On the 18th day of December 1877, thirty-five men agreed to become a corporation by the name of
"Farmers & Mechanics Mutual Fire Insurance Company of West Virginia." We are the oldest Domestic
Mutual Fire Insurance Company in the state. The Company has been governed by a Board of Directors
since our organization in 1877. The directors met in various places including Dr. Chamberlin's office,
Shenandoah Hotel Building on the corner of Queen and Martin Streets, and the Appleby Building on127
W. Burke Street until 1971 when they moved to their own new office quarters at 109 South College
Street, Martinsburg, WV.
As a mutual company, we do not have stockholders, but policyholders, who officially own the company.
Farmers & Mechanics is a Property and Casualty Company represented by over 400 licensed agents with
over 100 independent agencies throughout the state of West Virginia. We provide Homeowner, Mobile
Homeowner, Dwelling Fire, Farm Fire, Farmowners, Businessowners, Commercial Fire and Commercial
Package Coverages. We are the 5th largest Homeowner carrier and the 2nd largest Farmowner carrier in
the state.
The first policy was issued on March 5, 1878 insuring H. N. Deatrick for $2,000.00 on Dry Goods and
Notions. In 1920 Assets were less than $28,000 and the policy limit was $3,000. In 1940 Assets were
over $115,000 and their office was located in the Shenandoah Hotel Building on the corner of Queen and
Martin Streets. In 1941 was the adoption of Constitution and By-Laws recommended by the State
Insurance Commissioner and in 1942 F&M became a member of NAMIC (National Association of
Mutual Insurance Companies). Farmers and Mechanics moved from the Shenandoah Hotel Building to
the Appleby Building located at 127 W. Burke Street in 1957 and in 1971 moved their office to 109 South
College Street, Martinsburg. F&M outgrew their facility on College Street and on December 9, 1994
moved to a beautiful 3-story brick building at 1447 Edwin Miller Blvd., Martinsburg.
In 1977 Farmers & Mechanics celebrated 100 years of service to West Virginia policyholders. At that
time, Mr. J. Hugh Shipper, who was also Clerk of the Circuit Court of Berkeley County, was serving as
the President of the Board of Directors and had been a board member since 1956. Mr. Donald L. Sperow,
Sr. was the Secretary-Manager and had been with the Company since 1969. Mr. Sperow created one of
the first Farmowner Insurance Programs written by a domestic insurance company in West Virginia. He
served as Assistant Manager, Manager and was elected as a Board Member in 1988. Mr. Sperow was
promoted to President/CEO in 1990 and became the Chairman of the Board in 1993. Because of Mr.
Sperow's hard work, dedication and his thirty-three years of outstanding service to the company, the
Board of Directors honored him on April 26, 2002 by naming the Company's Headquarters the "Donald
L. Sperow, Sr. Building." On November 5, 2002, Farmers & Mechanics lost a great leader and mentor.
Mr. Sperow passed away after a long battle of pancreas cancer.
On April 24, 2003 the Board of Directors hired E. Dennis McCormick as the President/CEO of the
Company. Mr. McCormick has an extensive insurance background, including an in-depth knowledge of
the West Virginia insurance environment. Prior to joining F&M, he spent 31 years with Kemper and its
successor, Shelby Insurance Companies where his area of responsibility have included management of
property and casualty underwriting and marketing operations. He holds the Chartered Property Casualty
Underwriter Designation and is a licensed P&C agent.
As of December 31, 2007 Farmers & Mechanics had a total surplus of $21.7 million $35.9 million assets
with combined Ratio of 62.7% and a direct written premium of $19,877,428.
