Consumers Insurance USA began operations as a Tennessee-based,
Property and Casualty company, in April 1995. CIUSA was formed
by a shareholder base consisting mainly of independent insurance
agents located across the state of Tennessee.
From the beginning one of the strengths the company has had is its
ability to attract capital. The initial private placement funds were
raised from a founders group of nine individuals, seven of whom were
independent insurance agents. This group was led by William (Bill) Legge, Jr.
and included current board members: Jim Cunningham, Amanda Farnsworth, Ed Gibbons,
Joe Lester, Lou Patten, and Dave Sciortino.
The company experienced many of the issues that routinely come with starting
a new insurance venture, such as defining the market, market penetration, building
a management team, and addressing operational issues. The experience of working
through these issues has helped define the company’s market niche, build a strong
loyal agency base, attract a seasoned management team and build a state of the art
processing system. As a result of the maturation process, the company has
experienced a dramatic turn-around in its financial results over the last five years.
There are many strengths now apparent in the company, and it is these strengths that
have propelled the company into a leadership position in its market.