Pan-American Life Insurance Company
A man delivering produce to the United States from Central and South America began what is now known as Pan-American Life Insurance Company. The vision of Crawford H. Ellis to offer the people of Latin America personal and business insurance came true when he met three distinguished gentlemen, Dr. Edward Simmons, a life insurance expert, Dr. Marion Souchon, a renowned surgeon and Eugene McGivney, a corporate lawyer. Together, they were able to raise money and in March 1912, Pan-American Life Insurance Company issued their first policy.
The next years saw Pan-American expanding and writing policies in Central America, South America, Columbia and Ecuador. Then it ventured to the Caribbean operating in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Although Pan-American sells insurance to the United States, for years the center of its business is Latin America. In 1998, the company decided to withdraw altogether from the domestic health insurance sector and focus was on life insurance and retirement planning. However, it would continue to offer health insurance in eight Latin American countries. Today, Pan-American Life Insurance Company operates in 46 states and the District of Columbia. It has earned top ranking for the third consecutive year in Hispanic Business 500 for New Orleans-based insurance company and as No.1 Hispanic Business in Louisiana. For its rating, A.M. Best assigned an A- (Excellent) and Fitch gave an A (stable) rating.
For almost a century now, Pan-American Life Insurance Company has earned a trusted reputation that can understand and cater to the Latino community. As the company says, “At Pan-American Life, we understand where you come from and speak your language, literally!”
