Allstate Insurance founded Apr 17 1931 by General Robert E. Wood as Sears Roebuck subsidiary; idea pitched on commuter train from Sears chairman Lessing Rosenwald who wanted to monetize Sears's catalog customer list. Sells auto insurance by mail (later phone, agents) directly to Sears catalog customers — first US direct-to-consumer P&C insurer at scale.

Allstate launches 'You're In Good Hands With Allstate' advertising campaign 1950 — coined by general sales manager Davis Ellis after his daughter's medical scare; becomes one of the most enduring brand slogans in American advertising (75+ years of continuous use through 2025).

Hurricane Andrew Aug 24 1992 hits South Florida — $15.5B insured losses ($30B+ in 2026 dollars), largest US natural disaster claim at that time. 11 insurers become insolvent. Allstate, State Farm, others retreat from Florida coast; triggers creation of Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund 1993 + birth of Bermuda reinsurance class (RenRe, IPC, Tempest etc).

Allstate IPO Jun 30 1993 at $27/share — Sears spins off insurance subsidiary it had owned since 1931, raises $2.4B. One of the largest IPOs in US history at the time. Allstate becomes independent NYSE-listed; Sears focuses on retail (and eventually collapses by 2010s).

Allstate completes Sears divestiture Jun 1995 — Sears spins off remaining 80% Allstate stake to shareholders. Allstate becomes fully independent NYSE-listed insurer. Jerry Choate CEO 1995-1998 begins shift from captive agent model toward direct channels — sets stage for next 20 years of distribution evolution.

Hurricane Floyd Sep 16 1999 hits NC coast — $4.5B insured losses. Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide absorb large NC homeowner exposure. Floyd accelerates coastal property risk reassessment; sets template for Allstate's later strategic Florida/SE coast pullback.

Hurricane Katrina Aug 29 2005 hits New Orleans — $89B in total damages, $41B insured losses + $25B more in NFIP flood claims. Allstate, State Farm, others face Mississippi/Louisiana coastal litigation over wind-vs-water flood exclusions. Drives massive coastal pullback over next decade; reshapes US homeowner pricing.

Allstate exits Florida personal homeowner market Apr 2007 — non-renews ~95K Florida coastal homeowner policies post-Katrina/Wilma loss costs. First major national insurer to systematically retreat from Florida coastal exposure. Citizens Property Insurance (FL state pool) absorbs displaced policyholders.

Allstate launches QuickFoto Claim 2014 — first major US insurer to enable mobile photo-based auto claims. Drive 50%+ of claims through mobile by 2020. Tom Wilson CEO continues digital transformation. Allstate spends $1B+ on Esurance acquisition 2011 (direct-to-consumer brand) — eventual write-down 2019.

Tom Wilson Allstate CEO since 2007 — leads through Sears divestiture aftermath + 2008 financial crisis + multi-year coastal property pullback (FL, CA, TX). Stock 3x's 2007-2024 from $50 to $170+. Wilson's portfolio simplification (divest Voluntary Benefits 2024) + tech investment + pricing discipline define era.

Hurricane Ian Sep 28 2022 hits SW Florida — $60B insured losses, costliest hurricane in Florida history. Allstate's brand-name homeowner exposure shrinks dramatically as it accelerates Florida coastal pullback. State Farm, Farmers, AAA similarly retreat. Citizens Property (FL state insurer) grows from 1.0M policies (Jan 2022) to 1.4M by EOY 2024.

Allstate Q2 2023 — Tom Wilson CEO reports combined ratio 102% on $1.5B Q2 cat losses (hailstorms + Texas tornadoes). Allstate raises personal lines pricing 25%+ in 2023 to catch up to inflation. Stock falls to $100 (Q3 2023) from $140 (early 2023). Recovers to $170 by Q1 2024 as pricing actions take effect.

Allstate sells Employer Voluntary Benefits Nov 2024 to StanCorp Financial for $2B — Allstate divests non-core benefits business as part of CEO Tom Wilson's portfolio simplification. Allstate focuses on US personal lines auto/home + Allstate Protection Plans (consumer warranty). Cap return to shareholders accelerates.

Palisades + Eaton wildfires Jan 7-31 2025 burn 16,000+ structures in Pacific Palisades + Altadena, LA. Insured losses $40-50B — most expensive US wildfire ever. Allstate had already non-renewed 2018 California homeowners; State Farm did Mar 2024. California FAIR Plan + Citizens-style state pool faces $$$ assessments. Triggers California insurance reform pressure.

Allstate Q1 2025 — Tom Wilson CEO reports $1.5B+ in California wildfire cat losses (Palisades + Eaton). Combined ratio elevated. Allstate maintains California exit decision from 2018 — non-renewals continue. CA FAIR Plan + state regulators pressure pricing reform.