Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) began as eight separately managed regional insurance companies across the United States.
As originally chartered, each wrote primarily in its own “home state” – with some business in bordering states. The eight companies began as personal lines writers, and each had its local underwriting and management presence in their territories – a core strategy BHHC continues to embody.
Today, BHHC has expanded its footprint nationally, while remaining committed to our heritage of offering the personalized service of a local home state insurance company. Our local presence, combined with our unparalleled financial strength, has resulted in knowledge, experience and staying power, allowing us to provide you solid and secure insurance products.
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. It was originally incorporated as Cornhusker Casualty Company in 1970 writing business in the state of Nebraska. In 1981, the Company acquired the Insurance Company of Iowa – an affiliated Iowa-domiciled insurance company.
In 2012, in response to its growing national presence, the company changed its name to Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company to better reflect its current national market position.
BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company is a North Liberty, Iowa domiciled surplus lines insurer. It was originally incorporated as Brookwood Insurance Company and began writing business in 1999. It historically focused its business within Oregon and Tennessee. In 2021, the company changed its name to BHHC Special Risks Insurance Company.
Continental Divide Insurance Company is a Denver, Colorado domiciled company. The company was incorporated in 1978 to write business in the state of Colorado.
Cypress Insurance Company is a San Francisco, California domiciled company. The company began writing business in 1963 and was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1977. Cypress Insurance Company serves as our leading writer for workers compensation insurance in California.
Oak River Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. The company began writing business in 1993 and, in the same year, merged with Kansas Fire & Casualty Insurance Company. The combined companies continued on under the Oak River Insurance Company name.
Redwood Fire and Casualty Insurance Company is an Omaha, Nebraska domiciled company. Originally incorporated as Kerkling Reinsurance Corporation in 1970, it was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1976. The company changed its name to Central Fire & Casualty Company in 1977 and then assumed its current name in 1980.