Travelers founded Apr 1 1864 in Hartford CT by James G. Batterson as US's first accident insurance company; first policy issued to Batterson's friend James Bolter Apr 1 1864 — 2 cents premium for $1,000 of accident coverage walking from post office to home. Birth of modern casualty insurance — Batterson invented the concept of insuring against accidents.

Travelers issues first US accident insurance policy with $1,000 indemnity for a journey from post office to home for 2 cents; foundational moment for casualty insurance. By 1870 Travelers also begins issuing life insurance — broadening into multiline carrier that defines the 'Travelers umbrella' brand for 160 years.

Travelers issues first US automobile liability policy Sep 1909 to Truman Martin of Buffalo NY — $1,000 coverage for $7.50 premium. Birth of US auto insurance. Travelers' Hartford CT HQ becomes the design template for the 'insurance capital' branding that defines the city for 100+ years.

Loma Prieta earthquake Oct 17 1989 strikes SF Bay Area during World Series — $6B in damages, $960M insured losses. Travelers, Allstate, Hartford pay homeowner claims; California earthquake authority (CEA) eventually established 1996 to spread quake risk. Reshapes California earthquake underwriting.

Sandy Weill's Primerica acquires Travelers Aug 1994 for $4.2B; renames Primerica to Travelers Group. Weill begins building 'financial supermarket' — combines Travelers, Smith Barney, Salomon Brothers. Travelers Group later merges with Citicorp 1998 forming Citigroup; insurance ops spun off 2002 as 'Travelers Property Casualty'.

Travelers Group merges with Citicorp Apr 1998 forming Citigroup — largest financial services merger ever at $70B. Sandy Weill becomes Citigroup co-chairman with John Reed; later sole chairman. Insurance ops eventually spun off 2002 as 'Travelers Property Casualty' when financial supermarket strategy fails.

Travelers Property Casualty Corp spun off from Citigroup Aug 2002 — Sandy Weill divests insurance after concluding 'financial supermarket' synergies failed to materialize. Re-emerges as standalone NYSE-listed Travelers Property Casualty; market cap ~$15B.

Travelers Property Casualty merges with St. Paul Companies Apr 2004 for $16B all-stock — combines #2 + #3 US commercial P&C insurers; renamed St. Paul Travelers (later just Travelers). Jay Fishman CEO. Becomes largest US commercial P&C insurer by premium.

Travelers added to Dow Jones Industrial Average Jun 2009 replacing Citigroup. Becomes only insurance company in DJIA, signaling P&C insurance's centrality to US economy. The recognition cements TRV's status as 'America's insurance company'.

Travelers Q2 2015 — Alan Schnitzer CEO (succeeds Jay Fishman Dec 2015) delivers $25B premium FY; combined ratio 95%. Travelers' commercial dominance + AAA-rated balance sheet + Hartford CT HQ make it 'the insurance company' representing US P&C industry. Only insurer in DJIA.

Hurricane Harvey Aug 25 2017 hits Texas — $19B insured losses; Hurricane Irma Sep 10 adds $50B + Maria Sep 20 adds $90B = $160B total 2017 cat year. Travelers absorbs $700M Q3 2017 cat losses. Reinsurance markets harden mildly 2018 before reverting; 2017 sets template for 2023's harder reset.

Hurricane Ida Aug 29 2021 hits Louisiana — $36B insured losses, second-most expensive US hurricane ever after Katrina. Travelers, State Farm, Allstate, Chubb absorb large primary shares; record property cat year ($90B+ global insured cat losses 2021) drives 2022 reinsurance hard market.

Alan Schnitzer becomes Travelers CEO Dec 2015 — succeeds Jay Fishman (CEO 2001-2015). Schnitzer executes disciplined underwriting + tech investment ($1B+ over 5 years). Travelers stock 2x's 2015-2024 from $115 to $245+. Combined ratio consistently 92-95%; sustained ROE 15%+.

Travelers Q3 2023 results — combined ratio 101% on $1.5B cat losses (Hawaii fires + Hurricane Idalia + severe convective storms). Alan Schnitzer CEO (since 2015) maintains discipline. Travelers' commercial book outperforms personal lines as homeowner Florida/Texas/California challenges persist.

Hurricane Milton Oct 9 2024 hits Florida west coast as Cat 3 (peaked Cat 5 in Gulf) — $30-40B insured losses + ~$6B Travelers Q4 2024 cat losses. Combined Helene+Milton hit Q3-Q4 2024 cat budgets across industry. Florida Hurricane Cat Fund + Citizens absorb large flood/wind shares.