West Bend Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1894 in West Bend, Wisconsin, in response to a devastating fire that destroyed several local businesses. A group of determined area business owners came together to create a mutual insurance organization that could provide broad, reliable coverage at reasonable rates—prioritizing community and mutual protection over shareholder profit.
Over more than 130 years, West Bend has grown into a leading mutual property and casualty insurer serving businesses and consumers primarily across the Midwest and surrounding regions. Their legacy is rooted in core values of excellence, integrity, responsibility, and superior customer service.
The company has earned numerous recognitions including placements among the “Best Places to Work” by Business Insurance, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “Top Workplace,” and inclusion in Fortune’s “40 Best Workplaces in Finance and Insurance.” This reflects commitment not only to policyholders but also to creating a great work culture and sustainable business practices.
Corporate Mission and Ethical Standards
West Bend’s mission is centered on providing peace of mind through sound insurance protection and exceptional service. They maintain the highest moral, legal, and ethical standards and comply fully with insurance regulations. The company pledges to treat all stakeholders—policyholders, agents, associates, claimants, suppliers, and communities—with honesty, dignity, fairness, and respect.
Leadership at West Bend emphasizes fair competition, shunning any price-fixing or collusive practices to ensure transparent, competitive offerings.
West Bend Mutual Insurance: Detailed Product Portfolio
West Bend Mutual Insurance is known for its strong range of insurance products designed for both individual policyholders and businesses. Serving customers primarily in 15 states, West Bend focuses on offering tailored coverage solutions through independent insurance agents, emphasizing personalized service and competitive pricing.
Personal Lines Insurance
West Bend provides a broad assortment of personal insurance products to protect individuals and family assets:
- Homeowners Insurance
Standard coverage includes dwelling, personal property, liability, and loss of use. Optional endorsements add protections such as guaranteed replacement cost coverage to fully replace your home if declared a total loss, water backup coverage for damages caused by sewer or drain backups, underground service line coverage, and inclusion of pets under Pet AID coverage that protects dogs and cats from accidents or injuries covered under the policy. Valuable personal property, including jewelry, fine arts, collectibles, and electronics, can be scheduled for higher coverage limits. - Condominium Insurance
Provides tailored coverage for condo owners, protecting interiors, personal belongings, and additional living expenses. - Renters Insurance
Offers liability, personal property, and loss of use coverage for tenants, with affordable premiums and optional endorsements. - Personal Umbrella Insurance
Supplements existing liability coverages with an additional layer of financial protection against lawsuits and large claims. - Auto Insurance
Comprehensive auto products cover liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, medical payments, and optional roadside assistance. Discounts reward safe driving, multi-car policies, and anti-theft devices. - Recreational Vehicle Insurance
Policies available for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, golf carts, campers, and watercraft, providing coverage tailored to the specific risks of these vehicles. - Identity Theft Insurance
Offered with an optional Identity Protection Program providing support including email compromise, social media breaches, phishing and device compromise assistance, and data breach monitoring.
Commercial Lines Insurance
West Bend specializes in commercial insurance with a wide array of coverages designed to protect businesses across many industries:
- Commercial Property Insurance
Protects buildings, business personal property, equipment, signage, landscaping, and included outdoor property against loss or damage due to fire, storms, vandalism, theft, explosion, and other covered perils. - General Liability Insurance
Coverage for third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury. Flexible policy options and endorsements to suit business-specific risk profiles. - Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Offers statutory benefits to employees injured or ill due to work-related conditions, with emphasis on claims management and compliance assistance. - Commercial Auto Insurance
Policy options for fleets, delivery vehicles, trucks, and other commercial vehicles, covering liability, physical damage, and specialized endorsements. - Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Provides extended liability limits above underlying policies to safeguard businesses in the event of large claims. - Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions)
Protects service providers from claims alleging negligence, errors, or omissions in professional duties. - Cyber Liability Insurance
Coverage designed to address the risks of data breaches, ransomware, and other cyber threats including notification costs, legal fees, and regulatory fines. - Crime Insurance
Protects businesses from financial losses related to employee dishonesty, theft, forgery, or fraud. - Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Coverage for claims related to wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and other employment-related issues. - Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance
Protects corporate leaders against claims arising from alleged wrongful acts in their managerial capacity. - Surety Bonds
Assures contractual and regulatory obligations, including contract performance bonds, license bonds, and court bonds. - Equipment Breakdown Insurance
Covers repair or replacement of machinery and equipment damaged by mechanical or electrical breakdown.
Value-Added Services and Innovations
- West Bend Mutual Insurance implements advanced technology solutions such as the EZ- Upload tool, recognized by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in 2025 for improving underwriting efficiency and agent collaboration.
- The company emphasizes risk management and loss prevention services, assisting policyholders in reducing risks and lowering claim frequencies through expert consulting.
Summary
West Bend Mutual offers an extensive and customizable portfolio designed to meet the diverse needs of personal and commercial customers. Their blend of traditional mutual company values, financial strength, cutting-edge innovation, and independent agency network support makes them a competitive choice in specialty and standard insurance markets across their service regions.ge options tailored to streamline risk management for various industries and business sizes.
Financial Strength and Growth
West Bend holds an excellent financial rating from AM Best, reflecting strong capitalization and claims-paying ability. With about $1.9 billion in revenue and assets over $1.5 billion, the company is financially stable and able to fulfill policyholder obligations even during adverse economic cycles.
The company continues to embrace technology advancements to improve underwriting accuracy, claims handling efficiency, and policyholder self-service capabilities.
Community Commitment and Employee Culture
With over 1,500 employees, West Bend invests in training and development while fostering an inclusive, respectful corporate culture. Its community outreach programs focus on safety education, disaster preparedness, and charitable giving.
Conclusion
West Bend Mutual Insurance’s rich heritage, mutual company structure, exemplary financial strength, broad product portfolio, and dedication to ethical, customer-focused service combine to make it a leader in the property and casualty insurance sector. Its sustained growth and market respect since 1894 illustrate the enduring value of its business model rooted in community and mutual protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About West Bend Mutual Insurance
Q: What insurance products does West Bend offer?
A: West Bend offers personal lines like auto, homeowners, renters, condo, identity theft protection, and umbrella insurance. For businesses, they offer commercial property, general liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, crime, cyber liability, professional liability, employment practices liability, surety bonds, and commercial umbrella insurance.
Q: In which states is West Bend Mutual Insurance available?
A: West Bend operates in 15 states, mainly in the Midwest.
Q: How do I file a claim?
A: Claims can be reported 24/7 via phone or online through their claims portal or via your independent insurance agent.
Q: Does West Bend provide discounts?
A: Yes. Discounts are available for multi-policy bundling, safe driver, claim-free loyalty, safety devices, and electronic payment.
Q: How can I get a quote?
A: West Bend sells policies exclusively through independent agents. Use their online agent locator to find a local agent.
Q: What is West Bend’s financial strength rating?
A: West Bend holds a strong financial rating from AM Best indicating stable and reliable claims payment ability.
Q: Can I manage my policy online?
A: Yes. West Bend offers online account management and mobile app access for billing, claims tracking, and policy updates.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Contact Information
Corporate Headquarters:
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company
1900 South 18th Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-334-5571
Toll-Free Number:
1-800-236-5010 (Automated attendant)
Claims Phone (24/7):
1-877-922-5246
Fax:
262-334-9109
Website: https://www.thesilverlining.com
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