North Star Mutual Insurance Company: Trusted Protection Since 1920
Since 1920, North Star Mutual Insurance Company has provided reliable insurance protection to policyholders across the Midwest. Headquartered in Cottonwood, Minnesota, North Star Mutual combines small-town values with financial strength, delivering dependable farm, home, auto, and commercial insurance through a trusted network of independent insurance agents.
Our commitment to fast, fair, and friendly service has fueled decades of growth and earned the trust of families, farmers, and businesses throughout our eight-state operating territory.
Why Choose North Star Mutual?
- Established in 1920 with over 100 years of insurance experience
- Headquartered in Cottonwood, Minnesota
- Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best for financial strength and stability
- Represented by more than 2,000 independent insurance agencies
- Issuing and renewing approximately 400,000 home, farm, auto, and small business insurance policies annually
- Provides personalized service through local independent agents
Insurance Coverage Across the Midwest
North Star Mutual currently provides insurance in the following states:
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas (auto)
- Wisconsin
As the largest farm insurance writer in Minnesota, North Star Mutual has a long-standing commitment to protecting agricultural operations and rural communities. Minnesota farm insurance policies are packaged with Township Mutuals throughout the state, providing enhanced local expertise and service.
Financial Strength You Can Rely On
North Star Mutual’s strong financial position allows us to deliver dependable protection when you need it most.
- Written Premiums: $962 Million
- Total Assets: $1.49 Billion
- Policyholder Reserves: $832 Million
- A.M. Best Rating: A+ (Superior)
Local Values, Lasting Protection
While North Star Mutual has grown substantially over the years, our home office remains in the same rural Southwest Minnesota, where we began. Our dedicated team continues to uphold the Midwestern values of integrity, service, and reliability that have guided us for more than a century.
Whether you’re looking for farm insurance, homeowners insurance, auto insurance, or small business insurance, North Star Mutual and our network of independent insurance agents are committed to providing outstanding coverage and personalized service every step of the way.
Our Mission & Values
A Mutual Company Built for Policyholders
North Star Mutual is a Midwest regional mutual insurance company, with rural values and emphasis. We are proud of our mutual heritage and owned by the policyholders we serve.
Our Promise:
To provide outstanding insurance protection and excellent personal care to keep you on course.
Our Mission:
To live our values and deliver on our promises.
To be the best we can be in product and service to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.
Our Commitment:
To Our Customers
We are committed to providing superior protection, fast and fair claims service, and friendly, personalized care.
To Our Agents & Mutual Partners
We are committed to building lasting relationships through trust, loyalty, and excellent personal service.
To Our Employees
We are committed to fostering a challenging, rewarding, and respectful workplace where individuals can grow and succeed.
To Our Communities
We are committed to actively supporting the communities we serve through involvement, partnership, and responsible stewardship.
Our Values:
- People
- Honesty & Integrity
- Personal Care
- Relationships
- Consistency
- Loyalty
- Opportunity
- Efficient Operations
- Strength & Stability
- Continual Improvement
Our History
North Star Farmer’s Mutual was incorporated on February 15, 1920, to provide crop hail insurance in Minnesota. Originally based in Redwood Falls and managed by A.D. Stewart, the company relocated to Cottonwood in 1925 after Stewart’s death, when A.E. Anderson assumed leadership. At that time, the company shifted its focus from crop hail insurance to covering farm buildings and personal property, marking the beginning of its evolution beyond its original purpose.
Following A.E. Anderson’s death in 1950, his son W.E. “Bror” Anderson became Executive Officer and expanded the company’s offerings to include insurance for homes and businesses. This broadened coverage from wind and hail protection to comprehensive property insurance. In 1954, reflecting its growth and expanded services, the company changed its name to North Star Mutual Insurance Company. By 1959, it had surpassed $1 million in annual premium, a significant milestone.
After Bror Anderson’s death in 1973, Cliff Hanson became president and led the company’s expansion into South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska. In 1991, North Star entered the automobile insurance market, strengthening its agency relationships and fueling further growth. Hanson retired in 2001 after 47 years with the company, and Jeff Mauland succeeded him. Under Mauland’s leadership, North Star expanded into Iowa and Wisconsin, reached $100 million in premiums in 2002, and grew to $475 million in premium by his retirement in 2021. Today, under current President and CEO, Pete Hellie, North Star writes $962 million in premium, with just over 400,000 policyholders. Despite the company’s substantial growth over the years, the company remains headquartered in Cottonwood, Minnesota, maintaining its identity as a rural company and
Partnerships & Associations
Our Mutual Partners
Township Mutuals
Minnesota Township Mutuals Insurance Companies were organized in the late 1800s local by farmers to write fire insurance on farms in their area. Our partnership and cooperation dates back to 1925 when North Star Mutual began writing farm windstorm policies to accompany the fire policies written by the Township Mutuals. An affiliation with the Township Mutuals is a vital and cherished part of North Star Mutual’s history and has played a big part in developing the company’s values and character.
All North Star Mutual farm policies in Minnesota are written in package arrangements with Township Mutuals using the Combination Package Policy (CPP). The Township Mutuals insure approximately 80% of the farms in the state, and this package arrangement has made North Star Mutual the largest farm insurance provider in Minnesota. North Star Mutual also partners with Township Mutuals to provide the Combination Dwelling Owners (CDO), a homeowners policy.
SFM
SFM is well defined by their tagline, “The Work Comp Experts,” and has the expertise and resources to provide the best in workers compensation service. Since 1998, North Star Mutual has had a general agency affiliation with SFM, and North Star Mutual agents in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota can write SFM workers compensation policies through the North Star Mutual General Agency. SFM is the largest writer of Workers Compensation insurance in Minnesota.
One General Agency (OGA)
Since 1961, North Star Mutual’s insurance product lines have been written through a general agency arrangement in the state of Oklahoma. As a wholesale General Agency, OGA underwrites and issues policies for North Star Mutual. OGA’s commitment to excellence in service makes them an ideal partner for North Star.
Marysville Mutual
North Star Mutual began writing Auto insurance in the state of Kansas in 2016 as a result of a partnership with Marysville Mutual. Marysville Mutual has been serving Kansas since 1888. The Company offers Homeowner; Farmowner; Dwelling Fire; Farm Fire & Inland Marine coverage.
Industry Associations
NAMIC
Founded in 1895, The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies is the largest and most diverse property/casualty trade association in the United States. In addition to advocacy work at both federal and state levels, NAMIC provides services to member companies, state-based trade associations, and the industry through communication and educational programs. The association strives to increase public awareness and understating of the principles of insurance and the many contributions the property/casualty insurance industry makes to society.
MAFMIC
The Minnesota Association of Farmers Mutual Insurance Companies formed in 1895 to join together farmers’ mutual insurance companies in the state of Minnesota. The association works to assist in the effective utilization of insurance resources and promote a financially sound, competitive farm mutual insurance industry for the ultimate benefit of the consuming public.
IIABA/ Big “I”
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”), founded in 1896, is a national alliance of more than a quarter million independent insurance agents and their employees. The Big “I” advocates for and represents the independent agency system.
PIA
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) represents independent insurance agents in the United States. PIA was founded in 1931 with the objective to promote, educate, protect and advocate on behalf of the American Agency System.
Insurance Federation of Minnesota (IFM)
The Insurance Federation of Minnesota is a non-profit trade association representing property & casualty insurance companies doing business in Minnesota, as well as other organizations related to the business of insurance.
Reinsurance
North Star partners with reinsurance companies to further stabilize loss and reduce the impact of catastrophic events and costly claims. With this added safeguard, customers are further protected from the financial effects of major losses.