About RLI
RLI’s history of innovation dates to the early 1961, when founder Gerald D. Stephens, CPCU, recognized the expense of replacing contact lenses, and founded RLI — Replacement Lens, Inc. — a contact lens insurance agency. In time, it emerged as the largest insurer of its kind in the world.
Building upon this success, RLI entered the commercial property and liability insurance field and expanded into the direct writing of a commercial umbrella program. Today, RLI offers a diversified product portfolio, and has been writing executive product lines since 1981 without interruption.
RLI Insurance Company, our flagship insurance subsidiary; Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, our multi-line excess and surplus lines subsidiary; and RLI Indemnity Company, admitted in most states; are all rated “A+” by A.M. Best Company. Our record of success can be traced to our underwriting, claims and support personnel, noted for their expertise in specialized insurance products and segments. The company’s reputation for original products, superior service and aggressive implementation of cutting-edge technology is known nationwide.
The RLI business model places a priority on underwriting profit and our shareholders have profited from our success. We have paid and increased dividends for 36 straight years.
As each RLI employee owns a piece of the business, we cooperate to achieve the growth, expansion and diversification necessary to write the next proud chapter of RLI history.
RLI Financial Strength
- Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, a leading rater of insurance company financial stability.
- Rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s, a leading provider of independent credit ratings.
- Gross premiums written* — $702,107
- Net earnings* — $130,591
- Total assets* — $2,695,170
- GAAP combined ratio* — 78.4
*In thousands, except combined ratio, from year-end 2011 financial reports.
RLI History Highlights
- 1961 — Founded contact lens insurance agency, Replacement Lens Inc.
- 1965 — Private holding company formed (later to become RLI Corp.).
- 1977 — Began writing specialty commercial property and casualty coverages.
- 1987 — RLI common stock begins trading on NYSE.
- 2000 — Named to Standard & Poor’s Small Cap 600 Index.
- 2011 — Listed on Ward’s 50, a ranking of top-performing insurance companies, for 21st consecutive year.
