically pulling back to New York only.

The Auto Market

1974

The Auto MarketIn 1974, New York Central Mutual Insurance reached its second milestone, entering the auto market. This enabled the company to maintain and complement its position in the homeowner’s market. At the same time, the company began to limit its business to New York State only leading to rapid growth in direct written premium.

The number of employees more than doubled between 1962 and 1975 to 81 employees at the Edmeston office. In 1975, two symmetrical wings were added to the building for accounts and underwriting. At this time, the company was active in 10 states and represented by approximately 700 independent agents.

In 1986, New York Central Mutual had 378 employees while hitting $100 million in direct written premium.

New York Central Mutual introduced the business owner’s line in 1988.

New York Central Mutual continued to expand its workforce to meet the demands of its growing business. Branch offices were opened in Amsterdam, NY in 1989 and Sherburne, NY in 1990. Independent adjusting firm, Albert F. Stager Inc., was acquired in 1991 adding a branch office in Orchard Park.

In 2001, Central Services Group was developed as the umbrella organization for the company’s growing operations.

On June 7, 2001, A. Central Insurance Company was licensed and fully approved by the NY State Insurance Department. The new company offered competitive mid-market automobile rates for qualifying individuals.

Insured & Agent Lobby

Insured & Agent LobbyIn 2005, the company’s employee count hit an all-time high at 1,263, as it was clear the digital world of the business began to evolve. The company had officially launched the Agent Lobby/Elite - a platform that allowed agents to make insured payments, agent EFT payments, submit losses, view agent account status, and quote for new business and endorsements for auto and homeowner policies.

OUR
BRAND

In 2009, after 110 years the company rebranded both New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and A. Central Insurance into one strong, simplified name and logo.

Business Owners

Business OwnersIn 2017, NYCM launched a new and advanced Business Owner Policy program that rolled out statewide. BOP represents a comprehensive business owner policy with coverage for over 200 classes of business including: offices, services, retail, restaurants, building owners, and residential buildings. In seven months, the program reached $1 million in force premium.

As NYCM continued to grow and expand, a space that could support the development of a changing work environment was evident. We are a company that thrives on relationships, connections, and interactions to nurture our North Star culture. In November 2019, NYCM broke ground on a 35,500 square-foot extension at the Edmeston campus, adding a fourth building. This was the kickoff of the renovation project for all NYCM locations.

Our
North Star

Our North StarThe North Star has served as a reliable gauge of true North, should you find yourself lost on a clear night without a compass. Symbolic of a guide, our North Star is designed to align our behaviors, decisions, and interactions around a common set of deep-rooted principles, values, and beliefs that connect and guide us. It defines why we value, how we win, how we interact, and how we create accountability.

The Amsterdam office moved to a newly renovated office in Canajoharie, NY.

Snap Forward

Snap ForwardWhat began as a trial period of working remotely for two weeks turned into a work from home model for close to two years. The COVID-19 pandemic required NYCM to close the office to any non-essential personnel and regularly adapt to challenges in our world. In 2022, NYCM introduced a hybrid work model to allow employees to share their time between the office and home.

Digital Claims Reporting

In 2022, NYCM gave customers the opportunity to report a claim digitally for their home and auto policies. The first digital claim was received on the same day the feature was launched. The insured had an unfortunate encounter with a young deer that led to damage to her vehicle. She was able to use the digital claim reporting process, along with the quick estimate and submit the claim. She later received a digital payment directly deposited into her account, taking advantage of another digital tool available in the digital claim reporting process.

Genuine Care Since 1899

Genuine Care Since 1899NYCM Insurance has grown tremendously from its small-town beginnings to an award-winning insurance company that proudly serves over 575,000 policyholders. In 2024, NYCM celebrates 125 years of Genuine Care.