The North Dakota Farm Bureau starts its own insurance company for its farmers and ranchers. With a $500 investment from 100 North Dakota Farm Bureau members, Nodak Mutual Insurance Company was born. Initial coverages included car, truck and farm liability insurance.
G.W. "Bill" Nygaard was appointed General Manager of the newly born company in 1946. From this date to his retirement in June 1968, the company grew from assets of $162,024 (Dec. 31, 1946) to $4,174,243 on June 30, 1968.
Nodak's first home was the second floor of the Fargo National Bank building, which is currently the home of Fort Noks on Broadway and NP Avenue. North Dakota Farm Bureau occupied the third floor. Nodak stayed at that location until December 1954.
Nodak moved to current location on First Avenue North in downtown Fargo.
Harold Grommesh takes over as CEO until 1988. Homeowner's insurance added.
Assets of $5.4 million. Commercial insurance added.
25th Anniversary. Surplus of $3.66 million and 170 agents throughout North Dakota.
Construction begins on a $1 million addition to the west side of Nodak Mutual Insurance building.
Gene Nygaard, son of Nodak's original president Bill Nygaard, takes over as CEO.
Nodak celebrates 50 years. $64 million in premium, 120 employees and 80 agents.
New addition to east side of building
Nodak Mutual acquires American West Insurance, a multi-state licensed property/casualty company, that actively writes in South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota.
In 2003, Nodak joins the elite company of other national auto insurers and becomes a member of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Michael James Alexander becomes CEO of Nodak Mutual Insurance, which had a surplus of $40.7 million and an AM Best Rating of B++.
Nodak adopts its current tagline.
Surplus is $63.1 million - A.M. Best Rating of A-
Affiliation of Battle Creek Mutual Insurance Company, a domestic property/casualty insurer, located in Battle Creek, Nebraska.
Nodak achieves milestone of $100 million in surplus - A.M. Best Rating of A.
Nodak acquired Primero, a South Dakota-based non-standard auto insurer writing in Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota and South Dakota.
After 70 years of operating as a mutual insurance company, Nodak Mutual Insurance is converted to a stock insurance company, Nodak Insurance Company. Nodak's stock holding company, NI Holdings Inc., is listed and traded on the NASDAQ exchange.
National footprint continues to grow with the acquisition of auto carrier Direct Auto, a non-standard auto writer, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Based in Maryland, Westminster American Insurance Company becomes part of the Nodak Mutual Group. Westminster specializes in commercial insurance in several states along the Eastern seaboard.
Nodak Insurance Company named to Ward's Top 50 Property/Casualty companies for the 8th year in a row.
Nodak Insurance Group is poised for the future with $314 million of premium writings and $283 million of policyholder surplus.
"I've been fortunate to be with Nodak Insurance for over 25 years and it's provided me with great experiences and opportunities. It's a special company with terrific employees and agents to work with. Congratulations on celebrating 75 years!"
Joe Welsch
Vice President of Marketing
"My grandpa and dad were insured by Nodak. I have stayed with Nodak because they are dependable, honest, have good agents, great adjusters and fast service."
Wayne Bernhoft
Mountain, Nodak policyholder
"Nodak Insurance Company is an awesome company and I've so enjoyed working here. I love that this is a small company who supports me in taking care of my clients just like family. The people I work with have also become like family - from the underwriters to the adjusters, my fellow agents and everyone else in the company. It's great to know each individual by name and to be a part of such a successful team!"
Clare Messmer
Dickinson agent
"In 26 years, I have seen many changes in the insurance industry and our clients' needs. Through those years, the one thing that has never changed is the large number of friendships I have welcomed with colleagues and so many of our customers. My sincerest 'thank you' to our customers, employees and agents for the opportunity to be a part of this great organization."
Matt Horner
Property Claims Specialist
"As an agent with Nodak Insurance, it's exciting to be a part of this milestone - 75 years of protecting those who call North Dakota home! As I do my job, I have the privilege of presenting an insurance company that has proven for 75 years, 'We've got you North Dakota!'"
Nick Bruns
Jamestown agent
"When I have questions, they have answers. They've never let me down."
Curt Christenson
Drayton, Nodak policyholder
"Nodak is a great place to work with all the support I get. This includes the support for working from home during our Covid outbreak. Nodak is a great place to work with great employee health, compensation and retirement benefits."
Mason Mehring
Information Systems Project Manager
"I have been an agent for Nodak Insurance Company for almost one half of its existence. During that time I have seen it grow from a single state, mutual company, to a multi-state publicly traded company on the stock exchange. The one constant that I have had is my ability as an agent to provide quality products and service to the clients I serve. I truly value the relationships I have developed with my clients over the past 33-1/2 years. I am even insuring grandchildren of some of my longtime clients."
Mike Bruckbauer
Fargo agent
"I started with Nodak 30 years ago and I haven't found anybody that provides the same service that I have been getting from Nodak."
Sheldon Laib
Mercer, Nodak policyholder
"I love working for a North Dakota company that has been around for so long! The number of employees that have worked at Nodak for 10+ years is a true testament of how they appreciate and take care of their employees. I really enjoy working at Nodak and look forward to celebrating the company's 75 years!"
Jennifer Connell
Operations Project Management Representative
"I am proud to be part of a company with such a rich history and North Dakota heritage. I also appreciate the continued commitment to North Dakota and the values we share here in this great state!"
Kyle Gagner
Cavalier agent
"When I started at Nodak in 1981, this was my first real job other than something through school. I realized at the start that I would be working here for a very long time. I think about all of the people that I have worked with through the years often. Lots of memories! Nodak is a great company to work for. Congratulations on 75 years!"
Wanda Woollweever
Senior Farm Underwriter
"Nodak is a good company to work with and has provided insurance coverage for my family for several generations now."
Stephen Robinson
Coleharbor, Nodak policyholder
"Nodak and its leadership team prove their integrity and ethics by consistently doing the right thing for the benefit of their insureds and employees. I am confident in knowing that as an employee, Nodak and its leadership team always have our best interests in mind. They really do care about us and take care of us."
Amy Mathias
Customer Service Representative/Billing Specialist
"Celebrating Nodak's 75th anniversary is such an honor. We are so grateful to our clients who have trusted in us over the years. We plan to continue to provide the same level of service in the future years to come. I'm so proud to be part of the Nodak Insurance team!"
Lana Schepp
Minot agent
"I chose Nodak because my parents were Nodak customers and I continue because of how I've been treated over the last three and a half decades."
Mark Ostrem
Rugby, Nodak policyholder
"Nodak does a great job of taking care of their customers as well as their employees. Proud to be a part of Nodak Insurance Company!"
Steve Thomas
Senior Inside Claims Representative
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