FAQ Category: General FAQs

The Minerva is a very important part of Cumberland’s history. Organized fire protection in the City of Bridgeton started in 1819. Sometime around 1840, the City’s original volunteer fire brigade was replaced by the Minerva Volunteer Fire Company. These volunteers used a horse drawn hand pumper fire wagon they called the Minerva. After the formation of the Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, we worked closely with the organized fire brigades in the area. This cooperation ranged from fire inspection services to outright ownership of fire apparatus such as the Minerva. The Minerva Fire Company disbanded sometime in the 1850s, and unfortunately, the original apparatus was lost. However, the Minerva continued to live on as it became a part of our Company logo. In January 2010, the Company unveiled a full size steel replica of the Minerva at the main lobby circle of the New Jersey corporate offices.

Policyholders of mutual insurance companies are members of the organization. One of the most important objectives of a mutual insurance company is to create a financially strong organization that is able to serve its members into the future. Mutual policyholders benefit from the mutual’s ability to retain sufficient surplus to create stability in premiums and reduce the impact of underwriting losses.

AM Best’s Financial Strength Rating is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. It is based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company’s balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.