American Heritage Life Insurance Company: A Look at Their History in Jacksonville

I recently learned that American Heritage Life Insurance Company is headquartered in Jacksonville Florida. As someone who lives in the area and has been considering life insurance I wanted to learn more about this company’s history and operations in Jacksonville. In this article, I’ll share what I discovered.

Overview of American Heritage Life Insurance Company

American Heritage Life Insurance Company provides supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other voluntary benefits. They market products to employees through the workplace. American Heritage Life is a subsidiary of The Allstate Corporation.

The company was founded in Jacksonville in 1957 as the American Heritage Life Insurance Company. They initially operated as an independent company until being acquired by Allstate in 1974. American Heritage Life continues to be headquartered in Jacksonville today.

Jacksonville Origins and Early Growth

American Heritage Life Insurance Company has its roots in Jacksonville Here is an overview of the company’s early history in the city

• Founded in 1957 in Jacksonville by a group of local businessmen
• First president was A. Ray Curtis, a leader in the Jacksonville insurance community
• Initial office was located downtown at 525 Laura Street
• Expanded operations and relocated to suburban Deerwood Park area in 1970s
• Developed innovative products like cancer insurance and intensive care coverage
• Built a strong capital base and diversified offerings in Jacksonville before eventual sale

The company’s early years were spent building a presence and thriving insurance operation based right here in Jacksonville. Their success ultimately set them up for acquisition by the larger Allstate Corporation.

Acquisition by Allstate and Continued Jacksonville Presence

In 1974, American Heritage Life Insurance Company was acquired by Allstate and became one of their major subsidiaries focused on voluntary benefits. Here is an overview of the post-acquisition years:

• Allstate retained American Heritage Life headquarters in Jacksonville after purchase
• Current CEO Jerry Sullivan appointed in 1985, leading growth initiatives
• Portfolio expanded to include life, disability, critical illness & other products
• National workforce grown to over 1,200 while maintaining Jacksonville base
• Jacksonville staff oversees key operations like policy services, systems, and claims
• Continues legacy as one of city’s largest insurance employers with 800+ local staff

While now owned by Allstate, American Heritage Life maintains a strong presence in Jacksonville as both a major employer and hub for important insurance operations.

American Heritage Life’s Current Products and Services

Today, American Heritage Life provides a range of voluntary benefits and supplemental insurance products including:

• Accident Insurance: Pays benefits for injuries from a covered accident
• Critical Illness Insurance: Pays a lump sum upon diagnosis of major illnesses
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance: Pays fixed dollar amounts for hospital stays
• Cancer Insurance: Pays benefits for cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Life Insurance: Provides a death benefit to beneficiaries and living benefits
• Disability Insurance: Replaces income if you’re unable to work due to illness/injury

These products are all designed to supplement major medical coverage and provide additional financial protection. The company continues to develop and refine its lineup of voluntary benefits.

My Take: A Stable Jacksonville-Based Insurer

After learning more about American Heritage Life Insurance Company, I see them as a stable Jacksonville-based life and health insurer with deep local roots. The company has maintained headquarters in Jacksonville for over 60 years while growing to national prominence after being acquired by Allstate.

Key pluses for me are their strong financial backing, innovative products, and large professional staff right here in Jacksonville overseeing key elements of their insurance operations and services. I’m now considering getting a quote from American Heritage Life given their history and presence in my hometown.