AutoOwners insurance company is still private, so one can not purchase stock. The company was formed in 1916 in Mt. Pleasant, MI; which is the home city of Central Michigan University. After several years the company moved to Lansing, MI, the state Capitol; where it resides today.
I write about this company as it retains some unique features for employee benefits that were more common many decades ago and continue to disappear. It still has it's own in house HR department. Hats off to them for all of this. Mostly satisfied employees, one would suppose.
Benefits, full time employee Still has a pension plan, which is vested after 5 years.
My Mother worked for AutoOwners beginning 2 weeks after high school graduation in 1943 and remained for 3 and 1/2 years until leaving in December,1946 for marriage; as her 'to be' husband (my father) returned from WW2 in the Pacific. She shared a very small apartment in the downtown area with 2 girl friends for a cost of $35/week. Her gross income when she started was $35/week. She and her roommates made their way about town either walking or taking a city bus for longer journeys. Some of their meals were cooked in the apartment on hot plates (just like we see in movies or shows from that period).
She worked in a large house/mansion (among 3 other buildings) that was purchased by the company and her small work area was just down the hallway from the company President and his son, who was also an officer of the company. She performed various duties, including statistical reports presented to the President and the Board. She has told us that the work environment was very positive.
Mom will be 99 in October and still sharp as a tack, but with limited vision. Her stories are always very interesting.
Regards,
Catch
