Forward Mutual Insurance Company

Our Latest News

By the Minutes: Surviving the Big Dogs in the 1960s

Under the umbrella: Fire, Wind, Hail, Liability & Medical

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

By the 1950s, Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company and Watertown Mutual Insurance Company had survived World War I, the Great Depression and World War II. Both companies steadfastly persevered under the long-term leadership of their secretaries. John Degner served Ixonia Mutual from 1944-1968. Arthur Linnes served Watertown Mutual from 1943-1971. Both mutuals, however, were slow to change and comfortable with writing just fire and lightning coverages, a practice shared by their mutual counterparts throughout the state. That they eventually added wind and supplemental coverages was only in response to their policyholders’ demands.

Then came the 1960s and future of town mutuals became seriously threatened. [Read more…] about By the Minutes: Surviving the Big Dogs in the 1960s

Our February Agency: D.A. Brown

Kelly Jacobson, licensed agent for D.A. Brown Insurance Services LLCForward Mutual is proud to feature D.A. Brown Insurance Services LLC as its February agency of the month. Locally owned by Dean A. Brown, this service-oriented agency offers a personal line of auto, home and farm coverages to the Fort Atkinson and surrounding communities. They also provide coverage for businesses.

“I use Forward Mutual whenever I can,” says licensed agent Kelly Jacobson, who offers Forward Mutual home and farm insurance to her D.A. Brown clients. “We have a very good and close working relationship. I work with Sarah (Mueller) and she is always on top of everything.”

Are you looking for home or farm insurance in the Fort Atkinson area? Call Kelly Jacobson at 920-563-5850 and learn how a Forward Mutual policy can protect your property.

By the Minutes: How a Major Disaster Affected Extended Coverage and Reinsurance

Newspaper clippings of 1965 Palm Sunday Tornado, Forward Mutual Insurance Company

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

In 1937 Wisconsin’s state law authorized mutuals the ability to write supplemental coverages for smoke, theft, and similar disasters, but it wasn’t until 1951 that it authorized extended coverage. Along with extended—also known as wind coverage—came the new requirement of reinsurance, where another insurance company takes on all or part of the risk covered under a policy issued by another insurance company in consideration of a premium payment. In 1951, the state law determined wind coverage had to either be 100% reinsured or the mutual’s wind losses must be capped at $2.50 per thousand of wind insurance in force. [Read more…] about By the Minutes: How a Major Disaster Affected Extended Coverage and Reinsurance

By the Minutes: Tumultuous 1930-1940s

Shutterstock illustration ID: 249573553 American WW2 poster. 'Her America must stay free! Buy war bonds,' reads a poster showing a daydreaming teenage girl about to write in her diary. Ca. 1943. Used with permission.

American WW2 poster. ‘Her America must stay free! Buy war bonds,’ ca. 1943. Used with permission, Shutterstock

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

Throughout their operations, Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company and Watertown Mutual Insurance Company steadfastly served the small town communities of southeastern Wisconsin. However, “small town” is not to say they operated in a bubble of oblivion to rest of the world. Both mutuals maintained a keen awareness of national and international affairs and proactively sought to protect their policyholders as best they could. [Read more…] about By the Minutes: Tumultuous 1930-1940s

Celebrating Christmas with Howard’s Favorite Cookie

Howard's favorite Christmas cookie, Forward Mutual Insurance Company

It’s the season we all love; one of tradition, giving and togetherness—especially when it comes to Christmas cookies! This year Howard Wiedenhoeft baked six varieties and of them his favorite is Mountain Cookies, by Taste of Home.

“I’ve been making these cookies over 20 years and everyone keeps asking for them,” says Howard, who enjoys more time in the kitchen since his retirement in 2014 as Forward’s president and CEO. He now serves as Forward’s claim manager.

Here’s Howard’s version of Mountain Cookies. They’re full of Wisconsin’s dairy goodness, so enjoy! And please share with us your favorite cookies! [Read more…] about Celebrating Christmas with Howard’s Favorite Cookie

By the Minutes: Our Annual Meetings Over the Years

A glass of beer and a perfect hand in Sheepshead.

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

I started looking at the histories of Watertown Mutual Insurance Company and Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company last year when Forward Mutual moved the location of its annual meeting.

Since 1875, Ixonia Mutual (now Forward Mutual) has held its annual meetings in four different locations. Initially, the meetings were held at Erickson Hall on Marietta Avenue (which changed names several times). In 1925, the meetings were relocated to the newly built Ixonia Town Hall. In 1949, they were relocated to the newly built Ixonia Fireman’s Hall, where they were held for 69 years. Last year, Forward Mutual once again held its annual meeting in the Ixonia Town Hall, now located at W1195 Marietta Avenue (formerly Ixonia Bank). [Read more…] about By the Minutes: Our Annual Meetings Over the Years