Our History

Helping others for more than 175 years

Throughout our history, we've led through innovation, integrity and an unwavering commitment to our customers. This simple philosophy has helped us become a global leader in financial protection benefits.

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OUR DEEP ROOTS
1910 - Provident Building<br>Chattanooga, TN
1886 - Union Mutual Building Portland, ME
1848
Union Mutual is chartered in Maine. It would later become Unum.
1864
The American reinsurance market is born when Union Mutual reinsures Chicago Mutual Life.
1887
Provident Life and Accident Insurance is founded in Chattanooga .
1895
The Masonic Protective Administration (MPA) is founded in Massachusetts. It would eventually become the Paul Revere Life Insurance Company.
In 1849, our first policy for $5,000 in life insurance is issued by Union Mutual.
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A HISTORY OF LEADING THE WAY
1919
The MPA becomes a pioneer in the industry by launching its first disability insurance product.
1924
The industry's first group life insurance plan is offered by Union Mutual.
1939
Provident becomes the first insurer to offer disability benefits.
1986
Union Mutual becomes a public stock company and is renamed Unum Corporation.
1990
Unum expands to the U.K. with the acquisition of National Employer’s Life Permanent Health Insurances (NELPHI), founded in 1970.
1993
Unum and Colonial Life merge to fuel growth for both businesses.
1997
Provident acquires Paul Revere Life Insurance Company to further expand disability business.
1999
Unum and Provident merge to form UnumProvident Corporation and becomes the first to offer an employee assistance plan with group disability coverage.
State of South Carolina Mutual Accident Company is founded in Columbia, South Carolina.

It is renamed Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company two years later.
1973 - Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Columbia, SC
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EXPANDING TO SERVE
MORE PEOPLE
2007
UnumProvident is renamed Unum Group.
2015
Unum Group expands into the dental market with the acquisitions of National Dental Plan (U.K.) and Starmount Life (U.S.).
2018
Technology company LeaveLogic joins the Unum Group family to enhance the leave management process for businesses and their employees.

Unum Group acquires Polish financial protection provider Pramerica Życie TUiR SA and rebrands as Unum.
2023
Unum Group celebrates its 175th anniversary.
TODAY
To fulfill our purpose, we continually invest in the talent and technology necessary to develop solutions ahead of the ever-changing needs of our customers.

We do this through our two marketing brands:
Unum and Colonial Life logo lockup
Current Unum Headquarters Chattanooga, TN