Dryden Mutual Insurance Co - Business Insurance

Dryden Mutual Insurance Co
Ellis Drive
Dryden, NY 13053

(607) 844-8106

In the 19th century, nearly everything in a typical home was flammable. Open flames were used routinely for heat, light and cooking. Needless to say, the loss from fire was frequent and devastating. The populist movements of the time produced many organizations to deal with common issues from politics to agricultural efficiencies. Banding together to face the devastation of fires was yet another outgrowth of American populism.

In 1860, citizens from the rural towns of Dryden and Groton in eastern Tompkins County established the new insurance organization of Dryden & Groton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, naming Freeman Stebbins as its first President. It was organized under 19th century laws which permitted citizens to organize provide fire insurance protection for one another in areas not served by existing national carriers. Most large fire insurance companies of that time were based on the East Coast and only wished to provide protection to large city populations with paved streets and paid firefighters.

In 1910, the company was formally incorporated as Dryden & Groton Fire Insurance Co-Operative Insurance Company. The company was re-organized in 1984 and adopted the current name of Dryden Mutual Insurance Company. While many carriers appeared over the years to serve rural communities, few have had the staying power of Dryden Mutual. It continues to provide difficult lines of property and liability insurance in urban and suburban areas statewide. Our policyholders have been the sole owners of the company from the beginning and they are still benefiting form the original purpose of this organization.