Motorists Insurance Group Enters Real Estate Development

Columbus-based Motorists Insurance Group is getting into Discovery District real-estate development as it makes plans to invest a total of $80 million in building one to three bedrooms townhomes. Here are fast five facts on the super-regional insurer :

Led by Dave Kaufman

Motorists is led by President and CEO Dave Kaufman since 2013. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor degree in mathematics and economics. Originally he “wanted to teach math and coach basketball” but since joining Motorists in 1986, Kaufman said, “Terrific opportunities kept coming.”

Not just for personal lines

Motorists was established by Carl Crispin on Nov.19,1928 with a $15K investment and a single goal of creating an auto insurer that provides prompt, fair claims service at a low premium. While its roots go back to personal auto and homeowner’s insurance, which is a big segment of the insurer’s current book, it actually sees almost 70% of its revenue come from commercial lines – anything from restaurants to auto dealerships to contractors .

Into entrepreneurial design

In 2015, the insurer opened a new innovation campus for its IT department in Columbus, which was designed by WSA Studio. A taste of modern energy. Look:

Formed a JV with BrickStreet Mutual Insurance

In 2016, Motorists announced a joint venture with BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, a mono-line WC carrier headquartered in Charleston with offices in North Carolina, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Through this JV, BrickStreet and Motorists have entered into an affiliation agreement that allow them to partner together financially and operationally while they each maintain their individual brands. As mutual companies, both will continue to be owned by their policyholders and remain headquartered in West Virginia and Ohio, respectively.

Agency-channel backer

Motorists only markets their products through independent agents.